As you tumble out of bed at the beginning of the year, head full of ideas for a fresh start with fresher skin through better hydration, that “8 glasses of water a day” myth might be a bullet point on your resolutions list. But before you start slamming down so many glasses of water that you have to run to the bathroom at the most inconvenient times, sit down and spend a little time with the Apex Skin team as we discuss skin hydration, the best hydrating skincare products, and the science behind how to hydrate skin effectively from both the inside and the outside!
4 Common Skin Hydration Myths Debunked
Although these widespread skin hydration myths may be well-intended, they can’t really achieve the skin-refreshing results you want. In fact, some of them can hinder your skin health:
1) Myth 1: Drinking water is enough to hydrate your skin
While staying hydrated is crucial for overall health, it’s not enough for skin hydration. Your skin also needs topical moisturizers to lock in moisture and shield against environmental stressors.
2) Myth 2: Oily skin doesn’t need hydration
Hydration is all about water—not oil—and oily skin needs hydration too. Over-stripping your skin of natural oils can lead to dryness, increased oil production, and potential acne. It can also leave you vulnerable to infection and premature aging. A balanced skincare routine with non-comedogenic moisturizers is essential.
3) Myth 3: All moisturizers work the same way
Also, no. Moisturizers come in different thicknesses (creams, serums, lotions) and with different ingredients that perform varying functions based on your skin type, needs, season, and condition. They should be selected based on your skin type, needs, and the season to properly address hydration without causing irritation.
4) Myth 4: Hydration isn’t necessary, especially during colder months
Actually, skin hydration is crucial year-round (especially here in Northeast Ohio). Cold, dry weather can deplete moisture from your skin. Adapting your skincare routine to seasonal changes ensures effective hydration and skin health.
The Science of How to Hydrate Skin
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. Its layers breathe, protect you from infection, help regulate your body temperature, and help regulate your whole body’s hydration situation! Your skin consists of cells and layers that require water to stay healthy, soft, and smooth. There is water inside these cells (intracellular water) and also between these cells (extracellular water). Maintaining this hydration balance is essential for healthy, glowing, fresh-looking skin.
The skin cells also have fats (lipids) protecting this water balance from evaporation. The right balance of water, lipids, and nutrients can also protect your skin’s barrier function against damage from UV rays, stress, dry air, and environmental pollutants. So, in addition to providing your skin with water by drinking water, you need to apply moisturizers with lipids like ceramides, emollients, and humectants to replenish and protect the skin’s hydration from the outside.
Hydration Heroes: Hydrating Skin Products That Work Wonders
Because skin hydration is essential to youthful, smooth, radiant skin, we’ve discussed hydration with Apex Skin experts at all 14 of our Northeast Ohio dermatology clinics. Between them all, we’ve selected five favorite, effective hydrating skin products that truly protect and hydrate skin for people with most skin types and conditions.
1. Daily Hydrating Boost
Daily Hydrating Boost is a twice-daily ultra-hydrating serum containing both fractionated and high molecular weight forms of hyaluronic acid. This enables the serum to sink deep to quench dehydrated skin. It smooths the complexion and helps the skin hold moisture all day, helping the skin appear smoother, firmer, brighter, and more vibrant. Daily Hydrating Boost also contains a balanced, nourishing combination of nutrients to revitalize the skin and humectants to lock in moisture and antioxidants.
Isabelle Panichi, a licensed Physician Assistant in our Westlake dermatology office, and Aesthetic Nurse Mariah Gantz who works in our Avon dermatology office, both chose the Daily Hydrating Boost serum as one of the best hydrating skincare products for people who struggle with dry skin.
“Everyone can benefit from more hydration,” says Panichi. “The Daily Hydrating Boost can visibly reduce signs of aging, repair a damaged skin barrier, and leave skin appearing brighter and rejuvenated. It’s a lightweight serum you can apply morning and night after cleansing the face. This should be applied before any moisturizers or sunscreen.”
“I love how deeply hydrating this moisturizer is, and the glowing, radiant look it gives my skin after every use,” says Gantz. “After applying it, my skin has a smooth, glass-like finish. One of my favorite things about the Daily Hydrating Boost is its lightweight consistency and how easily it absorbs into the skin without feeling greasy or heavy.”
They both recommend this serum during the winter months, whenever your skin is feeling particularly dry. It can revive dull skin, smooth fine lines, and even help enhance skin healing after cosmetic procedures.
2. Intensive Hand Cream
The skin on your hands gets a workout every day, especially when the weather is dry and harsh, and you wash your hands more frequently. This Intensive Hand Cream absorbs quickly into the skin and is formulated with high-performance hydrating ingredients to bolster the skin’s natural moisture barrier for long-lasting hydration and comfort.
This is Kristina Petkovic’s (MSN | RN | CNP) favorite product. She works out of our Ashtabula dermatology office.
“I recommend this product to everyone for its deep hydration and moisturizing benefits during the dry winter months, especially to my eczema patients,” says Petkovic. “It’s thick but goes on smoothly and is not sticky or oily. It dries quickly, leaving silky smooth skin. I use it before bed every night, but it is best used throughout the day after washing hands.”
