Best Ingredients For Skin Hydration.

 It is important to keep our skin hydrated year round.  There are certain seasons when it is much harder to keep the skin hydrated so it is important to make sure our skin care products have certain ingredients.  It is well known that skin dries out in the winter so much easier due to temperatures, wind, and lack of humidity, so when you shop for skin care products, take time to check the ingredients list. 

Let's start with one of the more well known ones - hyaluronic acid.  This is one of the best ingredients to use due to its extensive hydrating abilities.  It is one that naturally occurs in the skin and is able to hold up to 1000 times its weight in moisture.  It also helps draw moisture to the skins surface so your skin looks plumper and moister.

Another great ingredient is Argon oil. This oil is extracted from the nuts of the Argon tree.  It is packed with vitamins and minerals that help counter winter dryness.  Although it is high is fatty acids and vitamin E, it is a light oil that is easily absorbed into your skin without feeling sticky.  In addition, its molecules are small enough to easily penetrate the skin.

Then there is squalene which is derived from plants such as olives and rice bran.  Although it is actually an oil, it is light enough that it will not clog your pores.  In addition, the ingredient that hydrates your skin is also a strong antioxidant that both nourishes and softens dry skin. Furthermore, it helps fight inflammation and is a good anti-aging ingredient.  

Ceramides is another naturally occurring ingredient found in the skin. These help improve the skin barrier and are great at helping to lock in moisture.  In addition, look for Shea Butter which contains fatty acids and vitamins that really help moisturize the skin. Shea Butter helps provide a barrier to protect the skin from the elements of winter. 

Check out glycerin because glycerin helps reduce the flakiness associated  with dry skin while balancing the pH levels at the same time.  If glycerin is used regularly, it reduces the amount of water lost from the skin so the skin stays nourished while helping protect the skin from UV rays.  Now if your skin needs a bit of extra care, look for products with Pataua oil.  This oil is great at moisturizing and nurturing while helping to firm the skin.  In addition Pataua oil is noted for having vitamin E, vitamin A, and amino acid proteins.  

Finally, look for Panthenol - a vitamin B-5 provitamin.  In other words, the body is able to transform this ingredient into B5.  Panthenol is noted for softening the skin, while helping skin cells draw moisture in and seal it in.  So when you shop for your skin care, read the ingredients  and make sure one or more of these ingredients are on the list.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.  Happy New Year and may your 2023 be awesome.