Hydration: The Key to Youthful Skin
No matter your age, if you’re a woman in the western world you’re likely to have come across the concept of ‘the signs of aging’. For decades, skincare research has focused on identifying these and formulating ways to counter them. Many experts and skincare companies claim to have the answers on exactly what the signs of aging are. But they don’t agree! Some insist there are 6, others 7, some say there are as many as 8 core signals our skin is beginning to lose its youthful vitality.
One sign is agreed upon by all, however. Underlying so many of the other mechanisms of visible aging, dryness is undisputedly key to the divide between youthful and mature skin. Like plants whose leaves droop and wilt when under-watered, the cells in our skin function better, renew themselves more effectively and are better supported when they are hydrated.
The Causes of Dryness
Some changes are internal or related to the natural processes that happen as we get older:
- Loss of sweat and oil glands
- Changes in hormones
- Existing dry skin type
Other factors are external, behavioral or environmental:
- Extremes of heat or cold
- Sun and wind
- Baths and showers
- Air conditioning
- Harsh skin products and make-up
- Drinking too little water
Clearly, some level of dryness is inevitable as our skin ages. So, what can be done about it?
Keeping Skin Naturally Hydrated
It’s never too early or too late to start protecting your skin. Here are our top tips for retaining moisture and maintaining youthful, strong and vibrant skin.
- Keep the water from your wash locked in
Hot baths and showers scald and dry out your skin. Adjust the temperature to warm and keep time in the water to a minimum. Blot gently with a towel and apply your moisturizer while your skin is still damp.
- Beware allergens and irritants
Your detergent can irritate your skin, even on your face. It’s right against your pillowcase for a significant time every day, after all! Choose your laundry products carefully. Likewise, take extra care of your skin when you know you’ll be encountering harsh chemicals, such as in a swimming pool.
- Keep warm gently
Try not to sit directly by the heat when you’re cozying up, whether it’s an open fire or another heat source.
- Give your air some moisture
Use a humidifier in rooms in which you spend a lot of time. The air we face is so often dehydrating, reintroducing water into it as much as possible is a great way to prevent our skin drying out.
- Drink plenty of water
Our make-up is roughly two-thirds water. It’s no shock that we need to consume a lot to keep topped-up to optimal levels for our skin! Eight glasses a day sipped regularly throughout the day will help keep you and your skin healthy and bright.
- Make use of nature’s hydrators
Some plant extracts work in synergy with our skin to increase and maintain moisture levels. Products with Aloe, Linden, Hamamelis, and Mallow are deeply hydrating, while natural oils such as Shea, Sweet Almond and Olive replenish lost lipids.
HydraActive
Our experts at Villa Floriani specialize in naturally quenching thirsty skin. The HydraActive range blends nature’s most active moisturizers in a collection of treatments that deliver both instant and long-lasting hydration. Skin is plumped and smooth with a youthful glow.
Explore the HydraActive range here or discover the ActiveRecovery collection for more treatments designed with mature skin in mind.
1 comment
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