skincare myth: drinking more water can cure dry skin
chances are you’ve been told to “drink more water” in response to your skin feeling dry. while drinking water is crucial for your overall health, when it comes to hydrating the skin, it won't fix your problem any more than a bath will quench your thirst. although the skin is the largest organ in the body, it's also the last to receive water. your body prioritizes sending water to internal organs and deprioritizes sending water to the skin, so it’s best treated on the surface using topical products
what causes your skin to feel dry skin...
the reason your skin feels dry is due to 1 of 2 reasons: the first is because it's your genetically determined skin type, and the second is because it’s dehydrated due to external factors including weather (low humidity/dry heat/the sun), diet, harsh products, etc. we wrote a post on how to tell the difference between dry and dehydrated skin here
how to hydrate your skin properly (and keep it that way)...
use a hyaluronic acid serum
when it comes to selecting a hydrating product, hyaluronic acid is the gold standard. it’s a powerful moisture-binding acid that can hold 1,000x its weight in water to restore & replenish the skin. it’s found naturally in the human body, but starts to deplete as we age, so it’s critical you're implementing this ingredient into your routine *layer over antioxidant serum*[show_shopthepost_widget id="3376087"]
protect your lipid barrier with an oil-based product
oils add an extra layer of protection to what's known as your lipid barrier (the outermost part of your skin). your lipid barrier is responsible for maintaining hydration and preventing external irritants from penetrating the skin. as you age, your lipids decrease significantly, causing your skin to become drier (sorry that was dark). always apply oil-based products last to form a film over the surface of your skin to seal in hydration and strengthen your barrier function[show_shopthepost_widget id="3183117"]
use a hydrating toner
we couldn't live without a hydrating (alcohol-free) toner. they rebalance your skin with moisture and are the perfect way to prep for serums *spritz all over the face post-cleansing, pressing and patting into the skin* you can learn more on the importance of toner and the ones we swear by in this vid[show_shopthepost_widget id="3183107"]
always apply products to damp skin
when your skin is moist, it acts like a sponge, absorbing ingredients faster, deeper and with a higher concentration. your skin is in its most vulnerable state post-cleansing and will start to dehydrate within 60 seconds, so don’t wait for it to dry. by applying products to damp skin, you ensure maximum hydration by locking in the moisture on the surface before it has a chance to evaporate. (please note: prescriptions such as retinoids and topical acne treatments should be applied to dry skin to avoid increasing their strength and causing irritation)