Hydrating Vs Moisturizing How To Know Which Is Best For Skin?

Most of us think that these two words mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably, they mean something different and serve differently too for your skin.

Hydration is the name of the process of water absorption, to put it simply. In terms of your skin, hydration references the absorption of water that delivers moisture to your skin’s cells.

Example of Hydrating agents:

• Honey
• Gelatin
• Urea
• Sorbitol
• Panthenol
• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic acid
• Alpha hydroxy acids

Moisturizers are oil-based ingredients, including occlusive agents. They work as a seal on your skin so that water can not escape. They make skin smooth and less dry.

Examples of Moisturizing agents:

• emollients (fats and oils)
• squalene (oil)
• humectants
• occlusive

Hydration vs Moisturizer; Which is best for your skin?

Both hydration and moisturizer are essential for skin to keep it smooth and supple. Your skin can be lacking both moisturizer and hydration, or just one of two. If your skin is oily you may be not in need of moisturizer.

Also read:best-and-most-affordable-moisturizer-available-in-pakistan

If you have dry skin then you should use a thicker moisturizer

If your skin is dry for around a year and tends to peel or flake, chances are your skin has a hard time retaining moisturizer. For this purpose, you need a moisturizer to create a protective layer on the skin. For this purpose, a thick moisturizer will help.

If you have dehydrated skin, use a hydrating serum

If you feel your skin is dehydrated it’s your sign to start adding water back into your skin. Hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid will work perfectly. You can use Aloe vera gel and honey too.

If you have oily skin try water-based moisturizers and hydrators

If you have oily skin it doesn’t mean your skin is dehydrated. People with oily skin often have compromised barrier function, which makes it hard for their skin to retain moisture. As moisture leaves the skin, it becomes dehydrated, causing the skin to produce more oil. Look for water-based hydration and moisturizers.

How to pick up the right product for the skin?

Products containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera gel, honey, or marine extracts are naturally good to hydrate skin. Similarly, synthetic humectants such as glycerine and propylene glycol are good too for those who need additional hydration.

In the case of moisturizer, you can go from light to heavy depending on what you need. There are multiple moisturizers based on organic products such as coconut, almond, shea butter, cocoa butter, lanolin, and plant oils, such as squalene, jojoba, rosehip, and tea tree. Every skin reacts differently so choose moisturizer wisely that suits your skin.