HYDRATING VS MOISTURIZING: the key differences for glowing skin

nita5182
Oct 9
5 min read

Updated: Oct 11

Anyone who has experienced skin issues knows that feeling your best can largely be attributed to having clear skin. Although your skin's health is largely influenced by your overall health, your skincare routine also plays a major role. Even a person who is super healthy could still struggle with overly dry, oily, or blemished skin if they’re not using the right products.

Understanding what different products are and how they work is the key to figuring out what products will work best for your skin. Many people don’t realize just how important it is to prevent skin dryness with products that hydrate and moisturize the skin. Not only can these products keep the skin healthy and glowing but they can even prevent excess oil and clogged pores.

Hydration and moisturizing are commonly mixed up terms. It is rarely acknowledged that hydrating and moisturizing are not actually the same thing. This article will delve into hydrating vs moisturizing and share some key similarities and differences between the two.

"Any 'skin type' may become dehydrated! Although connected to genetic factors and aging, dehydration commonly occurs also due to dry environment, such as indoor heating, and exposure to wind and UV rays."

What Does Hydrating Mean?

The term hydration relates more directly to water. Products that are designed to hydrate the skin seek to help it absorb more water (or prevent water loss). Hydrating skin products also can draw water up from the deeper layers of the skin, bringing it to the outermost layers. Hydration focuses on infusing water into the cells so that they become more plump.

What Does Moisturizing Mean?

Your skin cells naturally possess a protective barrier that helps to seal in moisture to prevent drying out. Moisturizers focus on strengthening this barrier to keep the water sealed inside the cell. There are different types of moisturizers such as emollients, occlusives, and humectants.

Emollients include shea butter and coconut oil and they work to make the skin feel softer. Occlusives like soybean oil and beeswax create a barrier on the skin that prevents water from evaporating. Emollients work to soften and smooth the skin. When an emollient contains a higher amount of oil, it will work better for forming a protective layer on the skin, trapping moisture in place.

The Differences Between Hydrating and Moisturizing

Your skin obtains moisture and combats dryness with both hydraters and moisturizers. Some skin care products use terms like hydrating and moisturizing interchangeably. The main difference is that hydrating focuses on adding more water to the skin while moisturizing focuses on maintaining the cell barrier to keep the water in place.

Both hydrating and moisturizing are important ways to prevent dryness and maintain skin health. Sometimes, moisturizers contain hydrating properties and vice versa. Your skin definitely benefits from both, so finding products that feature both components is always beneficial.

Incorporating Hydration and Moisturization into Your Skincare

You’ll quickly notice results once you start to take hydrating and moisturizing your skin seriously. It’s all about finding the right products that work for your skin. Since everyone’s skin is a little different, not all moisturizers and hydrators are created equal. Below we’re sharing some of our favorite skin care products that will leave your skin feeling glowing and hydrated.

If you still see little to no improvement with sensitive skin after these steps, you may want to consult a dermatologist to rule out any larger underlying conditions. A topical steroid cream may be prescribed to treat more severe skin sensitivities, like eczema or rosacea. A dermatologist can help set your skin up for success since each person has different needs.

4 Tips for Layering Products

Combining the right skincare products can make for an effective and regimented skincare routine. There are some important things to consider before layering products though, including the order in which you apply them, your skin type, and more.

When mixing skincare products, it is important to pay attention to the ingredients to ensure that it is safe to mix them. Some ingredients shouldn’t be mixed together. Also, if you use two products together that both contain a similar or the same ingredient, then you may be giving your skin too much of a certain ingredient, causing dryness or excess oil.

Find below some tips on layering skin care to achieve the best results.

1. Consider Your Skin Type and Skin Conditions

Understanding your skin type can help you pinpoint the perfect products for your skin and hone into the best routine. Knowing what specific skin issues you struggle with can help when layering products. For example, if you have oily skin, you may want to shy away from using too many different oil-based products since it could exacerbate the oiliness of your skin.

If you struggle with dry skin, pay attention to your ingredient labels and look out for drying ingredients like salicylic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, and AHA. Some of these ingredients may still be okay for your skin but if you’re laying multiple products that contain them, it could lead to dryness.

2. Lightest to Heaviest Formulas

Did you know there is a specific order to follow when layering skin care products? If not, keep reading.

It is generally recommended that you start with the lighter skin care products and layer on the heavier ones. This means to consider the consistency of the product and start with those that are thinner or more liquidy. Here is an example of a skincare routine that follows this notion:

Cleanse the skin then dry with a clean towel.
Use a toner on the skin (this is a water-like product so it is likely to be the thinnest)
Next, add a serum. Serums help to moisturize and brighten the skin and they can help with specific skin conditions such as acne and wrinkles.
Add moisturizer next to lock in moisture.
If you’re going to use a face oil, add that after the moisturizer. Remember to use oils in small amounts (especially if you have oily skin).

3. Add an Antioxidant

Using a moisturizer that contains an antioxidant like vitamin C will add extra protection and nourishment for your skin. Pretty much any skin type will benefit from skin care products that contain vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to brighten the skin, protect it against sun damage, and promote collagen production.

Antioxidants also help to protect the skin against oxidative stress caused by harmful chemicals in the environment such as free radicals and air pollution.

4. Don't Forget Sun Protection

The very last product that you should always apply is a daily face sunscreen. The sun’s UV rays can be incredibly damaging to the skin and they affect you even when you aren’t spending the whole day out in the sun. Overtime, short periods of exposure can cause wrinkles and discoloration of the skin. For this reason, you should get in the habit of applying a face sunscreen daily to prevent sun damage from occurring. Always apply sunscreen after moisturizing.

Why Does the Order of Application Matter?

The Right Skincare Routine Is Essential

Not all skin creams and lotions are created equal–some hydrate, some moisturize and some do it all. Adding the right moisturizing products to your skin care routine can help you keep your skin glowing and bright. Find products that work well for your skin and don’t look back. You can (and should) moisturize your skin daily and as needed. It is okay to moisturize your skin more than once in a day, especially if you’re dealing with excessive dryness.

Published: March 21, 2023

Elisabeth Nehme, Board Certified Esthetician

and [ comfort zone ] Master Educator