Aging Skin is Thirsty Skin: Hydrating vs. Moisturizing

As the years pass, signs of aging inevitably appear as signatures of a life well-lived. Crows feet and sun spots crop up from days spent laughing and enjoying the sunshine. A few here and there are simple souvenirs from the winding road we’ve traveled, but many can be the skin’s way of asking for assistance.

Fine lines and wrinkles are not always due to aging, they’re often a sign of dehydration. It’s important to note that moisturizing and hydrating are not synonymous. In fact, one can think of the former as how we care for the skin from the outside, and the latter as care from within. Preventing dehydration is something we’ll get into shortly, however alleviating dryness is a task for skincare. Our best tips for external care and combatting dryness are following a simple regimen such as:

1. Massage Balm Supérieure into skin and remove with a warm wash cloth to cleanse away dirt, makeup and pollution.
2. Apply Toner Supérieure with a reusable cotton pad to balance the skin’s natural pH and leave skin refreshed.
3. Pat 1-2 drops of Serum Supérieure into skin to promote the skin’s elasticity and prevent fine lines and dark spots.
4. Finish with either the Ultra Sensitive Creme or the Creme Supérieure to lock in moisture and protect against dryness.
5. Include the Masque Supérieure once a week and the Exfoliant Supérieure twice a week after Step 1 to remove dry skin cells, soften texture and illuminate the complexion.

Following this routine will provide immediate results, however skincare is only part of the long term equation. Our diet plays a major role in the overall health of our skin. Drinking plenty of water and eating organic, water-dense foods are excellent ways to increase the amount of water in our skin cells.

Put simply, the more water in our cells, the more plump, smooth and healthy the skin will be. Eating a diet rich in water and nutrients also helps balance the blood pH level of the fluids in your body, which has been shown to prevent more than just dehydrated skin. Fresh fruits and vegetables are staple to a healthy alkaline diet. Our top picks are cucumbers, mushrooms, citrus, spinach, tomatoes, avocados… the list goes on. It’s also a good idea to consume plenty of raw fruits and vegetables as close to their fresh, alive state as possible. For more information on the importance of pH, eating an alkaline diet and foods to avoid, check out the article: Alkaline Diet.

As most of us know, prevention is the first line of defense when it comes to caring for your skin long term. A wide brimmed sun hat, a mineral based sunscreen and quality skincare are essential. That said, much of our skin’s health is attributed to what’s going on beneath the surface. Essentially, increasing our intake of water and organic greens while reducing the amount of acidic foods in our diet will ultimately result in a more hydrated complexion and a more healthy you. At the end of the day, that’s what truly matters.