Usually, we mistakenly consider these two terms as synonyms, but they are not the same. So, what’s the difference between hydrating and moisturizing? One might wonder. That’s the very question we will answer today.
Hydration is the addition of water to something. In the case of skin, hydration means the absorption of water into the layers of skin.
Moisture, however, means the water content is locked in the skin. While hydrating skin products make your skin moist and soft, don’t lock the moisture in.
This leads to skin drying up quickly after using Hydrating products. On the other hand, if you use a moisturizer on dry skin, the skin will still look dull and receive no hydration.
Moisturizers used alone on dry skin don’t work well but can keep the moisture locked in the skin for much longer. Let’s continue the discussion below and get to know some important points!
Dehydrated vs Dry Skin:
Before we further discuss what’s the difference between hydrating and moisturizing, you need to know that if your dermatologist tells you that your skin is dehydrated, that simply means it lacks water.
It is often a side effect of general dehydration which means your body is not getting as much water as it needs. It can also be caused by sudden changes in weather or ageing.
Dehydrated skin can heal on its own if you increase your water intake and make your diet healthy, but to aid with the process and speed it up, one should use hydrators like products containing Hyaluronic Acid.
Common signs and symptoms of dehydrated skin are as follows:
- Sunken eyes
- Dark circles
- Dark spots
- Wrinkles and sagging.
Dry skin, on the other hand, lacks oil.
Let’s take a look at some of its signs:
- Flaky skin
- Scaly texture
- Redness
- Itching
- Irritation and dullness
What’s The Difference Between Hydrating And Moisturizing?
Hydrator vs Moisturiser:
Now we know what the difference is between hydration vs moisture; it is important to choose between a hydrator and a moisturizer. But now the question arises,
Which one is better for you?
Whether you should use a moisturizer or a hydrator depends on your skin type and the condition of your skin. If you have dry skin, you should ideally use both a hydrator and moisturizer, as the hydrator will provide hydration, and the moisturizer will keep the skin moist for longer and prevent it from drying again quickly.
How to Know Which One of These You Have Got?
If you have any abnormal symptoms with your skin, it is important to distinguish if your skin is dry or dehydrated. Knowing what’s the difference between hydrating and moisturizing is important because they sound pretty much similar, but they are different.
These conditions are treated using different approaches based on the condition. For instance, if your skin is dehydrated but oily, then you should avoid using moisturizers as they can make your skin sticky and cause acne.
In this case, only using hydration sources and serums is advised, along with proper intake of water and vitamin c rich diet.
In the case of dry skin, however, it is critical to utilize both hydration and moisturizers because if you don’t use a moisturizer, the skin will dry out soon and the results will be unsatisfactory since the skin is unable to absorb and lock in the moisture.
Good Skincare Practices:
Everyone can have a personalized skincare routine according to their skin type and lifestyle.
There are some general rules anyone can follow:
- After leaving the house, regularly wash your face with a decent face wash to remove pollutants that have become lodged in your skin pores.
- Use cleansers, and avoid using strong soaps, as they can irritate skin and make skin dry.
- Always wear sunscreen while going outside to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
- Don’t use off-brand makeup products and skin care products as they use low-quality chemicals that can damage your skin.
- Always pat dry your face or avoid abrasions on the skin.
- Avoid taking long hot showers, as they can leave your skin dry.
Choosing the Right Products:
Now that you know what’s the difference between hydrating and moisturizing, you should give importance to taking care of your skin. You must pay attention to choosing the right products as well.
It all starts with choosing the right cleanser according to your skin type. People, in general, tend to opt for items that look chic and have glamorous advertisements rather than going after those which are suitable for their skin type and conditions.
CeraVe skincare products are in vogue these days, and all the hype is well-earned since they work flawlessly.
However, you still need to know which one is the winner for you in the Cerave foaming vs hydrating cleanser debate.
Both of these products contain hyaluronic acid, but actually, both are formulated for different skin types. Niacinamide is also present in the Foaming Facial Cleanser.
It works with your skin’s natural ingredients to
- Reduce enlarged pores,
- Constrict lax pores,
- Improve uneven skin tone,
- Ease fine lines and wrinkles,
- Reduce dullness,
- Fortify a weaker surface,
Thus, it’s good for oily skin.
On the other hand, Hydrating Facial Cleanser includes Vitamin E, which functions as an antioxidant, protecting cells from harm and preventing skin from losing moisture. Thus, It’s good for dry skin.
Final Words:
In a nutshell, The information provided above on the topic “what’s the difference between hydrating and moisturizing?” What you can take away from this is that everyone has a different skin type and a different set of needs. Some even may require a mixture of hydration vs moisture skin care products.
A single plan for skin care or a single treatment or skincare routine cannot be effective for everyone. Although certain symptoms might seem to be similar, the same treatment might provide different results for different people due to different skin types, lifestyles, and routines.
Hydrating skincare and moisturizing are both really important for healthy glowing skin, but it depends on what you need.
Just like the difference between hydrating and moisturizing, the other most asked confusion is Lotion Vs Cream. To know the difference between Lotion Vs, Cream then Click Here!