Hydration is one of the basic needs of facial skin. Even oily, combination, or acne-prone skin needs water and support for the skin barrier. When the skin loses moisture, it may feel tight, look dull, and develop roughness or temporary fine lines.
The climate in Israel poses a unique challenge: in summer, the skin deals with sun, heat, and humidity, and simultaneously with long hours in air conditioning. In winter, wind and dry air can exacerbate feelings of dryness.
Why is hydration important for facial skin?
The outer layer of the skin acts as a barrier that helps retain water within the skin and protect it from external factors. When the barrier is unbalanced, water evaporates faster, and the skin may feel dry, tight, or sensitive.
A hydration routine is not just for creating a pleasant sensation. It helps support a smoother, fresher, and more flexible appearance, allowing the skin to cope better with cleansing, sun, air conditioning, and active ingredients.
Retaining Water in the Skin
Hydrating ingredients help reduce feelings of tightness and maintain comfort.
Fresh Skin Appearance
Hydrated skin may appear smoother, more supple, and more radiant.
Supporting the Skin Barrier
Ceramides, squalane, and emollient ingredients contribute to a balanced skincare routine.
Comfort Throughout the Day
Adjusting the texture reduces feelings of heaviness in summer and dryness in winter.
What's the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
The terms sound similar, but they describe different conditions. Dry skin is a skin type that produces less natural oil. Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition where the skin lacks water, and it can also occur in people with oily skin.
| Characteristic | Dry Skin | Dehydrated Skin |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Cause | Lack of natural oil | Lack of water |
| Common Appearance | Roughness, flaking, and dullness | Shine alongside tightness and dryness lines |
| Sensation | Persistent dryness and discomfort | Tightness that changes throughout the day |
| What to incorporate? | Squalane, ceramides, and rich cream | Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and suitable cream |
| Who experiences it? | Mainly those with dry skin type | All skin types, including oily skin |
How do you know if your skin needs more hydration?
Feeling of Tightness
A sensation that the skin is tight after cleansing or throughout the day.
Dull Appearance
The skin looks tired and less radiant than usual.
Roughness or Flaking
Dry areas appear around the nose, mouth, or cheeks.
Temporary Fine Lines
Fine lines are more prominent when the skin lacks water.
Excess Shine
Sometimes dehydrated skin produces more oil in an attempt to cope with dryness.
Increased Sensitivity
The skin reacts more easily to products or weather changes.
Which ingredients help maintain skin hydration?
| Ingredient | Role in Hydration Routine | Who is it suitable for? |
|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic Acid | Helps draw water into the outer layer of the skin | All skin types, especially dehydrated skin |
| Glycerin | A humectant that helps maintain a feeling of hydration | Dry, dehydrated, normal, or oily skin |
| Squalane | Softens and helps reduce water loss | Dry, mature, or uncomfortable skin |
| Ceramides | Help support the skin's protective barrier | Dry, sensitive, or compromised barrier skin |
| Panthenol | Helps with hydration and soothing discomfort | Dry, sensitive, or irritated skin |
| Beta-glucan | Helps with hydration and a sense of calm | Sensitive, dehydrated, or uncomfortable skin |
| Niacinamide | Supports the skin barrier and a balanced appearance | Normal, oily, combination, or uneven skin tone |
| Peptides | Integrate into hydration and healthy aging routines | Mature skin or skin requiring advanced care |
Read how to use it, who it's suitable for, and how to incorporate it into your hydration routine.
Go to the full guide on Vitamin B3, concentrations, and combinations.
How to tailor hydration to your skin type?
Dry Skin
It is recommended to combine a hydrating serum with a cream containing squalane, ceramides, or other emollient ingredients.
Oily Skin
Choose a water-based serum and a light cream. There is no need to completely skip moisturizer.
Combination Skin
Use a light layer of hydration on the entire face and add cream to drier areas.
Sensitive Skin
Prefer a short routine, gentle textures, and products with a moderate number of active ingredients.
Mature Skin
Combine hydration with peptides, niacinamide, squalane, and a rich cream as per the season.
Dehydrated Skin
Use water-attracting ingredients and complete the routine with a cream that helps retain them in the skin.
