As we steam into Winter months, I thought it would be a good time to explain if you are dehydrated or lacking nourishment? It’s important to note they are not the same thing!
You might be surprised to learn that if you don’t have enough of one, you will be experiencing the other.
What is Hydration?
This is exactly as it sounds, it’s the free water in the skin. We get most of our free water from our dermis (lower layer of skin), that gently releases water up in the epidermis (top most highest layer).
Did you know that only seven percent of water in our skin is made up of the water we drink!
You can tell when you’re dehydrated as your skin starts to show fine lines. Your skin doesn’t bounce back as fast when you give it a little pinch and you can look really dull. Your skin will normally try and absorb your cleanser as soon as you put it on your skin and you will feel like you have to use a lot of moisturiser.
Nourishment
If you are lacking nourishment then you are lacking Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). Our skin cell is made of this really fine lipid (oil). As our cell makes its way up to the surface it releases this oil and this creates our skin’s acid mantle.
Unfortunately, 97% of Australians are essential fatty acid deficient, meaning we don’t have a very good healthy acid mantle. When we don’t have this very thin fine layer of oil protecting our skin, that is when free radicals can enter the skin and cause inflammation, redness, breakouts and whole range of skin issues. Worst of all, this causes dehydration!
To resolve this we should really look at adding nourishment to almost every skin routine especially now we are heading into winter.
A good quality fish oil tablet will help to start nourishment from the inside out and to help balance the acid mantle use an oil that contains rose hip, jojoba or triglycerides.
Apply this every night and it’s like you adding a healthy seal over the skin so the water can stay in the river beds keeping the epidermis and your skin cells happy, healthy and bouncy.
Find Serenity Skin Spa at BUNDABERG: Shop 43, 16 Maryborough Street or HERVEY BAY: Shop 105, 6 Central Avenue. Visit www.serenityskinspa.com.au