Something you learn early in esthetician schools, whether studying online or in an actual school, is that some hydrating facial product is one of the cornerstones for any beauty regimen. No matter what skin type, your skin can always use a little extra help to keep it hydrated and elastic. Remember, even the most hydrating face cream can’t do its job if you don’t apply it correctly and regularly, so a thorough routine is essential. Also, it helps to understand a little about how these types of products work and what they can do for your skin before you decide on a product.
Hydrating Skin Care Products
Hydrating skin care products cover a lot of ground. You can find everything from daytime moisturizers to nighttime creams and everything in between. Of course, you can’t go wrong if you’re looking for easy-to-use products that do double duty by moisturizing and offering something else, such as a hint of tint. Some of the best moisturizing foundations are heavier on the moisturizer aspect than the foundation, which can be a good thing.
Your skin needs plenty of moisture, both within and externally, to remain supple. This is possible because moisturizing face cream contains a variety of humectants. These ingredients attract moisture to your skin and help lock it in. Rinsing your face with water lets some water come into contact with your skin, but it takes more. Once the water evaporates, you’re done. The other part of hydrating your skin entirely comes from ensuring that you drink plenty of water daily so that your body has a store of internal water from which to keep your skin healthy. This is something that even students studying cosmetology in high schools learn.
Once you have a handle on hydrating yourself internally, it’s easier to add skin care products that can help. Using skin care products that not only add hydration but hold it in place, your skin can use that moisture to plump up wrinkles and other lines. Also, if you’ve got combination skin, it’s a good idea to look for a “smart” product that can tell the difference between areas needing more moisture and those needing less.
So what do we recommend? Sibu Hydrating Serum is a favorite. It does its job wonderfully in all seasons — even winter — and leaves your skin feeling refreshed. Great for travel and long-lasting bottles. Excellent for sensitive skin, too.
Hydrating Foundation for Dry Skin
Even if you use the best daily moisturizer out there, your skin type can dictate whether you need an additional boost or not. Dry skin needs more than just a skin cream can sometimes provide. This is where products known as hydrating foundations come in. If your skin is dry, you need a moisturizer and a hydrating foundation. Be sure to let the moisturizer have time to soak into your skin before you even think about applying the foundation to get the full benefits.
Be sure to see our page about foundations for sensitive skin if you are interested in hypoallergenic product recommendations.
These foundations contain pigments and super hydrating ingredients that attract a lot of moisture to your skin. Foundation on its own can be drying, so you never want to just cake on makeup if you have dry skin. Instead, look for foundations that provide time-released moisturizers that can last all day long. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a dry, flaky mess by lunchtime. Foundations for oily or combination skin contain ingredients that search for and soak up any excess moisture, so avoid those if your skin is even a tiny bit dry.
The application can make a big difference, too. Sponges or blending tools sometimes soak up more of the product than they allow you to put onto your face. Of course, you can go the traditional route and apply the foundation with your fingertips, but that can leave you looking streaky. A better alternative is to use a foundation brush. This helps you keep the product where you need it and don’t wind up losing as much to the brush as you would to the sponge.
Facial Skin Care Products for Women
Your skin is made up of layers of skin cells. Blood vessels, sweat glands, fat cells, and hair follicles are mixed in with these different skin layers. Facial products are applied to the outer layer of the skin, called the epidermis. The product is absorbed into the skin and used in the other layers. The layer directly underneath the epidermis, the dermis, is the next layer to benefit from any skin care products. The hypodermis is rarely affected by topical skin care products because it’s far below the skin surface, but some products claim to reach that far.
When looking for inexpensive facial products, whether for men or women, it’s always a good idea to read the claims on the package and compare the ingredients. More expensive products sometimes have better ingredients, but honestly, there’s not always much difference between the really expensive products and their counterparts. By comparing what each product has in it, you can make a more educated decision about which one you want to try.
Another factor to consider when looking for products that will make a difference for your skin is that it takes more than one or two applications to see some results. In most cases, no matter whether you go the inexpensive route or not, you need to commit to using the product for a week or two before you see any significant changes. This is important to keep in mind because these effective times can vary from one product to another. In addition, when you’re developing a new habit, such as using a new face product, it helps to tie the latest pattern in with your existing routine. So, after you wash and tone your skin, it’s time to moisturize.
If you’re in the market to learn more about your skin and how hydrating products work, getting a real education is a good idea. Esthetician schools offer training in how the skin works and what products help it be its best. Once the basics are down, you can expand and do even more with your training, like study makeup artistry or become a full-fledged esthetician.
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