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

September 01, 2020 1 Comment

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 (dry) are completely two different things. Your skin needs both daily to be healthy, plump, soft, and radiant! 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 plump leading to dull lackluster skin and making fine lines more visible. NO ONE WANTS THAT! Plus hydrated skin drinks in nourishment from treatments, serums, and moisturizers more easily because they are prepped to absorb.

Hydrated skin properly absorbs serums, moisturizers, and facial oils. Feel free to mist in between steps as well for added hydration or to refresh your skin throughout the day.

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. Pro-Tip, ALWAYS use a toner/tonic after cleansing to rehydrate skin cells before adding serums or moisturizers.

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/oils before thicker cream based moisturizers!

Hopefully by now you have determined what your skin is craving. Feed your skin the nourishment it needs through plants and natural skincare will keep your skin healthy, happy, and synthetic free.

Learn more about TEWL and protecting your microbiome.

XO,

Kara