How to Keep Your Skin Hydrated & Moisturized
Good morning friends! I hope you enjoyed a nice, long weekend! Ours was lovely, slow paced with rain showers sprinkled in. Sometimes those chill weekends are just what the doctor ordered!
This is the last week of school before summer break officially starts and I’m so ready! I’m sure the kids are too. On one hand, I like having some structure to the day, but on the other hand, it’s been pretty stressful encouraging James to keep working and making sure all of his assignments got done. I have even more respect and love for our teachers after this!
Today, we’re talking skincare! Aside from a weird, random break out a couple weeks ago, my skin has probably never looked better! I’m not sure if the breakout was from wearing a mask or possibly a new brand of biotin I tried, but thankfully it cleared up just as quickly as it appeared.
Over the last several years, I’ve experimented with good quality skincare products and found a skincare routine that works for me. I tend to stick primarily with one line of products because I’ve had amazing results with them and I figure, why mess with a good thing??
Do you do that too, or do you like to experiment?
One product I was hesitant to use was a moisturizer because, in the past, they’ve tended to break out my skin. So, I slowly started testing moisturizers by applying a tiny dot to my forehead (the least sensitive part on my face) and when that worked well without any adverse affects, I moved onto my cheeks.
Moisturizing is critical for keeping our skin looking youthful and fresh. But, we also need to keep our skin hydrated for the same reason. You’ve probably heard that it’s important to drink enough water or liquids throughout the day so that you stay hydrated. This is good for your body to look and feel it’s best, but also for your skin!
Eating water rich foods like berries, watermelon, plums, peaches, cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, and lettuce are water-dense and can be as hydrating as drinking water. One of my goals everyday is to fill up two big water bottles and drink both of them by the end of the day. Having them ready to go first thing in the morning helps me get that water in, but if I don’t do it, I’m way less likely to drink the water I need.
If you’re not getting enough water, remember that your water-rich foods help contribute to your water intake goal!
Exfoliate regularly. Even if you use the best skincare products, your skin might not be absorbing the hydrators you’re applying. Exfoliating your skin removes the dead skin cells from the top layer of skin, which helps your skincare products penetrate into your skin.
I use the Micro Mineral Surfacing Scrub at least once a week to unclog my pores and exfoliate my skin. The scrub contains ultra fine crystals that buff away dead skin cells and your skin feels soft and glowy afterwards. You don’t need to scrub hard with this stuff, the tiny crystals do the work!
Is your skin dry or dehydrated?
Did you know there’s a difference between dry and dehydrated skin? Figuring out if your skin is dry or dehydrated (or both!) can help you determine what products you should use to help that condition.
Dry skin is characterized by fewer oil-producing glands on the face and body.
Dehydrated skin is from a lack of water, not oil. This explains why you can be dehydrated, but still have an oily complexion.
Do you need a MOISTURIZER or HYDRATOR?
In researching solutions for my own combination skin, I found a good explanation for which products treat which condition. “Moisturizers are oil-based ingredients, including occlusive agents, such as petrolatum or mineral oil, and emollients like esters and plant oils. They work by creating a seal on the surface of skin which prevents water from escaping. They also make the skin feel smoother and less dry.
Hydrators are ingredients called humectants, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, that absorb water from the atmosphere or your skin and hold it in place on your skin.”
It makes sense that your skin might need more of one than the other, but by experimenting, you can find out what works best for your skin.
If your skin is dry, try a moisturizer with ingredients like petrolatum, oils including plant oils, like jojoba oil, and nut oils, like coconut oil.
If your skin is dehydrated, try a hydrating serum. Dehydrated skin needs water added back into it. You’ll want to try ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and honey.
If your skin is oily, try water-based hydrators and moisturizers.
My skin is oily/combination, which is one reason I didn’t think I needed a moisturizer. But, just because your skin is oily, doesn’t mean it isn’t dehydrated. And if so, it can make the issue worse. Like your scalp, if you keep your skin dry, it’s likely to produce more oils. But, if you give it the proper hydration and moisture it needs, it will even itself out.
Look for water-based, noncomedogenic hydrators and moisturizers. Water-based products will feel lighter on the skin and won’t clog your pores.
Here are the moisturizing and hydrating skincare products I use on my skin.
Some of these things I use daily, or sometimes I rotate them depending on how my skin is looking and feeling. For instance, I know that if I eat nachos or something really salty, I get so dehydrated that I need extra hydration the next day. I’ll drink extra water and apply my Extreme Recovery Cream liberally all over my face.
Retinol Supreme Eye Serum • Retinol Supreme Night Oil • Face oil No. 9 • Sheer Renewal Cream • Restorative Hand Cream
The Extreme Recovery Cream is the first moisturizing cream I tried and fell in love with. It’s an intense hydrator that my skin soaks up when it’s dehydrated, especially in the winter months when it’s cold and dry. It also fights line lines and wrinkles while evening out skin tone and texture.
