Restoring Summer Parched Skin
WHETHER YOU’VE BEEN ABROAD OR STAYCATED IN THE UK, OFTEN YOUR SKIN WILL TELL A TALE OF YOUR ADVENTURES.
If you've been heavy on fun in the sun and lax on the care, your skin show signs of surface dehydration, patchiness, early fine lines and roughened texture. Factors that play havoc on your healthy glow, leaving your skin looking dull and feeling sluggish.
As usual, we’ve come up with the solution to keep your skin looking its best. Knowing that skin is at its optimum when it is hydrated and balanced, we can confidently tell you that the key to keeping grey ashy skin away is HYDRATION.
“Hydration is one of the factors that enables your skin to perform critical functions like exfoliation, cell renewal and maintaining moisture levels.”
— Black Skin Directory
It goes without saying that eating food naturally rich in water is an excellent idea in general. In the summer, think juicy watermelons, mango, cucumbers; but topically hydrating your skin is also important. We call it attacking from both angles and it will keep your skin at an equilibrium, allowing you to maintain that coveted summer glow much longer into winter months.
WHAT DO TOPICAL HYDRATORS DO?
They infuse hydration into the upper layers of the skin, making it feel more comfortable, soothing away any discomfort from tightness and dehydration.
Effectively, hydrating the skin shores up its defences and increases its ability to self exfoliate – getting rid of pigmented and patchy skin cells as well as neutralising free radicals and environmental damage. All resulting in brighter and more even toned skin.
Our go to option for topical hydration is Hyaluronic Acid. It is uncomplicated, easy to use and can slide seamlessly into your skincare life without any fuss. Hyaluronic Acid is a hydrating jelly like complex already bioavailable in our bodies and our skin, but it also can be applied topically with very little, if any downsides.
THE REAL DEAL
Whilst we love hyaluronic acid, we have a duty to tell you the real story (as you may have heard different!) – it will never penetrate into your dermis by applying it on top of your skin. Generally, it is too large a molecule. Its job is to help hydrate the upper layers of your skin, making it feel significantly less dehydrated, strengthening surface hydration and allowing your skin to perform its functions effectively.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, it must be said that there are some very clever formulations out there incorporating low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and other novel ingredients that increase skin barrier penetration not just to hydrate but also to clarify the skin and increase firmness.
Check out our current crop of favourite hydrators and what they can do for your skin.
EXUVIANCE PROBIOTIC LYSATE ANTI POLLUTION ESSENCE, £45
Great for balancing the delicate micro biome and bringing quick relief to dehydrated skin. This essence stands in a class of its own with the combination of Polyhydroxy Acid (Gluconolactone), Probiotics and Hyaluronic Acid to quell environmental aggressors and boosts the skin's defensive barrier.
BEA VITAMIN C 20% & HYALURONIC ACID SERUM, £49
Kill two birds with one stone, this serum delivered brightening and rehydration at the same time. Particularly useful for dull, hyper pigmented skin.
NEOSTRATA TRI-THERAPY LIFTING SERUM, £77
Effective hydration for all skin types, especially mature skin that needs more support with tone and slackness. Over time, fine lines are plumped and hyperpigmentation reduced.
SU-MAN REHYDRATING TONING ESSENCE - £38
A calming and refreshing gel to liquid rose petal and hydrating essence that quickly soothes and plumps dry skin.
ZELENS Z BALANCE PREBIOTIC & PROBIOTIC FACIAL MIST - £48
Next generation balancing mist for all skins types combining the technologies of prebiotics and probiotics to enhance the natural microflora of the skin and strengthen it's protective barrier function.