Hydrate and balance for your skin

31 Jan, 2022

Summertime brings dehydration to our skin – the environmental impact from sun and wind, internal factors of socialising, drinking alcohol – you just can't drink enough water to balance things out.

There is a much more effective way to achieve dewy, hydrated skin. Although drinking two litres of water a day is essential, it is not enough alone as your skin will get what your other organs don't need – the skin only benefits from around 5 percent of that water.

Also if your skin's barrier is impaired then you will lose the water through transepidermal water loss, which is basically the water that passively evaporates through the skin. As a skin therapist this is the first thing I will look at when doing a skin assessment. If I can see you have transepidermal water loss I know I must address this first.

Skin treatments in clinic set the scene and start your skin on a healthy journey. We will also get you using the right oils and hydration sprays to rehydrate your skin giving it the nutrients it needs, restoring the acid mantle, the skin’s barrier. When you drink that water it won't escape, your skin holds onto it.

We also assess if you need essential fatty acids, a vitamin supplement to address your skin internally. The essential fatty acids not only give your skin the right oils and hydration, they also repair cell membranes so the vitamins are accepted into the cells, therefore creating a healthy skin environment.

If your skin is feeling dry, oily and unbalanced, a bit dull from summertime, book a skin treatment. The thirst quencher facial is a good starting point – your skin will love a good drink!

n Alex Donald is owner of Pure Essence Face & Body Clinic, Waipu. Online pureessence.co.nz