There are some fine lines on your skin that have nothing to do with your anti-ageing regimen. They are caused because your skin is crying out for a good drink. This is where hydrators come into your skin routine.
Hydrators are for your skin what a good downpour is for your garden; they give your skin a big drink of water. If your skin is properly nourished, it can absorb your other lotions and potions.
It’s not just dry skin that needs help in the moisture department – oily skin can get dehydrated, too. Caffeine, carbonated drinks, alcohol and the environment all wreak havoc on your skin’s moisture levels and this can show itself in the form of fine lines and reduced elasticity in all skin types.
To help the hydration process, it is important to exfoliate (how frequently will depend on your skin type, but once or twice a week is advisable) to remove dead skin cells and make way for the new, hydrated cells. All the moisturiser in the world isn’t going to be of any help if it can’t get past those dead cells.
Jane Iredale Pommist, $39, 1300 850 008. Gatineau Paris Creamy Moisture Mask. $55, 1800 037 076. shu uemura depsea hydrability moisturising concentrate, $100, (02) 9931 8888. Estée Lauder Hydrationist Crème, $75, 1800 061 326. M.A.C Moisturelush Cream, $60, 1800 613 828.
If a hydrator is out of the question this month, the next best thing is to make sure you are drinking eight glasses of water every day – it’s not just a marketing pitch by bottled water companies.
Your say: Do you use a hydrator? How do you keep your skin hydrated? Share with us below.
