The Science of Skin: Why You Need to Hydrate

December 26, 2020 Whitney Acheson

We've all been there, waking up in the morning (after a night of what we hope was beauty sleep) and expecting our skin to be bright, bouncy, and hydrated. Instead, our skin looks dull and dehydrated. Luckily for us, the solution to yummy bouncy skin is clean and simple: hydration!

In This Moody Method We're Talking About:

· Skin science

· Transepidermal water loss

· Why you need to hydrate every day - face and body

· The best ways to lock in moisture

· Daily hacks to keep your skin hydrated

Dehydrated skin (caused by diminished water levels within the skin) can leave your skin feeling tight, dull, and may even exaggerate fine lines and wrinkles. In extreme cases, the skin could feel itchy, inflamed, and highly sensitive.

It's true, hydration is essential for healthy skin. Most of our body is made up of water. The composition of our skin alone is made up of two-thirds water. To support this vital organ, we must give our skin the proper love and hydration it deserves.

Skin Science

Our skin is made up of three primary layers: the epidermis, the outermost layer; the dermis, the middle layer; and the undermost layer, the hypodermis. When these lipid barriers become damaged from over-washing, over-exfoliating, stress, lack of sleep, exposure to dry air, or even from aging (unfortunately, our skin's barrier gets weaker as we age), the water within our skin can pass from the dermis through the epidermis where it evaporates from the skin's surface. This is known as transepidermal water loss.

Transepidermal Water Loss

Transepidermal water loss can disrupt our skin's natural barriers, making it easier for more water to leave the skin, as well as for irritating pollutants and allergens to affect our skin. So, a weakened skin barrier doesn't just affect the way our skin looks and feels, but it can also affect the way our skin protects us from outside pollutants.

We can often recognize the signs of a damaged skin barrier by red, irritated, dehydrated, or even flaky skin. Fortunately, we can all avoid dry, dehydrated skin by being diligent with the most important step in a skincare routine—hydrating and moisturizing the skin.

Why You Need to Hydrate Everyday

Hydrating products are designed to increase the amount of water in your skin, often through ingredients that attract water from the air and fuse it into the skin. It is so important for all skin types to use hydrators and moisturizers in their skincare routines—especially those with dry skin!

For those with dry skin, a simple moisturizing cleanser with hydrating and calming ingredients such as aloe leaf juice, honey, and oat straw extract and humectants such as glycerin (which helps to draw water into the skin) will leave your skin feeling deeply nourished and non-irritated. Remember, you must use a moisturizer to lock in that hydration! In the day time, opt for a simple face lotion that will balance and hydrate the skin. At night time or whenever your skin needs a moisture bomb, a thicker hydrating facial cream will quench and soften dry skin while boosting hydration.

Hydration is not something that only those with dry skin should be concerned about—even those with oily skin need to hydrate, as those with oily skin can often be affected by transepidermal water loss. As more and more water evaporates, the skin becomes dehydrated and begins to over-produce oil. For those with oily skin, the best hydrators will be lightweight and non-comedogenic—meaning that it won't clog your pores. A lightweight moisturizer will hydrate and form a protective barrier over the skin without feeling too heavy.

But wait! We can't ignore the skin on the rest of our body. Though the skin on our bodies is different than the skin on our face, it too needs to be hydrated. We recommend applying a body lotion immediately after you get out of the bath or shower to lock in the water that is still on your skin. The lotion will act as a moisturizing barrier, protecting your skin from any further water loss. Try incorporating this as a normal part of your bathing routine and it will seem like less of a hassle. Plus, your skin will thank you.

Other Ways to Keep Your Skin Hydrated:

· Drink your water! This is one of the best (and easiest) ways to hydrate your skin from the inside out. Our bodies sweat out a lot of water—think daily movement, exercise, and laying out in the sun—so it is extra important to replenish the body by upping your water intake.

· Eat your water! Yeah, we said it. You can also eat your water by including beautiful and hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon and cucumber into your diet.

· Use a humidifier. Our bodies are constantly losing water, and being exposed to dry air from air conditioning units can really dry out the skin. Investing in a humidifier or even an essential oil diffuser will increase the total amount of moisture in the air.

Moody Sisters Skincare