The Science of Skin Hydration

We hear a lot about “hydrating our skin” in advertisements and from experts. About how it’s the key to having healthy-looking skin that’s never dry or itchy. But what’s actually going on beneath the surface? How does our skin maintain moisture? And what does dehydrated skin look like? To find the answer, we looked at the science of how men’s skin functions. Generally, guys have thicker skin than women, which means their products should be focused on deep hydration. Here’s what you need to know about how your skin works—and the products to help you keep it hydrated. 

What Makes Skin Hydrated? 

Skin hydration is formed in the stratum corneum, your skin’s outermost layer. It acts as the first line of defense by maintaining a barrier that lets moisture in, but keeps harmful microbes out. The top part of that layer is a mix of sebum—your skin’s natural oil—mixed with fat cells called lipids. Under that is a layer of dead skin cells (corneocytes) with keratin filaments that can control the flow of moisture. 

That moisture helps fuel healthy skin cells and actually changes your skin’s molecular structure, making it more elastic. Humectants—like alpha-hydroxy acids, hyaluronic acids and salicylic acid—can draw in moisture and help it cross these barriers. This creates moisturized skin cells that are locked in by the layer of water-repelling lipids at the skin’s surface.

Why Is Skin Hydration Important?

Skin hydration at its peak doesn’t just keep your skin looking great. It also keeps your skin healthy. Keeping your skin hydrated can better defend itself against pollution, bacteria, and other harmful elements. Moisture can also help rid your skin of toxins and help carry nutrients to cells more efficiently. Properly hydrated skin is also firmer and less susceptible to wrinkles. Once fully moisturized, your skin will also appear smoother and feel more youthful and elastic. 

How to Tell If Your Skin is Dehydrated

The most common symptoms of dehydrated skin are itchiness and dullness, as well as under-eye circles, sunken eyes, and fine lines. There are a few easy ways to tell if your skin is properly hydrated. Want to test if you have dry skin? Use the back of your fingernail to draw a line along the top of your forearm. If the scratch leaves a white mark, your skin needs more hydration. You can also pinch a small area near the top of your cheek. If it wrinkles instead of bouncing back, your skin needs hydration. Fortunately, if your skin is dehydrated, there are high quality, clean products for men to remedy that. 

Best Men’s Products for Skin Hydration

As we mentioned earlier, men have thicker skin than women. This means they need their own set of products designed to drive moisture even deeper. But moisturizer isn’t the only way to achieve this. Here’s our list of the best products to keep your skin hydrated from head to toe.

1. Daily Moisturizer

It’s an obvious answer, but a daily face moisturizer is the best way to increase the moisture levels in your skin. Moisturizers are usually a cream or ointment that contain ingredients that hydrate your skin and keep that moisture locked in for longer. 

Our Face + Eye Cream uses a gentle formula with Aloe that absorbs instantly. Plus it has Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil to create a layer of hydration to lock in moisture from the outside. We even have two daily moisturizers with SPF to moisturize and protect from UV rays your skin all year.

Our Favorite Daily Moisturizer Suggestions: 

• Everyday Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer with SPF 37
• 100% Mineral Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer with SPF 30
• Face + Eye Cream

2. Daily Cleanser

Many drug-store cleansers can leave your face feeling dry and tight. But a cleanser with clean ingredients, like our Solid Face Wash, can actually restore moisture as it works. It uses activated charcoal to gently exfoliate without stripping away moisture—all while exposing newer cells capable of enhanced absorption.

3. Body Wash

Body wash and soap are typically the worst offenders when it comes to robbing your skin of moisture and making it appear ashy. But with the right ingredients, these cleansers can actually boost hydration. Our Body Wash uses Jojoba Oil-filled spheres that burst to hydrate your skin while it cleanses for a soft and smooth feel afterwards. 

4. Sunscreen

When you’re in the sun, moisture is constantly evaporating from your skin. And if you’re using a conventional spray-on sunscreen, the alcohol inside can dry your skin out even more.  Our Hydrating Antioxidant SPF 50 Spray has less alcohol than most on the market. It also has Olive Leaf Extract to up your skin’s hydration. It’s even easier when protecting your face. Just use one of our daily moisturizers with SPF that hydrates while it protects.

5. Eye Cream

After a shower or before bed, an eye cream is ideal to deliver an extra boost of moisture around your eyes. It’s some of the thinnest and most sensitive skin on your entire body, so moisture is essential to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and a crepey appearance. A gentle swipe of our Face + Eye Cream will help fend off these premature signs of aging.

6. Overnight Moisturizer

Over the course of any night, your skin loses moisture from the surface, as well as from your body repairing itself internally. So keep it hydrated by applying a moisturizer like our Face + Eye Cream before bed. It isn’t heavy or sticky, so it feels comfortable on your skin while you sleep and you’ll wake up with much less tired-looking skin.

7. Body Lotion

The skin on your body is thicker than your face, so adding moisture requires heavy-duty ingredients that can penetrate deep. Our Body Lotion uses rich Shea Butter and Sunflower Oil to deliver long-term moisture that will keep you feeling hydrated all day.

Up The Level Hydration in Your Skincare Routine Today

Now you know why moisturized skin is so important—and how to keep skin hydrated through every step of your routine. Use these products consistently for healthier, clearer skin that’s packed with hydration. Find everything you need to face tomorrow face first from Oars + Alps here. 

SOURCES

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-15921-5

https://www.dermwt.com/the-importance-of-keeping-your-skin-hydrated/ 

https://www.dermatologymohsinstitute.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-your-skin-is-dehydrated

https://www.byrdie.com/best-face-moisturizers-for-men-4846374

https://www.menshealth.com/grooming/g22686394/best-moisturizer-for-men/ 

https://www.allure.com/story/the-science-of-beauty-the-complete-guide-to-hydrating-your-skin 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/moisturizers-do-they-work