Thermal water for the face: what is it for, how to choose and use it?

Thermal water for the face: what is it?

Thermal water is water with a high content of trace elements and mineral salts from underground hydrothermal springs that flow at a depth of about 4-5 km and are heated by the volcanic activity of the Earth (magma).

Thermal water is extracted from the bowels of the earth by drilling wells. Its composition depends on the depth of the hot springs and their location: the deeper the waters are located, the higher their mineralization.

What is thermal water for?

The main difference between thermal water and mineral water lies in the way it is used: the first is used externally, the second is taken orally for medicinal purposes. Due to its highly concentrated composition, thermal water quickly penetrates the dermis and has a regenerating, soothing, firming effect on the skin and has no contraindications.

Why do you need thermal water for the face? Thanks to its soothing properties, the volcanic liquid can visibly relieve irritation and inflammation, reduce redness, normalize skin pH, and also has a pronounced antioxidant effect and protects cells from the negative effects of free radicals.

Thermal water is part of pharmaceutical cosmetics, including being added to the basis of formulas for anti-aging products and products for oily and problem skin. Most often in cosmetology, thermal water is used as an independent care product.

Skin Benefits

Due to its unique healing properties, this natural product has been valued in cosmetology and medicine for more than a century.

The benefits of using thermal water for the skin are undeniable:

• Refreshes, moisturizes and prevents transepidermal moisture loss, softens the skin;
• Prevents age-related changes;
• Soothes the skin, relieves irritation, minimizes discomfort and restores after prolonged insolation or traumatic cosmetic procedures;
• Helps cells resist oxidative stress and forms a defense against free radicals;
• Has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and regenerating effect;
• Normalizes the pH balance of the skin;
• Reduces excessive shine of the face, absorbs sebum;
• Removes the feeling of tightness of the skin after washing;
• Removes swelling of tissues;
• Improves the metabolic processes of the skin and saturates it with oxygen;
• Fixes and prolongs the durability of make-up.

Composition of thermal water

In cosmetology, there are three types of biological water that meet the different needs of the skin: hypotonic, isotonic, hypertonic. All three species are distinguished by their mineral composition, a set of healing components and their beneficial properties.

1. Hypotonic Hypotonic water has a slightly mineralized composition: the content of microelements is less than 9 mg/l. This type of thermal water is considered the mildest due to the low salt content and is suitable for reactive, sensitive skin: it effectively relieves inflammation, irritation and does not cause dryness.
2. Isotonic The concentration of mineral substances in the composition of water is 9-11 mg/l, which is comparable to the level of salt content in skin cells and tissue fluids. Such a cosmetic product has a neutral pH (neutral acidity), soothes and tones the skin well. The product is universal and suitable for any type of skin, mainly used for the care of normal and dry skin.
3. Hypertensive Hypertonic water has a highly mineralized composition: the content of trace elements is more than 11 mg/l. This type of thermal water absorbs sebum well, reduces the oily sheen of the face and is suitable for the care of oily and problematic skin types. It helps to balance the acid-base balance of the skin associated with the oxidation of excess sebum, improves cell metabolism, prevents the development of pathogenic flora and acne recurrence.

How to choose thermal water for the face?

Like any cosmetic product, thermal water is chosen according to the needs and type of skin. Depending on the composition, the product has its pros and cons, for example, highly concentrated water with a high content of mineral salts may be too “hard” for allergic skin, and the isotonic look will be “soft” for oily type.

Recommendations on how to choose thermal water for the face according to skin type:

• For oily and problem skin Thermal water with a high content of sodium, sulfur and zinc is suitable for thick, oily skin with a predisposition to rashes. The listed microelements mattify the skin well and have anti-inflammatory properties, dry out acne and increase the protective properties of the dermis.
• For dry skin Thermal water with a high content of trace elements maintains the water and mineral balance of the skin, prevents cells from dehydration, retaining moisture in them. Hyaluronic acid may also be added to the formula for dry skin.
• For sensitive skin For reactive and hypersensitive skin, choose thermal water with silicon, selenium and neutral pH, which quickly soothes the skin, relieves irritation, itching and restores skin comfort.
• For normal The brackish-tasting thermal water is rich in sodium and potassium, ideal for normal skin types.
• For mature skin Thermal water containing selenium, a natural antioxidant, is suitable for anti-aging care: it will help cells resist oxidative stress and protect against premature aging.

