The Difference Between Moisturizing and Hydrating
What is the Difference Between Moisturizing and Hydrating?
When your skin is healthy, it feels bouncy, radiant and clear. A critical step for a healthy and happy complexion is hydration, and although it seems simple enough, understanding the difference between hydration and moisturization can take your skincare routine to the next level.
Although, they both aim to improve skin health by preventing dryness, hydration and moisturization are in fact different. Your skin is made up of dead skin cells and lipids, this makes up the skin’s barrier which is responsible for protecting the cells underneath that hold water within the skin. Hydration refers to adding water back to the skin, while moisturization, on the other hand involves sealing in hydration, preventing water loss.
What is Skin Hydration?
Skin is composed of 64% water; it needs hydration to function and look its best. When the cells underneath the moisture barrier lose water, the cells can become shriveled, this leads to an appearance of dullness with more visible fine lines. If your skin feels tight, dry, and flakey, adding a hydrator can feel like a drink of water for thirsty skin. Plumping the cells back up, adding water back into your complexion leaving your skin feeling bouncy, refreshed, and healthy.
Hydrating Skin Products
Hydrating skin products deliver an instant dose of hydration. These are formulas that are designed to dose water molecules into the skin, leaving you with a soft, glowy and more elastic finish. You can try our Hyaluronic Acid Serum which holds 1000x its weight in water with a non-sticky, non-tacky finish. It is said to penetrate beyond the skin’s barrier to deliver more profound hydration or our Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum if you are looking for both hydration and barrier support. At THE INKEY LIST we know hydration is critical for healthy skin, so you have the option of choosing a hydrator that best suits your needs.
HYALURONIC ACID SERUM
Created with Multi- Molecular Hyaluronic Acid, for maximum hydration this formula is light weight, non- sticky and an instant dose of pure hydration. Formulated with high and low molecular weights of Hyaluronic Acid, it immediately hydrates the surface of the skin while low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid penetrates a deeper surface level of the skin for long lasting hydration and plumping effects.
ECTOIN HYDRO-BARRIER SERUM
Offering hydration plus barrier support, this product features hero ingredient Ectoin, an amino acid derivative known as an extremolyte; Ectoin floods the skin with hydration and then adheres to itself reinforcing and strengthening the skin’s barrier. Coupled with 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid and strengthened by a 1% barrier blend, this product is clinically proven to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier in just 15 minutes. *
OMEGA WATER CREAM
Ideal for all skin types, this lightweight gel-cream instantly transforms on the skin delivering a lightweight veil of hydration. Formulated without any oils or silicones, this moisturizer nourishes and hydrates the skin without feeling heavy on the skin or making it feel greasy. It combines barrier supporting omega fatty acids with Glycerin to lock in moisture and a dash of Niacinamide at 5% to promote a more even skin tone.
BIO-ACTIVE CERAMIDE REPAIRING AND PLUMPING MOISTURIZER
This decadent moisturizer hydrates the skin deeply through Bio-Active Ceramides that prevent water loss, improving hydration and barrier function. Fortified with Gransil Blur, this moisturizer has a soft-focus effect that makes the skin look softened. It helps to also target the six key signs of aging: fine lines, plumping, barrier function, elasticity, lift and wrinkles.
POLYGLUTAMIC ACID SERUM
Similar to Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid holds moisture- in fact, it holds four times more moisture than Hyaluronic Acid. The difference is that it does so on the surface of the skin. This 3% high molecular weight amino polymer enhances moisturization, aids in reducing the appearance of fine lines and brightens and evens the complexion. The silky texture makes it perfect to use as a primer beneath your make up.
Understanding the difference between hydration and moisturization is key to building an effective skincare routine. Hydration, delivered through our hydrate-step serums, ensures your skin has the water it needs to stay plump and healthy, while moisturization locks in that hydration and provides essential nourishment as the final step before SPF in the morning and as the last layer of care in the evening.
By combining both, you’re giving your skin everything it needs to stay balanced, resilient, and glowing—because true skin health is about more than just one step; it’s about the right steps in the right order.
