Are You A Grape Or Raisin?

A little skincare education...

First, let’s all agree that a raisin is a grape. (I hope that that one isn’t a surprise. 👀😱 lol)

Ok, moving on, every little raisin first started out as a plump little fruit; soft, moisture rich and fleshy. However, with time and dehydration, that juicy little fruit dried out, became wrinkled and eventually transitioned into a raisin.

For the intents and purposes of our lesson, we will compare the grape to skin that is more supple and youthful in appearance, and the raisin to skin that is more crepey and older in appearance.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Utz, Neuroscience Pediatrics at Allegheny University, a babies’ body is made up of approximately 78% water at birth. As a human grows, they lose water concentration-resulting in an adult man being comprised of approximately 60% water and an adult female 55%. *source

Although these percentages will vary from person to person, we understand that the human body is over half water.
Wild, right?

So, how can you take the reigns and add more hydration to your skin?

1.) Drink a lot of water! That will always be number 1. Water coupled with a healthy diet (think lots of moisture rich fruits like grapes 🍇 and veggies) will keep hydration levels high.

2.) Exfoliation! Think Spring cleaning: out with the old and in with the new. Exfoliation removes old dead skin cells and allows new ones to generate. Thus, making the skin more readily able to absorb nutrients and, you guessed it, maintain hydration.

3.) Sun Protection! People, skin aging is 80% in your control. ** Of that 80%-the most important preventative action that you can take is UVA/UVB sun protection. It safeguards the skin’s elasticity and collagen production, plus protects from damage that can eventually lead to skin cancer. It also allows for moisture retention when out in the sun.

4.) Adding a good moisture-rich product! Ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid are super effective at boosting hydration levels, and keeping a continuous level of hydration for prolonged periods.

So, folks, the long and the short of it...whenever possible, work towards being the grape. Sure, you may be like me and like to drink your grapes in the form of delicious wine. Keep doing that! In moderation, of course! But in addition, make sure you are taking the necessary steps to care for your skin.

After all, your skin is going to be with you a long time.