Hydration and moisture are often used interchangeably in the skincare industry, but their functions are very different. Hydration refers to the water levels in your skin, while moisture refers to the oil content.
Hydrating skincare products emphasise restoring the water content in your skin, while moisturising products aim to lock in moisture and protect your epidermis from moisture loss.
The main difference between hydrating and moisturising products lies in the ingredients. Hydrating products are infused with humectants that attract water from the environment to the surface of the skin. On the other hand, moisturising products are made up of emollients, occlusives and protein rejuvenators that form a protective layer on the skin to prevent dehydration.
If your skin often feels tight and itchy, it may be dehydrated. Dullness is another sign of dehydration too. On the contrary, dry skin generally produces less sebum than regular skin. As a result, it can feel rough, flaky and maybe even a little oily in certain areas where the sebaceous glands are trying to compensate for the lack of sebum.
However, it’s also important to understand that both hydration and moisture play a key role in maintaining healthy skin, so a good balance is essential.
Cleansing is a necessity for all skin types. However, some face cleansers end up stripping not just dirt and impurities, but the skin’s natural oils too. This can lead to tightness, dryness and discomfort.
If you have normal to dry skin, it’s essential to get a hydrating face wash that eliminates grime without removing your skin’s natural oils. The Clarins Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser is a wonderfully hydrating face wash for normal to dry skin, with a fresh formula that includes 91% ingredients from natural origin and naturally-lathering agents to keep your skin clean and hydrated. It envelops your skin in a silky, cloud-like foam that rinses off easily.
This foaming cleanser effectively hydrates and rebalances the skin’s moisture levels, thanks to its botanical blend of Aloe Vera, Gentian, Lemon Balm and Moringa extracts. Moringa helps to purify the skin and Aloe Vera delivers hydration so your skin feels soft and refreshed after each rinse.
When it comes to hydrating cleansers, plant-based formulations are always the safest options for your skin. Look for ingredients that boost hydration without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Aloe Vera is widely known for its hydrating benefits, thanks to its high water content.
Apart from Aloe Vera, Glycerin is another useful ingredient in hydrating cleansers. It is a humectant that helps to attract water to the outer layer of your skin, keeping it soft and hydrated so you won’t have to worry about your skin feeling itchy or tight after cleansing.
Are you cleansing your skin the right way? Mastering this step is essential to maintaining healthy skin. Browse our collection of helpful tips on how to achieve a smoother complexion, starting with cleansing — the very first step in every skincare routine.
