Hydrating vs. Moisturizing: What My Skin Needs?

How do you find your ideal moisturizer formula for skin? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Get ready to learn the secrets to hydrating and taking care of your skin!

Did you know that there is a distinction between hydrating and moisturizing your skin? Beauty brands loosely use these terms, but they actually do have different meanings.

Being aware of the distinction between hydrators and moisturizers is the first step towards choosing the ideal skincare products for your skin's own needs.

In this useful blog post, we're going to separate the difference between hydrators and moisturizers, talk about their advantages, and help you discover how to incorporate them into your skincare regimen. So let's begin!

The Difference Between Hydrators and Moisturizers

Both cosmetic terms share the same underlying purpose and there is certainly a lot of overlap between them. "Hydrating" and "moisturizing" are used interchangeably by most cosmetic companies without differentiation. In order to find out what a product does, look at its ingredient list.

Hydrators: Increasing Skin's Water Content

Hydrating products are formulated to add to your skin's water levels, producing a firmer, more youthful-looking complexion. They often have humectants, or water-soluble agents that are efficient at adding water content to your skin cells without blocking pores.

They are suitable for all skin types and are the most important factor in increasing overall hydration. Avoid products containing alcohol as they dry up and irritate the skin. 

Check for the following famous humectants in hydrating products:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Glycerin
• Aloe vera
• Snail mucin
• Glycolic acid
• Sodium hyaluronate
• Allantoin
• Lactic acid
• Citric acid
• Sodium PCA
• Sorbitol
• Urea
• Panthenol
• Marine extracts

How to hydrate my skin?

Begin with a hydrating product that has humectants, like a light serum or ampoule. Use it after toning and cleansing to add moisture to the deeper layers of your skin.

Then use a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type. For dry skin, use an oil-based moisturizer to seal in the hydration from the hydrating product. Use it as the last step in your skincare routine.

Moisturizers: Sealing in Moisture and Calming the Skin Barrier

Moisturizers, on the other hand, function by preventing moisture loss through the creation of a lipid barrier on the skin's surface, and preserve skin smoothness and softness. They contain emollients and occlusive agents that seal in moisture in the skin, preserving skin smoothness and softness.

Emollients soften and lubricate, while occlusives create a barrier on the skin's surface that prevents water loss by evaporation. Here are some common emollients and occlusives found in moisturizers:

Emollients: Squalene, beeswax, cocoa butter, dimethicone, shea butter, petrolatum, jojoba oil, argan oil, fatty acids, lanolin

Occlusives: Shea butter, mango butter, mineral oil, dimethicone, petroleum jelly (Vaseline), lanolin, petrolatum, beeswax, soybean oil, carnauba, castor oil, olive oil

The majority of oil-rich emollient ingredients also possess occlusive properties.

Lanolin oil and dimethicone are an excellent example of an ingredient that ticks both the occlusive and emollient boxes. Due to this, you'll find this ingredient in many facial and body products.

Moisturizers come in various forms, from light lotions to rich creams, depending on the season and your skin type. If you have oily, acne-prone skin, apply light, oil-free, non-comedogenic products.

Dry and sensitive skin types fare well with rich creams that have emollients and occlusive agents. You may apply a light gel or lotion for spring and summer and a richer cream for dry, cold fall and winter months.

How can I tell if my skin needs a hydrator, a moisturizer, or both?

To determine which product you need, it's critical to check its condition. Dehydrated skin lacks water, making your face look dull, tight, and have visible fine lines. Dry skin lacks oil, causing roughness and flakiness. Let's proceed and learn how to deal with each condition:

If you have dehydrated skin, apply a hydrating serum

Dehydrated skin

Dehydration markers include dullness, tightness, and increased visibility of fine lines. To combat this, specifically focus on introducing hydrating products into your skin care.

Apply hydrators first: Begin with a water-based hydrating serum or ampoule and apply it first and allow it to penetrate deeper into your skin. Humectants within the product pull in and hold moisture.

Seal with a moisturizer: Seal in the hydration gained using the hydrator with an oil-based moisturizer. This traps water and the benefits of your skincare routine into your skin.

If you have dry skin, use a thicker moisturizer

Dry skin:

If your skin is tight, rough, and flaky, then it's most likely oil deficient. To combat dryness, moisturizers come in handy.

Moisturizers are essential: Apply a moisturizer containing emollients and occlusive agents. Emollients nourish, feed, and lubricate the skin, while occlusive agents create a protective layer, preventing evaporation of the moisture.

Get the right formula: Depending on your skin type and the climate, select the right moisturizer. Oily skin prefers light lotions or emulsions, while dry and sensitive skin benefits from thicker creams.

 Related blog post: 12 Best Korean Face Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Can I apply hydrator and moisturizer simultaneously?

In certain cases, it is advisable to use hydrating as well as moisturizing products. Use a hydrating product with humectants first, followed by applying a moisturizer with emollients and occlusive agents to seal it in. Or, use products that offer you the best of both worlds and simplify your routine.

Do you hydrate or moisturize first?

To maximize results, hydrators and moisturizers must be used in the right order.

Hydrate first, moisturize second: Begin with a humectant-containing hydrating product to add water content. Then moisturize to seal in the hydration and nourishment.

Greatest absorption: Light hydrating serums and ampoules with molecules of lower size absorb deeper into the skin. Face creams thicker in consistency only work at the surface level, sealing goodness and moisture inside the skin.

Does oily skin need to be moisturized or hydrated??

Oily skin, like all skin types, requires good hydration and moisture, not what has long been believed.

Don't forget to hydrate: Oily skin also dehydrates, resulting in the creation of oil to be overproduced. It is important to apply light, oil-free moisturizers to maintain the skin in a balanced state.

Look for oil-free hydrators: Find hydrating products that are water-based and non-comedogenic for use on oily skin. They provide the skin with essential hydration without adding excess oil.

Conclusion

The difference between moisturizing and hydrating is key to being able to feed and protect your skin correctly. Hydrators top up the water content, leaving your skin plump and elastic, but moisturizers prevent moisture from escaping and stay put with a healthy barrier on your skin.

By applying the appropriate products for your skin type, you can achieve well-moisturized and well-hydrated skin. Harness the powers of humectants, emollients, and occlusives to have happy, glowing, healthy skin!