If (like so many of us) you started the New Year promising to drink more water, we’ve got just the motivation you need! Read on for some key info you might not know about how optimal hydration helps take care of your skin.
Why is hydration so important for healthy skin?
We’ve all heard it said that drinking enough water will give skin a healthy glow, but what really goes on beneath the surface when we’re making an effort to stay hydrated? Skin is subject on a daily basis to damage from the exposome - external factors such as pollution and UV rays that tend to harm our skin - that damages the epidermis’ barrier functions. We’re all familiar with the effect dehydration can have on our skin, with our complexions appearing duller and even becoming dry and/or cracked. When skin is properly hydrated from the inside, these barriers are reinforced, helping to prevent the appearance of damage linked to aggression from the exposome, as well as limiting the ability of certain bacteria and allergens to penetrate the skin. What this means in practice? Skin that doesn’t only look - and feel - better, but that’s able to perform its protective role more effectively.
How to up your hydration: daily tips
Now that we’ve examined how proper hydration helps skin on the inside, it’s time to look what we can do to maximise its effects on our complexion. Hydrating skin on the inside goes hand-in-hand with moisturising skin on the outside, so look for skincare products featuring ingredients that maximise water retention, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid. These will help to lock in much-needed moisture when it’s particularly warm or cold outside.
To get your morning regime off to a good start, it’s important to begin with a booster or serum, as their finer texture is formulated to thoroughly penetrate skin’s epidermal layers. Formulated with just 11 ultra-hydrating ingredients, Vichy’s Minéral 89 booster serum got its name as a result of its incredibly high concentration of Vichy Mineralizing Water - 89%, to be exact (a whopping 69% more than any previous formulations.) Follow with a richer day cream, such as Vichy Aqualia Thermal Extrasensitive, to lock in the benefits of the previous step while providing a protective, intensely moisturising layer for your complexion.
Finally, don’t forget that topically rehydrating skin on a regular basis - particularly after a session at the gym, where skin is not only dehydrated but less rich in minerals - is extremely important. During periods where skin is prone to dehydration, treat your complexion to a refreshing spritz of Vichy Mineralizing Water facial mist.