There are so many skincare products on the market, it can be so easy to think we need them all. Hydration and nourishment should be top of the list to ensure skin can function optimally. Supporting skin with these basics will help skin to look and feel brighter – use these as the first step in any routine to boost glow but also ensure the rest of your routine (if you need it) works well.
Our skin changes daily – it will be up and down according to things like our cycle (if we have one), the weather, how much sleep we’ve had, what we’ve drunk and so on. Some days better than others. On the not so good days, it can be easy to believe we need that new shiny serum promising to ‘fix’ our concerns – be that fine lines, dark spots, texture.
The problem is, we can often end up with a multi, multi step routine, but not really know what any of the products are actually doing. Sometimes they’re not even doing what we want them to do, so we end up buying more..
The shiny new serum promises us big results and glowing skin, however if the basics aren’t in place, the big results probably won’t come.
If our skin is not well nourished or hydrated, adding in more actives or complicated skincare can potentially make things worse. They can disrupt our natural protective barrier which can lead to irritation, texture and more dehydration.
Better results will come if they are used on a skin that has been hydrated and nourished first.
Retinol for example, will be a lot more effective on a well balanced skin. Any sensitivities can be managed better too.
When I’m asked to suggest new products for a routine, I’ll always make sure that the skin is getting enough hydration and nourishment before anything else. These are the key building blocks towards a healthy skin.
I would say that the majority of people I see in treatment are dehydrated; modern living makes it hard not to be!
Why hydration and nourishment are so important
For a skin to function properly (which will lead to that glow) it needs a strong protective barrier which is made of lipids (fats). It also needs enough moisture in the skin; a dehydrated skin can’t perform many of its jobs efficiently. It can also feel uncomfortable and look dull.
Boosting both hydration and nourishment will help with all skin concerns. Then if you need/would like to, you can invest in more targeted products and treatments for any concerns you still have.
Building, strengthening and supporting our barrier should be the first steps in any routine. This is turn will help with hydration as it will ‘lock’ water in.
Back to basics
I always recommend getting all your products out to assess what is currently working for you and what isn’t. If you’re not sure, going back to a very simple routine of cleansing and moisturising can be helpful – slowly add products back in and note how your skin reacts.
What are you using to cleanse – how does it make your skin feel? A good cleanser will gently take away dirt, makeup, spf etc and excess sebum but it won’t strip the skin. Remember we want that protective lipid barrier to stay strong.
Be mindful of exfoliants – too much can be detrimental to the barrier as well. If you are trying to tackle something like uneven skin texture, the first step should be ensuring the skin is well hydrated. This in itself can help with exfoliation as the enzymes that facilitate natural skin shedding need water to work properly. Stripping the skin can cause more congestion and texture which can get you caught in a vicious circle of using more and more products.
Taking the skin out of stress mode by nourishing and hydrating will do far more than a million step routine.
Hydration
Hydrating products are the more lightweight water based products such as mists, essences and serums. Moisturisers will hydrate as well but using these more targeted hydrators can boost moisture in the skin more.
I love using a hydrating mist. I’ve recently upped my game with them since watching some Lanshin masterclasses. She does 3-4 rounds of misting after cleansing; massaging it in between rounds, and then does the rest of her routine.
My skin also likes a hyaluronic acid based serum (although not when it is feeling reactive) and you can use other humectants like glycerine. These act like water magnets and help moisture to stay in the skin. Think of these as giving your skin a drink.
Hydrators need to be ‘locked’ in with a thicker, richer product otherwise they can just evaporate, leaving skin dehydrated again.
Nourishment
Think of these as food for your skin; they help to build and strengthen your protective barrier. Moisturisers can do this but adding in richer ingredients such as oils will help to ‘feed’ the skin that bit more.
If you’re not a fan of oils, an easy way to incorporate them into your routine is to mix a few drops into your moisturiser. Don’t be scared of oils – all skins can use one – even oily skins – its just about finding the right one. Jojoba oil is a brilliant oil to start with for most skin types.
Skincare products with ceramides are very helpful for boosting the skin’s natural barrier which will help to strengthen skin, which in turn will help with hydration as less moisture will be lost.
Inside out skin health
We need to feed and hydrate skin from the inside too. Ensure you are drinking enough water – it will get to the skin eventually..
Eating a diet rich in healthy fats – nuts, seeds, avocado, oily fish or omega 3 supplement – will help to strengthen the skin cell’s membrane. Stronger skin cells means stronger skin.
Hydration and nourishment wins
Giving the skin enough hydration and nourishment will help to build its resilience. This will help it to cope better with daily stressors as well as promoting that glow! A well nourished skin will look more luminous and can look plumper too – definitely a win.
It will also help any further skincare or treatments to be more effective.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or give me a thumbs up if you found this information helpful.
I’d love to help you with your skin. I have a small studio in Bromley, SE London where I offer holistic facials and skin consultations. Please do get in touch if you have any questions.
