I’ve been experimenting with how my skin reacts to humectants like hyaluronic acid depending on the weather. We often hear they are holy grail ingredients, but I’ve noticed they can actually leave my skin feeling tighter when the indoor heating is on high. It seems like if there isn’t enough moisture in the air, these ingredients might be pulling water from the deeper layers of the skin instead of the environment. I started applying a light facial oil over my humectant serum to lock it in, and the results have been interesting. My skin feels less parched by midday, though I’m not sure if it’s the oil itself or the barrier it creates. It’s a small tweak, but it makes me wonder if our routines should be more reactive to the hygrometer than the calendar. Has anyone else observed this shift? It’s not a miracle cure, but paying attention to the dew point seems more practical than just buying a thicker cream.
I noticed the exact same thing last winter. I thought my skin was just getting drier with age, but it was definitely the dry air making my serum work against me.
What kind of oil are you using? I’ve tried squalane but I’m worried about breakouts even at 45.
This is a known issue with hyaluronic acid. If the ambient humidity is below 50%, it can actually dehydrate the dermis. I switched to a glycerin-based serum and it seems a bit more forgiving in the winter months, but the ‘sealing’ step you mentioned is still key. I use a tiny bit of shea butter on my cheeks where I get the most flaking.
Interesting. I never thought about the dew point!
I actually bought a small hygrometer for my bedroom because of this. When it drops below 30%, no amount of cream helps unless I turn on the humidifier. It’s been a game changer for my morning ‘crinkle’ lines.
I’ve had the opposite experience. In Florida, my skin is always ‘dewy’ but I feel like nothing ever sinks in. It just sits on top.
@Jenny_G I use rosehip oil! It’s light and doesn’t seem to clog my pores. Just two drops mixed into my moisturizer.
This is why I always apply my serums to damp skin. If I dry my face completely first, my skin feels like parchment within ten minutes.
The ‘slugging’ trend is basically just an extreme version of this. Using Vaseline to stop that evaporation. Too heavy for me though.
Great tip about the oil. I’m going to try this tonight.
Does anyone know if this applies to Vitamin C serums too? Or just the hydrating ones?
I really appreciate this practical advice. It’s so easy to just keep buying more expensive products when the solution might just be how we apply what we already have.