Hydrating vs Moisturizing
Sep 27, 2021 9:29am
Okay, this one is a little tricky… So pay attention! Even though we often see the two words used interchangeably, there is actually a difference between hydrating and moisturizing. The two terms refer to two different skin conditions: Dehydrated and dry skin. Dehydrated skin lacks water, dry skin lacks natural oils. So, hydrating skincare adds water to the skin and trap water within the skin, whereas moisturizing skincare create a barrier on the skin that keeps oil from escaping.
Dehydrated Skin
Dehydration is a skin condition that happens when our skin is stripped of water or moisture. Usually, this is caused by long periods of time in air conditioned rooms, not drinking enough water, showering with hot water, and not using the proper skincare products. Dehydrated skin can cause symptoms such as dullness, itchiness, sunken or dark under eyes, dark spots around eyes and nose, and increased amount of fine lines or wrinkles. Not just that, severe dehydration can go beyond the skin and cause dizziness, dry mouth, lightheadedness, weakness, and unhealthy urination. To determine if your skin is dehydrated, do the pinch test! Squeeze a small portion of your skin around the cheek area. If your skin doesn’t bounce back after you let go, then your skin may be dehydrated.
Dehydration is treatable with lifestyle changes. First obvious step is to drink plenty of water. Health experts recommend two litres of water per day and some even suggest you need to sip on water throughout the day, even when you’re not thirsty. Of course, each person’s necessary water intake depends on the individual (health condition, how often you sweat or urinate, etc). So sip on water accordingly. To prevent dehydration, you can also reduce alcohol intake, drink less caffeine, stop smoking, exercise, get enough sleep, and eat more fibres in the form of fruits and vegetables.
When it comes to skincare, you need to add water back into the skin. Look for skincare that has tons of hydrating properties such as hyaluronic acid. Try Skin Dewi Rehydrate Kit for Dehydrated Skin, which contains Bamboo Cleansing oil, Raspberry Hydrating Cleansing Milk, and Ginkgo Biloba Firming Facial Cream. Available in Shopee, Tokopedia, or skindewi.com.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is a skin type that happens when your sebaceous glands don’t produce enough natural oils. This can be caused by genetics, weather, underlying health condition, or age. Usually, symptoms of dry skin include scaly skin, white flakes, irritatation, and redness around the nose and mouth. Left untreated, dry skin can be uncomfortable or painful, and can even lead to eczema.
Fortunately, dry skin is easier to treat than dehydration. The key is moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize! When your skin is dry, avoid harsh soaps and opt for thicker moisturizer that contains ingredients such as glycerin or ceramides. Try Skin Dewi Glowing Kit for Dry Skin, which includes Bamboo Cleansing Oil and Raspberry Hydrating Cleansing Milk as cleansers, Helichrysum Brightening Vitamin C Treatment as serum, and Ginkgo Biloba Firming Facial Cream to lock in moisture into your skin. Available in Shopee, Tokopedia, or skindewi.com!