Moisturise & nourish, two ways to pamper your skin

For quite a while now we have been aware of the importance of caring for our skin to keep it looking and feeling soft, healthy and glowing. Then again, one can feel lost with so many creams on the market: nourishing creams, hydrating moisturisers, serums, protective lotions, anti-ageing products, BB creams... Choosing one treatment or another is a question of knowing what our skin needs. Experts indicate that the ideal percentages for a healthy and balanced epidermis are 13% water, 70% proteins and 15% lipids. In this case skin will not appear dry or sagging as it is well hydrated (thanks to the water) and well nourished (because of the lipids). But do we know the differences between these two concepts?

Drinks for your skin

Hydration means water for your skin. Liquids are therefore crucial so that our face does not appear tight, wrinkled or dull. Extreme temperatures (both the cold and the heat), the sun, UV ray and the use of harsh soaps are the major culprits behind a dehydrated dermis. To prevent these consequences the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology recommends applying a hydrating moisturiser every day to restore elasticity and softness to your face. The Academy also advises individuals to use products containing SPF or to apply sun creams (especially during the summer). Hydrating moisturisers are recommended for all skin types as they provide a thin layer of protection over the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) and maintain the necessary amount of CO2 in the tissue. They are usually lightweight creams that are applied during the day and contain mineral oils, propylene glycol and water.  

Food for your skin

Nutrition is food for our skin; it is what gives the face volume, definition and plumpness. Nourishing our skin makes it possible to regenerate the cells in the epidermis in addition to making it more resistant to external factors. Nourishing creams, also called structural creams, slow down and reduce the signs of ageing, such as: sagging skin, wrinkles and the atrophy of subcutaneous tissue. Their mission is to provide an extra dose of sebum to skin whose sebaceous glands do not excrete enough; this is normally more mature, sun-damaged skin. These formulas generally include ceramides and phospholipids which make the dermis firmer and more elastic. Their texture is creamier and richer in oils than hydrating lotions (as they contain lipids) and they are applied at night when cell renewal is fastest. When it comes time to choosing between one treatment and another, however, the first thing we must pay attention to is what our skin is like. Ultimately, all skins are different and each type needs to be uniquely cared for.

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