Having tight, rough-feeling skin is a common concern that most of us face at some point or another. Learning how to figure out whether hydrating vs. moisturizing is the proper course of action is an essential first step in restoring your skin’s healthy appearance. Though often used interchangeably, hydration and moisturization are, in fact, two completely different things. Even more confusing, dehydration and dryness tend to present similarly, with symptoms like rough skin and emphasized fine lines and wrinkles. And the cherry on top of the already-complicated sundae: A lot of hydrating ingredients happen to also be moisturizing, and vice versa. So what’s the real difference between the two? And why are they so important? Read on for everything you need to know about the difference between skin hydration and skin moisture. What Are the Differences Between Hydrating and Moisturizing? The main difference between hydrating vs. moisturizing is what each does for your skin: hydrating adds water, while moisturizing helps trap it in. Both are essential for plump, smooth, healthy-looking skin. What does hydrating your skin mean? Hydrating your skin means replenishing its water content. Healthy skin contains about 64% water, per the Cleveland Clinic. Certain factors, such as exposure to cold, dry air and maintaining an improper skincare routine, can cause your skin to lose water, resulting in dehydration. Skin hydration is important for the health and proper functioning of skin cells, but it’s also important for the way your skin appears. Without proper hydration, skin can look lusterless and crepey—plus, fine lines and wrinkles can look more prominent. What does moisturizing your skin mean? Moisturizing helps trap water in your skin to prevent excessive moisture loss. It can also help minimize the feelings of dryness and promote a softer, smoother skin texture. Perhaps most importantly, moisturized skin helps the skin barrier intact. The skin barrier is the surface layer of skin that's responsible for locking in moisture and keeping irritants out. When the barrier is compromised, it's more likely to show signs of irritation, including flaking and redness. How To Tell If Your Skin Needs Hydration or Moisture Since dryness and dehydration often look similar, it can be tricky to determine whether you need to hydrate or moisturize your skin. Here are some tell-tale signs to look out for. What does dehydrated skin look like? Dehydrated skin appears lackluster and dull, and it’s generally a bit slack rather than plump and bouncy. In some cases, dehydration can also cause the skin to become rough and flaky, which can make it difficult to distinguish from dry skin. It’s important to note that all skin types can become dehydrated, including oily skin—having a shiny T-zone isn’t always a sign that your skin is properly hydrated (one of several reasons why moisturizing is a must for all skin types). What does dry skin look like? Dry skin is a skin type characterized by a lower-than-average production of oil (which helps to trap water in the skin). When the skin is dry, it typically looks dull and lackluster, but it may also feel tight, itchy, or more sensitive than usual. In some cases, it may flake, crack, or peel. One way to tell if your skin concerns are due to dryness or dehydration is to assess your skin at baseline—that is, how it normally looks and feels. If your skin always tends to be rough and dry, chances are good that you have a dry skin type. If the dullness and roughness only occur periodically, however—like during the wintertime or after skipping your skincare routine—your skin may be dehydrated rather than dry. How To Hydrate and Moisturize Your Skin How to hydrate your skin When it comes to hydration, you can’t simply splash water on your face and hope for the best. Instead, focus on incorporating hydrating humectant ingredients into your routine. Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient for hydrating the skin. This gel-like molecule helps attract and retain water, and when used in skincare products, can help hydrate, smooth, and plump the skin. To hydrate your skin without weighing it down, try reaching for a hyaluronic serum, such as the iconic Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This oil-free face serum features just 11 ingredients and boasts a non-sticky, fast-absorbing formula that visibly plumps and hydrates skin while simultaneously strengthening the skin barrier. We also love the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which leaves the skin looking bouncy, youthful, and smooth. After applying your hyaluronic acid serum (and letting it absorb), smooth on a moisturizer to help trap in water for long-lasting hydration. Because dehydration can exacerbate the visible signs of aging, a formula that works to visibly firm the skin and smooth fine lines, like the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer with SPF 30, can be helpful. This daily-use moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and pro-retinol and provides up to 48 hours of hydration without a greasy feel. Plus, it’s infused with broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to help shield your skin from damaging (and dehydrating) UV rays. Finally, to keep your skin hydrated, it’s a good idea to maintain a balanced diet, get plenty of sleep, and drink lots of water—while these habits alone won’t hydrate your skin, they can help to support a healthy-looking (and feeling!) complexion. How to moisturize your skin The best way to moisturize your skin is, unsurprisingly, with a moisturizer—ideally one tailored to your unique needs. If your skin is dry and rough, look for a moisturizer that contains lightweight oils to help nourish and smooth your skin texture. The SkinCeuticals Emollience cream is a great pick for dry skin. It offers a heaping dose of lipids combined with nourishing plant oils, hydrating algae extract, and soothing essential oils to deeply nourish skin and maintain skin moisture. Or, try a moisturizer designed to help replenish the skin barrier, such as the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream. The balm-to-cream formula contains glycerin, beta-glucan, and colloidal oatmeal and helps relieve dryness up to 10 layers deep. You can use the nourishing formula alone or layer it on top of your go-to moisturizer for soft, smooth-feeling skin. If your skin is extremely dry, you may want to try slugging. This popular skincare technique involves applying a petrolatum-based ointment onto clean, moisturized skin before going to bed. The ointment acts as a barrier to help trap in moisture, making your skin feel soft, smooth, and intensely moisturized. If you want to try slugging, be sure to do so with a formula designed for use on the face. We love the CeraVe Healing Ointment, which boasts petrolatum alongside skin-loving ceramides and hyaluronic acid. There are also several tweaks you can make to your routine to help prevent dryness. For starters, if you usually take scorching showers, try turning the temperature down. Ultra-hot water can strip your skin of moisture, making it more vulnerable to dryness and discomfort. Instead, bathe in lukewarm water, swap your go-to face wash for a hydrating cleanser (we love the La Roche-Posay Toleraine Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser), and apply moisturizer immediately after showering to help trap in water and keep your skin feeling its best. Next Up: A Simple Skincare Routine for Dry Skin Types
