Hydration: We All Want to be Dewy.
by Jessi
The distinctly American habit of carrying water bottles everywhere is an odd and endearing one. My friend's relatives in Sweden, mildly affronted and bewildered by her steadfast accessory, finally asked: "Did you think no one here would offer you water?"
But we all know drinking water is critical to our health--not to mention essential for glowing skin (zero judgment I promise, but I can tell at a glance how much water you drink when I'm analyzing your skin). If you want extractions, come in super hydrated. Plump, juicy skin = quicker, easier extractions.
The body's largest organ is one of the driest and arguably the most benevolent. The only organ drier than skin is bone. Because visceral organs like the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys (not to mention the blood) cannot survive without water, the skin is continually replenishing these organs from its supply--freely giving away its moisture to maintain homeostasis in our bodies. Because we may not like having dry skin, but it won't kill us.
Isn't the body incredible?!?!
Hydrate Intelligently
Consider how you hydrate.
If you are slamming your eight glasses of water and calling it a day, I invite you to rethink hydration. After all, our tissues actually need to absorb the water.
I have benefitted from taking this mineral formula. (hopefully, it goes without saying that this is not medical advice, just my own experience).
I highly recommend the book QUENCH for a deep-dive.
But no amount of water consumption will make your skin healthy if you don't care for it every day (I don't make the rules).
One thing we estheticians see commonly is TEWL or Transepidermal Water Loss. TEWL refers to the amount of water escaping the stratum corneum (top layer of the epidermis) and helps us measure the integrity of the skin's barrier and overall resilience. A damaged barrier, air conditioning/heating and pollution all influence TEWL.
TEWL presents through flaking, fine lines, roughness, and a persistent feeling of tightness. If your skin is dehydrated, but you are combating that with slathering heavy, occlusive creams, you won't get very far. Our skin needs essential hydrating cofactors first to regulate and hold in water and prevent TEWL.
These are some of my top picks for effective, deep hydration; they are the yin to the yang of your oil or moisturizer and are usually the second step, post-cleansing of your routine:
Meder Beauty Science Hydra-Fill Sheet Masks
I know, sheet masks--I used to think they were dumb, too. Until I met these, designed by Dr. Meder and made of bamboo, loads of hyaluronic, peptides and sea algae. These contain three times the fluid of most sheet masks and exponentially more active ingredients.
MAGIC, I say.
Wonderful for weddings, photos, or simply healing depleted skin as a weekly treatment. These are a favorite of makeup artists and Carey Mulligan, who always wears them before photo shoots and red carpets.
Speaking of Meder Beauty Science, did you know they make their products in a world-renowned pharmaceutical-grade cosmetics laboratory in Switzerland? And true to most things Swiss, their skincare product standards are unparalleled.
Besides guaranteeing the stability and integrity of their unique prebiotic and enzyme-rich formulas, this lab is special because of its placement on an Alpine glacier high in the mountains. This means the water used to produce Dr. Meder's products is some of the purest and most mineral-rich in the world. Pretty cool, huh?
Twelve Beauty Ideal Moisture/Rebalancing Serums
Tried, true, and beloved. Pedro developed this long-chain hyaluronic serum to cast a net on the skin, locking in moisture. Suitable for even the most sensitive of faces, these products are two of our bestsellers for a reason.
Ideal Moisture is for dry, mature skin, and Ideal Rebalancing is for acneic skin, which is often dehydrated! If you need help deciding which you need, book a product pick-up or a facial, and we can chat.
An ultra-light gel serum that gives skin a serious hydration boost by way of two molecular weights of hyaluronic acid (holding one thousand times its weight in water). This hyaluronic is up-leveled by its suspension in soothing aloe. Lavender is added for an extra dose of soothing to the skin and senses. Simultaneously hydrating and calming the skin, this product can be used on its own or layered for more nourishment. Aloe Vera water is packed with enzymes and Vitamin A and C to brighten and reduce inflammation. And it smells INCREDIBLE.