Hydrator vs Moisturizer: What Is The Right Choice For Your Skin
Water plays an important role in ensuring our skin stays healthy, smooth, and radiant. We should include products that promise to hydrate and moisturize skin in our skincare routine, as hydration or moisturizing is not only for people with dry or dehydrated skin to worry about. Hydrator and moisturizers are something you can consider to hydrate and moisturize skin.
But one thing you should know is that both hydrator and moisturizers aim to improve your skin’s hydration levels, but they work in different ways and serve different purposes. Hydrators keep the water trapped in your skin by absorbing moisture from the air. While moisturizers form a barrier to lock moisture in your skin to make it softer.
You will find plenty of beauty products in the market labeled hydrating or moisturizing, but do you know whether you should be picking a hydrator or moisturizer for your skin? It is important to determine the difference between these two, which can help you find the product that fits best for your skin.
What Is A Hydrator?
A hydrator is a skincare product designed to increase the water content in the skin using humectants. It works by replenishing and retaining moisture, helping to keep the skin hydrated and supple by collecting moisture in the environment. Hydrators typically come in lightweight serums, essences, or gel-like formulas easily absorbed into the skin.
Hydrators are suitable for all skin types but particularly beneficial for individuals with dehydrated skin. Dehydration can occur due to various factors such as environmental conditions, excessive sun exposure, harsh skincare products, or certain medications.
Whether your skin type is dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, aging, or dull, every skin needs proper hydration.
What Is A Moisturizer?
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A moisturizer is a skincare product that helps to hydrate the skin and maintain its moisture balance. Our skin has a natural lipid barrier. It will break down when our skin gets drier or aging, leading our skin to lose moisture. Moisturizer is designed to prevent water loss from the skin and create a protective barrier, resulting in a smoother, softer, and more supple complexion.
Moisturizers usually contain oils and emollient ingredients, such as shea butter. It usually comes in various forms, such as creams, lotions, gels, or balms, catering to different skin types and preferences.
Moisturizers are suitable for all skin types. Individuals with dry skin often benefit the most from moisturizers due to their intense hydration properties. When choosing a moisturizer, ensure it is specifically formulated for your skin type to avoid clogged pores or excessive greasiness.
How Do I Know If I Need Hydrator, Moisturizer, or Both?
If your skin type is dry, you may just need a healthy dose of moisturizer to restore its plump appearance and youthful growth. But it may also be possible that your skin is dehydrated instead of dry. If your skin is dehydrated, you need a hydrator to do the job.
First of all, you will need to understand your skin type. You need to take note of your skin’s condition to know if your skin is dehydrated or dry. A natural lipid barrier on your skin helps to protect itself from damage and water loss. If your skin is dry and flaky, it is a sign that there are not enough lipid cells to form a protective barrier. Without enough lipid cells, it is unable to lock in moisture, and this is where you will need moisturizers.
The job of a moisturizer is to reduce the amount of water to evaporate from your skin to minimize transepidermal water loss. It is helpful for skin that is dry and peeling or flaking using Retin-A or undergoing a chemical peel.
If you have a dull and lackluster complexion, and your wrinkles and fine lines are becoming more noticeable, you may be dealing with dehydrated skin. Your cells are parched and starved of water. Your skin won’t be plump and volumized and appear shriveled collectively.
Which Is Best For My Skin Type?
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If your skin is dry the whole year round and tends to peel or flake which is not related to the changes of weather, and your skin is having a hard time retaining moisture, you want to consider trying a thicker moisturizer.
Using a moisturizer helps to create a protective seal on the surface to lock in moisture, preventing water from leaving your skin. It will provide the nourishment your complexion needs with the right formula.
Occlusive agents are the best if your skin is really dry. If you want to avoid petrolatum, shea butter, soybean oil, or canola oil can work well with your skin. But the best will be petrolatum.
Try a hydrating serum if you have dehydrated skin, as you need to add water back into your skin. When selecting the hydrating serum, look for one with hyaluronic acid. It can retain up to 1,000 times its weight in water, adding a healthy dose of hydration back into your skin.
Use a water-based hydrator and moisturizer if you have oily skin. Oily skin doesn’t mean your skin isn’t dehydrated. But if your skin is dehydrated, it can exacerbate the oil issues on your skin.
People with oily skin usually face the issue of compromised barrier function. It makes their skin hard to retain moisture. The skin will get dehydrated when the moisture leaves the skin. The skin will end up producing more oil. The only way to solve the issue is to give your skin the proper hydration and moisture it needs.
Water-based moisturizers and hydration will feel lighter on the skin and won’t clog your pores. So when choosing moisturizers and hydration for your oily skin, look for water-based, non-comedogenic hydration and moisturizers.