Our Physician Assistant Michelle Cheselka who works in our Mayfield Heights dermatology office also chose the Intensive Hand Cream as her best hydrating skincare recommendation:
“Even when you apply it once and wash your hands many times, you will continue to notice softness and moisturization throughout the day,” says Cheselka. “It has fractionated hyaluronic acid, which penetrates the skin to ensure deep and optimal hydration. Green tea extract gives a fresh, light scent that helps guard against free radical damage. Lastly, panthenol helps replenish nutrients that are lost in dry skin. The Intensive Hand Cream is a must in my daily skincare regimen. It’s a must for the lasting moisturization, comfort, and nourishment of dry, chapped hands.”
3. Neck Firming Cream
Our Neck Firming Cream addresses a common and annoying problem that develops as neck and décolleté skin loses its elasticity, tone, and definition with age. Keeping this skin area hydrated is essential to maintaining a lifted, tightened, defined neck. This cream repairs the skin barrier and improves elasticity with a special ceramide-peptide mixture that includes Vitamin B3 and botanical extracts to boost collagen levels so that this skin remains smoother and tighter. Ringaile Sirvaitis, one of our board-certified nurse practitioners and licensed estheticians who works in our Concord dermatology office is a big fan of the Neck Firming Cream.
“This cream is perfect if you’re seeing fine lines or just want to keep your neck skin tight and hydrated,” says Sirvaitis, “Add this cream whenever you start noticing changes in your neck skin or just want to be proactive. It’s super light. You barely notice it’s there, which is perfect. It doesn’t leave that heavy or sticky feeling, so you can just go about your day without thinking about it. Morning and night work great, especially after you’ve cleansed. It’s easy to work into your routine and feels like a little treat for your skin.”
4. Age-Defying Body Lotion
For preventing transepidermal water loss (water evaporating out of your top layer of skin), it’s impossible to beat the Age-Defying Body Lotion. Its hyaluronic acid and biomimetic ceramide complex combines with a powerful mix of antioxidants and green tea polyphenols to protect and replenish the skin barrier while improving texture and elasticity. It also helps smooth out wrinkles, fine lines, and even cellulite while locking in moisture. The Age-Defying Body Lotion is a must-have item for RN and aesthetic nurse Dana Baker who works in our Hudson dermatology office:
“I recommend the Age-Defying Body Lotion to absolutely anyone and everyone!” says Baker. “Everyone needs a body moisturizer, so why not have one that helps reduce the signs of aging? It is specifically formulated to help lift and tighten skin while improving the skin’s overall texture and tone. I love the way it feels on my skin. It goes on silky soft and never feels sticky. This lotion is heavy enough to really hydrate but light enough that you barely feel it. You just feel how soft your skin is!”
5. Perfect Moisturizer
The wonderful thing about the Perfect Moisturizer is that it contains a balanced formula with hyaluronic Acid that works with your skin’s own chemistry to restore and boost hydration, and protect your skin’s barrier function. It slows and reduces signs of aging to improve smooth, supple elasticity.
Kait Budzik PA-C who works in our Lorain dermatology office recommends it to everyone.
“I love the perfect moisturizer, especially during the winter season when my skin is drier, as it has key ingredients to ensure your skin feels hydrated,” explains Budzik. “Not only does this product make you feel great in your skin, but it also has anti-aging properties as well! It is so great having just one product with so many benefits. If you struggle with chronically dry skin and need a product with anti-aging properties, this moisturizer would be great for you. Not only will it hydrate your skin, but it also targets overall skin tone and texture. The name of this moisturizer suits it best, as it makes you feel perfect in your skin!”
Hydration Tips for Everyday Life
When you work on protecting your skin from the inside and the outside, your skin’s barrier function will do its best job protecting you from the elements while helping your skin look and feel smooth, radiant, and firm, even as the years tick by. In addition to the 5 best hydrating skin products mentioned above, here’s how to hydrate skin every day for healthy, vibrant skin:
- Cleanser: Use a gentle, balanced cleanser to remove dirt, bacteria, and excess sebum to prevent clogged pores while not stripping the skin of essential lipids it needs for protection.
- Moisturizer: Apply hydrating products like a moisturizer cream or skin hydration moisturizing lotion to lock moisture into the skin all day. Talk with your dermatologist about the best hydrating skincare products for your individual circumstances.
- Update Your Routine: Incorporate hydration-focused products into your daily skincare routine. For example, reapply your Intensive Hand Cream throughout the day after handwashing, and apply the Age-Defying Body Lotion right after your shower each day.
- Sun Protection: Always wear sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food that feeds and protects you from the inside.
Plus, be mindful of environmental factors like seasonal changes, indoor heating, dry air, and sun exposure.
Let’s Build Your Hydration Routine
This year, make it an easy resolution to bolster your hydration from the inside and the outside to get glowing, healthy skin without hassle and fuss. Avoiding the myths and focusing on the science of skin hydration while adding a few key hydrating skin products to your daily skincare routine can go a long way to smoothing, lifting, and keeping your skin firm and radiant. Of course, it’s important to be mindful of your individual circumstances and skin conditions when adapting your skincare routine for maximum hydration, so schedule an appointment at the Apex Skin location closest to you to talk with a dermatology expert today. We have same-day appointments available! Start your journey toward better skin health today.
