Does your skin have enough moisture?

Hello, this is Hiroe, a WELLMETHOD writer.

I think more and more women are concerned about their skin condition as they get older.

There are many people who have the problem that their skin is stiffer than it was when they were young, that their skin has lost its firmness and that makeup has become difficult to apply.

However, the cause of such skin may be the lack of moisture in the skin.

You often hear about the ideal amount of moisture in your skin, and you may be wondering what your skin's current moisture content is.

This time, we will explain the ideal skin moisture content, how to check it, and specific measures to increase the moisture content of the skin.

Contents

1. What is the moisture content of the skin?

The moisture content of the skin is the amount of water contained in the keratin.

Although there are differences depending on the condition of the stratum corneum and the humidity of the outside air, the ideal amount of moisture is about 20-30% of the weight of the stratum corneum.

It is the outermost keratin of the epidermis that protects the moisture of the skin.

The stratum corneum is made up of overlapping stratum corneum cells, which are filled with intercellular lipids.

In intercellular lipids, lipids such as ceramide overlap with water in a mille-feuille shape to retain water.

If the amount of this moisture is low, the freshness of the skin will be lost, causing problems such as spots, wrinkles, and dry skin.

The ideal amount of water required to keep the skin hydrated is about 35 to 50, according to the skin checker.

Checking the moisture content of your skin will help you understand your skin's condition as a numerical value, which will lead to proper skin care.

However, since there are individual differences in the amount of moisture in the skin, the values ​​of 35 to 50 on the Skin Checker are only a guideline.

There are two ways to measure the moisture content of your skin.

You can either check it with a "skin checker" or "get it diagnosed at a cosmetic counter".

The skin checker is a measuring device that measures the moisture content of the skin by placing a thermometer-like measuring device against the skin.

In addition to being able to measure the amount of water, there are many that can measure the amount of oil and melanin in the skin.

Cosmetic counters that measure the amount of moisture in your skin can be found in cosmetics departments.

While purchasing cosmetics, checking the condition of your skin is also a guideline for knowing the current condition of your skin.

Some people may find it troublesome to buy a skin checker or go to the store to have their moisture content measured at the cosmetic counter. If so, please check the following points.

・The skin continues to have a strong tight feeling. ・The skin lacks luster and smoothness. ・The skin often feels itchy. ・The skin feels rough after washing.

If any of the above applies, your skin may be lacking moisture.

2. The amount of moisture in the skin is low! What is the cause?

If your skin feels tight all the time, or if your skin checker values ​​are lower than average, your skin is lacking moisture.

People with chronic dry skin who don't have enough moisture in their skin have a lower ability to retain moisture.

As a result, the skin becomes dry, loses its transparency, and looks aged.

First, let's take a look at the possible causes of why your skin doesn't have enough moisture.

The skin is damaged by friction more than we think.

In particular, rubbing your face too much when washing your face or repeatedly applying basic cosmetics to your skin can cause friction and dry skin.

Simple care without friction is important for correct skin care for skin with insufficient moisture content.

As I will explain in Chapter 4, if you continue to use the wrong skin care, your skin will not retain enough moisture, so be careful.

Continued exposure to UV rays damages skin cells and structures. When the stratum corneum is damaged, the barrier function of the skin is lost and the water content decreases.

If the skin cells and collagen in the dermis are damaged, the firmness and elasticity of the skin will be lost, and the skin will look older than its age.

To keep your skin hydrated, proper lifestyle habits such as sleep, diet, and exercise are essential.

For example, if sleep deprivation continues, the secretion of growth hormone will decrease, and skin turnover will be disturbed, causing rough skin.

In addition, in order to create beautiful skin, it is important to have a well-balanced intake of many nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, and high-quality lipids (omega-3 fatty acids and ceramides).

If you continue to eat only luxury items, your skin will be malnourished and your skin will become dehydrated.

In addition, lack of exercise causes the body to get cold. It also leads to poor blood circulation, and the turnover of the skin is disturbed.

If you are aware of the lack of moisture in your skin, let's look back on your usual lifestyle.

One of the causes of insufficient moisture in the skin is dry air.

