How to Hydrate Face: Daily Regime, Tips & Benefits

Understanding Face Hydration & Skin Barrier
Signs of Dehydrated Skin & Skin Barrier Damage
How to Hydrate Skin and Restore a Damaged Skin Barrier
FAQs

How to hydrate and restore damaged skin’s natural barrier

When skin becomes damaged from environmental pollutants or through sun exposure, its natural barrier can wear thin, leaving the epidermis vulnerable to attack from bacteria. If left untreated your skin can become more sensitive, prone to dryness and develop redness.

If you’re someone whose skin is suffering from any of these symptoms, start off your day with Vichy’s Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster. Apply every morning to freshly cleansed, dry skin to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day and to protect it from damaging aggressors like the weather and pollution.

To give you skin a boost at night apply Vichy’s Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Booster before you go to bed and wake in the morning with skin that looks plumped and fortified .

Protecting your face’s skin natural barrier from damage

Throughout the day your face comes into contact with different environmental factors that can damage the skin. Things like air-conditioning, smoke and even make-up can leave your skin feeling sensitive and dry. And, as we age the sebaceous gland activity diminishes - resulting in skin drying out, and both the epidermis and dermis thin - leaving a weakened barrier against aggressors and irritants.

On the face, this damage can present itself as skin losing its brightness, bags and dark circles forming under the eyes and more wrinkles appearing.

The Vichy skincare routine your face needs...

To bring strength and hydration back to the skin on your face, start by cleansing your face with Minéral 89 Fortifying Recovery Mask. Apply the mask to cleansed, dry skin, leave for 10 minutes ensuring you massage an excess product into the skin. When the time is up remove the mask by gently peeling it off. The masks formula enriched with  89% Vichy Mineralizing Water and natural origin Hyaluronic Acid works to revitalise and plump your skin with moisture, lasting up to 24 hours.

Next, apply Minéral 89 Eyes Hyaluronic Acid Eye Fortifier to reduce the appearance of fine lines and eye bags.

Key ingredients in Minéral 89

If you’re going to add just one thing to your skincare regime, make it Vichy Minéral 89. Whatever your skin type, our Minéral 89 range will plump your skin with moisture and instantly strengthen your skin’s barrier to help protect it from aggressors and irritants. This powerful but simple skin booster is enriched with two key active ingredients; 89% Vichy Thermal Mineralizing Water and Natural Origin Hyaluronic Acid. Here’s how they work:

Vichy Thermal Mineralizing Water

Born in Auvergne, the volcanic region in France and charged with 15 minerals, Vichy Thermal Mineralizing Water is proven to reinforce and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.  Vichy Thermal Mineralizing Water hydrates, plumps and fortifies your skin.

Natural Origin Hyaluronic Acid

 Hyaluronic Acid is found throughout the body in tissue and fluid, most notably in the skin. Its purpose is to keep skin hydrated. Our Natural Origin Hyaluronic Acid is a known dermatological ingredient that is rich in hygroscopic properties - meaning it has the ability to attract and hold water. In fact, Hyaluronic Acid can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.

Vichy Minéral 89 daily dose of strength for all skin types

Products included in the Vichy Minéral 89 range have been designed to be gentle on all skin types. Don’t worry if you’re unsure what skin type you are, visit SKINCONSULT AI skin aging algorithm platform to identify your skin’s unique properties.

To determine if your skin barrier is damaged or if your dermis is dehydrated, look for these key symptoms indicating your skin needs more moisture: 

When the skin barrier is damaged, it loses the vital lipids that keep it plump and healthy looking. So, when the skin becomes drier and rougher, it also appears duller. If you’ve suddenly lost your glow, a damaged skin barrier could well be the cause.  

Dehydration

Not to be confused with dry skin (or dryness, which we’ll discuss below), dehydrated skin is a concern rather than a skin type. Any skin type can become dehydrated! Usually, this would come about as a result of external aggressors in the environment compromising the skin barrier, such as UV exposure, pollution, stress and an unhealthy diet. It may also feel tight and uncomfortable and ageing signsare more prominent.

Dryness

Dryness that occurs all year round, often accompanied by flaking, irritation and sensitivity, is a tell-tell sign that your skin barrier is compromised. Those with skin dryness will have to work extra hard to strengthen and maintain their skin barrier, as they are more susceptible to damage.

Sensitivity

When the skin barrier is compromised, it starts to lose water and becomes drier or more dehydrated as a result. This puts the skin at greater risk of sensitivity, and you may start to notice more frequent skin reactions or feelings of tightness or itchiness.

So now you know more about the signs and symptoms of a damaged skin barrier, what should you do to repair it? Follow this simple skincare guide for a happier, better hydrated complexion.

Daily Skincare Routine for a Hydrated Face & barrier repair 

First, here’s our step-by-step morning skincare routine to help keep your face hydrated and your skin barrier healthy: 

1. Cleanse the skin with a gentle cleanser, such as Vichy’s Pureté Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel
2. Apply a hydrating serum such as Vichy’s Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster.  
3. Follow with a moisturiser suited to your skin type, such as Vichy’s Mineral 89 100H Moisture Boosting Rich Cream
4. Protect the skin from further environmental damage throughout the day with Vichy Mineral 89 72H Hyaluronic Acid Daily Fluid SPF50+ Sunscreen or Capital Soleil UV Age Daily SPF50+ Sunscreen.

 

Insider tip: Formulated with hyaluronic acid, 15 essential minerals, and our highest concentration of Vichy Volcanic Mineralizing Water, Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster Serum strengthens and hydrates the skin barrier for up to 24 hours*.
 *Instrumental test, 24 subjects

And here are a few steps you can take in the evening to keep your skin moisturised and protect its barrier: 

1. Cleanse the skin again 
2. Reapply Vichy’s Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 
3. If you want extra hydration around the eye area, apply Minéral 89 Fortifying Eye Serum to hydrate & brighten the look of the delicate eye area.
4. Hydrate with a richer night cream to help repair any damage the skin has faced in the day while replenishing moisture – we recommend Minéral 89 Night Cream.

  

Lifestyle Tips  

You can also support your skin’s hydration levels through simple lifestyle habits.  

Firstly, try to drink plenty of water throughout the day – the NHS recommends drinking 6-8 cups a day. To really keep yourself well hydrated, you should also keep caffeine and alcohol to a minimum.  

Additionally, you can consider using a humidifier to ensure the moisture levels in your home are optimum – dry environments can affect your skin barrier. 

  Finally, try to eat a balanced and healthy diet that’s rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, and protein sources such as chicken, eggs and tofu.  

Professional Treatments  

Professional skin treatments such as hydrating facials can also complement your skincare routine.  

These are particularly helpful when your skin needs a little extra help in staying hydrated. You can find out about these treatments through accredited skin care clinics and dermatologists.