Dehydrated or Dry Skin: What's the difference between hydrating and moisturizing?

September 01, 2020

Ugh isn't knowing exactly what your skin needs, frustrating? Yep, I totally understand.

Knowing if your skin is dehydrated or dry can be confusing but I'm here to break through confusion with some helpful way to determine what your skin really needs.

Hydrating and moisturizing can be confusing and those words are often used interchangeably. However, skin hydration (dehydration) and skin moisturization (levels of oils in the skin) are completely two different things. Your skin needs both daily to be healthy, plump, soft, and radiant!

So what does your skin need & how to tell?!?

Skin hydration is the amount of water in your skin cells. Skin cells are made of 70- 80% water. Thus if your skin cells are dehydrated, cells will be shriveled up like a raisin. No offense to the raisin but I would rather my cells be plump like a 🍇 grape! Dehydrated skin cells won't be as plump leading to dull lackluster skin and making fine lines more visible. NO ONE WANTS THAT!

Bonus Tip: Hydrated skin properly absorbs serums, moisturizers, and facial oils. Always mist your skin with a facial mist like Phyto Tonic after cleaning and before applying serum/moisturizers for added hydration. Then apply your serums and moisturizers like Glow Getter to your skin while still damp since it helps to lock in hydration.

If you are noticing more fine lines, crepey and lackluster skin, most likely your skin needs more hydration which comes from facial toners and tonics made with hydrosols and extracts, and humectants (draws water into the skin) like honey masks which help infuse those poor thirsty cells with nourishing hydrating phytonutrients.

But What about Moisture?

Skin moisturization is more about locking in that hydration/water content, protecting and nourishing the skin barrier, and reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Moisturizers like oils, serums, & creams lock in hydration & keep skin glowy, smooth and soft. Don't we all want that soft glowy skin? I know I do.

If you have dry, flaky, or patchy peeling complexion, you need to focus on adding oil based cleansers, moisturizing with serums, oils, & moisturizing masks bringing rich emollient softening properties.

Pro-Tip: ALWAYS use serums/facial oils before thicker balms like Clean Slate

Hopefully by now you have determined what your skin is craving.

The Simplify to Glow set will keep your skin both hydrated and moisturized

in 3 simple steps.