Hydration and moisture are two distinct skin care needs. Hydrating ingredients in skin care products attract water to the outermost layer of the skin, while moisturizing ingredients lubricate the skin to prevent water from escaping.
Many products marketed as “moisturizers” have both moisturizing and hydrating properties. Additionally, because there is
People may not know if they need more hydration or moisture in their skin care routine, but this is not always necessary when choosing products. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) recommends that people pick products formulated for their skin type, such as dry or oily.
Read more to learn about the differences between hydration and moisture, how to tell which ingredients a person’s skin needs most, and more.
A simple way to differentiate these terms is to remember that hydration refers to water while moisture refers to oil.
Skin care products use different ingredients to either hydrate or moisturize the skin. Some ingredients, such as humectants, do both.
Examples of hydrating ingredients
In addition to being hydrating ingredients, humectants are
According to a
Many products labeled as moisturizers contain hydrating ingredients in addition to moisturizing emollients and occlusives. Each type of ingredient offers different benefits, so many skin care products have a combination of all three.
Their uses
Among the three types of ingredients, there is some overlap in the type of skin they benefit. A dermatologist can sort this out and tell people if their skin requires more moisture, hydration, or both. These professionals can also provide suggestions for specific products that address these needs.
A small
The results indicated that consuming more water made a difference in some skin characteristics but not others.
When people consumed more water, the hydration in the epidermis — the outermost layer of skin — increased. The authors concluded that higher water intake has a positive effect on skin physiology. Despite this finding, they did not note an optimal daily water intake amount.
However, an older
Individuals may not know if they need more hydration or moisture. Additionally, few people are familiar with the many ingredients on skin care product labels.
The AADA advises choosing skin care products based on an individual’s skin type. This involves looking for products that have specific formulations for the following skin types:
For aging skin, the AADA recommends choosing products that are hypoallergenic. This means they do not trigger an allergic reaction. It also advocates selecting products that are non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic, meaning they do not cause acne.
Aside from using skin care products, a person can take various steps to keep their skin hydrated and healthy. The AADA encourages people to:
If a person has dry skin, the AADA recommends they:
When people are deciding between products that provide hydration or moisture, it may help to become familiar with a few ingredients that fit into both categories.
Examples of hydrators
Last medically reviewed on February 27, 2022
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