When I imagine radiant skin, I also imagine a dressing table overflowing with products essentially screaming “Hydrate! Moisturize!” at me. In the beauty world and to the average customer, the terms hydrated and moisturized are often promised interchangeably. While both processes are essential to nourishing your skin, they are not in fact the same thing. Being aware of the difference is crucial for developing a skin care routine best suited to your individual needs.

The hydration vs. moisture discussion can be simply summed up with: ‘Hydration equals water. Moisture equals oil.’ Skin that is dehydrated lacks water and needs to be “watered” with products focusing on hydration. On the other side, if your skin is dry, it lacks oil and as such, is in desperate need of products that moisturize. 

Hydrating and moisturizing products are not necessarily an either-or situation though. Hydration contributes to soft skin, but if your skin is dry, there will be little oil present to prevent that water from evaporating from the skin. Similarly, putting moisturizer on dehydrated skin is like slapping a temporary Band-Aid on the real problem: your skin may look somewhat smoother, but it won’t feel soft and will likely be dull and tight.

So how do you know if you need a hydrator, moisturizer, or both? Start by taking note of your skin’s problem areas. If your skin is dry and flaky, then it likely is not producing enough lipid cells to form an effective protective barrier that’s locking in moisture and preventing water loss, and could benefit from a moisturizer. If your skin is more on the dull, rough side and you’re beginning to see more noticeable wrinkles, then it is likely more of a hydration issue. And if your skin seems to be suffering with all of these problems, then it may need a little more tender love and care from a savvy team of both hydrators and moisturizers.

Most people can benefit from adding some hydrators and moisturizers to their skincare routine at some point in their life, and the best time to apply both products are in the morning and at night. So, the next time you’re in the beauty aisle at your local drugstore and see all those products yelling “Hydrate! Moisturize!” at you, know the difference, and buy the best products for you.

Written by: Prishni Seyone