Did you know that it’s almost National Hydration Day? Created in honour of football coach Victor Hawkins, 23 June is a day to remember the importance of staying hydrated for a healthy body and mind. Here at Ella & Jo, we’re tackling this reminder head-on with full water bottles at our desks and electrolytes at the ready; but for us it’s about more than just drinking water. We’re taking this challenge one step further by applying the same principles to our skin.
Skin hydration is essential for a healthy, glowing complexion that feels comfortable and radiant, and it’s totally achievable with the right skincare routine. But before we get into products and how to hydrate skin, it’s important to understand hydration vs moisturising: how are they different, and how can you tell what your skin really needs? Read on to discover the secret to a beautifully hydrated skin barrier for summer and beyond.
What is Skin Moisture?
The term ‘skin moisture’ refers to the water and natural lipids within the skin that help maintain a healthy skin barrier. These oils and lipids keep the skin supple, protect it from external aggressors and help prevent water from escaping. Moisture loss can be caused by many things: harsh foaming cleansers, cold winter winds, over-exfoliation and the natural ageing process can all deplete the skin’s natural barrier.
So how do you know if your skin needs more moisture? If your complexion feels rough or looks flaky, it could be a sign that your skin barrier is compromised. Moisturising products can help resolve the issue with ingredients such as ceramides, shea butter, squalane and nourishing oils. These rich emollients will help reinforce the skin’s natural barrier, locking in water and leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth and plump.
What is Skin Hydration?
‘Skin hydration’ differs from skin moisture as it refers to the skin’s water content. When your skin is well hydrated, it appears dewy, glowing and almost bouncy in texture. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, might feel tight and look dull. Drying air conditioning, sun exposure, alcohol, travel or not drinking enough water can all contribute to dehydration.
There are many specific products formulated to target dehydration with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera. These humectants work by attracting and retaining water within the skin. At Ella & Jo, we always recommend our hyaluronic serum for dry skin, which pairs beautifully with our favourite glycerin skincare, Ella & Jo Hydrate & Plump Skin Mist.
Hydration vs Moisturising – What’s the Difference?
So, in a nutshell: hydrated skin has a healthy water content, while moisturised skin has the lipids and oils needed to maintain a strong skin barrier and prevent water loss. Although they are different functions, they work together to keep your skin happy and glowing. For your skin to look and feel its best, hydration and moisture are equally important.
If you know your skin needs some attention but you’re not sure whether it’s dehydrated or lacking moisture, these tell-tale signs can help you identify the issue at hand:
If your skin is dehydrated, it may:
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Feel tight after cleansing
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Have more noticeable fine lines around the eyes and forehead
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Look dull and lacklustre
If your skin needs more moisture, it may:
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Have dry, flaky patches
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Feel rough in texture
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Appear red or irritated
Many people experience both dehydrated and dry skin together. In these cases, it’s important to balance lightweight humectant-based serums and mists with richer creams that will help strengthen the skin barrier and lock moisture into the skin.
Why Your Skin Needs Extra Hydration in Summer
We’re all familiar with the effects of winter on our skin, but it’s also important to keep your skin hydrated through the summer months. Whether you’re spending the warm season at home or jetting off somewhere fabulous, you’re likely to experience a variety of environmental aggressors that can contribute to dehydration. Rising temperatures, chilly air-conditioned offices and shops, drying recycled plane air and the glare of the sun can all have an impact on your skin, making it appear dull and tired with more noticeable fine lines.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to keep your skin hydrated and healthy, helping it look plumper, smoother and more radiant. Drinking water is always a good idea but it won’t cut it alone; you’ll also need to incorporate hydrating skincare into your skin ritual to keep water levels topped up for a fresh, glowing complexion.
How to Use a Skin Mist?
As you embark on your skin hydration journey, there’s one product that is an absolute essential: a hydrating skin mist. Our Hydrate & Plump Skin Mist is formulated with hyaluronic acid, making it a brilliant multi-tasker that can be sandwiched into your existing skincare ritual for an extra boost of hydration.
We like to spritz generously after cleansing and then apply a hydrating serum when our skin is still damp to lock in all of that goodness. Complete your routine with moisturiser and SPF for the day, or a rich nourishing oil as the final step in your nighttime routine.
A skin mist can also be a great addition to your makeup routine. Have you ever noticed that your foundation or concealer settles into fine lines by the end of the day? Dehydration could be part of the problem. Spraying a generous amount of mist onto clean skin will help to create a dewy base for foundation or tinted moisturiser. For an extra glow, we also like to spray another layer over our finished look to set the makeup and give an extra boost of hydration.
Our magic mist comes in three wonderful scents to benefit your mind as well as your skin. Choose from reset, calm or energise depending on how you want to feel.
Tips for Keeping Your Skin Hydrated
Here are some quick tips for beautiful, hydrated skin all year round:
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Make sure you drink enough water. It’s widely recommended to drink 1.6–2 litres of water per day to stay hydrated. This is especially important if you’re travelling or experiencing hot summer weather.
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Use a hydrating skincare mist as part of your morning and evening skincare rituals, and throughout the day for an instant hydration boost. It’s an essential product for your holiday skincare bag.
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Don’t skip SPF. Sun exposure can contribute to skin dehydration.
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Avoid over-cleansing and harsh products that strip the skin barrier. Instead, use nourishing balms and silky, non-foaming gel cleansers.
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Running a humidifier at home may help to maintain your skin’s moisture levels.
Whether you're prepping your skin before makeup, refreshing on the go or packing your holiday bag, staying hydrated has never been easier. Explore our range of skin mists and hydrating heroes and give your skin the drink it deserves. Shop the full Ella & Jo collection here.
FAQs
1. What is the best skin mist for keeping skin hydrated on the go?
We recommend our Hydrate & Plump Skin Mist – it’s packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and can be used throughout the day to refresh your complexion.
2. What does a skin mist do for your skin?
Our skincare mist boosts hydration by delivering water-attracting hyaluronic acid directly to the skin. It will leave your complexion looking fresh, plump and radiant.
3. Can I use a face mist over makeup?
Yes! Hydrate & Plump Skin Mist is designed to be used over makeup. It’s a great way to refresh your look and perk up tired skin in a flash.
4. Is a face mist good for travelling on aeroplanes?
Absolutely. A face mist will help to replenish lost water and combat the effects of dry, recycled cabin air during travel. Carry it in your hand luggage for a pick-me-up before boarding or after landing at your destination.
5. How do I layer a skin mist with my serum?
Apply your mist to freshly cleansed skin, then follow with your hydrating serum while your skin is still damp to maximise hydration.