Rating of the best products based on La Roche-Posay thermal water

Consider the TOP 5 pharmaceutical products based on La Roche-Posay thermal water, which perform similar functions: moisturizing, protecting, healing, skin regeneration.

The aluminum bottle allows you to preserve the unique properties of thermal water. The spray format is easy to use and you can choose the amount of product that is convenient for you. The thermal water of La Roche-Posay contains a high concentration of selenium, which is a powerful antioxidant of natural origin. It helps protect the skin from free radicals and environmental aggressors. The product effectively reduces redness on the skin, has a soothing and moisturizing effect, softens and strengthens the protective barrier of the skin. The spray is presented in several formats: 50, 150 and 300 ml.

What is the peculiarity of this tool? It gently soothes and moisturizes the skin, effectively removes make-up residue from the face and around the eyes. Micellar water does not contain ethyl alcohol, dyes and oils, so it can be used by owners of all skin types. Even sensitive skin prone to allergies will not interfere with the use of Ultra Reactive. If you have poor eyesight and wear contact lenses, no problem. The tool is designed with these features in mind and is suitable for removing makeup for contact lens wearers.

What skin is it suitable for? For problematic skin with rashes and increased sebum secretion. The formula of the product contains La Roche-Posay thermal water. Visibly reduces oily sheen and mattifies the skin after the first application. Maintains the skin’s protective barrier and can be used to remove make-up from sensitive skin on the face and around the eyes.

What is interesting about its composition? The serum contains a high concentration of Neurosensin. This component has a proven soothing effect, effectively blocks existing inflammation and eliminates skin irritation. In high concentrations, it stimulates the production of messengers that neutralize the inflammatory effect of histamines.

What does this mean? Serum significantly reduces the feeling of discomfort in irritated skin and activates the natural protective functions of the skin. Owners of hypersensitive skin can use the product as a make-up base.

Who will use it? A soothing toner removes make-up from sensitive skin on the face and around the eyes and has a soothing effect. If your skin is prone to irritation and you want to further tone and soothe it after removing makeup with another product, this toner is perfect for you.

How to use thermal water for face and body?

It is believed that thermal water can be simply sprayed on the face to provide the skin with freshness and comfort. But this is not the only possible way to use the tool. Also, by spraying a mineralizing composition with a high salt content, you risk causing tightness and dryness of the epidermis. To avoid this, take the advice of experts.

How to use thermal water correctly:

1. Spray water on cleansed skin, and after 2-3 minutes, gently wipe the skin with a clean paper towel to remove excess product.
2. If you apply a basic moisturizer over the thermal water, it will “seal” the trace elements and significantly enhance their effect.
3. To additionally moisturize the skin (relevant for overdried skin), spraying thermal water after washing and subsequent application of tonic will help. In this case, the mineralizing composition will serve as a conductor and enhancer of the active components in the composition of the basic caring cosmetics (cream, serum), which should be applied next.
4. If you use thermal water during sports training (spray at a distance of 50 cm from the face and décolleté), the skin will maintain its tone, which will give you a feeling of comfort (instant skin refreshment).
5. Thermal water can also be used instead of tonic, on pre-cleansed skin.
6. Cotton pads impregnated with a mineralizing composition will help relieve fatigue from the eyes: put the pads moistened with water on closed eyelids for 5-7 minutes.
7. Inflammation from the skin will help to remove the application of a cosmetic wipe soaked in water: apply this mask on your face for 10-20 minutes.
8. In summer, use thermal water to hydrate and refresh your skin. In winter, being in a heated room, the product will also protect the skin from dehydration and tightness.