Moisturizer Or Hydrator? What Does Your Skin Really Need?

If you are well-versed with skincare, you already have your day and night-time skincare routines sorted out. But if you are still building up your skincare routine, you could be wondering what products your skin really needs. While applying serums, toners, and hydrators is crucial to boosting your skin health, moisturizing the skin from the inside out is also key. The skin needs nutrients to help repair and heal itself, and a good moisturizer works to keep your skin soft and supple. But with today’s slew of creams, moisturizers, and hydrators, it’s important first to determine what your skin really needs. 

If you have never gotten into the details of the terms “moisturizer” and “hydrator”, you probably assume that they mean the same thing; products that save the skin from feeling dry and dehydrated. Well, this assumption is valid to an extent, but both products work differently, and choosing the ideal one can make all the difference in achieving nourished and smooth skin.

Here’s a handy guide to understanding the difference between a moisturizer and hydrator and which works best for your skin type.

First, Moisturizers Vs. Hydrators.

Both moisturizers and hydrators address the importance of water retention to prevent dryness and dehydration. The only difference lies in how they go about achieving the results. Hydrators absorb water from the atmosphere and infuse that into the skin cells. A hydrator makes the skin appear plump and supple. It also helps prevent skin aging and reduces scars. However, a moisturizer is foundational to locking moisture into the skin cells to keep them hydrated. Simply put, moisturizing is all about sealing the hydration to form a protective barrier and prevent water loss. 

When Should You Pick A Hydrator?

Pick a hydrator if your skin feels dry and parched all the time. How to determine if your skin is craving hydration? If your skin appears visibly dehydrated or feels too tight and agitated, you need to start using a hydrator. A hydrator will tackle the feeling of tight and stretched skin and prevent patchiness and itching. To tackle dehydration at a deeper level, you should consider adding potent serums formulated with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to your skincare routine. 

When Should You Pick A Moisturizer?

Pick a moisturizer if your skin feels rough and not nourished and plump enough. From oily and dry to sensitive and acne-prone, all skin types may not need additional hydration, but they do require a moisturizer to hold the skin’s water levels in place. A moisturizer will help nourish and hydrate the skin while providing a protective shield against environmental damage. 

How To Pick The Right Moisturizer?

A good moisturizer will have potent and nourishing ingredients like Wheat Germ Oil and Vitamin E that can reduce and protect against dry and dull skin. For instance, the Himalaya Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion deeply moisturizes, softens, and repairs dry and dehydrated skin. This body lotion contains Cocoa Butter, a high-quality emollient and skin-softening ingredient that delivers a hefty dose of moisturization to dry and dehydrated skin. Not to mention the sweet and yummy fragrance of cocoa butter that will keep you happy and recharged all day long. It also contains wheat germ oil, a natural source of Vitamin E that penetrates deep into your skin to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and seal in hydration every time you use it. The formula is enriched with Hydra-Nutri balance that replenishes dry skin and brightens it over time. 

Now the question arises, “when is the right time to apply a moisturizer?” An ideal moisturizer is one that fits perfectly in your AM/PM routine. For example, the Himalaya Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion is fit to use both in the morning as well as at night. Slather it all over your body after a shower to moisturize the skin for long hours. And don’t forget to use it before going to sleep. Its Hydra-Nutri technology is beneficial in providing night-time nourishment so that you wake up with refreshed, soft, and smooth skin the next morning.

No matter your skin type, always choose a toxin-free, hypoallergenic, and dermatologically tested moisturizer, such as the Himalaya Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion. Always remember that your skin looks best when it is nourished and moisturized from the inside. So, drink lots of water, add high water content foods like strawberries and watermelon to your diet, and use an ultra-nourishing moisturizer to keep your skin looking soft, supple, and smooth.