Confused between hydrating skin and moisturizing skin? You are not alone. In the glossary of skincare, a few terms are often confused with the other. Such a pair is ’hydrating’ and ’moisturizing’. Though we feel they are similar, there is a major difference between them. They do not work the same on your skin. Keep reading to learn more.
Hydration focuses on building your skin’s water content. It involves infusing your skin with water and improving its ability to remain supple and bouncy. As a result, hydrated skin absorbs nutrients better and appears smooth and radiant.
On the other hand, moisturizing seals or restores moisture to protect your skin’s barrier and prevent water loss. Moisturized skin is soft and smooth.
The difference between hydration and moisturization can be easily understood by the types of ingredients found in skin care products.
Hydrators
contain water-based ingredients that add water and impart a healthy glow to your skin. Here is how hydration benefits your skin:
Hydration is crucial, especially for people who have dehydrated and flaky skin.
Moisturizers contain oil-based ingredients that help create an oily layer on the skin to stop water from escaping through your dermis. Some other benefits of a moisturizer for your skin are (1):
Poorly moisturized skin might experience dryness, breakouts, and premature aging. Moisturizing is thus as essential for healthy skin as hydration.
A hydrator keeps your skin soft, plump, and elastic. But all that hydration will evaporate and not last long without a moisturizer. Moisturization creates a protective barrier on your skin to seal in water. Slathering moisturizers on dry skin can temporarily make it feel smooth, but dehydrated skin will still look dull.
If you are struggling with dehydrated, dull, and shrunken skin, a hydrator can help. On the other hand, if you experience dryness, flakes, fine lines, and roughness, a moisturizer will help improve your skin health and provide nourishment.
Ideally, a good skin care regimen will have a combination of hydrating as well as moisturizing products. You can first use a hydrating serum and then apply a moisturizer to prevent moisture loss from your skin.
Our skin also needs replenishment, just like our body needs to be hydrated from time to time.
Dehydration is a condition where the body requires more water than the intake ratio. It can affect various organs, including the skin. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize the primary signs of dehydrated skin:
Low water intake, excessive perspiration, and sun exposure might cause dehydration. However, dehydrated skin can be restored to a healthy state if you supply it with enough water: internally and topically.
Dry skin is a consequence of weak or damaged lipid barrier of your skin. It indicates a deficiency of oils and lipids, making the skin look flaky and rough. Harsh environmental factors like low humidity, excessive heat, and cold winds also lead to dry skin. If you notice any of these symptoms, there is a good chance your skin is drying out (2):
The key to prevent dryness and smoothen your skin is to generously apply a moisturizer. Moisturizers enhance the barrier function of your skin and lock in the existing moisture content.
Hydrating your skin is essential, and one of the easiest ways to maintain hydrated skin is by increasing your water intake. Drink water at regular intervals (preferably 3-4 liters a day) and consume water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon, peaches, and tomatoes.
You can also use a hydrator to add the lost water back to your skin. Opt for humectants that gather moisture from the environment and bind it in the skin. There are different forms of humectants, such as:
Hydrating ingredients are suitable for all skin types. They are usually water-soluble and do not clog your pores.
Moisturizers are formulated for different skin types and seasons. For acne-prone and oily skin, choose a lightweight and gel-based moisturizer. On the other hand, thick creams and emollient moisturizers are suitable for dry and rough skin types. Oil-free gels or lotions are ideal for hot summer days, whereas heavier products with oils and butters are useful for chilly winter days.
Here are some effective ingredients you can use for hydrating and moisturizing your skin.
Hyaluronic acid is a widely used humectant in many skin care products. It locks in hydration, makes your skin firm and elastic, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles (3). Hyaluronic acid is also known for its soothing properties – it helps treat redness and skin inflammation.
Iqra Javed, a blogger, shared her experience of applying hyaluronic acid to her skin. She had struggled with dry skin all her life and hyaluronic acid turned out to be a game-changer for her skin. In her blog, she wrote, “Its ability to hold moisture transformed my complexion, leaving it dewy and revitalized (i).”
