Hydration vs moisture. Choosing the right skincare

by Elena Taltavull | Jul 12, 2020

If you have ever felt completely lost when browsing the countless online skincare shops? Have you ever purchased facial care products and did not get the results you were expecting?

We were too.

And wanted to bring a little clarity to some terms that are used again and again to help you choose the best products for what your skin needs.

So what does your skin need?

Although it might not be as simple as this, we will start by answering one of the most basic questions out there.

Should you be hydrating or moisturizing your skin? What is even the difference?

Simply put, hydration equals water, and moisture equals oil.

If your skin is dehydrated, it is lacking water. And if your skin is dry, it is lacking oil.

A hydrator helps bring water to the skin using humectants that help collect moisture in the environment and bind it to the skin, which allows the skin to absorb the water.

A moisturizer contains oils that help lock in hydration and keep the skin feeling soft and smooth. All skin has a natural oil barrier, but when skin is drier, or aging, that lipid barrier starts to break down, and the skin loses moisture.

A good test is to pinch your cheek. If it's wrinkling with gentle pressure instead of holding its shape, your skin cells are desperate for water. Skin might also feel tight, look dull in the mirror along with more exaggerated dark circles beneath your eyes.

Look out for other signs like redness, lots of congestion, and inflammation.

Dehydrated skin does not have enough water and it is caused by many external factors, but the most common are weather, environment, diet, and caffeine consumption.

Dry skin, on the other hand, tends to be uncomfortable, flaky, and itchy. You might notice this more the eyebrows and around the corners of the nose and mouth. On the body, common trouble areas include the neck, the inside of the arms, and the thighs.

Dry skin lacks oil because it produces less sebum than normal skin, and the lack of sebum means the skin is without the lipids it needs to retain moisture and to build a strong barrier to protect against external aggressors,

If skin is constantly stripped of hydration and natural oils from toners and harsh cleansers, it will overreact by producing even more oil to try and protect the skin. The result can be oilier and more congested skin.

The use of organic and all natural skincare products will support a healthy skin by maintaining a healthy oil barrier to keep hydration locked in.

Products that aid in hydration are typically serums. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Some products combine hyaluronic acid with other ingredients to fight additional skin concerns, like vitamin C.

Check out our best selling THANYC Hyluronic acid serum. A potent hydrator filled with Hyluronic acid and aloe vera by THANYC Clean beauty.

If you need a moisturizer, look out for lotions, oils, and creams. If your skin is oilier, look for light weight lotions, and for drier skin, use a rich cream.