Skin Hydration: How to Hydrate Dry & Mature Skin

Hydration is one of the foundations of healthy looking skin. When skin has enough water and is able to hold onto it effectively, it tends to feel softer, smoother and more comfortable, with a naturally plumper appearance. Hydration becomes particularly important when skin is naturally dry, dehydrated or changing as we age.

The role of your skin is as a barrier against environmental aggressors such as pollution, bacteria, and UV rays, so how can we look after it well enough so it's able to do its job? Understanding the difference between adding moisture to the skin and helping the skin retain it can make a significant difference to your skincare routine.

Skin hydration refers to the water content within the upper layers of the skin.

A healthy skin barrier helps keep that water where it belongs. When the barrier becomes compromised, or when environmental and lifestyle factors increase water loss, skin can begin to feel tight, rough or uncomfortable.

You might also notice that fine lines appear more pronounced and the complexion looks less plump or luminous.

This is why good hydration is about more than simply applying a rich cream. An effective routine needs to replenish hydration and help prevent it escaping.

Although these terms are often used interchangeably, dry and dehydrated skin are not the same thing. 

Dry skin is a skin type. It naturally produces less sebum, or oil, and may feel rough, tight or flaky.

Dehydrated skin is a skin condition. It lacks water and can affect any skin type, including oily and combination skin.

It is therefore possible to have skin that is both dry and dehydrated. Dehydrated skin may feel tight after cleansing, appear dull or show fine dehydration lines. In some cases, skin can actually become oilier as it struggles to maintain balance. For naturally dry skin, the aim is therefore to replenish water and support the lipids that help the skin hold onto it.

Achieving and maintaining hydrated skin is a key factor in a successful skincare routine. At Raven Botanicals, we understand the importance of hydration from within and have curated some essential tips to help you achieve a healthy and radiant complexion.

1. HYDRATE FROM WITHIN

Hydration starts with what you put into your body. Drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day is crucial for maintaining hydrated skin. Water helps to flush out toxins and keep your skin cells plump and supple. In addition to water, incorporating water-rich foods into your diet can further boost your hydration levels. 

Cucumbers and watermelons are not only delicious but also excellent sources of hydration. These refreshing fruits are packed with water, vitamins, and antioxidants, providing a hydrating and delicious boost to your skincare health.

2. DON'T OVER EXFOLIATE

Gentle Exfoliation: Exfoliation is an essential step in any skincare routine, as it helps to remove dead skin cells and reveal a fresh, radiant complexion. However, be cautious -  it's important not to overdo it and compromise your skin barrier.

Over-exfoliating can disrupt your skin's natural barrier, leading to dehydration and sensitivity. To maintain a healthy balance, we recommend adding exfoliation into your skincare habits no more than 1-2 times a week. 

Choose a gentle exfoliator that suits your skin type and avoid harsh scrubbing. This will help to promote cell turnover and maintain a smooth and hydrated complexion.

3. LOCK MOISTURE IN

After cleansing, it's crucial to replenish and lock in moisture to keep your skin hydrated and supple. One effective way to achieve this is by incorporating a Hyaluronic Acid Serum into your skincare routine. 

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture, providing intense hydration to your skin. Apply the serum on damp skin to maximize absorption and follow up with a moisturiser or a barrier-protecting oil to seal in the hydration.

This extra layer helps to prevent moisture loss by bolstering your skincare routine and maintaining a healthy, luminous glow.

As skin matures, changes in natural oil production and the skin barrier can make it more difficult to retain moisture. This can leave skin feeling drier or less supple than it once did. Fine lines can also appear more noticeable when the surface of the skin is dehydrated.

A well considered routine for mature skin should therefore focus not only on active ingredients, but on hydration, nourishment and barrier support.

Rather than overwhelming the skin with multiple products, layering complementary ingredients can help maintain softness, comfort and a healthy looking glow.

Think of good hydration as a three part system.

1. Humectants: Attract Water

Humectants attract and hold water within the upper layers of the skin. One of the best known is hyaluronic acid, which is valued for its ability to bind water and give skin a smoother, plumper appearance.

Our Ultra Hydrating Serum combines hyaluronic acid with niacinamide, borage and squalane to deliver incredible lightweight hydration while supporting the skin barrier.

Tip: Apply your hydrating serum to slightly damp skin rather than waiting until your face is completely dry.

2. Emollients: Soften and Replenish

Emollients help smooth the spaces between skin cells and replenish the lipids that contribute to a healthy skin barrier.

Botanical oils like Skin Saviour Facial Oil that are naturally rich in fatty acids can be particularly useful for skin that feels dry, rough or depleted.

Ingredients such as borage, rosehip, jojoba and other carefully selected plant oils can help leave skin feeling softer and more supple.

3. Occlusives: Help Keep Moisture In

Once you have added hydration, you want to seal it in, and prevent it evaporating.

Oils and balms create a protective layer over the surface of the skin that can help reduce transepidermal water loss, or TEWL, the process through which water naturally evaporates from the skin.

This is why we often recommend applying a facial oil like Solstice Rejuvenating Facial Oil after a water based hydrating serum.

The serum supplies hydration. The oil helps seal it in.

You don't need a complicated routine to support dry or mature skin.

• Cleanse
• Hydrate
• Seal

Step 1: Cleanse gently

Choose a cleanser that removes makeup, SPF and daily impurities without leaving your skin feeling stripped or tight. Our 24 Carat Cleanser transforms from a silky oil into a light milk on contact with water, cleansing while leaving skin feeling soft and comfortable.

Step 2: Hydrate

While skin is still slightly damp, apply a hydrating serum such as Ultra Hydrating Serum. This is the stage where you are actively adding water binding ingredients to your routine.

Step 3: Nourish and seal

Follow with a facial oil or balm to replenish lipids and help reduce moisture loss. For dry and mature complexions, Solstice Rejuvenating Facial Oil provides a nourishing final layer of botanical oils designed to leave skin feeling supple, smooth and comfortable.

At night, a balm such as Night Balm can provide an even richer final layer when skin needs additional nourishment.

Hydration needs can change throughout the year and even from day to day. Cold weather, central heating, air conditioning, sun exposure, harsh cleansing and excessive exfoliation can all leave the skin feeling less comfortable.

One of the most common mistakes is responding to dull or flaky skin by exfoliating it more frequently.

Sometimes the skin doesn't need more exfoliation. It needs more hydration and better barrier support.

If your skin suddenly feels tight, sensitive or rough, simplify your routine for a while and concentrate on gentle cleansing, hydration and replenishing oils.

If your skin is naturally dry, concentrate on products that provide both water and lipids.

A hydrating serum alone may make skin feel temporarily plumper, but following it with an oil or balm helps support the skin's ability to retain that moisture.

Look for a routine combining gentle cleansing, humectants, fatty acid rich botanical oils and barrier supportive ingredients.

Explore our skincare for dry skin →

For mature skin, hydration can make an immediate visible difference to the appearance of the complexion.

Well hydrated skin tends to look smoother, fresher and more luminous, while dehydration can make fine lines appear more prominent. As skin's needs change with age, nourishing botanical oils can complement hydrating ingredients by supporting softness, suppleness and the skin barrier.

Explore our skincare for mature skin →

In summary, healthy looking skin needs both water and the ability to hold onto it. For dry and mature skin in particular, the key to skin hydration is combining moisture with ingredients that replenish and support the skin barrier.