No one likes dry skin. It feels uncomfortable, and if left untreated, it can actually lead to other skin concerns. Still, keeping skin hydrated takes more than just a quick swipe of lotion.
Proper skin hydration requires the right ingredients and the right application. To get a breakdown of what type of moisturizers you should be using, board-certified Dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick from MDCS Dermatology shares tips on how to hydrate skin. See what she had to say below.
The Importance of Moisturizing
The skin barrier is important for many reasons. It's made up of several layers that help fight off germs and keep skin looking its healthiest. As you age, your skin becomes thin and slack, compromising your skin barrier. This causes dryness, sensitivity, irritation, dullness, and wrinkles. To combat this, Dr. Garshick recommends moisturizing your skin regularly.
"When we hydrate the skin, it plumps [it up], improves the overall texture, and gives a healthy, refreshed look," she says.
Look for the Right Ingredients
Dr. Garshick names glycerin and hyaluronic acid as key ingredients for drawing moisture into the skin. Studies have shown that glycerin hydrates the outer layer of the skin, improves skin barrier function, protects against skin irritants, and helps heal wounds. Hyaluronic acid has been proven to help skin retain moisture.
She also names ceramides as another helpful ingredient. "When hydrating the skin, it is also important to lock the moisture in by looking for ingredients that help support and strengthen the skin barrier, such as ceramides, to prevent further moisture loss," she says. Specifically, ceramides are known for keeping moisture from escaping and protecting the skin from other environmental aggressors. For a ceramide-enhanced moisturizer, consider trying EltaMD Skin Restore Body Cream.
Antioxidants can help, too. Antioxidants are ingredients packed with moisturizing properties. The EltaMD Skin Recovery Night Mask, which is made with a proprietary blend of amino acids and antioxidants, is a great complement to a moisture-focused skin care routine. The mask protects your skin from environmental aggressors and locks moisture in. It works while you sleep to repair a damaged skin barrier and nourish red or irritated skin.
While there are some very helpful skin care ingredients known to have the opposite effect, you don't have to swear them off; you just need to balance them out. "It is important to always remember when using ingredients that may be drying or irritating to the skin—such as retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid—to also use a moisturizer to help support the skin barrier and restore hydration, allowing increased tolerability of the product," she says.
She says you can hydrate skin using moisturizers, serums, and even sunscreens, as long as they have known moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides. You may not want to rely on just your sunscreen, however. If you're getting your hydration from a purpose-made product like EltaMD PM Therapy at night, you can branch out to other SPF products like EltaMD UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 or EltaMD UV Glow Broad-Spectrum SPF 36 to protect the skin from sun damage.
Additionally, you'll want to avoid harsh soaps and scrubs as those can strip the skin of its natural oils and leave the skin susceptible to dryness and irritation. She also says to avoid long, hot showers as they will dry out the skin; lukewarm water is best.
Moisturize Daily and in the Right Amount
Dr. Garshick recommends moisturizing one to two times a day. For those with dry or sensitive skin, she says it might be beneficial to moisturize certain areas like your hands after you wash them to prevent further dryness. When moisturizing your face, she says to use a nickel- to a quarter-sized amount of moisturizer. For the body, she says to use a quarter-sized amount for each area, including the chest, arms, and legs. While it may vary, she says generally it's best to apply an even layer of moisturizer across your desired area.
She also recommends moisturizing soon after you shower to really help lock in moisture. And yes, there is a thing as too much moisturizing. You don't want to over-moisturize your face, as constant overuse of a product will impede natural oil production and inadvertently lead to dryness.
Before bed, use your moisturizer of choice and give it a boost with an overnight skin treatment or mask to repair sun damage and add luminosity to your complexion. You'll wake up to brighter, healthier-looking skin.
Thankfully, figuring out how to hydrate skin isn't complicated. Just take the time to find the right ingredients for you and stick to a routine, and you'll be good to go.
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