Quick Tip
Use a face mist or toner to dampen your skin before applying hyaluronic acid to maximize its hydrating effects. Follow this up with a moisturizer to lock in moisture and make your skin appear plump and healthy.
Ceramides are lipids or fats that play an important role in maintaining your skin health. They protect your skin barrier and improve permeability (4). Although they naturally occur in the skin, their number and effectiveness reduce due to age and sun damage, resulting in rough and dry skin. They help smoothen your skin, reduce fine lines, and make your skin firm.
Shea butter has a high concentration of oleic, stearic, linoleic, and palmitic fatty acids (5). It acts as an emollient and helps moisturize your skin. Shea butter protects your skin from sun damage, delays aging and treats inflammation (6). It retains the natural oils of your skin and stimulates the production of collagen and proteins. This ingredient also creates a healthy and smooth skin barrier. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties make it a key ingredient in skin care products (6).
Squalene is a natural antioxidant that detoxifies your skin and exhibits emollient activities (7). It is an excellent source of hydration and makes the skin glow. This ingredient protects your skin’s lipid barrier from harmful UV rays and oxidative damage (8). It keeps your skin supple and treats skin irritations without leaving any oily residue (8).
Other humectants that improve your skin health include lactic acid, glycolic acid, and polyhydroxy acids. These ingredients provide nourishment and hydration and help exfoliate your skin (9).
For best results, hydrators and moisturizers should be applied both during the day and night. A skin care routine for dehydrated or dry skin should involve the following practices.
Quick Tip
Follow up your moisturizer with 2-3 drops of a facial oil, such as squalene or rosehip, to enhance your nighttime skincare routine. This will help seal in the moisture and work from within while you sleep.
Hydrators help supplements your skin with the lost moisture, while moisturizers lock in the hydration.
For dehydrated skin, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, snail mucin, aloe, and honey, whereas moisturizers should be infused with shea butter, lanolin, mineral oil, glycerin, or ceramides.
First, apply humectants like hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin and follow up with occlusives like butters or oils to seal the moisture.
Some skin care products work as both hydrators and moisturizers. For instance, face masks can benefit your skin with the best of both worlds – hydration and moisturization.
A few lifestyle changes can go a long way in keeping your skin soft, smooth, and bright. Here are a few steps to up your hydration and moisturizing game.
Your skin care routine is more important than the products you apply. Any mistake in the process can considerably affect the hydration and moisture levels of your skin. Here are a few points you must abide by to make your products work.
Hydrators and moisturizers nourish your skin, but they are not the same. Your skin responds to hydration and moisturization in different ways. It all depends on your skin type, and most creams can help with both. Remember that a hydrator can benefit you if you have dry, dull, or shrinking skin. On the other hand, a moisturizer will help enhance your skin’s health and provide nourishment if you have dryness, flakes, fine lines, or roughness. Knowing the differences will assist you in making the best decision and effectively addressing your skin condition. You may also consult a dermatologist to determine your skin needs and use suitable products.
Which is better, hydrating or moisturizing?
Both are equally important. While hydrating your skin without moisturizing would not help seal the hydration, moisturizing dehydrated skin only makes it look dull and lifeless. You must keep your skin hydrated and then moisturize it to reap the benefits of both the steps.
Can I use a hydrator instead of a moisturizer?
No, you cannot use one in place of the other. Both have distinct functions and effects as mentioned above. Use them together to make your skin happy in and out.
Take a look at this insightful video to find the difference between hydrate and moisturize. Examine the differences between them in terms of maintaining skin moisture, nourishing the skin, and the significance of each for your skincare regimen.
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Dr. Madhuri Agarwal is an aesthetic dermatologist with over 16 years of experience and the Medical Director & CEO of Yavana Aesthetics Clinic. She caters to a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds, including top names from the television and fashion fraternity, CEOs, and entrepreneurs, and delivers injectables and advanced technologies to her clients.
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Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.
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Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
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Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.
Read full bio of Monomita Chakraborty