Water is key for healthy skin. It supports proper skin metabolism and maintains tissue elasticity and suppleness, and proper skin barrier functions. In fact, our skin is comprised of 70% water, so it’s no wonder that moisturization and hydration are some of the most established claims for recent product launches in beauty and personal care1.
When formulating products with moisturization and hydration claims, industry players must adapt to growing demand for products with natural and sustainable ingredients, but also keep in mind that efficacy is non-negotiable for consumers. Efficacy is one of the key factors driving purchase decision and repeat purchase.
Selecting the right ingredients is important to creating natural and sustainable moisturizing skin care products that still deliver on performance.
A way with water
When the skin is stressed by external aggressions (UV radiation, heat or cold environments), the water balance of skin cells is disturbed. Nature has developed a magnificent mechanism to manage the water balance, reduce water stress and protect the living organism.
The process by which water management in an organism and in skin are controlled and regulated is called osmosis. Osmosis is the spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules through a semipermeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration. Osmosis provides the primary means by which water is transported into and out of cells.
