Review: These lightweight hydrating products are great for Singapore’s weather

You know that glowing “chok-chok” skin we all want? It seems hard to achieve, right? But we found out that this complexion combo of youthful, radiant, bouncy, hydrated skin can be yours – if we do two things. Well, actually, it’s only one thing: Hydration. But from the inside (your body) and outside (your skin).

You have to get water into your body so it can get to your skin from the inside. That means drinking enough water throughout the day, not just when you feel thirsty. And you also need to get water on your skin from the outside. That means using beauty products that hydrate skin and, this is crucial, help keep all that important moisture locked in.  

We’ve noticed that when our skin is well hydrated, it looks plumper and younger. The reason: Light reflects more easily off a smooth surface, which is what hydrated skin gives you.

A lack of water aside, lots of other things can cause your skin to be dehydrated: your diet, lifestyle habits, too much caffeine, lack of sleep, constant exposure to air-conditioning and even using the wrong beauty products (or using them wrongly).

How to hydrate your skin 24/7

What’s a little dehydration and how much can it harm my skin, you ask? Quite a bit. Some things we’ve noticed with our own dehydrated skin battles are a dull-looking complexion, more pronounced dark circles and annoying breakouts. 

Dehydration happens at the top layer of skin. It’s the layer that protects skin against environmental aggressors and oxidative stressors, which damage it. When your skin is dehydrated, micro tears happen. These are tiny, tiny gaps that let in free radicals, bacteria and other nasties, that may cause damage like lines, roughness and even pigmentation.

We also discovered that dehydrated skin is a skin condition that’s developed, and not a skin type (which is something you’re born with). So, even oily or combination skin can be dehydrated. 

How the Chanel Hydra Beauty range hydrates your skin

The Chanel Hydra Beauty range focuses on one thing: keeping your skin hydrated. It comprises 13 products, from masks to lotions and creams. 

Its star ingredient is the white camellia – Gabrielle Chanel’s favourite flower, also known for its incredible hydration power. Specifically, it is the Camellia Alba Plena from Gaujacq, in Southwest France that’s used. Why this one? Chanel scientists did extensive lab research on several types of camellia and they discovered that it was the Alba Plena that contained intensely hydrating molecules.

In the formula, the ingredient encourages skin to make more Natural Moisturising Factors (NMFs) – they’re like your skin’s own moisture factory. It also makes the skin barrier stronger, so that moisture doesn’t leach out.

The white camellia works with antioxidant-rich blue ginger from Madagascar, which boosts skin’s protection against inside and outside stressors that contribute to moisture loss.

Tried and tested: Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum & Camellia Water Cream

To put the Chanel Hydra Beauty hydration prowess to the test, beauty influencer Christabel Chua (@bellywellyjelly) and Mediacorp artiste Kimberly Wang stepped up to this review challenge for seven days. 

Here are their reviews: