Part II: Hydration 101

Continued from Part I.

How do I choose a suitable hydrating product for my skin? 
As mentioned earlier, hydrators in skincare can come in various forms. Choosing one ultimately depends on personal preference, however there are some factors you can consider when choosing a hydrator that best suits your skin. 

1. Skin type and concern. If you’re not sure how to choose a suitable hydrating product for your skin, a good place to start is by choosing one that targets your skin type and concern. If your skin is more prone to dryness, you may prefer a hydrator with a thicker consistency such as an ampoule, serum or cream toner, like the Acwell Real Aqua Balancing Ampoule and Laneige Cream Skin Refiner. If your skin is more on the oily side, you might prefer a lighter consistency like a hydrating toner or watery essence, like the Etude House SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner and Kayman HyaluMelon Mist Toner. The same applies for skin concern, or the severity of dehydration. Everyone’s skin condition and concern is different, and therefore requires treatment unique to each person. This is just a basic way to choose a hydrating product if you have never done so before. Once you start experimenting, you’ll surely find one that your skin adores!
2. Ingredients. There are plenty of ingredients that promote skin hydration and are generally safe for all skin types. Popular ingredients like hyaluronic acid is a safe bet and is an effective hydrator as it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Other hydrating ingredients include snail mucin, marine extracts like seaweed and algae, galactomyces and ceramides. Look out for these ingredients the next time you shop for a hydrating product. You can even Google “hydrating skincare products” and see the many suggestions that come up! If you’re not familiar with skincare ingredients, you can refer to ingredient analysis websites like INCIDecoder and SkinCarisma to learn more about skincare ingredients and their functions.  

How do I hydrate with skincare? 

There are a few methods you can try to maintain or even boost hydration for your skin. Different methods depend on personal preference as well as skin concern. Some may need a more extensive hydrating routine, while others can get by with the basics. 

1. Apply as first step after cleansing. This is the most basic way to hydrate your skin with skincare. After cleansing your face, apply the hydrating product of your choice as the first step in your routine, before applying other products. This is to replenish the water lost during cleansing. This also establishes a good base to aid in absorption of your following skincare products. You can apply as many layers as you want or even just one layer, if you feel that is enough for your skin. Experiment until you find what your skin likes best. Applying hydrating products on damp skin is also a great way to yield better results!
2. “Seven skin” or layering method.  This is a Korean beauty trick that gained popularity some time ago. It means applying a lightweight hydrating product, like a toner or watery essence, up to seven times before applying your other skincare products. The purpose of this is to give your skin the maximum benefits of hydration. Of course, this method is completely up to personal preference and may work better for skin that is more prone to dryness. Oilier skin may not like this method, and that’s okay! The whole purpose of trial and error is to figure out what works for your skin. 
3. Sandwich method. This method is quite similar to the “seven skin” method, except it involves layering a lightweight hydrating product between each step of your skincare routine, as opposed to layering it consecutively before you apply other skincare products. With the sandwich method, your routine would look like this:

“Sandwiching” lighter layers of hydration between heavier skincare products “traps” hydration in your skin more effectively, alleviating the effects of TEWL and ensuring your skin remains hydrated for longer. Because of the multiple layers in the sandwich method, it’s recommended to use a hydrating product with a light texture for easier absorption and a more comfortable feel, like a face mist, watery toner or watery essence.

So there you have it! You are now on your way to dewy, glowing skin.