What’s the Difference between Hydrating and Moisturising?

We’ve all heard that the number one rule of skincare is moisturising; but what if we told you that there was a way to make your moisturiser more effective? If your skin is dry or if you live in a cold climate, the importance of locking in the benefits of moisturiser cannot go understated. Regardless of whether you have normal, combination, dry, oily, or sensitive skin, it’s time to focus on boosting hydration.

The team at Okana is taking a look at how you can lock moisture in during your skincare routine, making your products more effective and long-lasting.

What’s the Difference between Hydrating and Moisturising?

Let’s take a quick look at the science behind hydration and moisture. They may seem similar in theory; however, one is focused beneath the skin and the other above. The upper layers of the epidermis require a constant supply of water to ensure they stay plump and smooth. Dry skin has a tendency to age prematurely so that age-old advice to “drink more water” is a great starting point.

Hydrating products are designed to increase how much water enters the epidermis and stays there. These products often contain occlusive agents and humectants, such as glycerine or honey, to attract moisture to the area and prevent it from exiting the skin. Additional ingredients may include panthenol, vitamins and amino acids to encourage the skin’s uptake of water.

The way we see it, hydrating products are designed to replenish the actual water levels in the skin cells. This is why these products are specifically created to plump up the skin while moisturising products soften the skin and prevent water from evaporating from the pores. This is why you should replenish your water levels before using moisturising skincare products.

Of course, there can be a crossover where products achieve both and some moisturisers are water-based, containing binding ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Regardless, we believe your skin can never receive too much water so we recommend complementing your moisturiser with additional hydration.

Why You’ll Love Hydrating Your Skin

Keeping your skin hydrated will improve your confidence because when we look great, we feel great. There are many benefits to hydration, including keeping our skin plump and supple. Dehydrated skin comes with a range of additional issues that can negatively affect the way we feel about our appearance. When you want vibrant skin that almost bounces when you touch it, hydration is the key!

Along with dry skin, another unpleasant sight is dull skin. Dull skin usually has two causes; a lack of hydration or dead skin cells that have been allowed to build up. As we get older, hydration is even more important because dull skin becomes more pronounced with age. If you aren’t working on the issue now, it might be time to start.

Some of the additional benefits of hydration include:

• Combatting oily skin – when your skin is dehydrated, it signals to the glands to produce more oil as a defence mechanism.
• Calming acne – oily skin has a tendency to worsen acne, and this may have been caused by dehydration in the first place. Topical hydration products or a more nourishing diet may help people who suffer from acne.
• Your skin is less irritated and itchy – when your skin is dehydrated, it can cause discomfort and itchiness, especially at night. People with sensitive skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, need to be aware of their hydration levels.
• Better results with makeup – if you’re noticing your foundation turning dark or streaky throughout the day, this may be due to the excessive production of sebum from dry skin. Your makeup will stretch further and look better if your skin is plump and healthy.

How to Increase Your Skin’s Hydration Levels

We’ve covered this topic in greater detail in our article, “Simple Tips for Hydrating Your Skin”, but we’ll summarise here. Of course, the number one way to stay hydrated is to stay hydrated! You may be tired of hearing it but this is another reminder to drink water – there are absolutely zero negative outcomes to drinking more water, we promise.

Next up, take a look at your diet and the kinds of beauty products that you’re using. Just like nourishing your insides, your skin needs to be nourished with natural ingredients that hydrate and support it. Apply your moisturiser on top of hydrating toners, serums, creams, etc. Just make sure you’re starting with a clean base before applying skincare products.

When cleansing your skin, try to avoid hot water. Hot water can dry out your skin, so stick to lukewarm or cold water during your skincare routine. Finally, find a hydrating mask that you love and use it twice a week before bed.

Finding the Right Hydrating Products

If you aren’t sure which beauty products are best for your skin type, seek help from the professionals. Any beauty expert will be excited to walk you through your options and create a custom skincare plan. Just make sure you explain any problem areas you may have and emphasise that you’re looking for a way to hydrate your skin.

 

Follow our advice and you’ll be enjoying plumper, healthier, bouncier skin in no tim