The quest for hydration
Gardeners know that plants should be watered in the early morning or in the evening when the soil is cool, so as to lessen evaporation and replenish the plants’ water supply.
Likewise, “watering” oneself twice a day, through the application of skincare as well as drinking 1.5-2 litres of water, can help prevent a parched complexion and the coming or deepening of fine lines and wrinkles.
Through a host of new hydrators, beauty brands aim to pump up the skin’s water reserves by increasing aqua intake, circulation and retention.
Hyaluronic acid is a common hydrating agent, acting as a sponge that can hold water up to 1,000 times its weight. Naturally found in the skin, hyaluronic acid levels diminish with age, prompting the need for a refill.
Other means include improving water migration to a deeper level through aquaporin protein, inspired by Peter Agre and Roderick MacKinnon’s Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2003.
The Nobel laureates discovered, and researched the function of, water and ion channels in cell membranes, opening new research avenues in biology and biochemistry as well as in skin science.
Lastly, keeping the skin watertight or strengthening its barrier in order to reduce moisture loss can also help in keeping it hydrated.
Based on these strategies, a multi-pronged approach is optimal in the quest for quenching thirsty skin.