Second week of the new year and second resolution. Don’t worry, there won’t be 52 of these!
Hydration. There are many people who are never without a bottle of water. I am not one of them. I don’t get enough fluids, and Jeff, my signif other, often tells me I should drink more water to prevent the charley horses that I frequently get.
I always thought that drinking water helped skin stay hydrated, feel more comfortable, and look less wrinkled. Well, I’ve discovered that the benefits of drinking plenty of fluids for skin health are not so clear.
Studies have shown that drinking fluids helps brain function, keeps energy up, regulates body temperature, aids digestion, provides a moist environment that benefits ear, nose and throat, and brings nutrients to cells in the organs. So, if the skin is the body’s largest organ, doesn’t that mean that skin cells benefit from drinking fluids? Katie Rodan, MD, author of Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change, was quoted in an article in Real Simple, as saying: “Humans aren’t like plants. Our skin doesn’t perk up when we consume water.” And a 2002 study conducted by Dartmouth Medical School, among others, found no skin benefits from drinking 8 glasses of water a day. Although skin is composed of cells that are made up of water, fluids affect every other organ before arriving at skin cells. Bummer.
So, while it’s important to drink lots of water and other non-diuretic fluids such as herb tea, fruit or vegetable juice, or low fat milk, we’re not doing it primarily for our skin.
Moisturize. Skin needs moisture, but the best way to hydrate skin is to keep moisture in. Skin’s moisture level changes according to what its protective lipid (fat) barrier is exposed to, e.g. low humidity (think airplanes and deserts), harsh wind, high altitude, sun, alcohol, long baths or showers, or harsh soaps. Nutritionally, the best way to protect the skin’s moisture level is to support its lipid barrier by eating foods that are rich in essential fatty acids (EFA). Good sources of EFA include walnuts, flaxseed, salmon, and olive oil.
An easy way to keep moisture in is to moisturize…religiously. I know there are a lot of women who aren’t into makeup, and that’s OK, but at least moisturize! Not just for vanity sake, but for the health of your skin. Dr. Rodan (quoted in Real Simple, 2010) said, “A quarter size dollop of lotion will do much more for your skin than drinking a quart of water.”
There are zillions of moisturizers out there, and to date, I have written about a couple of moisturizer brands that I like. Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp from washing.
Also consider using a serum with hyaluronic acid prior to applying moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant (i.e. maintaining moisture), and it can hold 1000 times its own weight in water! It attracts water to skin and keeps it there. Check out the article on the top hyaluronic serums by Sabah Karimi, Yahoo News, 2009: http://yhoo.it/Zhku4b
So far this year, I have made a concerted effort to up my healthy fluid consumption, but I know I’m not doing it for my skin. It’s my moisturizer that’s doing the heavy lifting (pardon the bad pun) when it comes to protecting my skin.
http://www.blogdash.com/full_profile/?claim_code=addb21595b2c564e00f74d158dd226df
Good to know! This reminded me that I used to go to an acupuncturist who insisted that I needed to swallow 2 tablespoons (!) of flax oil every day. I bought it in liquid form since otherwise I would have needed to swallow 6-8 capsules of flax oil daily. I don’t take that much anymore, but when I did…… my skin was, indeed, soft and super-hydrated! In fact, I didn’t need any moisturizer at all during the summer months. Now I find it’s more calorie-appropriate to use a serum like the type you suggested, with hyaluronic acid/vitamin C. I like Ole Hendrikson “Truth Serum” at the moment. Really plumps up my skin and diminishes the wrinkles! Anyone else have any favorite brands of serum?
Gee, I try to add flaxseed to the bread I make, but I’m sure I’m not adding enough to make a difference. I like Ole Hendrikson products, but I haven’t tried “Truth Serum”. I just ordered Episilk Premium Total Hyaluronic. It’s supposed to be just about medical grade, so I’m eager to see if it makes a difference. A friend of mine is taking hyaluronic capsules, and she says she has had good results. The capsules are sometimes recommended for people with joint issues.
Anybody else have any serum suggestions??
Thanks so much, Allison, for the information on Hydrating – I had no idea that the benefits of drinking water for your skin aren’t that clear. Your articled led me to look up other products that you’ve recommended on past blogs, since I’m looking for an alternative to the somewhat pricey moisturizer I buy from a department store. I found that you recommended Salma Hayek’s Moisturizing Cream, and I plan to buy it next time I’m in CVS ! So thanks so much for the help!
Laura, thanks so much for checking out my blog! Selma Hayek’s products are very good, definitely worth investigating next time you’re in CVS. I do use the daytime moisturizer ‘coz it’s a thick cream for my very dry skin and has a high SPF. You asked about affordable eye creams. Check out Garnier’s Anti-Gravity Firming Eye Cream, abt $15 and currently giving a $5 cashback credit at CVS for people who have the CVS bonus card (free). Also, L’Oreal makes a couple of good eye creams as well: Revitalift, a nice weight eye cream that feels very moisturizing and soothing on the skin, and Age Perfect, a heavy-weight eye cream. Dab eye cream on all around the eye, not only underneath, using your ring finger and tap gently. Let me know what you think about whichever products you buy.
Too bad we don’t perk up like plants, if only water was the magic cure! This was very interesting Allison, thanks. I’ve been very happy with the Olay regenerist serum and moisturizer, but you’ve given me some ideas of other things to look for – I might check out the Ole Hendrickson truth serum. Along the lines of flaxseed, I had a conversation with a woman who said she’s been using coconut oil from Trader Joes as a hand lotion when working in the kitchen. Keeps her hands dry between food prep, but not harmful if picking up veggies, etc. Have you ever heard of using coconut oil in that way?