SUMMER SKIN CARE MYTH BUSTED
Hey, Babes! We’re mid-summer now, and we are enjoying every moment of living in California, right near the beach. Maybe you’re reading this from Nevada, from Washington, from Ohio, (I don’t know?), but chances are, it’s summer where you are, too! That’s why we’re coming to you with a big summer skin care myth BUSTED.
Drinking plenty of water will not significantly hydrate your skin.
Okay, okay, before you roll your eyes in skepticism, I am not saying that water isn’t of crucial importance to skin health, because water is of crucial importance to total body health. There’s no arguing that one. But the idea that your dry, tight skin will be relieved by drinking a little extra water during the day just isn’t realistic.
WHY WATER CAN’T REALLY HYDRATE THE SKIN
To put it in the simplest of terms, you aren’t a plant. You aren’t going to perk up and thrive and become more beautifully vibrant with a drink of water. You’re a human. Famous dermatologist, Katie Rodan, explains this best,
“[Water] goes through the intestines, gets absorbed into your bloodstream, and is filtered by kidneys. Then it hydrates cells. When it comes to moisturizing skin, drinking water falls short.”
It hydrates the cells inside the body, not the cells outside the body of the epidermis.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR MOISTURIZER JUST ISN’T CUTTING IT
While there are many tips and suggestions on hydrating the skin on the internet, we’d have to argue that perhaps one of the quickest and easiest methods is by adding a hydrating serum or oil to the skin underneath your moisturizer. Because serums and oils are liquids, their molecules are smaller, allowing them to more easily penetrate the layers of the skin. Sealing in that serum with your moisturizer will keep it safe and sound inside your skin cells, making them happy and hydrated.
OUR FAVORITE HYDRATING INGREDIENT
Arguably the best hydrating ingredient to look for in a serum is called Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic Acid is a molecule that your body already makes in order to lubricate the skin and joints. In the skincare world, Hyaluronic Acid is coveted for its ability to lock in moisture and hydrate the skin, which also aids in reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness. In other words, it keeps your skin dewy, young, and vibrant.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
We love The Ordinary skincare line because they are affordable, and they work. Like, really, really work.
The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 contains that powerful molecule we just mentioned, that has the ability to hold up to 1,000x its weight in water. This particular formula contains Hyaluronic Acid molecules in various sizes to hydrate multiple layers of the skin, with added B5 to enhance surface hydration of the skin.
The Ordinary’s 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil provides antioxidant protection in an oil packed with essential fatty acids, like Omega 6 and Omega 9, that work to deeply hydrate and moisturize the skin, improve elasticity, reduce redness, and bring about healing.
The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is basically a bottle of happy hydration. It will work to keep the outer layer of your skin protected while allowing for immediate hydration and relief with ingredients like amino acids, fatty acids, triglycerides, ceramides, phospholipids… all the juicy ingredients us esthetician’s love for moisturizing and hydrating our skin!