Hydrating or moisturizing product for your daily routine?

If you look closely at the product labels, you will see that there is a distinction between “hydrating” and “moisturizing”. And no, it’s not the same thing!

All cosmetic companies promote products that all promise a healthy, soft and glowing skin. It is really difficult to choose which cosmetics are most suitable for the care of your own skin through the great variety that exists. You know for sure that in your bathroom shelf there should undoubtedly be a good moisturizer.

Do you feel that your skin is dehydrated? For this purpose there are “hydrating” and “moisturizing” products. Both help to treat dryness and dehydration, helping you to have a youthful, velvety skin.

The common spot between “hydrators” and “moisturizers” is that they both nourish the skin. But they achieve it in a different way. Consider that “hydration” means water and “moisture” means oil. If your skin is dehydrated, then it lacks moisture, while if it is dry, then it lacks oiliness.

How are they different?
A hydrating product adds moisture to skin cells, helping it to absorb better fats and nutrients. On the other hand, a moisturizing product creates an invisible natural protective film around the skin that internally traps the above moisture. In this way, it prevents the evaporation of moisture and ensures that the skin will remain soft and silky.

In other words, a hydrating product is not enough for the skin to be soft, because it will not remain soft for a long time if there is not enough oil to retain moisture internally. If moisture escapes, then the skin ends up dry and prone to flaking. On the other hand, a moisturizing product is not enough because it can make dehydrated skin look soft, but it will essentially lack the internal moisture that the hydrating cosmetic infuses.

What does your skin need?

If your skin is dry all year round and tends to crack and flake off, then this is not related to the dehydration caused by cold weather. Obviously its protective film is not enough to retain moisture internally. In this case, you need a good moisturizing product, to form a protective film around your skin and seal the moisture inside. This will restore the firmness of the skin and your skin will look more velvet and full.

Bet on a viscous moisturizer with emollient ingredients that can help your skin retain its moisture and provide it with the necessary nutrients. Choose products that contain lanolin, shea butter, tea tree oil, rapeseed oil, as well as oils derived from vegetable oils, such as jojoba, coconut, almond or walnut oil.

If, on the other hand, you feel that your skin looks dull and that fine lines and wrinkles have become more visible, then it is obvious that your skin is dehydrated. You need a thin hydrating product to deal with dehydration and provide your skin with the necessary nutrition.

Prefer a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, which holds 1,000 times its weight in water and will offer a strong dose of hydration to your skin. Also try products that contain aloe vera, glycerin, honey, lactic or citric acid. In addition, moisturize your skin from the inside out, drinking enough water daily and enriching your menu with lots of fruits and vegetables.

If you want, you can use both products. Apply them simply in the following order: first hydrating to increase the internal humidity and then moisturizing to “lock” it inside. If you do not want to be overwhelmed with many products, then a good solution is face masks that combine both functions in one product!

Do you have oily skin?
If you have oily skin, it does not automatically mean that your skin is not dehydrated. Conversely, if your skin is dehydrated, it can exacerbate oiliness issues. Usually, people with oily skin do not have an adequate protective film, making it difficult for the skin to retain its natural oils. As these are lost from the skin, the skin becomes dehydrated and begins to produce even more oil.

It is a vicious circle that in order to break it, you need to properly nourish your skin. Look for 2 in 1 products (hydrating and moisturizing), which are based on the tomato that your skin is not dehydrated. Conversely, if your skin is dehydrated, it can exacerbate oiliness issues. Usually, people with oily skin do not have an adequate protective film, making it difficult for the skin to retain its natural oils. As these are lost from the skin, the skin becomes dehydrated and begins to produce even more oil.

It is a vicious circle that in order to break it, you need to properly nourish your skin. Look for 2-in-1 products (hydrating and moisturizing) that are water-based so that they are lighter for your skin and do not clog pores.