1. Glycerin. Glycerin is one of the most well-known moisturizer ingredients available. It's a humectant, which means it draws water from the deeper layers of your skin and the air into the skin's outer layer.
Polyglutamic Acid (PGA), a hydration powerhouse and water-soluble peptide, is FIVE times more hydrating than hyaluronic acid. This cutting edge ingredient, derived from fermented soybean mucilage is a major game changer in the future of skincare.
As for hydrating products, look for ingredients that deliver water to the cells directly, like hyaluronic acid, propylene glycol, alpha hydroxy acids, urea, glycerin (also labeled as glycerol), and aloe, says Dr. Feely.
To get a dewy look, use a humectant, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid. “These usually come in serum form, but they could also appear in products that seek to fill in a hybrid slot between a serum and a moisturizer,” Gonzalez says.
“When used topically, niacinamide can improve skin hydration by preventing evaporation of moisture from the skin into the environment. It's also a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient, so it's great for calming irritated skin but also good for people with sensitive skin,” says Nazarian.
Research shows that milk is one of the best beverages for hydration, even better than water or sports drinks. Researchers credit milk's natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein for its effectiveness.
Hyaluronic acid is much more efficient in keeping your skin hydrated than niacinamide. It can retain up to one thousand times its molecular weight in water.
Skim milk came in first followed by "oral rehydration" drinks like Pedialyte. Next came full-fat milk, orange juice, soda, diet soda, cold tea, tea, sports drinks, still water, sparkling water, lager, and finally, coffee. So, next time you're on a long-haul flight ask for a tall frosty glass of milk.
Since ancient times, Koreans have only used natural, harsh-free ingredients for their skincare routines: green tea, “snail slime”, bamboo extracts, propolis, and honey are just some examples of the elements they used and have passed through generations.
According to Alicia Yoon, the founder of Peach n Lily, the secret to Korean glass skin is not the products but maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Eat well and live well. Your skin will glow from within while the skincare enhances your skin further. Unfortunately, there is no way to achieve this overnight.
Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.
Don't Mix: Niacinamide and vitamin C. Although they're both antioxidants, vitamin C is one ingredient that's not compatible with niacinamide. "Both are very common antioxidants used in a variety of skincare products, but they should not be used one right after the other," says Dr. Marchbein.
"Niacinamide has a greater impact in terms of hydrating the skin." Niacinamide is the gentler of the two, making it a great vitamin C alternative in those with sensitive skin. However, if you don't have sensitive skin, Dr. Lee says there's room for both in your routine.
Retinol has similar benefits, but it's stronger than niacinamide. It's also known to cause irritation, redness, and dry skin. Pairing the two ingredients is safe and can make retinol easier to use. Niacinamide helps hydrate the skin, which reduces the risk of irritation caused by retinol.
Tip #1: Face mist all day long
Hydration is one of the principle cornerstones of Korean skincare, so much so that some K-beauty junkies forego drying their face with rough towels, opting to let their skin soak up the moisture by gently tap tap tapping the excess water.