How to Build a Skincare Routine for Deep Hydration

 

No matter your skin type, hydration is the key to a healthy and radiant complexion. Here is how you can build the perfect skincare routine that is focused on achieving and maintaining optimal hydration levels. 

The Perfect Hydrating Skincare Routine

Any foundational hydrating skincare routine should include these key steps:  

• Cleanser: Harsher face washes can strip away your skin’s moisture. Instead, reach for a gentle hydrating cleanser. It will thoroughly purify your skin without negatively impacting hydration levels or otherwise aggravating the skin.

• Hydrating Serum: The star of any hydration-centered routine is the serum. Serums are made with potent concentrations of active ingredients. This means a hydrating serum is your best tool for supercharging your skin with hydration. Look for formulas made with proven hydrating ingredients – hyaluronic acid and glycerin are two of the most effective hydrators. 

• Moisturizer: After applying your serum, seal it in with a moisturizer. A moisturizer will work to both replenish water levels and lock that moisture in, helping you maintain healthily hydrated skin.  

For the best results, follow this hydrating routine both morning and night – just don’t forget to finish off your morning routine with sunscreen! You can also build upon this routine, adding any exfoliants, masks, or treatments that target your specific concerns. 

Adapting a Hydrating Routine for Your Skin Type and Concerns

It’s important to adapt the hydrating skincare routine to best meet the needs of your skin. Here are a few things to keep in mind when building out your regimen based on your skin type and unique needs. 

Dry Skin

As far as cleansing goes, dry skin types will benefit most from non-foaming formulas – hydrating creamy face washes are ideal. Moisturizing creams are also great for dry skin, as they’ll deeply moisturize while sealing in the hydrating serum for optimal results. 

Oily Skin

A foaming hydrating cleanser is perfect for oily skin, as it will whisk away excess sebum and impurities while simultaneously keeping hydration levels balanced. For moisturizing, a lightweight cream or lotion will maintain skin barrier health and keep the skin moisturized without feeling too heavy on the complexion.

Combination Skin

With combination skin, it’s all about finding the right balance to keep both the dry and oily areas happy and healthy. Typically, a gentle foaming hydrating cleanser and a lightweight cream will work perfectly for combination skin’s unique needs. 

Sensitive Skin

Anyone with sensitive skin will want to choose products that not only suit their skin type (oily, combo, or dry), but are also made without common irritants. Generally speaking, hydrating skincare products are designed to be gentle on the skin – just make sure you stick to fragrance-free formulas!

Acne-Prone Skin

A hydrating routine is especially beneficial for acne-prone complexions, especially for those that are using acne treatments (which can dehydrate the skin!). Just be sure to stick with lightweight and gentle moisturizers and cleansers, as they’ll treat the skin without contributing to breakouts. Formulas geared towards oily skin are often well-suited for acne-prone complexions.

Consistency is Key

You may start to see and feel the benefits soon after adopting a hydration-focused skincare routine. That said, you can expect to experience the full results after about six to eight weeks of regularly following the routine. Be consistent (and patient!) so that you can unlock the full benefits and achieve soft, supple, and optimally hydrated skin. 

References:

Mojumdar EH, Pham QD, Topgaard D, Sparr E. Skin hydration: interplay between molecular dynamics, structure and water uptake in the stratum corneum. Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 16;7(1):15712. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-15921-5. PMID: 29146971; PMCID: PMC5691061.