If the only time you experience glowy skin is when there’s makeup on top of it, we feel you. When everything is everywhere, it’s easy for aspects of your skincare routine to take a backseat. –After all, who’s got time for hydrating and moisturising when there’s so much tiktok-scrolling and revenge bedtime procrastinating to do? However, keeping your skin hydrated and healthy is crucial for many reasons beyond looking healthy and well-rested.
Your skin will act as a natural barrier to any external and harsh elements when properly hydrated. Your skin becomes dehydrated when water is drawn out of the skin; that is, taking hot showers, eating salty foods, throwing back cocktails and not being diligent with the daily moisturiser.
Here are 3 ways you could obtain maximum hydration in your skincare routine:
1. Mix hot showers and baths
“Hot showers and baths encourage water to flow out of your skin and evaporate into the shower, therefore dehydrating the skin,” says Dr. Green. In theory, it may seem like taking hot showers would soothe dehydrated skin–after all, the process of showering is soaking your skin in water.
The best way to shower is lukewarm water. Try to keep them short to ensure the water stays within the skin. Also, try getting a body wash that retains hydration. Look out for hyaluronic acid in your next errand run as it’s a great ingredient to retain moisture in the skin.
2. Avoid over-cleansing
When you over-cleanse your skin (as in, wash your face more than the recommended once in the morning and once before bed), you’re repeatedly stripping it of both its natural microbiome and moisturising barrier agents. If you’re someone who needs to wash more than twice, applying a light moisturiser post-cleanse will be ideal to replace the lost hydration.
Also, avoid using harsh cleansing agents on the skin. These would strip the skin from the natural moisturising factors and oils. This can lead to drying, cracking, redness, and even eczema of the skin. Opt for a gentle cleanser and avoid chemical exfoliants: alpha hydroxy, salicylic, or glycolic acid for everyday cleanse. A good cleanser would be the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser.
3. Always, always wear sunscreen!
Free radicals from UV rays can damage the skin barrier, which can lead to dry, irritated skin. Your skin won’t be able to stay hydrated if the UV rays break down the extracellular matrix (the fibres within your skin). Apart from being a shield from the sun, applying sunscreen daily helps to lock in moisture by creating a physical barrier. When buying sunscreen and beauty products that contain SPF, look for ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which form a physical barrier on top of the skin.
In addition to the sunscreen, it is recommended to apply a thicker layer of moisturiser at night, right after cleansing. “Doing so will support the skin barrier and lock moisture in so it won’t evaporate while you sleep,” says Dr. Green. Opt for an emollient moisturiser that contains ingredients like ceramides, squalene, and petrolatum. A good, thick moisturiser for the night would be the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
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