When you talk about hydration, the first thing, which comes to mind, is – water.
Hydrating something means increasing its water content. And hydrating the skin means increasing the water levels of the skin cells, so the skin is healthy, smooth and glowing.
Regular hydration of the skin cells helps in keeping it plump, reducing the lines and wrinkles making it look younger.
Always remember that the skin cells will perform their functions much better or at their best only when they are well hydrated.
Now how to keep the skin cells hydrated?
The water we drink, first reaches all the other organs, gets absorbed by the blood stream and then hydrates the skin cells.
Though hydrating yourself by drinking adequate amount of water definitely helps in keeping the skin supple and reduces dryness, but you wont get an instant pick up on the skin just by drinking a pitcher full of water.
The way to hydrate the skin instantly is by topically using the ingredients that promote hydration to the skin cells.
These ingredients are called humectants.
They work by attracting water to the surface of the skin and also prevent the loss of hydration by providing protection to the outer layer of the skin.
You can look for these humectants as the ingredients in your skincare so you can make a conscious effort to hydrate your skin on a regular basis and keep it glowing and young.
Some of the natural sources of humectants are:-
1. Hyaluronic Acid
Not a chemical as the name suggests, hyaluronic acid is a natural molecule that is present in our bodies to keep our body hydrated.
It is present in high levels in our bodies when we are younger but reduces as the age progresses.
Hyaluronic acid has this amazing ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.
Because of which it is great to revitalize and hydrate the most parched skin naturally when applied topically in your skincare products.
Product: Youth of the People Age Prevention Moisture Cream.
2. Vegetable Glycerin
Glycerin is easily absorbed by the skin and has the ability to hold water really well, which makes it an excellent hydrating agent for the skin cells.
Its non-toxic properties make it a great choice for sensitive skin making it soft and nourished.
Product: Bobby Brown Face Mist
3. Seaweed
Rich in Amino Acids, nutrients and minerals seaweeds contain humectants that attract water to the skin surface and help to retain it there.
Its high moisturizing properties make it a popular ingredient in anti ageing skin products.
Product: Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask.
4. Sodium PCA
Natural Sodium PCA is derived from plants, fruits and coconut oil.
It helps to attract water to skin and draw the moisture from the deeper levels of the skin to the surface .
It is often used in skincare as an emollient.
It is not sticky and feels light on the skin.
Product: PCA Skin Nutrient Toner
5. Aloe
Aloe is a great humectant as it penetrates easily into the skin and moisturizes it at the deepest levels.
It not greasy or heavy on the skin. Because of which it is popularly used to hydrate and moisturize even the most sensitive skins.
Aloe gel is widely used in the skincare industry because of its amazing hydrating properties.
Product: Kiehls Calendula and Aloe Soothing Hydration Mask
These are few of the natural humectants that you can look for as ingredients in your skincare products.
These ingredients are hydrating and nourishing for the skin.
They help to create a coat of moisture on the surface of the skin and retain water on the surface layers of the skin.
Use any of these ingredients to keep up the hydration levels of the skin in order to have truly healthy looking and nourished skin.