Whether it is sun tanning or pollution damage, your skin goes through a lot daily. To avoid showing the signs of wear and tear, your skin stays in a constant state of healing. And a key factor to support healthy processes of healing is hydration. Enriching your skin with water is also necessary for giving it a dewy look and fresh feel. But even though a skin hydration routine may seem like it will be easy to build, there are a few mistakes that can make things worse. The trick to keeping your skin hydrated is not to do MORE but to do the basic things RIGHT.
We compiled a list of hydration mistakes that you might be making and how to correct them.
1. Cleansing too much (or too harshly)
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The cleansing step in your routine is a critical factor of your hydration goal, as moisturisation is. Cleansing too much (ideally, you should not wash your face more than twice a day) or using too harsh cleaners can hinder overly dry your skin. Use formulas can render your skin squeaky clean without stripping it of too much moisture. Look for ingredients like glycerin and ceramides in your cleanser to protect your barrier from harm while cleansing your skin.
Leaving Your Skin To Air-Dry Post Cleansing
The time spent between cleansing your skin and starting your routine can be crucial for your hydration needs. While it is never recommended to rub or wipe your skin with a towel, you shouldn’t let it air dry either. Air-drying can lead to transepidermal water loss and leave your skin parched. The trick is to gently pat your face with a soft fabric instead.
Pro tip: A popular K-beauty hack is to spritz your face with a hydrating toner within 60 seconds of cleansing and patting it dry. The method puts lost moisture back into your skin and gives you time to get to your next steps.
Applying Hyaluronic Acid On Dry Skin
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Hyaluronic acid is one of the most potent hydrating agents you can have on your vanity. It works by attracting moisture to itself and binding it to the surface of your skin. To work correctly, you need to apply added moisture to your HA serum layer. Otherwise, using it on dry skin can cause it to pull out water from the deeper levels of your skin and make it drier. A good tip is to spritz some balancing water, rose water or hydrating toner before going in with your HA acid step.
Skipping Moisturisation For Oily Skin
Oily skin needs hydration too! It is a common misconception that oily skin types do not need a moisturiser step because, well, they are already so dewy. But lack of hydration in oily skin can make it oilier, as your skin tries to compensate for the dryness by producing more oil. A gel or water-based oil-free moisturiser will be ideal for hydrating oily skin types without feeling too heavy.
Choosing The Wrong Hydrator For Your Skin Type
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The right hydrating agent for you depends on your skin type. Dry skin types can benefit from heavier ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter, goat milk, and oil-based preparations. If you need calming properties in addition to hydration, opt for ingredients like Centella Asiatica, squalene, ceramides, and aloe vera. Oilier skin types need to use lightweight ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin panthenol, and coconut water.
