Hydrated Skin, Inside and Out: What Really Helps
Quick answer: Drinking water, eating well and sleeping enough are good for your overall wellbeing, but the quickest way to make skin look and feel hydrated is to hydrate it from the outside. A hydrating serum applied to damp skin, followed by a moisturiser, leaves skin feeling softer and looking smoother and dewier straight away. Thin Lizzy Hyaluronic Acid Serum is an easy first step.
Tight, dull or flaky skin is one of the most common complaints we hear, and it often becomes more noticeable from our forties onwards. It's natural to wonder whether you simply need to drink more water. The honest answer is that what you do on the inside and what you put on your skin do different jobs. Here's how to look after both, and what actually makes skin look more hydrated day to day.
Dry Skin or Dehydrated Skin?
The two words are often used interchangeably, but they describe slightly different things:
- Dry skin is a skin type. It tends to feel rough or tight most of the time and can look flaky, especially around the nose, cheeks and forehead.
- Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition that any skin type can have, even oily skin. It looks dull, feels tight after cleansing and makes fine lines look more obvious.
The good news is that both respond well to the same simple habits: a gentle cleanser, a hydrating layer and a moisturiser that helps hold that moisture in.
Does Drinking Water Hydrate Your Skin?
Drinking water regularly is important for your general health and helps you feel your best. It's worth keeping a bottle nearby, sipping through the day and drinking more when it's warm or you've been active. If you're unsure how much is right for you, your doctor can advise.
What water alone won't do is replace a skincare routine. The outer layer of your skin loses moisture to the air, particularly in heated rooms, wind and dry weather, and that's the layer you can see and feel. Skincare works on the outside and straight away: a hydrating serum or moisturiser adds moisture to the surface, so skin feels softer and looks smoother the moment you apply it. Think of drinking water as part of looking after yourself, and skincare as the step that looks after the look and feel of your skin.
Food and Lifestyle: Feeling Good from the Inside
There's no single food that changes your complexion, but a varied, balanced diet is a great foundation for feeling well. A few easy habits that support your overall wellbeing:
- Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit: many, such as cucumber, watermelon, oranges and leafy greens, also have a high water content.
- Include healthy fats: oily fish, avocado, nuts and seeds are nourishing additions to your week.
- Go easy on alcohol and salty snacks: many people find they feel better for it.
- Prioritise sleep: a good night's rest helps you look and feel fresher in the morning.
Hydrating Your Skin from the Outside
This is where you'll notice the difference in how your skin looks and feels. Hyaluronic acid is a popular ingredient because it draws water to the skin's surface, which is why skin looks dewy and feels supple after you apply it. Layering a lightweight serum under a moisturiser gives you the best of both: moisture from the serum, and a soft, comfortable finish from the cream.
A few everyday tips also make a big difference:
- Use lukewarm water rather than hot when you cleanse or shower.
- Apply your serum while skin is still slightly damp.
- Don't forget your neck and the backs of your hands.
- In the daytime, finish with a separate sunscreen.
Our Picks
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Best for: a quick hit of hydration before moisturiser or makeup.
A deeply hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid that leaves skin feeling smooth and looking dewy in seconds. It absorbs quickly without feeling greasy, so it layers easily under your moisturiser or makeup. Skin looks smoother and fine lines look softer.
- Hydrates and moisturises
- Non-greasy, fast-absorbing
- Suitable for all skin types
- Use 4–5 drops morning and night
Real Complexion Cream
Best for: a hydrating day and night cream that also works as a base for makeup.
A multi-tasking brightening cream with hyaluronic acid that leaves skin feeling silky soft and looking radiant. It helps skin look brighter and more even, and smooths the look of fine lines. Wear it alone on no-makeup days or under foundation.
- Hydrating cream with hyaluronic acid
- Helps skin look brighter and more even
- Wear alone or under makeup
Dewy Glass Hydra Lotion
Best for: a glowing, dewy finish on dry or mature skin.
A silky hydrating lotion with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, pomegranate extract and red algae. It applies smoothly and leaves a non-greasy, dewy finish that helps lock in moisture, so skin looks radiant and smooth.
- Silky, non-greasy texture
- Dewy, glass-like glow
- Ideal for dry, mature or oily skin
A Simple Hydrating Routine
- Cleanse gently: use a mild cleanser and lukewarm water, then pat your face with a towel so it's still a little damp.
- Apply serum: press 4–5 drops of Hyaluronic Acid Serum over your face and neck.
- Moisturise: smooth on Real Complexion Cream or Dewy Glass Hydra Lotion to soften skin and hold moisture in.
- Protect in the daytime: wear a separate sunscreen as your last skincare step.
- Repeat at night: cleanse, serum and moisturiser again before bed.
- Look after yourself too: keep water handy, eat a varied diet and aim for a good night's sleep.
Want to go further? Read about the benefits of hyaluronic acid, our skincare routine order guide and how to choose a serum for your skin type.
What Customers Say
"Love the product it leaves my skin feeling hydrated"
Joanne B., Thin Lizzy customer (Hyaluronic Acid Serum)
"I wear this under my foundation its a great hydrating base for mature skin"
Tania H., verified customer (Real Complexion Cream)
"been using this product for a few years now and the compliments keep coming about my fresh looking skin"
Janet W., verified customer (Dewy Glass Hydra Lotion)
Read all Hyaluronic Acid Serum reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
Will drinking more water fix dry skin?
Drinking water is important for your overall health, but it isn't a substitute for skincare. To make skin feel softer and look smoother, hydrate it from the outside with a serum and moisturiser.
Should I use a serum and a moisturiser?
Yes, if your skin feels dry or tight. A lightweight serum adds moisture, and a moisturiser on top leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable. Apply the thinnest product first.
Can oily skin be dehydrated?
It can. Oily skin can still feel tight and look dull. Choose lightweight, non-greasy hydrating products rather than skipping moisture altogether.
Why apply hyaluronic acid to damp skin?
Hyaluronic acid draws water to the skin's surface, so applying it to slightly damp skin gives it moisture to hold. Follow straight away with a moisturiser.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy skincare in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Farmers, Life Pharmacy, Chemist Warehouse and Unichem stores across New Zealand. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
Hydrated-looking skin comes from looking after yourself on the inside and your skin on the outside. Drink water and eat well for your wellbeing, then let a hydrating serum and moisturiser do the visible work. Your skin will feel softer and look fresher every day.
