Electrolytes in skincare – what's the buzz all about?

Give us a couple of stretches and start jogging on the spot – skincare is about to get a whole lot more athletic. Electrolytes are the new hero ingredient that works like a sports drink for your skin, so if you want to achieve a skincare PB, it’s time to get stocked up.

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are essential minerals like Sodium, Calcium, and Potassium that conduct electricity when mixed with water. It sounds a bit odd, we know (especially when you’ve been taught from a young age that water and electricity don’t mix) but it’s not the kind that’ll make your hair fizz or your clothes static. Electrolytes use this electric charge to help your body run at its best. They can do clever things like help your muscles to contract, but the key role is to maintain and balance hydration. 

You can find low levels of electrolytes in plain old tap water, but the highest concentrations are in sports drinks which have been specially formulated to replace the minerals lost through dehydration and sweat. That’s why they’re so good post-exercise, as well as when you’ve got the flu or a hangover. Electrolytes are also present in foods like spinach and bananas, but these aren’t so practical to consume on the go – or as appealing to a swirling stomach. 

What are the benefits of electrolytes in skincare?

The biggest benefit is hydration. Even though water is good for our skin, our complexions aren’t always very good at holding onto it. If you have naturally dry skin (and remember, everyone’s skin becomes drier with age) there’s less oil to trap moisture, and therefore much of the water from your dutifully-applied hydration serums and moisturizers is evaporating away on the surface. It’s a bit like trying to hold water in a sieve as it escapes through the holes. 

This is where electrolytes come in. They act as a ringleader, using their electrical charge to propel water into the skin and pull it into those deeper layers where it’s most needed. That way, it’s less able to evaporate straight back out. Once the electrolytes have led moisture into the skin, they balance the water content too, so the skin doesn’t become flooded or overwhelmed – just plump, fresh and dewy. 

How do I know if I’d benefit from adding electrolytes to my routine?

Does your skin still feel dry and tight no matter how generous you are with your moisturiser? Adding electrolytes into the mix can help.

In simple terms, there are four skin types – normal, combination, dry, and oily – and which one you have is determined by your genes. Dry skin tends to be the least comfortable of the bunch, as the skin is naturally low in the oils that hold onto and retain moisture. This skin type will benefit the most from electrolytes to help quench its constant thirst. 

Remember though, all skin types can experience dehydration – which is a lack of water in the skin. Even if you have oily skin with plenty of sebum, it can still be short on water. Using products that contain electrolytes will help to maintain tip-top hydration levels all year round, but are especially handy when skin is depleted by things like sun exposure, stress, and pollution. Read more about how you can add our electrolyte cream into your skincare routine here. 

Where should electrolytes come in my routine?

Electrolytes can sit anywhere in your routine and are compatible with all the big-name active ingredients like Vitamin C, Retinol, Glycolic Acid, and Hyaluronic Acid. To really take advantage of their benefits, it makes sense to use them in a leave-on product. You’ll still get a mini hydration hit from a cleanser, but it’s a bit like taking a sip of water versus gulping down an entire glass. As electrolytes rely on water to power their electric charge and propel moisture into the skin, they work hardest in a moisturiser or serum. Use them at the end of your routine to make sure all that watery goodness is properly sealed into the skin.

Dry skin will benefit the most from electrolytes to help quench its constant thirst. 

Do electrolytes clear your skin?

Electrolytes aren’t the wonder ingredient that’s going to clear your skin. If that’s your aim, you’re better off looking to actives like oil-balancing Niacinamide or blemish-busters like Salicylic Acid or Retinol. However, if you are experiencing spots, there is a tendency to shift your skincare routine towards overly-stripping products with the aim of drying them out. Your skincare can’t differentiate though, so what happens is that your entire complexion becomes dehydrated and tight.

This lack of water can then make skin less comfortable and more inflamed – both of which will fuel already angry and sore blemishes. Removing much-needed moisture can also trigger the skin to create more oil to compensate for what it’s missing, which only increases the likelihood of clogged pores and breakouts. For these reasons, making sure that your skin is well-hydrated will help to keep it balanced and comfortable – and while that’s not going to be a miracle cure for breakouts, it will definitely go a long way towards helping calm them. 

Do electrolytes make your skin glow? 

Water helps our skin to function at its best, and without it, things don’t run quite as efficiently. It’s the same as when we haven’t drunk enough water, which can make us feel tired and lethargic as well as headache-ey with a tongue like sandpaper. When our skin is low on water the rate at which it turns over cells starts to slow down, which means it holds onto old cells for longer.

Over time, this build-up can rob your skin of radiance and make it look dull. Hydration is also behind skin benefits like plumpness, freshness, and dewiness, and without it, your complexion can look a bit lackluster. As electrolytes work to supercharge the absorption of water they will help to bring glow and vibrancy back to skin that was previously looking a bit unenthusiastic.