EXTREME RECOVERY CREAM KEY INGREDIENTS:
AesthiNet™ – intense hydration
Hyaluronic Acid – skin plumping
Wu-Bai Complex – brightening
Matrixyl® synthe’6® – reduces the appearance of wrinkles
Retinol Supreme Night Oil • Face Oil No. 9
Both oils deeply nourish your skin (without breaking it out!). I know it seems counterintuitive to put oil on your skin, especially if you have acne prone skin like I do. But, I found that my skin LOVES these oils and when I apply them at night, I wake up with glowing skin.
FACE OIL NO. 9 KEY INGREDIENTS:
Black Seed Oil – antioxidant protection
Moringa Oil – restores luminosity
Marula Oil – balances complexion
Omega 3, 6, & 9 – intense moisturization
RETINOL SUPREME NIGHT OIL KEY INGREDIENTS:
Retinol (Vitamin A) – Boosts skin’s natural repair process
THD Ascorbate (Vitamin C) – Brightens and evens skin tone
Cotton Seed Oil – Nourishes skin’s moisture barrier
Astaxanthin – Reparative antioxidant
The delicate area around our eyes needs special attention, so try a cream specifically formulated for that area.
There are two eye creams I like by Colleen Rothschild, so I use the Complete Eye Cream in the morning and the Retinol Supreme Eye Serum in the evening.
The Complete Eye Cream helps smooth wrinkles and fine lines, and offers skin plumping properties under eye circles, puffiness and loss of elasticity. It’s very gentle and a little goes a long way. Use your ring finger to tap the product around your eyes. If you have product left over, apply it to your lips to help alleviate those fine lines.
COMPLETE EYE CREAM KEY INGREDIENTS:
Dermaxyl® – Helps smooth wrinkles
AesthiNet™ – Intense hydration
Hyaluronic Acid – Skin plumping
REGU®-AGE PF – Combats dark circles
My evening Retinol Supreme Eye Serum has retinol and vitamin C to help revitalize the delicate skin around your eyes, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
RETINOL SUPREME EYE SERUM KEY INGREDIENTS:
Retinol (Vitamin A) – Boosts skin’s natural repair process
THD Ascorbate (Vitamin C) – Provides antioxidant support
Saliporine 8 – Improves skin moisture & elasticity
Cityguard™ – Contours & lifts delicate eye area
This oil free, lightweight moisturizer is weightless and hydrating. It also promotes new cell turnover to help minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles. I like that it has the added benefit of being a primer for your makeup. It makes it a great daily moisturizer for my skin during the warmer months.
SHEER RENEWAL CREAM KEY INGREDIENTS:
Detoxophane™ – environmental defense
Multifruit® BSC – accelerates cell turnover
Syn®-Tacks – reduces appearance of wrinkles
Moist 24™ – 24-hour hydration
Don’t forget to moisturize your hands and feet! I’m obsessed with using hand cream every time I wash my hands. I can’t stand that dry hand feeling that comes right after I wash with soap, so I HAVE to use hand cream immediately after. And I often reapply throughout the day just because I love it so much.
But, I’m really picky about my hand creams. I can’t stand lotions that leave my hands feeling greasy or sticky. The Restorative Hand Cream goes on smooth leaving your skin feeling like velvet. The brightening agents along with the Myrrh Extract help to minimize the appearance of age spot and crepe-like skin too, something I’m so conscious of this as I age.
RESTORATIVE HAND CREAM KEY INGREDIENTS:
ODA White™ – brightens
Shea Butter – intense moisturization
Myrrh Extract – soothes
Moringa Oil – restores suppleness
And for my feet, I sometimes apply vasoline to my feet and then put on socks and wear them to bed. I wake up with super soft feet!
SAVE UP TO 50% OFF ALL MOISTURIZERS
Right now, Colleen Rothschild is having a huge sale on all of her moisturizing products, and you’ll save up to 50%. These sales are always how I stock up and I love to give this skincare line as gifts to friends and family.
You can click the pictures below to shop.
Do you feel like your skincare needs change with the seasons or depending on what you eat? A few years ago, I found that dairy started upsetting my stomach and eating/drinking too much irritated my skin too. I think too much chocolate is giving me trouble now too- or maybe the sugar?? Does your skin look better when you eat better too?
I hope you found this post helpful! What type of beauty/skincare post do you want to see next? I love hearing your ideas!
Have a fantastic day friends!
Thank You to Colleen Rothschild for sponsoring today’s post!
I didn’t see any sale on her page? Am I missing something? Thanks!!
Your skin looks fabulous!!
Thank you so much for the compliment Amy! They decided to postpone the sale until Thursday! I’m so sorry for the confusion.
Thanks for asking, Amy! I was just going to do the same. And Megan, thanks for the introduction to Colleen Rothschild. Finally took your advice, and I just love the products.
Hi! I started using some of these products because of you and love them. I’m ready to purchase a few more but don’t see any that are on sale? What am I missing?! ?
Hi Stacey! I’m so happy to hear that! They decided to postpone the sale until Thursday! I’m so sorry for the confusion.
Hi Megan,
I received my box of Colleen Rothschild goodies today and I can’t wait to start using them. Thank you so much!
Ann Marie
I have been using these products for about a year because of your recommendations! Thank you for helping others get amazing skin at any age! And thank you for this information!! I am going to save this article for future reference as it has so much good info!!!