Did you know there is a difference between hydrating and moisturizing? Hydration refers to the moisture level within your skin, and moisturizing refers to the amount of water in the product. Hydration’s primary purpose is to keep the skin moist. Moisturizers have ingredients that prevent dryness and flaking.
Do I need to hydrate or moisturize?
Your skin will tell you what it needs. The trick is knowing how to listen to what it’s asking for.
If your skin feels dry and flaking, then you need to look at using a moisturizer. On the flip side, if your skin feels dehydrated or lacking water and maybe you see some fine lines and dullness to your skin, then you need to try something that hydrates.
What causes dry skin?
Dry skin is categorized as not having enough water or natural oils to maintain and remain soft to the touch. Depending on the severity, dry skin can have more than just a negative impact on your outward appearance but also on your internal health. Because your skin is your body’s first line of defense against harmful threats such as viruses and bacteria, keeping it healthy and strong is essential.
Dry skin can be caused by any number of things, including:
- Environment
- Too much scrubbing or bathing
- Soaps or detergents that are not right for your skin type
- Reduction in humidity (for example, sitting next to a fireplace, space heater, central heating, etc.)
All of these can be mitigated by having a solid skincare regimen using products that are right for your skin type.
What solution For Dry Skin Is right for me?
Let’s go over a few options for combating dryness. Some of these you can do at home, while others you will need to seek out the help of one of our certified clinicians for assistance.
Products
Skincredible Ultra Fortified Moisturizer
Skincredible Ultra Fortified Moisturizer is one of our in-house products and is excellent for dry skin patients who require a heavier but elegant moisturizer. It contains vitamins A, C, and E, Co-Q10, and green tea in an aloe base and uses Liposomal Vitamins A-C-E and Co-Q18.
For more information, contact our office to schedule a consultation so we can determine if his product is right for you.
Skinmedica® HA⁵® Rejuvenating Hydrator
Skinmedica® HA⁵® Rejuvenating Hydrator helps smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and helps keep the skin moisturized while also making the skin look younger and more radiant.
Treatments
While at-home products are a great way to get results, sometimes you need a little extra push to get the best results. Here are a few treatments worth considering if you struggle with dry skin.
Peels
Peeling may sound like something you don’t want your skin to do, but a chemical peel can help remove the dry skin and give you a fresh start. There is a wide range of peels available. What Chemical Peel is suitable for you can depend on several factors, including your skin’s condition, tone and color, and overall skincare habits and treatment history.
Facials
Facials are a great way to help with dry skin because they can rehydrate the cells and, using gentle exfoliation, remove the dead, dry cells to make way for new ones. However, medical-grade facials are designed to go beyond the simple respite of the “spa facial” with better results.
Kinetic Dermabrasion
Kinetic Dermabrasion cleanses and hydrates your skin with targeted concentrations of vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants, and essential oils that your skin is able to absorb after the removal of the dead skin cells through gentle resurfacing of the top layer of your skin.
Wrapping It Up: Hydrate vs. Moisturize
Hydration and moisturizing are two different beasts in the skincare world. While hydration refers to the levels of moisture in your skin, moisturizing refers to how much water is in a product. Both are used for different purposes and produce their own results. To help you determine which is best for your skin, take note of how your skin feels and looks. Dry and flaking means you need to hydrate. Dehydrated and dull means you should look into a moisturizer.
