28.02.2026

Hydration 101

Curating an effective skincare routine can often feel like navigating a maze of information—especially when it comes to commonly used terms like ‘skin hydration’. But what does it actually mean to hydrate your skin? Understanding what hydrated skin truly looks and feels like is key to supporting healthy, radiant skin at every stage. 

Hydration 101

Hydration 101

Hydration physiology

The physiology of skin hydration is intricately linked to the skin barrier, which regulates moisture levels and shields the skin from external stressors. Water is unequivocally essential for healthy, normal functioning skin–especially the outer layer, the stratum corneum*, whichacts as a built-in barrier to hold in water.

It is formed in a structure similar to “brick and mortar” where the dead skin cells called corneocytes are stacked like bricks and the intercellular lipids act as the mortar. Together, this cellular “brick wall” helps to lock in moisture inside your cells and serves as the primary skin barrier*.

A well-hydrated stratum corneum is essential for maintaining its structure and function as a protective barrier against environmental pollutants, allergens, and pathogens. However, this natural moisture-locking system doesn’t always perform optimally. Factors such as climate, skincare habits, and age can all disrupt the skin’s ability to stay hydrated, leaving it vulnerable and out of balance.

True skin hydration isn't just about adding water – it's about creating the optimal environment for your skin to attract, hold, and utilise moisture effectively.

Dehydrated Skin

When the skin barrier is compromised–whether by genetics, environmental stressors, or incorrect skincare practices–the skin becomes more vulnerable to dehydration. Some people are naturally more prone to dehydrated skin, but it can affect any skin type, including oily oracne-prone.

Common signs of dehydration include flakiness, irritation, a dull complexion, and the appearance of fine lines becoming more pronounced. The skin may feel tight, lose elasticity, and lack the luminous glow associated with truly hydrated, glowing skin.

Moisturising and Hydrating

While the terms "moisturising" and "hydrating" are often used interchangeably, they do have distinct meanings. Moisturising primarily refers to the process of adding or retaining moisture content in the skin.

Moisturisers typically contain ingredients that form a barrier on the skin's surface, preventing water from evaporating and thus helping to maintain hydration. These ingredients (often known as occlusives) are especially beneficial for individuals with dehydrated skin, as they aim to supplement the skin's natural moisture.

Hydrating, on the other hand, specifically involves increasing the water content within the skin cells. Hydrating products often contain ingredients that attract water molecules and bind them to the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a common hydrating ingredient that can hold a significant amount of water, helping to plump and hydrate the skin from within.  

Emma Lewisham 72-hour moisture lock

At the heart of our hydration innovation is our signature 72-Hour Moisture Lock Technology, featured in our Supernatural Face Crème Riche and Supernatural Day Crème. This advanced system delivers continuous, multi-layer hydration while actively strengthening the skin’s ability to retain moisture over time.

The technology combines: 

  • Six types of Hyaluronic Acid that penetrate at different skin depths to flood the skin with moisture from surface to deeper layers. 
  • Saccharide Isomerate, a next-generation hydrating active that not only boosts the skin’s own production of hyaluronic acid but also prevents its breakdown. Uniquely rinse-resistant, it locks in deep hydration for up to 72 hours – even after cleansing. 
  • Specialised Ceramides that restore and reinforce the skin’s natural barrier. Acting like a ‘mortar’ between skin cells, they reduce transepidermal water loss, soothe sensitivity, and seal in moisture for long-lasting radiance. 


This synergistic complex ensures that skin doesn’t just feel hydrated – it becomes biologically better at holding hydration, delivering a visibly plump, healthy, and luminous complexion.

Featured products

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References

*Verdier-Sévrain, S. and Bonté, F. (2007), Skin hydration: a review on its molecular mechanisms. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 6: 75-82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2007.00300.x 

*Qassem, Meha, and Panayiotis Kyriacou. 2019. "Review of Modern Techniques for the Assessment of Skin Hydration" Cosmetics 6, no. 1: 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics6010019