How important is hydration in our skin?

Hydration is essential to our physical and mental health — and our skin, just like any other organ, needs the right amount of water to keep functioning happily and look and feel its best. Drinking plenty of H2O and using a quality moisturizer are both key to achieving a natural, healthy glow, but the benefits of a well-hydrated complexion don’t stop there. Here are four reasons to keep your hydration levels topped up that go more than just skin deep.

1. Flush out toxins

You can’t see it, but our bodies are constantly under attack from huge amounts of toxins on a daily basis. Air pollutants, for example, are one of the most common culprits, causing free radical damage to our DNA, cells, and proteins and making the skin age prematurely. The skin is part of a system of organs that work to rid the body of these harmful toxic agents. It does so by sloughing off cellular waste material and sweating out excess minerals and toxins. To continue detoxing the body efficiently, however, the skin relies upon proper hydration.

2. Keep your sebaceous glands regulated and fight acne

If you have oily skin, you might be tempted to skip moisturizer altogether, believing that your skin already has more than enough moisture. Unfortunately, the opposite is probably true. Your skin has the ability to detect hydration levels, and when it senses a lack of moisture, it often goes into overdrive trying to compensate. It signals the sebaceous glands to produce sebum — a mix of oils that lubricate and protect the skin.

When our glands produce too much of this sebum, our pores can get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. They can then become infected with bacteria, which is how acne forms. So if you struggle with skin that is super oily and prone to acne breakouts, it could be that you’re not hydrating enough. Giving skin the regular moisture it needs can prevent it from overstimulating the sebaceous glands, keeping your oil production in check, and consequently helping to keep blemishes at bay.  

3. Improve skin elasticity

Elasticity is your skin’s ability to stretch and snap back into shape, and it’s what helps it fight gravity and stay plump and youthful. Collagen is essential to skin elasticity, and water is one of the key components of collagen. When collagen production naturally slows as we grow older, skin becomes wrinkled, saggy, or leathery. That’s why it’s more important than ever to keep your skin hydrated as you age, so it can continue building collagen. Drinking enough water and having a quality moisturizing skincare routine are essential to maintaining a youthful appearance.

4. Boost your defenses

Our skin plays a vital role in protecting our bodies against infection and environmental aggressors. When skin becomes dehydrated, it’s less resilient and stops doing its job properly. It can become dry, tight, and flaky. Small gaps can open up between the cells in the outer layers, allowing harmful things to enter. 

So, to continue protecting our bodies from UV radiation, free radicals, microorganisms, and toxic agents, it's necessary to ensure our skin is adequately hydrated at all times.

How to keep skin beautifully hydrated in just three steps

Don’t forget to moisturize

Whether your skin leans toward dry or super oily, a quality moisturizer is always essential to a healthy complexion. Be sure to choose a formula that’s suited to your skin type. Drier skin will drink up a thicker moisturizer, body butter, or natural oil that will both nourish your complexion and help to prevent water from escaping the surface. Oily skin types should look for lighter water-based, non-comedogenic hydrators that won’t clog pores.

Drink up

Hydration and moisturizing go hand in hand, so while it’s important to apply a topical moisturizer, don’t forget to hit the water bottle to keep your skin hydrated from within too. Experts recommend drinking about eight glasses (or two liters) a day to keep your body — and your complexion — happy.   

Choose the right cleanser

It might sound surprising, but proper cleansing is essential to maintaining beautifully hydrated skin. Many cleansers strip the skin of their natural oils, leaving behind an uncomfortably tight complexion and often prompting sebaceous glands to overproduce oil too. If your skin feels tight and dry after you wash, swap your harsh cleanser for a gentle, hydrating cleanser instead.

The Hydrating & Brightening Moringa Facial Cleanser Face Wash has a soothing alcohol-free and vegan formula that's packed with natural, nourishing ingredients, including Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, aloe vera, and honey. Specifically developed to sweep away makeup, dirt, and excess oil without over-drying or irritating the skin, it leaves behind a clean, soft, and perfectly hydrated complexion. 

Love + miracles,