Does drinking water actually hydrate dry skin?

Unfortunately, staying well-hydrated by drinking water doesn’t equate to hydrated, dewy skin. The average percentage of water in the human body is around 60%, and the skin is our body’s largest organ – so when we drink water, it travels through our body and reaches our skin last. As you can imagine, there’s not much water leftover for our skin!

How do we keep skin well hydrated?

While we should still aim to drink an adequate amount of water per day, it is vital that we hydrate the skin topically. When choosing your skincare routine, environmental aggressors and lifestyle should also be taken into consideration.

Incorporate the following habits into your daily routine to improve hydration levels:

• Use a gentle cleanser – O COSMEDICS Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser is suitable for all skin types and helps keep the skin hydrated & strengthens our barrier.
• Look for ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Ceramides, Vitamin B5, C & D. These skin-loving ingredients help to hydrate, protect & restore our skin. Two great examples for all skin types are Dp Dermaceuticals Antioxidant Cocktail or the O COSMEDICS O-Biotics B3 Plus Serum.
• Exfoliate – but not too often. Exfoliating will remove dead skin cell build-up and create pathways for our hydrating ingredients to penetrate our skin. Exfoliate only 1-2x a week to avoid over-exfoliation.
• Avoid long hot showers – if you use very hot water in the shower, you should cleanse your face at the sink. Hot water can damage our barrier, resulting in dehydration and inflammation.
• Seal in hydration by applying serum on damp skin, this works especially well with Hyaluronic Acid, which can be found in Dp Dermacetuticals Hyla Active or O COSMEDICS 3D Hyaluronic Serum.
• A hydrating spray will boost and lock in moisture, such as the O COSMEDICS O-Biome Hydrating & Spray. This can be reapplied throughout the day to ensure the skin stays hydrated!
• For even deeper hydration try their Hydra-plus sleep in mask – apply before bed & wake up with plump, glowing skin.

What about in-clinic treatments to help skin stay hydrated?

• Enzymatic and chemical peels will remove redundant cells and accelerate cell renewal, resulting in smooth, glowing skin. There are a range of peels to choose from depending on your skin concern. The radiance clinical peel by NEUROCOSMEDICS by GINGER&ME is a great entry-level option for even the most sensitive skins. The oxygenating peel by O COSMEDICS contains a blend of moisturising peptides & enzymes to instantly smooth & awaken devitalised/dehydrated skins.
• L.E.D light therapy is another great option that can be performed both in clinic and at home! Red LED boosts collagen production and improves barrier function, both of which are essential for the skin’s ability to retain hydration.

Can the environment affect how much water those with dry skin need?

Absolutely – the climate/environment can be one of the biggest influences on our skin condition. UV/sun exposure, harsh temperatures, and windy conditions can damage our skin’s barrier – causing dehydration, premature ageing, sensitivity, textural changes and more. Elements such as central heating or air-conditioning can dry the skin out even further.

If you live in a city, air pollutants risk damaging our skin’s natural protection barrier, which can cause dryness and clogged pores. This is why antioxidants & wearing sunscreen daily are essential for skin health!

What more should we be doing to stay hydrated within?

Lifestyle and diet play the biggest role in our skin health. On top of keeping up our water intake, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. A balanced diet full of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids is essential for glowing, healthy skin. Often we do not get the nutrition we need solely from our diet – that’s where supplements come in.

• KIKI Health Krill Oil will restore our essential fatty acids, regulating our natural oil production, reducing inflammation and boosting hydration.
• The KIKI Health Marine Collagen Beauty Blend uses collagen, vitamin c & hyaluronic acid to boost our hydration from the inside, resulting in plump & radiant skin.