Despite the common advice to drink more water for overall health, it's crucial to understand that your skin also requires external hydration, particularly during the harsh winter months with cold temperatures and dry air.
To delve deeper into why topical skincare is essential, we consulted Dr. Morgan Rabach, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical . Dr. Rabach clarifies the role of drinking water in skin hydration: “It goes into your bloodstream, and then gets filtered by your kidneys, and ultimately helps provide some hydration to your skin cells.” However, she points out that this is an inefficient process for hydrating the skin. “Topical skin hydration is faster and more direct,” she adds, emphasizing the effectiveness of applying hydration directly to the skin.
It's important to distinguish between dryness and dehydration, as each condition requires different prevention strategies.
A key ingredient in combating dehydration is hyaluronic acid, which is featured in several Youth To The People’s products like the Triple Peptide + Cactus Oasis Serum and the Adaptogen Soothe + Hydrate Activated Mist . Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, crucial for dehydrated skin, which lacks water. Humectants attract moisture from the environment to the skin's outermost layer, helping to plump the skin and potentially reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
On the other hand, occlusives have a different function. They form a barrier on the skin's surface to lock in moisture and other beneficial ingredients applied previously, such as humectants. Occlusives are particularly beneficial for dry skin, which lacks oil. Ingredients like jojoba oil in the Superberry Hydrate + Glow Oil and the Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream are examples of occlusives that help seal in moisture, making them ideal for concluding a skincare regimen.
For optimal skin health, it's best to use humectants and occlusives together in your skincare routine, incorporating serums, oils, and creams. This approach ensures comprehensive care for your skin, even if you're keeping up with your daily water intake.
Written by Sara Spruch Feiner for Youth To The People
