THE HYDRATING INGREDIENTS FOR HEALTHY SKIN!

Sep 23

The skin on your face has a low pH of 4.5–5.5 (more acidic). This creates a barrier to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and protects the skin from allergens, bacteria, and environmental aggressors. Prescription medications and/or lack of proper home care can result in dry, sensitive, dehydrated skin. Many ingredients help with hydrating the skin and maintaining an optimal barrier function. The following ingredients in particular are excellent for supporting healthy barrier function.

Ceramides

• Repairs dry, dehydrated skin by improving hydration

• Beneficial for stressed, sensitive, scaly, rough, dry, aged, and sun-damaged skin

Hyaluronic Acid

• Powerful humectant that draws moisture from the environment

• Boosts skin’s natural moisture content

Niacinamide

• Improves water content of the skin

• Reduces inflammation

• Defends against oxidative stress

• Helps treat inflammatory acne

ANTIOXIDANTS:

Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients are a crucial part of health and wellness on a cellular level. Oxidative stress is a part of daily life, and in some cases it’s accelerated when we don’t include enough antioxidants in our diet and skincare products. Powerful antioxidants such as turmeric and vitamins A and C, among many others, play an important role in skin care and skin health.

Turmeric

• Helps reduce redness from blemishes and calms skin inflammation

• Antiseptic properties

• Encourages wound healing

• Stimulates circulation and oxygenation in the skin

• Reduces oxidative stress

• Hydrates and revitalizes skin while alleviating symptoms of dryness

Vitamin A

• A group of fat-soluble retinoids that includes retinal, retinol, and retinyl esters

• Decreases cellular damage caused by free radicals

• Treats inflammatory acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

• Increases cell turnover

• Helps release impactions by unclogging pores

• Stimulates collagen synthesis

Vitamin C

• Also known as L-ascorbic acid

• Potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals

• Repairs free radical damage

• Stimulates collagen synthesis

• Improves discoloration

Recognizing and avoiding triggers are just as important as skincare products. Dietary triggers, such as spicy foods, sodium, sugar and alcohol, should be limited or avoided entirely. Lifestyle triggers such as high-stress situations, lack of exercise, and emotional duress can spike cortisol levels and send our bodies into constant “fight-or-flight” mode. Harsh scrubs, hot water, and high pH products such as bar soaps can deplete the skin of nutrients and damage its barrier function.

Apply broad-spectrum zinc-based sunscreen to protect the skin and reduce chances of sunburn (UVB rays) and cellular damage (UVA rays). Eat antioxidant-rich foods, increase water intake, take a walk, and be in nature. Yoga, meditation, mental-health support, and incorporating skincare products containing these hydrating ingredients into your daily routine can also create some beautiful results.