OUR GUIDE TO SKIN HYDRATION

Dry or dehydrated skin can be uncomfortable, as well as a potential indicator of poor skin health. Hydrated skin, on the other hand, looks plump, youthful and healthy. Enhanced hydration also improves skin elasticity and minimises the appearance of wrinkles. This means tackling your skin dehydration is well worth it, whether it’s to ease your discomfort or to help you age more beautifully.

Skin hydration is more than just skin deep. We give you the run-down on how to keep your skin hydrated, plump and youthful, no matter its current condition.

What causes dry skin?

Simply put, dryness occurs when the outermost layer of the skin suffers from a lack of water. Some people naturally have a dry skin type, while others develop a dry complexion due to outside factors.

These factors might include:

• Seasonal changes
• Not drinking enough water
• Using harmful or dehydrating products
• Washing your face excessively

To properly address your dry skin troubles, it’s important to first identify the type of dry skin you have. There are actually two categories your skin could fall under: dry and flaky, or tight and dehydrated.

Here’s why your skin type matters and how to hydrate your dry skin accordingly.

Dry and flaky skin

Dry skin lacks sebum, which can cause redness, flakiness and skin prone to itching. This can be incredibly uncomfortable, particularly around the eyebrows, nose and mouth.

When searching for dry skincare, opt for products that contain ceramides. Ceramides are a class of fatty acids called lipids that occur naturally in the skin. By applying products that contain ceramides, you can start to strengthen your skin’s barrier and ease discomfort. You should also be careful not to over wash your face and instead embrace any natural oil your skin produces.

Tight and dehydrated skin

Dehydrated skin lacks water, which results in dullness, prominent dark circles, fine lines and skin sensitivity. The best way to tell if your skin is dehydrated is to pinch your cheek - if it wrinkles instead of holding its shape, it’s likely dehydrated. Applying hydrating ingredients remain the answer for how to hydrate ageing skin, as each works to plump up ageing, dehydrated skin and fills in visible fine lines.

Why does skin hydration matter?

Creating a hydrating skincare routine offers a plethora of benefits. Hydrated skin is:

• Less oily - dehydrated skin overcompensates for its lack of moisture by producing excess oils, which is a lose-lose situation.

• More resistant to the signs of ageing - by adding water to the skin, hydrating products help to make wrinkles less noticeable.

• Less susceptible to environmental irritants, as it is healthier and can combat toxins more effectively.

• More comfortable, with no itchiness or tightness to deal with throughout your day.

If you're not quite sure whether your skin is dry or dehydrated, you’ll be happy to hear that most topical products will do good for both skin types. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E are all ingredients to look out for when searching for skincare products for your dry or dehydrated skin.

Our top hydrating skincare products

●      Serum

A hydrating face serum is the secret weapon your dry skin needs. The best hydrating serum for particularly parched skin is the Pure Shots Night Reboot Serum, a specially formulated face serum for dry skin. With an optimal dose of glycolic acid, this hydrating serum for dull skin results in skin that’s softer to the touch, overnight.

●     Moisturiser
For a long-lasting yet lightweight moisturising primer, try the Top Secrets Instant Moisture Glow with conditioning burnet root extract. Then, lather your dry skin with our Pure Shots Perfect Plumper Nutri-Cream, a powerful moisturiser with replenishing ceramide and hydrating orange blossom extract. If you’re wondering how to hydrate your skin overnight, try applying a thick layer of your favourite moisturiser before bed and letting it soak in overnight

●      Lip Balm
Dry skin often comes with dry lips. Soothe your chapped lips with our Top Secrets Lip Perfector, a balmy blend made up of shea butter and beeswax. 

●      Primer
Round out your skincare and lay the foundations for your makeup with the primer.

●      Foundation
For your base, opt for the Touche Éclat Le Teint Liquid Foundation, packed with vitamin E for 24-hour hydration.

●      Setting spray

Set your look with Setting Spray.

How to hydrate your face from within?

In addition to applying hydrating skincare, it’s also important to boost your skin’s hydration from within:

●      Avoid long, hot showers - hot water strips your skin of its moisture, leaving it feeling tight and dry. Instead, use lukewarm water and apply moisturiser right when you hop out of the shower.

●      Drink plenty of water - water is essential for improving skin elasticity, so aim for at least two litres of H2O a day.

●      Eat a hydrating diet - this means opting for water-dense and antioxidant-rich foods as well as healthy, nourishing fats.

Curious about matching your makeup products to your skin type? Read up on our favourite foundations for oily, dry or combination skin.