KNOW hyd.

The Science Behind Hydrated Skin
How to Keep It Radiant and Supple

Having well-hydrated skin is an essential aspect of achieving and maintaining a healthy, glowing, and youthful appearance.

February 14, 2023

Maintaining healthy, glowy, and youthful-looking skin is heavily dependent on several interrelated factors, including the skin’s ability to retain moisture (hydration), its ability to prevent water loss through the outermost layer (transepidermal water loss or TEWL), the health of the skin’s microbiome, and the strength of its protective barrier. Having well-hydrated skin is an essential aspect of achieving and maintaining a healthy, glowing, and youthful appearance.

READ MORE:

1. The importance of skin hydration

2. What is TEWL (Transepidermal water loss)

3. Ingredients that assist in achieving deeply hydrated skin

4. Differentiating dehydrated skin from dry skin

5. Best skincare products for hydrated skin

6. Daily habits for hydrated skin

1. The importance of skin hydration

To keep your skin healthy, it’s important to keep it moisturized and maintain the right amount of water in its tissues. This is what we mean when we talk about skin hydration. Hydrated skin looks more plump and radiant. There are lots of things you can do to keep your skin hydrated, like using moisturizing products, drinking enough water, and avoiding harsh skincare ingredients that can strip your skin of its natural oils.

2. What is TEWL (Transepidermal water loss)

Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) refers to the amount of water that is lost from the skin through evaporation. The skin barrier plays a crucial role in regulating TEWL by preventing water loss, and when the barrier is compromised, TEWL increases, leading to dry and dehydrated skin.

Our skin holds 20% of all the water in our body. Out of this, 60-70% is found in the actual skin, and this amount decreases layer by layer until reaching 10-13% in the stratum corneum. Every day, 300-400 ml of water evaporates from the surface of our skin, which is known as Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). This is a natural process, but when it’s too intense, it can cause dehydration symptoms. To reduce TEWL, and keep well-hydrated skin we should look for skincare ingredients like humectants and emollients.

A healthy skin microbiome helps to keep the skin barrier intact and regulates TEWL. An imbalance in the microbiome, also known as dysbiosis, can lead to a variety of skin conditions such as dryness, acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

3. Ingredients that assist in achieving deeply hydrated skin

By incorporating into your skincare routine ingredients like humectants, emollients, and antioxidants you can help to protect your skin from damage and maintain its hydration, which can result in a more youthful and radiant complexion.

Emollients

They support skin hydration by forming a protective barrier on the skin surface, trapping moisture and preventing it from evaporating. This helps to keep the skin hydrated and soft, reducing dryness and flakiness.

In the group of the emollients you can find ingredients like oils such as Borage Seed Oil or Raspberry Seed Oil, butters for example Tucuma Seed Butter, and lipids like Squalane, which mimic the natural oils produced by the skin and help to restore the skin’s barrier function.

When used in skincare products, emollients help to create smooth, hydrated skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.

Humectants

The ingredients that help to maintain the skin’s hydration levels by attracting and retaining moisture from the air and other sources. They work by forming a hydrophilic (water-loving) film on the skin’s surface, which helps to lock in moisture and prevent it from evaporating resulting in well-hydrated skin. Some common humectants include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B3, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). These ingredients can be especially beneficial for those with dry, dehydrated skin, as they help to restore and maintain the skin’s natural hydration levels, leading to a plumper, more youthful-looking complexion.

We often focus on emollients and humectants when discussing skin hydration, overlooking the role of antioxidants.

Antioxidants

This powerful ingredients play a key role in maintaining healthy, hydrated skin. Antioxidants protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to the signs of aging. When the skin is hydrated, it can function optimally, including producing new skin cells and maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. By incorporating antioxidants like: Vitamin E, Opuntia-Ficus Indica Seed Oil or Kakadu Plum Fruit Extract into your skincare routine, you can help to protect your skin from damage and maintain its hydration, which can result in a more youthful and radiant complexion.T

4. Differentiating dehydrated skin from dry skin

Dehydrated and dry skin may seem similar, but they are actually two different skin conditions.

Dehydrated skin

Lack of water in the skin refers to dehydrated skin. It can happen to any skin type, including oily skin. The main cause of dehydrated skin is a lack of water intake or exposure to environmental factors such as wind, cold, and air conditioning. Dehydrated skin can also be caused by using skincare products that strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it without enough moisture.

There are several signs that can indicate dehydrated skin. These include:

Fine lines and wrinkles that are more noticeable
A dull, tired-looking complexion
Rough, tight-feeling skin
Flaky or itchy skin
Irritation or redness
Dark circles under the eyes

Dry skin

On the other hand, dry skin refers to a lack of oil in the skin. It is usually caused by genetics or hormonal changes, such as menopause. Dry skin can also be caused by harsh soaps or detergents, hot baths, and cold, dry air.

