Does Soak and seal help fix Dehydrated Skin?Updated a year ago
Soak and seal: THE ULTIMATE METHOD
Nothing beats the “soak and seal” method when it comes to treating dehydrated skin. By soaking the skin and then sealing the water inside, this technique actively fixes dehydration and reverses transepidermal water loss quickly.
How it works is pretty straightforward as well. Just a few minutes of saturation are enough for water to penetrate past your stratum corneum, which allows the skin to become hydrated… For a few minutes, max.
Before the water has a chance to escape, it’s important to apply an occlusive, which is an ingredient that will act as a barrier and prevent water from evaporating.
The simplest way to go about this is by moisturizing immediately after a shower or bath, ideally using a product with a high percentage of occlusives, like a thick petrolatum-based ointment or even pure Vaseline.
(We explain occlusives in more detail in our breakdown of moisturizer ingredients).
Unfortunately, most occlusives feel heavy and greasy on the skin. If you’d prefer a nicer occlusive, our Water Lock is perfection - it’s made with a combination of silicones that create a beautiful barrier over the skin but feel silky-smooth and light.
If your skin is showing signs of dehydration, it’s important to follow this method at least once a day. Instead of showering, you can also repeatedly splash your face with water or apply several layers of a hydrating mist before applying your occlusive.