To Hydrate or to Moisturize? This is the Question

Summer is over and dryer, cooler, less humid days of Fall are upon us. Fall also brings the back to school and work challenges and an avalanche of responsibilities we postponed taking advantage of the summer times. Finally, soon …. Holliday Season is approaching. In short – plenty of pressure on our already overstressed skin. This often brings an onslaught of outbreaks, redness and other skin problems.

So- what should we do to combat this “Fall Overstressed Skin” syndrome? We often hear the advice to hydrate and to moisturize…. Should we do both? What is the difference between two and how to use one, another or both to return our skin to the welcomed clarity, balance and radiance.

What Are the Differences Between Hydrating and Moisturizing?

Though often used interchangeably, hydration and moisturization are two completely different things. Even more confusing, dehydration and dryness tend to have similar symptoms like breakouts, rough skin and extra fine lines and wrinkles. In addition- 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 both so important?

The main difference between hydrating vs. moisturizing is what each does for your skin: hydrating adds water, while moisturizing helps catch it and retain it in. Both are essential for healthy, clear and youthful looking-looking skin.

What hydrating does to the skin

Hydrating your skin means replenishing its water content. As cited by Cleveland Clinic Healthy skin contains about 64% water. Certain factors, such as exposure to cold, or extreme heat, dry air and maintaining an improper skincare routine, or diet 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 functions and appears. Too many dried, dead skin cells will clog the pores accelerating the acne formation, fine line become more prominent, redness and sensitivity even crepey skin may appear.

What moisturizing does to your skin

Most importantly, moisturizing 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. Afterall- the main role of the skin, our largest organ is protection, When the barrier is compromised, irritation and possibly inflammation promoting redness, acne cascade, and loss of firmness.

Two Myths to Beware

1. Oily skin doesn’t become dehydrated and dry. FALSE
2. 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 what is one of several reasons why moisturizing is a must for all skin types.
3. Dry skin doesn’t have acne. FALSE
4. Acne is caused by number of factors and excess of sebum (skin oil) is just one of a culprits. In addition- dry skin flakes and peels, what may cause blocked pores and even a modest amount of oil can therefore result in inflammation and pimple or even cyst formation. Finally, dry skin is less elastic and more prone to miniatured breaks and tears and this again can facilitate infection with acne bacteria and inflammation inducing the acne cascade.

How to hydrate your skin

You should really hydrate your skin from outside and from inside

Inside includes plenty of water to drink. Start your day with a glass of lemon water (it will do wonders for your figure too) and make sure that you avoid “dehydrating” drinks such as alcohol, surgery drinks and too much coffee and caffeine drinks.

Gorge on the hydrating fall harvest of melons 90% of water), cucumbers( 96% of water), tomatoes (94%of water),celery (95% of water) and iceberg lettuce (96% of water) and don’t forget your favorite strawberries (92% of water)

When it comes to surface hydration, focus on incorporating hydrating humectant ingredients into your routine. 

https://www.acnease.com/products/accelerated-botanical-brightening-serum.htm. 

Hyaluronic acid is also great ingredient for hydrating the skin. This gel-like molecule helps attract and retain water, and when used in skincare products, can help hydrate smoothly, and plump the skin.

To keep your breakouts at bay, look for oil free products that simultaneously strengthen the skin barrier.

After applying your hydrating products do not shy away from a good moisturizer to help trap in water for long-lasting hydration. Because dehydration can exacerbate not only the visible signs of aging but also acne formation look for moisturizer containing vitamin C, 

https://www.acnease.com/products/vitamin-c-antioxidant-serum.htm, 

and for the night the retinol https://www.acnease.com/products/retinol-rx.htm . 

Don’t forget to protect your with broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to help shield your skin from damaging (and dehydrating) UV rays. 

https://www.acnease.com/products/mineral-sun-defense-spf-30.htm