More Than Water
We hear this mantra all the time when discussing beauty: "Drink plenty of water." But how much of the water that we drink actually makes it into our skin? It turns out, not a whole lot. What you use topically can be just as important as how much liquid you take in. We spoke to L.A.- and Dallas-based celebrity aesthetician Renée Rouleau, who broke down the water and moisture issue for us.
Watered Down
You might be shocked to hear it, but overhydration—taking in too much water in a short period of time—may not help the condition of your skin and could actually be dangerous. "Drinking water is actually the least efficient way to get moisture to your skin," says Rouleau. "If you drink too much of it, it can be hard on your kidneys, which keep the fluid levels in your body balanced."
Ban the Bar
"Avoid bar soaps" when washing your face, Rouleau advises. "The high pH will draw moisture from your face, and its alkalinity will disrupt your skin's natural, slightly acidic state, allowing germs to populate its surface. Another tip is to use only sulfate-free face washes, which prevent stripping your skin of moisture."
Scrub-a-Dub
"Exfoliation is important to remove dulling, dry skin, revealing smooth, new, baby skin cells," explains Rouleau. "Be careful to use only products with round, smooth beads," she adds, "otherwise you risk subjecting your skin to micro-abrasions that can become infected or inflamed."
Skin Quencher
Also key to know, says Rouleau, is that "your skin cells are like fish—they need water to live. Remember that this is a hydration issue, totally different from an oil issue. The best ways to get moisture into your skin are: After cleansing your face, use an alcohol-free toner, leaving it damp on your skin. This will remove chlorine and minerals in your tap water. After that, apply a serum with active ingredients tailored to your skin type. Finally, apply an appropriate moisturizer to seal moisture into the skin."
Get Glowing
Olay’s Ultra Moisture Body Wash moisturizes while it cleanses. It’s perfect for busy moms on the go and perfect for gorgeous summer skin. The water-activated lather gives the body wash time to work on even the driest skins—for all-day moisture for soft, healthy-looking skin!
Read the Label
Rouleau strongly recommends using products with appropriate active ingredients, so that you're not just applying heavy creams and oil-based products onto your skin. She advises clients to apply a "moisturizing skin serum with the ingredients sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid, as both are really effective and keep your skin plumped up and healthy."
Moisture Fix
If your skin is looking dry, Rouleau is a big fan of oil-free gel masks. "They have lots of moisture and penetrate deep into the skin," she says. "If you want an intense treatment, look for a mask with hyaluronic acid in it." If you want an easy, DIY dose of moisture, Rouleau says, "pure aloe vera gel can be used as a mask. Apply a nice thick coat and leave on for 15 minutes."
Tone Like a Pro
"Most of us grew up using toners with a high alcohol content, and we learned to think that a dry, tight face was a clean one," says Rouleau. "But that is a dangerous myth. It's crucial to use only alcohol-free toners if you want to maintain proper moisture in your skin cells."
Nix the Mist
Though misting the skin with fancy French water was all the rage a while back, Rouleu says, "I am not a fan of misting your skin. It's just purified water, and it's important to remember that water works like a magnet. When you mist on something that's primarily water, water will be pulled out of the skin cells by osmosis. If you like the cooling feel of it, mist and then moisturize."
