Hydrate to feel good and look great
By now you probably know how important it is to keep your body hydrated. Water helps you feel good and look your best. Staying well hydrated helps our entire body function more efficiently. It promotes cardiovascular health by helping the heart pump blood more easily to the muscles. It also effects the functions of the brain, our concentration, memory and even the mood. Hydration is also important for the digestive health and kidney function to efficiently remove toxins from the body. By increasing the metabolism of the body, water is also reported to help with weight loss. Some people can avoid headaches and migraines by proper hydration.
Hydration for skin
For the largest organ of the body - skin - the adequate water intake is as important, and knowing the difference between hydrating and moisturizing helps with finding the right balance. For skin, the term hydration refers to the water content within the cells. Adequate water intake swells the skin cells which minimizes the visual signs of wrinkles and pores and makes our skin look radiant, soft, plump and supple. Proper hydration allows the skin cells to work efficiently. It is important to hydrate from inside out for healthy-looking skin. In addition to drinking plentiful amounts of water throughout the day and eating water-rich fruits and veggies, the application of topical hydrator will have an immediate effect on your skin.
Humectants
Skincare products increasing hydration contain ingredients known as humectants. They have the ability to attract water into the skin cells. It is beneficial to use hydrating products containing natural water attracting ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid. It is a natural molecule found in our bodies, of which half of its amount is in the skin. Due to aging processes and UV-exposure its amount drastically decreases over time and skin loses its ability to retain and balance its hydration level, leaving our skin with wrinkles, looking dull and with decreased elasticity. Other natural humectants that help attract water to the skin and are also beneficial in providing important nutrients to the skin are aloe, honey, seaweed extract, alpha hydroxy acid and vegetable glycerin. Synthetic humectants provide short-term hydration to the skin, however, they do not provide any additional benefits.
Hydration
For skin to stay hydrated, it is important to minimize the water evaporation from the skin. Moisturizers contain oil based ingredients that are able to lock in and retain the water in the skin by building a protective barrier. Moisturizers are formulated to be lighter or heavier, depending on the season and skin type they're formulated for. One may find lighter formulations more suitable for oily or acne-prone skin types and during the warm summer months, while heavier creams and lotions are more suitable for dry skin and during the winter months. Dry, flaky skin often lacks of its natural ability to protect itself from moisture loss and needs moisturizers with nut, seed or plant oils, such as coconut, almond, jojoba and tea tree oil. It is important to note that hydration providing and hydration retaining ingredients complement each other and are both necessary for healthy, hydrated skin.
The recipe for gorgeous skin
Although many moisturizers contain both these different functioning ingredients, ideally, hydrating products are applied first, followed by oil based moisturizers. Exfoliate gently but regularly to remove the dead skin cells from the top layer of skin to affiliate the absorption. After shower or bath, gently massage the hydration boosting product into a damp skin, followed by a natural oil based moisturizer.
We recommend Finestida Tranquil Dawn facial serum for dry skin, and Serene Dusk facial serum for oily/acne prone skin. Both are wonderful in locking in water while the addition of vitamins, antioxidants, extracts and specially selected essential oils offers benefits that go beyond moisturizing.
