My skin has always been a little on the dry side. This is especially true during the fall and winter, and environmental factors like the recent wildfires in Northern California tend to exacerbate the condition. But my dry skin is also the result of years of inconsistent skincare and not knowing the best way to treat the root problem.
When I first joined the team at Benedetta I was introduced to the practice of preparing the skin with water like one of our Hydrosols1 before applying lotion or Body Crème. I’d never tried this before; my strategy had always been to slather lotion onto my already dry skin thinking that the more I applied, the better it would work. But this was always a temporary fix and my dry skin persisted, feeling sensitive and unbalanced.
Since embarking on this new regimen of hydrosol before applying creme, over the period of a few weeks my dry skin has started to correct itself and I am seeing a change in the texture and suppleness, even in the case of my hands which tend to become very dry this time of year. I now employ this simple mantra:
Water before Oil
Hydrating the skin before applying oil-based products is the foundational practice of Benedetta's facial and body care line. It increases the efficacy of our preparations which allows the skin to regenerate and repair more quickly. When Benedetta’s founder, Julia Faller, first developed our Crystal Radiance Hydrating Elixirs thirty years ago, she already understood the benefit of integrating water before applying oil. The Benedetta 5-Step Daytime Facial Regimen interlaces our water-before-oil principles utilizing our Crystal Radiance Hydrating Elixirs. This reestablishes water hydration in skin to secure cell saturation, especially when used under the Precious and Nourishing Facial Oils and followed lastly with one of our Visibly Radiant Moisturizers comprised of both water from organic Aloe vera and botanical oils that meld into one fabulous preparation. This system leaves skin supple and radiant all day.
The concept is actually rather intuitive even if the concept itself is a bit foreign. Using a Hydrosols prior to applying lotion or Body Crème traps the moisture on the skin and allows the properties of the creme to better penetrate the skin. In the case of body care, the best time to do this is right after exfoliating with our Citrus and Sugar Scrub and/or cleansing with our Sacred Soap. Gently towel dry the skin, and generously spray with your chosen Hydrosols. You then need only apply a small amount of our Body Crèmes which will bind to the Hydrosol. This in turn helps skin retain moisture, locking in natural oils and aiding in cellular repair; it is a simple process with lasting benefits, not the least of which is a holistic cure for dry skin.
On an important and related note, Benedetta is a Sonoma County business and while spared from the effects of October’s devastating wildfires, we are deeply committed to supporting our community as it recovers and rebuilds. To this end we have pledged 100% of funds from the sale of our 200ml Body Crème and Hydrosol and Body Creme Duos to North Bay Fire Relief Fund, which will go directly to support the fire victims in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake Counties. You can partner with us to meet our goal of raising $20,000 when you purchase either of these products.
1. Hydrosols are botanical distillations that come from water soluble constituents of the plants and when applied to the skin, impart gentle yet effective therapeutic qualities.