In winter, the skin is exposed to strong temperature changes and can become dryer and more sensitive. To protect it, it is important to hydrate it daily.

How to hydrate your skin?

In cosmetics, the term "hydrate" is more of a marketing term than a scientific one. It implies that the products provide water to the skin. However, the skin is almost completely impermeable to water from the external environment. Only a small amount can penetrate.

To provide deeper and more lasting hydration to the skin, moisturizing cosmetics work indirectly by reproducing the skin's natural functions:

1- Film-forming agents and/or emollients.

They reduce TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss) by opposing water evaporation. They work on the surface by reinforcing or replacing the hydrolipidic film and effectively slowing down water evaporation.

At helwé, we only use natural molecules and not synthetic ones like silicone or mineral oils

A/ Hydrophobic film-formers: natural beeswaxes. They reduce water loss (TEWL) by more than 98%

B/ Hydrophilic film-formers: they are very large molecules capable of "capturing" many water molecules in their skeleton, creating a "hydrogel" (or hydrocolloid), which forms a hydrated film on the surface of the skin. It slows down water evaporation but allows the skin to breathe: collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid.

C/ Emollients: they smooth, soften and protect the surface of the skin by filling in the microcracks that form between the cells of the superficial layers of the epidermis. They are made up of natural lipids and are able to penetrate deeper into the epidermis and play an active role. These are vegetable oils (the oils used in helwé products are all non-comedogenic) and ceramides.

2- Humectants

They attract and retain water from the dermis to the epidermal cells by reinforcing the NMF "natural moisturizing factors".

Natural humectant ingredients are: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe, vitamin B5, and honey. They draw moisture from the air, which helps to maintain healthy skin and repair damage.

In our helwé layering, we group all these film-forming agents, emollients and humectants to achieve maximum hydration.

helwé hydration essentials

Sérum Hydratation Intense

Main ingredients:

• Humectants: hyaluronic acid, Aloe vera, Vitamin B5
• Emollients: Squalane

Crème Prodigieuse 

Main ingredients:

• Humectants: Honey, Royal jelly, Aloe vera, Hyaluronic acid
• Film-formers: Beeswax
• Emollients: Calendula macerates, Squalane, Jojoba oil

Sérum Nuit Essentielle

Main ingredients:

• Emollients: Sea Buckthorn oil, Apricot oil, Jojoba oil, Macadamia oil

Booster d’énergie

Main ingredients:

• Emollients: Jojoba oil and Macadamia oil
• Antioxidants: Pomegranate, Tomato lycopene, Carrots

Masque Pulpeux

Main ingredients:

• Humectants: Collagen, Honey, Hyaluronic acid, Aloe vera, Beech tree buds extract
• Emollients: Vegetable oils: Jojoba, Macadamia, Squalane

How to apply the routine?

Morning 

1. Sérum hydratation intense
2. Then mix Crème prodigieuse with a few drops of Booster d’énergie

Night 

1. Sérum hydratation intense
2. Crème prodigieuse
3. Sérum nuit essentielle

We recommend to use a complete layering routine for maximum hydration. Here is the complete helwé layering routine: Layering for dry and dehydrated skin.

Last but not least, avoid long showers or baths with hot water, which can strip the skin of its natural oils. It is recommended to have lukewarm water showers instead.