The Difference Between Hydration And Moisturization For The Skin
By now you probably come across the words ‘hydrating’ and ‘moisturizing’ in a moisturizer and this can be confusing. Don’t they mean the same thing? Well, not really. Here’s how the terms carry different meanings, and how they work for your skin. Why, you ask? The difference is because of how it will work according to your skin type.
The confusion is understandable as there are no clear regulations to regulate how the terms are used in skincare products. Plus, there’s a chance that a hydrating ingredient is added into a ‘moisturizing’ moisturizer and the opposite is also true.
But let’s simplify it right here.
Both terms have the same aim for the skin – to keep them supple and the difference is the ingredients/formulation that is used and how they work for the skin.
Hydrating is basically meant to hydrate the skin – adding water content to skin cells – that will keep them from becoming dry. Notable hydrating ingredients include water, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera, and they’re usually formulated as one of the major ingredients in a hydrator.
As for moisturizing, the term means adding lipids into the skin, strengthens the skin barrier, and prevents water content within the skin cells from evaporating. This will help the skin not only stay supple but also moisturized and protected from environmental hazards. Top ingredients that can get the job done include ceramides, plant oils, squalene, and emollients.
Why is there a difference?
Well, the need arose to cater to needs for specific skin types. Just like hydrating toners emerged to address dry and sensitive skin issues after traditional toners are too drying for their skin, the same also applies here.
Hydrating moisturizer addresses needs for dry and sensitive skin types, while moisturizing ones work for all skin types, and addresses well for barrier-compromised skin such as sunburn, allergic reactions, eczema, or psoriasis.
The definitions above are clear-cut and easy to recognize if they’re clearly labeled on the product and only one type of it in the formula. How about if they are both hydrating and moisturizing formulated into one single product?
Fret not as you can narrow it down further by looking at the list of ingredients on the moisturizer. By regulation, they’re listed from the most to the least amount in the formula so if you’re looking at the top five (or even three) you can gauge the ingredients (as listed above) whether the product is for hydrating or moisturizer.
Can you use both types in your routine?
Of course! Given that our skin changes depending on stress levels, temperature, environment, or even the medications we’re currently using, in some cases you might need two types to cover all aspects of moisturizing your skin.
You can use both types at the same time or reserve one type to use once a day. The choice is up to you as long as you keep the skin moisturized, healthy, and supple.
