A cherished spray of cold, mineral-rich water during the hot season can give your skin much more than just a feeling of freshness. We tell you what the superpower of this cosmetic product is and how to choose the one that is right for you.
Not every water, carefully packed by the manufacturer in a spray bottle, has the right to be called thermal. This definition is given only to water extracted from underground hydrothermal sources located at a depth of several kilometers and heated by the fiery heart of the Earth, that is, magma.
Due to the depth and heating, such water is actively saturated with microelements. And to a much greater extent than the usual mineral that we drink. That is why skeptics who believe that thermal water is just a mineral water that is sold at exorbitant prices to lovers of cosmetic delights are wrong.
It is capable of a lot, the main thing is to be able to choose the one that will solve exactly your tasks.
Three types of thermal water
Thermal water is divided into three types according to the principle of saturation with minerals. It is the mineral composition that determines how the product will affect the skin – it will help retain moisture or eliminate inflammation, soothe or tone. The manufacturer of real thermal water always indicates the level of trace elements in his product – it is by this factor that you can determine what type it belongs to.
- Hypotonic thermal water considered to be conditionally low-mineralized. It is still more enriched than drinking mineral, but in skin care it is from the category of “soft”. This type includes thermal waters with a trace element content below 9 mg/l. This type is best suited for sensitive and irritated skin – soothes, softens, helps retain moisture and relieve redness.
- Isotonic water characterized by an average level of trace elements – it contains 9-11 mg / l, which makes it in this regard similar to human blood plasma. It is rightly considered universal and, as a rule, is suitable for all skin types: it helps it stay hydrated, softens, and is suitable for the care of mucous membranes. With this water, for example, you can wash your eyes and nose. It is also perfect for the role of soothing after shaving, sunburn, insect bites, and is also quite effective in complex care for dermatitis.
- hypertonic water the most saturated – this type includes all types of thermal water with a content of trace elements above 11 mg / l. This type is sure to appeal to owners of oily and combination skin for its ability to reduce excessive sebum production and the tendency to inflammation. For those who start to shine festively in the summer due to the activity of the sebaceous glands – and in hot weather normal skin can also be prone to this – such water will help restore the skin to a pleasant haze. But for dry and sensitive skin, it may not be suitable, as, most likely, it will not be the right choice for damage to the epidermis.
Where is it produced
Europe was especially lucky with thermal springs, and France is the leader in the production of thermal water, although there are also types of this remedy from other countries. For example, the Russian brand Libre Derm sells water produced in the UK, while Five Elements water comes from Switzerland and is bottled at the famous resort of Bad Zurzach. Most manufacturers package thermal water directly at the springs to keep it pure and healthy.
How to use
There is an opinion that the salinity of thermal water – and some of them are really salty in taste – contributes to dehydration of the skin. But it is not so. Salt paradoxically has the ability to both dry the skin, and vice versa, retain moisture in it. In which direction the weather vane will turn depends on the general composition of thermal water and on the level of trace elements.
Again, you should definitely not rely on hydration when buying hypertonic thermal water, isotonic is quite capable of coping with hydration, and hypotonic even more so.
There are no special restrictions on how many times a day you can pour thermal water – it all depends on the type of skin, the tasks that water is designed to solve, and other individual factors. This tool can also be used as an additional layer of care between other cosmetic products – cream, serum, aftershave, and so on. It’s great as a way to cool off on a hot day, or to cheer up if afternoon drowsiness gets in the way of work.
If you store thermal water in the refrigerator, it will perfectly cool the forehead, neck and shoulders heated up by the summer heat, and even help to slightly reduce the swelling of the legs.
But what you should not do is to pour thermal water on the plane. Pressure and increased dryness of the air on board contribute to the rapid evaporation of moisture from the surface of the skin, so the epidermis loses its own reserves.
- In order not to fall for a marketing ploy or a banal deception when buying, you should definitely read carefully where exactly the thermal water is produced. If you don’t have time or desire to bother with studying the label and google the sources, bet on large brands, many of which extract their water from the sources of the same name: Vichy, Evian, La Roche-Posay, Uriage, Avène and others.
And remember, of course, that thermal water will not replace other mandatory steps of care – moisturizing, sun protection and cleansing. And if discomfort arises from its use, it is worth trying a different type of water – sometimes more saturated does not mean more useful.