It’s deeper than just drinking water or layering moisturizer.
This might feel like a silly question, but have you ever paused and asked yourself, what actually makes skin hydrated?
We’re taught to layer moisturizers and drink endless glasses of water. But what if that tight, dry feeling on your face isn’t solved by more of the same? What if hydration, the kind that gives you soft, dewy, resilient skin, requires more intention, both inside and out?
We believe skincare is more than surface-level. It's a daily ritual of reconnection, with yourself, with the earth, and with the ancestral knowledge that reminds us: hydration is a whole-body experience.
Let’s explore what truly hydrated skin needs, especially through the winter months or dry climates, and how to support it through non toxic skincare, internal nourishment, and nature-aligned rituals.
1. It Starts With Your Water — but Not Just Any Water
You’ve probably heard: drink more water. And yes, hydration does start within, but not all water is created equal.
Many of our ancestors drank wild, mineral-rich living spring water. Naturally structured and full of electrolytes, it was absorbed and utilized efficiently by the body. Today, most of us drink filtered or purified tap water, clean of contaminants, but also stripped of the essential trace minerals that help water actually hydrate us.
This matters. When your internal hydration is off, your skin can’t function optimally. To support your hydration from the inside, try:
-
Adding a pinch of mineral-rich sea salt to your water (Jacobsen is a great company)
-
Drinking natural coconut water (more on this below)
-
Replacing one cup of plain water with herbal infusions like hibiscus or marshmallow root
2. Always Apply Oils and Creams to Damp Skin
This is one of the most overlooked truths in skincare: oil doesn’t hydrate your skin, water does.
But when applied correctly, oils and fats help your skin retain moisture by supporting your natural lipid barrier. The key? Applying them to damp skin.
Whether you're using a hydrating face cream or an oil-rich balm, always prep your skin first with a water-based mist or a few splashes of clean water. Damp skin creates a pathway for the oil-soluble nutrients to penetrate more deeply, giving you not just surface softness, but lasting nourishment.
This is also important for oil-based products like our Bio Escent Serum, which contains tremella mushroom extract to support deep hydration, even in a waterless formula.
3. Tremella Mushroom — Nature’s Hyaluronic Acid
In ancient Chinese medicine, tremella has long been revered as a beauty tonic, and for good reason. It mimics the effects of hyaluronic acid by helping your body produce and retain moisture at a cellular level.
Unlike lab-synthesized hyaluronic acid, tremella is a natural, botanical ally. In our hydrating face serum, we use an alcohol-extracted tremella that binds to water beautifully when applied to damp skin.
But tremella isn’t just for external use. Tinctures and powdered forms can be taken internally to support whole-body hydration and skin elasticity from within. It's a perfect example of how our brand bridges topical care with internal wellness, because your skin doesn’t stop at the surface.
4. Drink Herbs That Hydrate, Not Deplete
It’s tempting to load up on caffeinated teas when you’re feeling dry or sluggish, but many of these are diuretics, meaning they actually pull hydration from your system.
Instead, consider herbal infusions that nourish without depleting. While many herbs have mild diuretic properties, they are often gentler than caffeinated teas and some, like marshmallow root, rose, or hibiscus, can actually support hydration and help the body retain moisture.
-
Hibiscus: high in antioxidants, supportive to skin tone and moisture
-
Rose petals: cooling, calming, and emotionally soothing
-
Marshmallow root: rich in mucilage, which supports your body’s hydration pathways
This is one of our personal favorites. An infusion of marshmallow root, hibiscus, and rose. It’s deeply hydrating, gentle on the system, and connects you with the ritual of slowing down to sip something made with care.
5. Coconut Water — A Naturally Occurring Electrolyte Drink
While sports drinks boast about electrolytes, coconut water is the real, unprocessed version. It contains naturally occurring potassium, sodium, and magnesium, all crucial for helping cells absorb and retain water.
When you’re consistently dehydrated on the inside, your skin will feel the effects, often leading to dryness, dullness, and inflammation. Coconut water is a simple, everyday way to restore hydration from the root.
Just be sure to choose a version without added sugars. For variety, try mixing it with a splash of orange juice and a pinch of sea salt or cream of tartar for a mineral-rich adrenal cocktail.
Bonus tip: Add a scoop of collagen or a splash of milk for a protein boost. You can also blend coconut water into smoothies or sip it post-workout, it's often more hydrating than plain water alone.
6. Use Non Toxic Skincare That Supports the Skin Barrier
When your skin is already dry or compromised, the last thing it needs is a harsh product full of preservatives, synthetic fragrances, harsh actives, or alcohol-based ingredients.
Hydration depends on the integrity of your skin barrier. That’s why non toxic skincare isn’t just a clean beauty trend, it’s a necessary return to what works.
Our Cloud Cream Moisturizer is a tallow-based, ultra-pure hydrating face cream made to mimic your skin’s own lipid structure. Paired with emu oil and jojoba, it’s lightweight but deeply nourishing, designed specifically for those who want moisture without heaviness. Lavender, frankincense resin, and vanilla bean complete the formula for a therapeutic scent experience without essential oils. An aligned option for sensitive skin.
Because skincare should support your body, not stress it.
Final Thoughts: Hydration is a Ritual, Not a Quick Fix
In the modern world, we’re often taught to treat symptoms at the surface. But dryness, dehydration, and imbalance in the skin are invitations to go deeper. To listen. To slow down. To tend to the roots, not just the leaves.
At Flora x Fauna Skin, we create skincare to support your whole self. Our formulas are free of hormone disruptors, essential oils, and unnecessary fillers, and every ingredient is chosen to nourish your skin in the way nature intended.
So the next time you feel like your skin is thirsty, go beyond just the skincare bottle. Sip an infusion. Take a deep breath. Mist your face. And apply your oils with care.
Hydration is not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters — with intention.
