Have you ever stopped to think that the key to really hydrated skin may not lie in expensive creams, but in simple everyday habits? Yes, hydration has much more to do with habits than with expensive products or specific diets…

Today my skin remains healthy and balanced, but for most of my life it wasn’t like that. After a lot of trial and error, consultations, treatments, cosmetics and money spent – and looking at myself in the mirror in frustration more often than I’d like – I finally understood what my skin likes. And here’s the beauty of skincare: each skin has its own particularities, so it’s important to observe the signs of yours and experiment with what works best for it.

But regardless of the language of your skin, one thing is certain: it’s very difficult to overhydrate, because it’s a thousand times easier for our bodies to lose water than to gain it – and this gets worse over time.

So here are my five moisturizing habits, with tips on how to implement them, that I’ve adopted over time to keep my skin hydrated, starting from the most obvious to the least obvious:

Drink more water

Drinking water is obviously essential for the body. What few people know is that up to 60% of the human body is made up of water, and even mild dehydration can impact skin, mood and energy levels (source). What you need to do is drink MORE water.

And like everything else, the secret of drinking water is not in its intensity, but in its frequency. So much so that drinking too much water at once can be dangerous. The body doesn’t absorb everything at once – it needs homeopathic doses throughout the day.

The ideal is to drink between 8 and 12 glasses of 250 ml throughout the day, but this number varies according to each person’s body and lifestyle. But, let’s be honest, who’s counting?

To help, you can set alarms every hour to remind you to drink (it may work, but it’s not always practical). It really helps to have your own bottle with you at all times and treat it like your cell phone: wherever you go, it goes with you. Those who know me also know my famous yellow companion lol.

Another fun tactic is to use mind games by combining another habit with the habit of drinking water, for example: every time you complain about something, drink a glass of water (or a sip, if you’re a complainer! lol). Or every time you get distracted by your cell phone, drink water. This way, you form the habit while improving other areas of your life.

Use a moisturizer ideal for your skin type morning and night

If you have dry skin, opt for a thicker, more robust moisturizer. If you have oily skin, go for a lighter moisturizer or gel.

The weather also plays a role: on hot, humid days, choose a moisturizer that’s lighter than your usual one. On cold days, one that’s denser than your usual moisturizer.

Let me know in the comments if you’d like a post about my favorite moisturizers!

At the end of your shower, cool your skin with cold water

I know, I know – this habit isn’t that popular, but it has an important physiological backing and makes a huge difference: by ending the hot shower with cold water, you help to close the pores and reduce transepidermal water loss (source). This means that your skin retains its natural moisture better and looks firmer immediately after showering.

Ending a hot shower with a splash of cold water really helps to moisturize the skin. Hot water can dry out and even worsen inflammatory conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.

The cold bath also has many other health benefits. You immediately feel your skin is firmer and hydrated for longer.

Start slowly: 10 seconds at the end of the shower and gradually increase. I do 2 minutes of cold shower a day.

Moisturize your skin as soon as you get out of the shower

Apply face and body moisturizer right after showering to retain the moisture in clean skin. This also helps the product to penetrate better.

Want to take it to the next level? Dry your face with a microfiber towel – or not at all. Let it dry naturally. It’s quite difficult at first, you’ll be surprised how much the habit of wiping your face is so automatic.

Keep a face mist handy throughout the day

This is my favorite. I used to use thermal spring water, which has soothing properties and minerals, but it’s basically enriched water. Korean mists, on the other hand, go much further: they combine highly moisturizing, antioxidant and soothing active ingredients in a light formula that nourishes the skin throughout the day. 

What sets Korean mists apart is the innovative formulation, which includes ingredients such as low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, panthenol, probiotics, glutathione, niacinamide, botanical extracts with antioxidant and soothing action, as well as peptides and ceramides that reinforce the skin barrier – which turns the spray into a truly multifunctional and effective skin care product. Not to mention their ultra-fine spray – it’s simply phenomenal!

They are part of the K-beauty universe, which combines science, tradition and results at affordable prices, as I explain in this post about Korean skincare. 

Korean mists gave me a new standard of moisturizing – since then, they’ve never left my routine.

I carry a small one in my handbag, one in my gym bag, one in the bathroom and one on my work desk. I literally spray it on my face a few times a day, every day.

I won’t go into more detail here, but if you want to know more about which ones I use and recommend, let me know down here in the comments!

This habit is my secret weapon for hydrated skin – hands down!

What about you? Do you already follow any of these habits, or want to start? Is there another one you love that I didn’t mention? Tell me!

With face mist in hand and thirst fully activated 💦😂

Notes:

This content is based on my personal experience and does not replace medical advice. Always consult a health professional before making significant changes to your care or health routine.

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