Should you be using a hydration spray this summer?
One simple product could be the answer to dull, lifeless skin. PRUDENCE WADE finds out more
WHAT could be better than the sun shining? There’s no doubt summery weather boosts your mood, but it could also be having an impact on your skin.
Despite all the benefits of vitamin D, a warmer climate has the potential to suck all the moisture out of your skin. That’s why it’s a good idea to add moisturising, soothing and cooling products into your regime – which is where hydration sprays come in.
There’s a reason drinking lots of water is the worst kept secret in skincare; the more hydrated your skin, the plumper it will look, reducing the appearance of fine lines. In the summer, you might be losing more fluids due to the warmer weather and a dry atmosphere, leaving your skin feeling like the Sahara.
So, how can a hydration spray battle this? Of course, you still need to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water – but a mist could be the secret to keeping your skin bouncy and dewy.
WHY DOES THE SKIN NEED HYDRATION?
“HYDRATION is one of the most important factors for the skin,” explains facialist and skin expert Fiona Brackenbury.
“The gatekeeper for healthy skin is the skin’s barrier. Part of the skin’s barrier is the NMF (natural moisturising factor) – the NMF ensures the outer layer of the skin remains hydrated.
“The challenge we have is the NMF takes water from the air, and the drier the air, the lower the humidity, the less moisture is in the atmosphere – which will cause a depletion of the NMF – and the skin can feel dehydrated and thirsty.”
Dry skin can disrupt the skin’s barrier and have an impact on your complexion as a whole – particularly if you’re prone to sensitive skin.
Many things can deplete the NMF, whether it’s age, over-cleansing or the climate, which Fiona says can make the skin feel “tight, dehydrated, dry and sensitised. Replenishing the skin with natural components of the NMF can rebalance the NMF and alleviate these conditions.”
HOW DO HYDRATING SPRAYS FIT IN?
IF you’re living in the UK, your skin could be particularly suffering.
“We are not known for our high humidity levels, and that is when hydrating mists and sprays can support the skin,” Fiona explains. She refers to these products as “the easiest way to support the skin’s barrier and the NMF of the skin, and to increase your skin surface hydration levels”.
At its core, Fiona sees hydrating mists as skin enhancers, because “a healthy skin is a hydrated skin”. It’s not like splashing water on your face, though – Fiona says a lot of these products are “now packed with ingredients to give your skin a moisture top-up, not just in the morning but throughout the day”.
You can incorporate the product into your skincare routine, and keep it in your bag in case your skin feels like it needs a moisture top-up at any point.
WHAT INGREDIENTS SHOULD YOU BE LOOKING FOR?
WITH so many different products and ingredients, the world of skincare can be overwhelming.
“The key to hydration is to lock in and limit moisture evaporation, so hydrating sprays that contain plant oils, as well as hydrating ingredients, support the skin brilliantly,” notes Fiona.
She recommends looking for products which contain natural ingredients like argan oil, olive oil and avocado.
If you want to try a new ingredient – maybe you’ve heard about the benefits of niacinamide or hyaluronic acid for your complexion – a hydration spray is a great way to do so.
And equally, they’re great for anyone who needs a little TLC to reduce redness, restore the skin’s pH and strengthen the skin’s barrier.