After a summer of sun, sand, and that long-haul flight to Tokyo, your skin probably feels parched. Dehydrated. Dare I even say withered? It’s okay—I’m right there with you.
Somebody recently described my skin as desert-like, and I actually agreed. So I took my troubles to some of the world's best celebrity aestheticians, who have been trusted to get the likes of Cardi B, Miley Cyrus, and Hailey Bieber to chat about the SOS measures they take to rehydrate their clients’ skin— for that red-carpet event tonight and for years to come.
Dehydrated skin can occur for a multitude of reasons: One too many drinks last night? Just got off of a long flight? Recently changed climates? Any of these occurrences and more can lead to dehydrated, dry, skin. However, not to worry—ingredients like hyaluronic acid,
A version of this story appears in the August 2023 issue of ELLE.
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Allies of Skin Multi Hyaluronic Antioxidant Hydration Serum
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Allies of Skin Multi Hyaluronic Antioxidant Hydration Serum
“UV rays and free radicals from the sun cause cellular damage. Layer a hydrating serum with antioxidants, like Allies of Skin Multi Hyaluronic Antioxidant Hydration Serum, after cleansing. The hydrating ingredients will reduce flakiness, and the antioxidants will help fight skin damage. Then your moisture barrier can start to function properly.” — Nayamka Roberts-Smith, Los Angeles-based facialist
“First, you need to quench from the inside out. I like to drink Hallstein water, which is pristine and unprocessed— it’s bottled from an aquifer at the base of Austria’s Dachstein mountain. Next, pat clean skin with a hydrating serum, then top off with something to seal it in, like my Secret Sauce SS01. Think of it as a nutritional supplement for your skin—it has fatty acids, ceramides, and phytocholesterols from plants to help combat water loss.” — Iván Pol, celebrity facialist
“Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the best humectant for skin, but serums that only contain HA are not enough. Try a product where it’s paired with glycerin or aloe vera. I formulated The Hydrating Toner with that in mind; it has hyaluronic acid and lipids to help with water loss prevention. I also like the Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum.” — Biba De Sousa, Los Angeles-based facialist
“To treat dry skin, I recommend a gentle form of exfoliation. Enzymes are my favorite medium for exfoliating dry skin, because they are super gentle and work by digesting dead cells only. They don’t break down or disrupt live cells, which means there’s none of the peeling, sensitivity, or downtime that chemical exfoliants can cause. Jan Marini Skin Zyme, a creamy mask made of papaya enzymes, is my all-time favorite product in this category. I use it anytime I want my skin to look polished and radiant, up to three times a week.” — Candace Marino, celebrity facialist
As ELLE’s beauty editor, Margaux wants to try it all and do it all…and she does. She's not afraid to chop, slather, dye, swipe, inject, and more—and if it's worth your time and money, she’ll rave about it here.