Especially in winter, the humidity in the air is lower than in summer, and the amount of moisture in the skin tends to be less.

And smoking is also a big factor that deprives the skin of moisture.

Smoking worsens blood flow, lowers skin metabolism, and causes dry skin.

To keep your skin beautiful, you should refrain from smoking.

One of the reasons why the moisture content of the skin decreases is aging.

As you get older, it becomes harder for your skin to turn over normally.

This makes the keratin thicker and makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate during skin care.

Even if you do your best to moisturize, it will evaporate without penetrating, so the amount of moisture in your skin will decrease.

In addition, the function of muscles and internal organs declines with age. As a result, not only the skin but also the whole body loses water.

3.Is there a way to increase the amount of moisture in the skin?

In order to increase the amount of moisture in the skin, it is necessary to take measures in daily life such as proper skin care on a daily basis and careful diet.

Let's take a look at specific measures you can take on a daily basis to increase the amount of moisture in your skin.

There are three main types of skin care to increase the amount of moisture in your skin.

Aren't you scrubbing your face with a strong cleanser?

The correct way to wash your face is to use a foaming net to create dense foam and gently wash your face from the T-zone, which has a lot of sebum, without applying force.

Rinse with lukewarm water at 30-34°C. When wiping off moisture with a towel, the point is to gently apply it to your face and not to rub it.

▼ Skin quality changes with face washing procedure! 5 steps to create beautiful skin [by type, with face wash]

https://wellmethod.jp/facewash/

Frictional damage to the skin accumulates due to makeup that touches the skin many times, washing the face with vigorous scrubbing, and the act of repeatedly applying lotion and milky lotion.

If you refrain from such actions that put friction on your skin and practice simple care, you can prevent the stratum corneum from thinning and increase the amount of moisture in your skin.

Protection against UV rays is essential to maintain moisture in the skin.

Ultraviolet rays fall on the ground throughout the year, so be sure to take precautions regardless of the season.

It is important not only to apply sunscreen, but also to use a stole, parasol, hat, etc. to block UV rays on a daily basis.

Ultraviolet rays that hit the skin are essential for synthesizing vitamin D, which is involved in functions such as immunity in the body. It is unhealthy to completely protect yourself from the sun.

In order to increase the moisture content of the skin, it is important to take in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins and lipids (omega-3 fatty acids, ceramides) in a well-balanced manner.

For example, even if vegetables are good for the skin, if you eat only vegetables and avoid meat and fish, your skin will not retain enough moisture.

It is important to eat a well-balanced diet every day, including not only vitamin-rich vegetables and fruits, but also proteins such as beans, fish, and meat, as well as seaweed and mushrooms rich in dietary fiber, and fermented foods.

In addition, ceramide, which is difficult to supplement in diet, can be expected to increase the moisture content of the skin by using supplements.

If sleep deprivation continues, the secretion of growth hormone will decrease, the turnover of the skin will be disturbed, and the amount of moisture in the skin will also decrease.

Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep and avoid staying up late.

Waking up at a set time every day and getting some sunshine will help your body clock cycle correctly and help you fall asleep more easily at night.

If you are stimulated by the strong light of your smartphone before going to bed, your sleep may become light.

In addition, lack of exercise during the day can make it difficult to fall asleep and cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.

Sleep is directly linked to the condition of your skin, so try to have a lifestyle that allows you to get good quality sleep.

Lack of water can also cause rough skin, so it is important to frequently take water that matches your weight.

The amount of water you need per day according to your weight is as follows.

Weight (kg) x 40

If you weigh 50kg, the amount of water you need is 50kg x 40 = 2,000ml.

That said, you don't necessarily have to drink 2,000ml of water. It is said that we usually take an average of 600ml of water from meals.

Therefore, the water intake from drinking water is about 1.5L.

It is important to avoid sports drinks and soft drinks with a lot of sugar, and to drink room temperature water or hot water frequently.

4. All-in-one gel is recommended for simple care

The all-in-one gel is a versatile item that can moisturize your skin in just one step.

