Ingredients 101: Glow with the Flow
Electrolytes are bringing their moisture-boosting power from the gym to your skincare routine—but is the hype real? Here’s what experts say.
By Lora Grady
When you hear electrolytes, you probably think of post-workout hydration and sports drinks. But these minerals are making waves in skincare now, too. With their natural electrical charge, electrolytes are said to help draw water deep into the skin, boosting hydration, strengthening the barrier, and enhancing overall radiance. As the beauty world leans into high-performance hydration, electrolyte-infused formulas are quickly becoming a must-have for dewy, plump skin.
Electrolytes are essential minerals (including potassium, sodium bicarbonate, and chloride) naturally found in the body, says Dr. Lisa Kellett, dermatologist and founder of DLK on Avenue in Toronto. “Basically, we need them to regulate volume status in the body, for muscle contractions and for nerve signaling,” she explains. So far, Dr. Kellett adds, “there’s not a lot of evidence-based medicine to support their use in skincare.”
While the research may be limited, some skincare experts tout the power of electrolytes when it comes to maintaining optimal hydration. “Electrolytes are essential minerals that help regulate the skin’s hydration balance,” says Rachelle Séguin, co-founder and president of Omy Lab. She explains that they work by attracting and retaining moisture within the skin barrier, which is crucial for maintaining healthy, plump skin. Electrolytes like magnesium, calcium, and potassium replenish and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, helping to defend against environmental stressors.
Omy Lab formulates its products with electrolyte-rich aquifer water, avoiding the use of demineralized water commonly found in skincare. According to Séguin, this approach helps address the growing prevalence of sensitive skin, ensuring a stronger and more resilient skin barrier.
While electrolytes may not yet have widespread scientific backing in skincare, brands like Omy Lab see their potential for improving hydration and supporting skin health, particularly for those with dryness, sensitivity, or inflammation. Whether they become a staple ingredient or remain a niche trend, their role in skincare is definitely one to watch.
∙ charged up skincare ∙
This overnight mask replenishes hydration with an electrolyte cocktail, vitamin F, and barrier-strengthening ingredients for soft, plump skin.
DRUNK ELEPHANT F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask, $72, at DrunkElephant.ca, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Sephora.
Sourced from Canadian underground aquifers, this electrolyte-rich thermal water soothes, hydrates, and strengthens the skin barrier.
OMY LAB Aquifer Hydra-Thermal Water, $13.59, available at OmyCosmetics.com.
Clinically proven to hydrate for 48 hours, this moisturizer (infused with hyaluronic acid and electrolytes) restores moisture balance and is ideal for sensitive skin.
NEUTROGENA Hydro Boost Gel Cream Fragrance-Free, $22.97, available at Walmart.
