The Key to Skin Hydration

Knowing how to hydrate your skin properly can be difficult, especially for people with dry or combination skin types. Fortunately a carefully selected skincare routine is all that’s needed to keep your complexion hydrated and moisturised all year round. Read on to discover the signs and causes of dry skin, as well as recommended ingredients and products to maintain a hydrated complexion.

What is dry skin?

Dry skin presents in a variety of ways and can be mild or severe. If you have dry skin, you might notice an uncomfortable tight feeling, especially after cleansing your face. Your complexion may appear dull or uneven and redness may also be present.

If your dry skin is more sever, you may notice itchiness or flaking. In some cases, skin on the driest areas will appear cracked – which can be quite an uncomfortable experience.

What causes dry skin?

Some skin types are naturally prone to dryness due to a reduced amount of protective lipids (oils) produced by the body. However, there are also lifestyle and environmental factors that can cause dry skin.

A common lifestyle factor causing dry skin is over-cleansing and the overuse of harsh skincare ingredients. Although cleansers and harsh ingredients like hydroxy acids can be highly beneficial to the skin in moderation, overuse can damage the skin’s natural protective barrier and hinder its ability to retain surface moisture.

Weather and climate control systems are also a common cause of dry skin, which is why it’s more common in winter. The air has less moisture in winter and heaters work to further dry out air indoors, resulting in skin that struggles to draw in hydration from the environment.

How to keep skin hydrated

Dry skin is a common concern, but a consistent skincare routine full of hydrating and moisturising ingredients is all it takes to help your skin retain a healthy level of moisture. Look for ingredients with humectant (water attracting) or emollient (water retaining) properties to help lock in hydration and protect the skin’s lipid barrier. Here are some of the most effective hydrating and moisturising ingredients to integrate into your skincare routine, all of which are suitable for most skin types.

Lactic acid

Lactic acid offers a rare combination of chemical exfoliation and hydration. This ingredient is hydrating because it forms part of the skin’s natural moisturising factor, so supplementing it through your skincare routine can help prevent dryness. Lactic acid’s chemical exfoliant function also helps with hydration by sloughing away dry, dull surface level skin that can hinder product penetration to the deeper layers of the epidermis.

Squalane

Squalane is a moisturising ingredient that mimics the skin’s natural lipids (oils). Squalane mimics the effect of squalene (with an ‘e’), a natural skin lipid that works to keep the surface layer of the skin hydrated. By adding products containing squalane to your skincare routine, you can compensate for the body’s decline in squalene production as you age.

Ceramides

Ceramides form part of the skin’s natural protective barrier, which functions to keep in moisture and keep out pollutants and impurities. The skin barrier can become weakened or compromised due to over cleansing and environmental factors, so replenishing the skin’s supply of ceramides can strengthen its ability to self-hydrate.

Hyaluronic acid

he past few years have seen hyaluronic acid take the skincare world by storm. This hydrating acid is a powerful humectant, which means it attracts water molecules to the skin’s surface. It’s estimated that hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, helping the skin’s surface to re-plump and hydrate.

Vitamin E

The body needs vitamin E to help cells to regenerate and wounds to heal, so it’s no wonder this ingredient is great for keeping skin hydrated. Vitamin E has both emollient and humectant qualities to hydrate and moisturise dry skin or very dry skin. This ingredient works best in a cream formulation for the best emollient effect

Glycerine

Glycerine is one of the most commonly seen hydrating ingredients in skincare. Similarly to hyaluronic acid, glycerine is a humectant ingredient that attracts water particles to the skin’s surface. Glycerine is often derived from plants or vegetables.

Kiehl’s products recommended for skin hydration

At Kiehl’s our skincare experts harness the best naturally derived hydrating and moisturising ingredients to create nourishing skincare. Here are our product picks to keep your skin hydrated and moisturised throughout any season.

Cucumber Herbal Cleanser

For a gentle cleanser that won’t strip moisture from the skin, try our Cucumber Herbal Cleanser, recommended for all skin types including dry or particularly sensitive skin. This soap free cleanser is formulated with carefully extracted whole cucumbers and plant-based glycerine to protect the skin’s moisture barrier while washing away dirt and makeup.

Use morning and night at the beginning of your skincare routine, starting by applying a small amount to clean fingertips. Massage gently into the skin (avoiding the eyes) before rinsing thoroughly.

Daily Reviving Concentrate

Our Daily Reviving Concentrate is a lightweight antioxidant facial oil enriched with Ginger Root, Tamanu and Sunflower to help maintain radiant skin all day. The antioxidant ingredients help protect the skin from environmental aggressors during the day, preventing damage that can lead to increased dryness. As an oil formula, the concentrate also helps provide an emollient barrier to seal in moisture on the skin’s surface.

Apply by patting several drops over the entire face each morning, after cleansing and applying serums. For enhanced results, pair this concentrate with our Midnight Recovery Concentrate in the evening.

Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Our Midnight Recovery Concentrate is the perfect addition to your night-time skincare routine to compliment the Daily Reviving Concentrate. This facial oil is enriched with distilled botanicals to visibly improve the skin’s hydrated appearance by morning. Formulated with squalane and glycerine for optimal hydration, this formula also features evening primrose oil and lavender essential oil.

Press 2-3 drops of oil into dry, cleansed skin each evening, before gently massaging into the facial skin.

Ultra Facial Cream

Our Ultra Facial Cream provides 24-hour hydration in a non-greasy formula enriched with nourishing squalane and vitamin E for intense hydration and moisture. The thick formula leaves even the driest areas of your skin feeling softer and smoother.

Apply a generous amount in the morning or overnight as needed.

Avocado Nourishing Hydrating Mask

Our Avocado Nourishing Hydrating Mask is extra rich and creamy, yet suitable for all skin types. Leaving skin hydrated after just 15 minutes, this mask uses the power of avocado fruit extract to leave skin feeling soft and replenished.

After cleansing, apply a thick, visible layer over the entire face. Use up to three times a week and be sure to rinse thoroughly with warm water.

View our full skincare range to find products tailored to your skin concerns, from dryness to congestion.

The Key to Skin Hydration