Daicel's "WELLMETHOD® All-in-One Gel", which was released in June 2021, is a perfect skin care item for those who suffer from lack of moisture in their skin.

The following comments have been received from those who have actually used the service.

・Up until now, I've been layering various cosmetics, but with this one, my skin is moisturized enough. ・My skin is still plump the next day. , skin friction is reduced and the skin is in order

WELLMETHOD® All-in-One Gel is a skin care product that contains lotion, milky lotion, cream, and other ingredients.

In addition, it contains many beauty ingredients such as ceramide, which has a high moisturizing effect on the skin, and equol, which leads to smooth skin.

For those who have used many basic cosmetics until then, this one product completes skin care, which saves time and costs.

Using an all-in-one gel dramatically reduces the number of times you touch your skin, reducing the risk of chafing.

Just apply a generous amount of gel to quickly complete moisturizing care, leading to moisturized skin.

If you are worried about your skin lacking moisture, how about switching from layered skincare to an all-in-one gel?

▼WELLMETHOD(R) All-in-One Gel

https://www.daicel-shop.jp/products/detail/67?utm_source=wellmethod&utm_medium=hadanosuibunryou&utm_campaign=wellmethod

Although the all-in-one gel alone can provide moisture to your skin, you may find that your skin becomes very dry during the winter, for example.

In such a case, I would definitely recommend a face mask.

Face masks also contain beauty ingredients such as lotions, oils, serums, and milky lotions, and moisturizing care is complete just by putting them on your face.

Because it does not rub the skin excessively, the friction on the skin is minimal.

Daicel's "WELLMETHOD® Face Mask", which was released in July 2021, contains about half the amount of a typical serum per sheet.

I also tried using it, but I was surprised at the amount of rich serum.

I tried using it after taking a bath, but I found that the beauty essence penetrated well into the dryness around my mouth and eyes, which I had been worried about until now.

In addition, since the serum is fully soaked into the face mask, I was able to apply it not only to my face but also to my neck and decollete line during the pack.

What's more, this face mask is full of ceramides that help hydrate the skin.

Ceramide forms a layer of "bound water" in which water is held together, and can be expected to have the effect of moisturizing the skin while preventing the evaporation of water from the skin.

For those who find it difficult to increase the amount of moisture in their skin, Daicel's all-in-one gel and face mask are recommended.

Let's give moisture slowly while reducing friction damage to the skin.

▼WELLMETHOD(R) face mask set of 3

https://www.daicel-shop.jp/products/detail/76?utm_source=wellmethod&utm_medium=hadanosuibunryou&utm_campaign=wellmethod

5. Daily skin care and lifestyle are the key to increasing the moisture content of the skin

In order to increase the moisture content of the skin, it is necessary to apply a high-quality lotion and serum. As you might think, it can actually cause friction damage to the skin, which can lead to a reduction in moisture content.

First of all, it is recommended to change basic cosmetics to simple ones such as all-in-one gel and reduce the number of times you touch your face.

On top of that, make it a habit to get good quality sleep, eat a balanced diet, drink water frequently and take measures against UV rays, and support your skin's moisture from the inside of your body.

This article was supervised by Doctor Risa Kirimura

Risa Kirimura

Physician, Certified Occupational Physician Representative Director of tenrai Co., Ltd. Member of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine, the Japan Diabetes Society, and the Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine

Graduated from Ehime University School of Medicine. After working in dermatology and diabetes metabolism and endocrinology, she has a wide range of clinical experience, from lifestyle-related diseases to home care, molecularly integrated nutritional therapy, biological medicine, preventive medicine using indigenous bacteriology, and women's outpatients. The health project at a company that I supervised won the 1st Health Science Business Best Selections (Health Science Business Promotion Organization). Currently, he is engaged in disseminating healthcare information and supervising products through writing, media, and lecture activities. Appeared as an intestinal environment commentator on Fuji TV's "Honma Dekka!? TV". In addition, many media appearances such as "Tokudane!"

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Yoshiko Hiroe

Beauty and health writer. She is a beauty-loving around-the-around-the-world health geek who broke away from dieting for 10 years. My hobbies are cooking and muscle training.

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