If you have a dry skin, use products that contain ingredients such as ceramides, fatty acids, and oils, which can help to replenish the skin’s natural oils and improve its barrier function. Additionally, it’s important to use a gentle cleanser, avoid hot showers and baths, and use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.

The signs of dry skin include:

Itchy, tight, or flaky skin
Fine lines and wrinkles
Rough or scaly patches
Easily irritated skin
Redness or inflammationIt’s important to note that dehydrated and dry skin can also occur together. In this case, the skin will appear dull, rough, and flaky, but will also feel tight and itchy. Ultimately, the key to healthy skin is to find the right balance of hydration and moisture

5. Best skincare products for deeply hydrated skin

FACE SERUM | increases skin hydration

Summer C – Vitamin C + Niacinamide face serum is the great answer to dehydrated skin. It is packed with 20 powerful active ingredients like Vitamin C or Niacinamide. Additionally, it includes a potent ingredient – Phytol. This biotechnology-based ingredient developed from an extract of the cells of the Physcomitrella patens moss. Significantly increases skin hydration, improves skin moisture, and protects skin in stressful conditions. Reduces trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Strengthens skin resilience against urban aggressors and enables the skin to adapt to environmental climate changes like sun, wind, or frost. This formula is also supported by other beneficial ingredients like a complex of three types of Hyaluronic acids or Cotton Seed Oil.

NIGHT FACE CREAM | deep, long-lasting hydration at night

The Think Sleep Peptide night cream is specially formulated with 20 active ingredients to address the needs of dehydrated and dry skin. It provides the perfect balance of hydration and moisture to nourish and revitalize the skin. The night cream is a peptide-complex-infused formula, which helps to boost the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, the formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients like Tucuma Seed Butter or Borage Seed Oil that help to protect the skin’s natural barrier, keeping it deeply hydrated and healthy. With its unique blend of hydration and moisture thanks to active ingredients like Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, or Bakuchiol the Think Sleep Peptide night cream can help to bring back the radiance and softness to dry, dehydrated skin, leaving you with a refreshed and glowing complexion and balanced skin microbiome.

FACE CLEANSER / FACE MASK | prevent dehydration and dryness

Incorporating a cleansing and exfoliating step into your skincare routine is essential for maintaining skin hydration. The key is to choose a cleanser /exfoliant with a balanced formulation that contains ingredients that provide both gentle exfoliation and hydration.

Pure Pure AHA BHA Cleanser is designed with 26 active ingredients to nourish and protect the skin from dryness and dehydration. This cleanser contains a unique blend of AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) which work together to gently exfoliate and remove impurities from the skin. This helps to unclog pores and prevent breakouts, while also promoting a brighter and more even complexion. Additionally, the formula is infused with humectants like Aloe Vera Gel Eco or Biosaccharide Gum-1 and emollients like Borage Seed Oil or Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide to hydrate and lock in moisture and help to replenish and maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier. This helps to prevent dehydration and dryness, leaving the skin feeling soft, smooth, and nourished. With consistent use, the Pure Pure AHA BHA Cleanser can help to improve the overall health and appearance of the skin, while keeping your skin microbiome balanced.

DAY FACE CREAM | deep, long-lasting hydration at day

After cleansing with an AHA/BHA cleanser, it is important to follow with a hydrating product such as That’s Calm – Hyaluronic Acid Day Cream that’s a game-changer for all skin types, including those with acne. This lightweight formula packs a punch by delivering deep, long-lasting hydration that makes your skin feel smooth, nourished, and refreshed. Reduces trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). With 17 active ingredients, like Vitamin D3-like and Vitamin C, it evens out your skin tone and gives you a radiant glow. Plus, it’s specifically formulated with Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide a prebiotic that protects and maintains your skin’s microbiome balanced.

6. Daily habits for a hydrated skin

There are several things you can do to improve the hydration of your skin outside of using skincare products.

Drink plenty of water

This will help to hydrate your skin from the inside out. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake

These beverages can dehydrate your skin, so it’s best to limit them or avoid them altogether.

Avoid hot showers and baths

Hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, making it dry and dehydrated. Instead, opt for lukewarm water.

Use a humidifier

Dry indoor air can also cause skin dehydration. Using a humidifier can help to add moisture back into the air, which will in turn help to hydrate your skin.

Protect your skin from the sun

Sun exposure can dehydrate your skin and cause sunburn, which can lead to long-term skin damage. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen and cover it up with clothing to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Skin hydration is a crucial factor for maintaining healthy and glowing skin. The skin’s ability to retain moisture, reduce trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and maintain a balanced skin microbiome all play a role in keeping skin hydrated. A well-hydrated skin is plump and less prone to wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging.

By following a good skin hydration routine, you can keep your skin looking healthy, glowing, and refreshed.