How to build a proper hydration routine?
Gently Cleanse Your Skin
Use a cleanser suitable for your skin type that does not leave a feeling of tightness. Hot water and prolonged cleansing can harm the feeling of comfort.
Apply Serum to Clean Skin
A lightweight serum with hydrating ingredients or niacinamide can provide a targeted treatment layer before face cream.
Add Eye Cream as Needed
Use a small amount and gently pat around the orbital bone. Eye cream is not a must, but it can provide targeted hydration for the delicate area.
Conclude the Routine with Face Cream
Face cream helps reduce evaporation and maintain the feeling of hydration added in previous steps.
In the morning routine, use sunscreen
Sunscreen is the last step in the morning. It helps protect the skin from sun radiation and maintain the results of your skincare routine.
Cleansing
Gentle and suitable for skin type.
Serum
Hydrating or suitable active ingredient.
Eye Cream
Optional and targeted step.
Face Cream
Maintaining hydration and completing the routine.
How to adapt your hydration routine for summer and winter in Israel?
| Season or Environment | What might happen to the skin? | Recommended Adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| Hot and Humid Summer | Shine and feeling of heaviness | Light serum, pleasant-textured cream, and sunscreen |
| Air-conditioned Environment | Water loss and feeling of tightness | Hydrating serum and a cream that helps reduce evaporation |
| Dry Winter | Roughness, flaking, and sensitivity | Richer cream with squalane or ceramides |
| Sun Exposure | Dryness and uneven appearance | Antioxidants, hydration, and sunscreen |
HL/Skin Products for a Hydration Routine
Ultimate Tension Cream
A day cream combining hydrating and nourishing ingredients for mature skin. Can be applied after serum and before sunscreen.
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Renewing Night Cream
A cream for the evening routine that helps complete the hydration steps after cleansing, serum, and eye cream.
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Hand and Body Lotion with 6% Squalane and Glycerin
A lotion designed to moisturize and soften the skin of the hands and body. Particularly suitable for areas prone to dryness and roughness.
View HL/Skin ProductsRead how peptides fit into a Healthy Aging routine.
Go to the comprehensive guide to Korean cosmetics in Israel.
Common Mistakes in a Hydration Routine
Applying serum without cream
Hydrating serum does not always replace a cream that helps retain water in the skin.
Aggressive cleansing
Hot water or too strong a product can leave the skin tight and dry.
Too much quantity
A thick layer can create a heavy feeling or cause products to pill.
Skipping moisturizer for oily skin
Even oily skin needs water and support for the skin barrier.
Using the same texture all year round
Skin needs may change between summer, winter, and air-conditioned environments.
Frequently changing products
A hydration routine requires consistency and time to assess product suitability.
Frequently Asked Questions about Facial Hydration
Click on the question to reveal the answer
Does oily skin need moisturizer?
Yes. Oily skin can be dehydrated. It is recommended to choose a cream with a light texture that is suitable for your skin type.
What comes first - hydrating serum or face cream?
Usually, serum is applied first, followed by face cream, according to the principle of light texture before rich texture.
Does hyaluronic acid replace moisturizer?
Usually not. Hyaluronic acid helps attract water, while cream helps retain it in the outer layer of the skin.
Should hydrating serum be applied to slightly damp skin?
Sometimes yes. It can be applied to clean, slightly damp skin, followed by face cream, according to product instructions.
How many times a day should moisturizer be used?
In most cases, cream can be used morning and evening. The quantity and texture depend on skin type and season.
How do you know if the cream is too rich?
If the cream leaves a heavy layer, excessive shine, or causes products to pill, you can reduce the amount or choose a lighter texture.
Is Niacinamide suitable for a hydrating routine?
Yes. Niacinamide can be combined with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and other moisturizing ingredients.
Does sunscreen dry out the skin?
It depends on the formula. When the skin feels dry, you can apply a suitable moisturizer before sunscreen.
How long until I see a change?
A feeling of comfort may improve quickly, but consistent improvement in skin appearance depends on the formula and regular use.
Want to build a hydration routine that suits your skin?
Discover HL/Skin products and choose the cleansing, serum, eye cream and face cream steps that are right for you.