How to Hydrate Skin - Without Shine
Knowing how to hydrate skin effectively will not only help skin glow, it will actually reduce shine - even for those who are prone to an oily complexion.
Whether your skin is dry, combination, oily or somewhere in between, you are in the right place.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Why many people think they have oily or combination skin, but it’s actually dehydrated
- The lie you’ve been told about what is good for nourishing your skin
- Essential oils that will transform your complexion, if used correctly
Why many people have no idea their skin is dehydrated
Most people are quick to share if their skin is dry, oily or combination.
However, there is a common misconception.
Dry skin means the person has less oil-producing glands on the face than is “typical”. If skin appears dry, the real underlying problem may be a lack of moisturization - not less oil glands.
At the same time, many who feel their skin is oily (or even combination) may be shocked to find their skin is dehydrated. While it is easy to feel that is incorrect, that your skin is too “shiny” to be dehydrated, this is what dermatologist Ross C. Radusky has to say.
"Dry skin is characterized by fewer oil-producing glands on the face and body," says Radusky, who is a board-certified dermatologist at SoHo Skin & Laser Dermatology.
"Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, is a lack of water, not oil. So you can actually have an oily complexion but still have dehydrated skin."
The fantastic news is rehydrating skin is completely within your control. While having dry or oily skin is a type you’re born with, dehydration is a temporary condition that can be fixed - with the right vitamins and essential oils.
How to moisturize face naturally with vitamins
To genuinely replenish the skin, it is important to apply the right vitamins both morning and night. These are the best ones to ensure are part of your daily beauty routine.
Vitamin C
Although we think of consuming Vitamin C through citrus produce, like a freshly peeled orange or glass of juice, there are also significant benefits to applying Vitamin C topically.
Vitamin C helps the body to produce collagen, which keeps the skin looking youthful and glowing. In addition, it is thought to be an antioxidant, helping to fight free radicals that can cause cancer.
Vitamin E
First off, this is not simply one vitamin. Vitamin E is an entire group, a whole wellness party, or vitamins beloved for their ability to deeply moisturize the skin. Because Vitamin E is good for hydrating and relieving skin irritation, it is especially helpful to those prone to eczema or other skin irritations like psoriasis.
Especially when spending ample time outdoors in summer months, Vitamin E is also thought to help in providing relief from sunburns or even reducing how intense they get.
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B5 is a unique vitamin that is fantastic in how to moisturize face naturally. It is soothing, healing and even helps regenerate skin cells. Of course, its hydration qualities will help fix any thirsty skin, as well. This vitamin is so powerful, it is often used on wounds to help the skin reform and heal at a more rapid, healthy level.
These essentials oils naturally hydrate skin
Our society has cultivated a negative connotation around the word “oil” in terms of skincare. We have been taught to assume that an oily substance will make our face shine and clog pores - not help to heal it.
Thankfully, the power of natural ingredients is resurfacing.
Doctors and beauticians, as they see more and more harmful side effects of chemicals in harsh acne treatments and dermatology methods, are becoming pro for natural solutions - like essentials oils.
How to hydrate skin without it getting shiny?
Applying the following essential oils onto the skin as part of a regular beauty ritual.
Rosehip seed oil
This unique oil is known for hydrating skin, soothing irritation and even creating a light, bronzing look.
Learn more about how to moisturize your face naturally with this oil and see what famous royal is rumored to use it every single day → Is rosehip oil good for your face? (And why)
Avocado oil
We thought avocado couldn’t get any better. It’s delicious on toast, fantastic in salads and, turns out, when extracted crafts a transformative oil.
Like the interior of the avocado fruit is creamy and lush, its oil helps to smooth and soften skin - while helping to stop breakouts and sooth acne.
Organic jojoba oil
While oil derived from the rose plant and beloved avocado may be more expected, this solution may be less known - organic jojoba oil.
This essential oil is not only soothing, it’s anti-microbial (so it helps prevent unwanted bacteria from growing on the epidermis), anti-aging and not greasy. This oil actually limits the natural production of our own oils. Found out more about the wonderful properties of jojoba here → The Organic Oil to Heal Dermatitis on Face.
How to apply these oils - without overdoing it
Drenching the skin in oil is not necessarily the most effective way to support blemish-free, glowing skin.
There are a few options for how to hydrate skin with these ingredients - with the last being the most cost-effective and least amount of work.
Purchase each oil separately and apply together
One method is to purchase each oil. It is vital to make sure you are selecting a pure, organic form of the oil rather than a synthetic creation.
In the essential oil market, there is a highly diverse array of quality. Some options may appear cheaper in price but they may be diluted or more processed, which means they will not be as effective on your skin.
Whichever oil you purchase, make sure to understand what the concentration is. When determining how to moisturize your face naturally, you also don’t want an oil that is too concentrated applied too liberally to the skin - a little goes a long way.
Apply the oils via a face mask
Face masking is very in vogue right now - and for good reason. Not only does it give your skin ample makeup-free restoration time, it forces us to take time from our packed schedule to relax.
There are a variety of face mask recipes involving the essential oils above - or masks for purchase.
However, although this is better for your skin than nothing, the maximum benefit and hydration will only happen if applied every morning and night.
Unless your schedule has ample time for face masking twice every day, we recommend this final option below.
Use a cream with the oils already included
If you are a busy person, often on the run and short on time (especially in the morning and late at night, when you want to get ready for bed as quickly as possible to maximize sleep), we recommend this option.
A natural moisturizer with essential oils within it will make sure the oils are dispersed evenly and prevent the mess that can happen when using oil straight from an eye dropper.
Best of all?
This vegan moisturizer has the 3 essential oils + hydrating vitamins (as shared above).