Hydrator vs. Moisturizer

As the largest organ in our body, our skin requires special treatment to keep its youthful glow. Not many of us know that moisturizing and hydrating, although often used interchangeably, are not the same thing. While they both provide our skin with much-needed nourishment, knowing the difference will help you make the best choice for your skin’s specific needs. Whether you have acne prone skin, oily skin, dry skin, normal skin, or mature skin, moisturizing and hydrating is essential no matter your skin type.

Dry and dehydrated skin differ. Dehydrated skin lacks water and dry skin lacks oil. So, your skin could be dehydrated, dry, or both. Therefore, it is important to choose the right hydrating and moisturizing products and know how and when to use them for proper skin hydration.

HYDRATION

Dehydrated skin tends to look dull and feel tight, even when properly moisturized. Hyaluronic acid is, by far, the gold standard when it comes to keeping the skin hydrated. This molecule packs a punch by holding a thousand times its weight in water supplying proper hydration to the skin. Just like collagen, hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the body. Unfortunately, the skin’s supply of both depletes as we age. This causes our skin to thin and appear dull. Loss of collagen and hyaluronic acid slows down the rate of skin cell regeneration. Our skin needs to be hydrated not only to look good, but also to function optimally. HA5 (SkinMedica) was created specifically to deliver treatment throughout the day; immediate hydration initially to the skin’s protective barrier and time released over eight hours.  It should be applied to a damp face after using TNS Recovery Complex.

MOISTURIZE

Dry skin – lack of moisture – can result in rough, dry, itchy, or flaky skin. It can be caused by medications, long hot showers, metabolic/hormone changes and chemical exposure such as chlorine in the pool. Even prolonged exposure to air conditioning (a must have in Florida!) can cause dry skin affecting the production of your skin’s natural oils.  A great choice for an everyday moisturizer is Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream.  It contains a specialized mixture of emollients and humectants to improve your skin’s barrier and skin barrier function. Cetaphil is clinically proven to bind water to the skin and prevent moisture loss.  It is available at most retail stores. Moisturizer should be applied after hydrating serum.

The better you treat your skin, the happier it is. Hydrating and moisturizing smooths out fine lines and wrinkles, so you look younger giving skin a naturally radiant glow that makes every skin cell in your body work at its best.