Skin Care: Hydrating vs. Moisturizing

Since winter is here - let's talk about hydrating and moisturizing your skin. While they may seem the same, they are two distinctly different ingredients to perfect skin.

There are key aspects of skin care that are absolutely true - drinking water / keeping hydrated is key, and we should definitely moisturize.

Keeping hydrated is the best way to assure your body is removing toxins and digesting properly to absorb nutrients. We all want plump beautiful skin, so we should be drinking half our body weight in water every day!

So, what's the difference between moisturizing your skin and drinking water?

In essence: hydrating brings water to the skin and moisturizing keeps the water within the skin - we are always aiming for a perfect balance of hydration and moisture.

HYDRATION VS. MOISTURE

Hydration is bringing water to the skin via our food and water. Hydration assists the skin’s natural barrier function; this allows for the proper shedding of dead skin cells, and the creation of new skin cells. This makes sense because when our body is hydrated it operates at a higher capacity and is able to cleanse + detoxify itself through natural functions, allowing our skin to be more radiant and healthy. When we are hydrated we are less prone to dull skin, fine lines, and aggravated dry red spots. Essentially, staying hydrated plumps you up!

Moisturizing assists the skin in keeping that water in the body - and prevents transdermal water loss. Oily skin types tend to have an overabundance and dry skin types have less oil, which makes it hard for their skin to keep the water content at an optimal level.

Now that we know the difference between hydrating and moisturizing, let’s discuss how to attain both.

Moisturizing -

Layering products is key to proper moisturizing - so layering light -> heavy.

For example, you would first use a toner/hydrosol/essence product, then a serum, then a lotion or balm.

Each skin type varies a bit in the amount of moisturizing and the type of moisturizer that will work best. There are a couple of different types of moisturizers, but the two main categories are oil or water based - within those, serums, oils, gels, lotions etc.

Oily and Combination skin types tend to do better with water based products like gels and light lotion products whereas dry skin types tend towards oil based products or buttery lotions.

Hydrating -

I know I'm not alone in this, but drinking almost 70 oz of water a day is pretty hard for me. These are my favorite water recipes for skin care! In order to stay hydrated, drinking water has to feel fun in a sense. You can’t look at it as a job, or you’ll totally forget.

D.I.Y. NATURALLY FLAVORED WATER

Lemon / Lime Water Activates the liver to help with detoxifying and its a great boost of vitamin c - great for combination skin types!

Basil is a natural antiseptic, you can even use this as an acne face rinse or steam in an at-home facial. Plus, it's great fix for dry mouth or bad breath!

Mint is a natural blood purifier and contains natural salicylic acid, you can use this in a steam for a facial during a break out.

Watermelon is super tasty, hydrating and gorgeous! Watermelon contains vitamin C + A, antioxidants and lycopene! Watermelon naturally increases collagen production, so this is a great summer drink especially for those who tan!

Green Tea contains tons of antioxidants, a light amount of caffeine and boosts your immune system.

Apple Cider Vinegar is toning to the skin (use diluted), it naturally activates the liver + helps aid in digestion.

I also enjoy infusing cucumber, making teas like Hibiscus, adding herbal tinctures/extracts or chlorophyll to my water too!