Hydration vs. Moisture: What’s the Difference and Why Both Matter

When it comes to skincare, the terms hydration and moisture are often used interchangeably. But they serve distinct functions in keeping your skin healthy and balanced. Confusing right? 

But don’t give up yet! Understanding this difference is key to selecting the right products and building an effective skincare routine, and your skin may need more of one than the other. 

Let’s explore the difference between hydration and moisture so you can build the best skincare routine for you! 

Hydration vs. Moisturization: Know the Difference

The main difference between hydration and moisturization comes down to how they support your skin’s health at a molecular level. Hydration is about the amount of water in your skin cells, while moisturizerization refers to your ability to retain that water by having a healthy skin barrier. Here’s a little bit more about both. 

Hydration 101 

Hydration refers to the process of adding and maintaining water content in the skin. When your skin is hydrated, it feels plump, refreshed, and smooth. Water is a crucial part of the skin's structure, affecting everything from its elasticity to its ability to protect against environmental stressors. 

Dehydration happens when the skin lacks sufficient water, leading to a dull, tight, or dry appearance. Dehydrated skin emphasizes the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and overall sagging skin, which is why hydrating ingredients are a quick way to plump up skin. Hydrated skin looks healthy and glowy because water helps support skin functions and balances oil production.

Moisturization 101

Moisturization refers to the process of locking in water and preventing it from escaping the skin. While hydration adds water to the skin, moisturizer helps seal that water in and keeps the skin from losing it due to environmental factors like dry air or wind.

Moisturizers typically contain ingredients that either act as emollients (which soften and smooth the skin) or occlusives (which form a barrier on the skin’s surface to keep water from evaporating). These ingredients help maintain the skin's natural moisture balance, preventing it from becoming dry or flaky.

A healthy skin barrier is able to retain hydration, which is why moisturizers are often positioned as supporting the skin barrier. 

Moisturizers vs. Hydrators: Which One Does Your Skin Need?

The distinction between skin that is lacking hydration versus lacking moisturization can be subtle, but they are two distinct skin concerns with different causes and solutions. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

Hydration (Water Deficiency)

Cause: Skin is lacking water, which affects its plumpness, elasticity, and overall function.

Signs of Dehydrated Skin:

• Tightness after washing or exposure to dry air.
  

• Dullness or a lack of radiance, as water is essential for the skin's natural glow.
  

• Fine lines becoming more noticeable (especially under the eyes) due to the lack of moisture.
  

• Increased oil production, as the skin compensates for the lack of water by producing more oil, leading to a greasy feel on the surface.
  

Solution: Skin that is dehydrated needs hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, or Magnesium PCA to attract water into the skin. Hydrating products like serums, toners, or hydrating mists are essential.

Moisturization (Barrier Deficiency)

Cause: Skin’s barrier is damaged or naturally dry and not able to lock in water and hydration. 

Signs of Skin Lacking Moisturization:

• Dry, rough texture or skin feels flaky because the outermost layers are not retaining moisture.
  

• Visible dry patches or areas of rough, cracked skin.
  

• Dullness, as the skin appears lackluster because it cannot retain water properly.
  

• Increased irritation or sensitivity due to a compromised skin barrier.

Solution: Skin lacking moisturization needs moisturizing ingredients like Ceramides, Squalane, or Non-comedogenic Oil. These ingredients work to seal in moisture and reinforce the skin’s protective barrier.

Hydrating Ingredients Vs. Moisturizing Ingredients 

To help you understand the difference between hydrators and moisturizers in your skincare, here’s a list of popular ingredients in both categories. 

Popular Hydrating Ingredients (Humectants):

These ingredients attract water to the skin and help maintain hydration.

1. Hyaluronic Acid – Draws moisture from the air and binds it to the skin.
   

2. Glycerin – A gentle humectant that pulls moisture into the skin.
   

3. Aloe Vera – Hydrates and soothes while providing a cooling effect.
   

4. Propylene Glycol – Attracts water to hydrate and helps other ingredients absorb better.
   

5. Urea – Natural humectant that also helps with gentle exfoliation and hydration.
   

6. Magnesium PCA – A naturally occurring component of the skin's NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor).
   

7. Honey – A natural humectant that draws moisture into the skin.
   

8. Panthenol (Vitamin B5) – Helps draw water into the skin and promotes softening.
   

Popular Moisturizing Ingredients (Emollients and Occlusives):

These ingredients help lock in moisture and protect the skin’s barrier. This category of ingredients is more likely to be pore-clogging. Make sure to always check your skincare in our Pore-Clogging Checker to make sure you’re not using products that can contribute to acne. 

1. Ceramides – Lipid molecules that help form the skin's protective barrier and prevent moisture loss.
   

2. Shea Butter (Pore Clogger) – Rich in fatty acids, it softens and locks in moisture.
   

3. Squalane – A lightweight, non-comedogenic oil that seals in moisture without clogging pores.
   

4. Watermelon Oil – Mimics the skin’s natural oils and helps seal in hydration.
   

5. Cocoa Butter (Pore Clogger) – A rich emollient that nourishes and moisturizes.
   

6. Dimethicone – A silicone-based ingredient that forms a barrier to lock in moisture.
   

7. Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly) – Strong occlusive agent that prevents water loss and keeps skin moisturized. You would not want to use this every single day because it's the wrong pH for your skin, but it can be very useful in a pinch to seal in the layers before it.
   

8. Lanolin (Pore Clogger) – Derived from sheep’s wool, it acts as an emollient to lock in moisture.
   

Combination Ingredients:

Some ingredients serve both roles, providing hydration and moisture simultaneously.

• Glyceryl Stearate – Acts as both a humectant and emulsifier, helping to hydrate and lock in moisture. Note that  Glyceryl Stearate SE is different- that is not acne-safe.
  

• Aminosaccharides – Help attract moisture while providing a protective layer.
  

For a well-rounded skincare routine, it's best to layer a hydrating product (like a serum or toner) followed by a moisturizing product (like a cream or oil) to lock in all that hydration!

Dry Skin Fix: Do You Need Hydration or Moisture?

Did you know that your skin can be both dehydrated and oily at the same time? In fact this is extremely common and is usually caused by using hot water when washing or in the shower!

Since the differences between hydration and moisture are nuanced, let’s talk about skin types and what they generally need. In general, most skincare routines should include both hydrating and moisturizing ingredients, although one perk of having oily skin is that your face can retain moisture better even without a moisturizer. 

Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

• Needs hydration more than moisture.

• Dehydrated skin can produce excess oil, leading to breakouts.

Dry or Dehydrated Skin

• Needs both hydration and moisture.

• Hydrating serums followed by rich moisturizers restore balance.

Combination Skin

• Requires a balance of hydration and lightweight moisture.

• Gel-based hydrators paired with non-greasy moisturizers work best.

Sensitive Skin

• Needs gentle hydration and soothing moisture to prevent irritation.

• Avoid harsh ingredients like alcohol and synthetic fragrances.

CLEARSTEM’s products are suitable for all skin types, avoiding the use of pore-clogging ingredients or synthetic fragrances. 

Why Hydration and Moisture Work Best Together

Relying only on hydration or only on moisture can be why you’re not seeing the results you expect from your routine: 

• Using only hydrating products can leave the skin vulnerable to moisture loss, leading to dryness.

• Using only moisturizing products without hydrating first may not be as effective, as the skin needs water to retain its softness and elasticity.

A well-rounded skincare routine includes both hydrating and moisturizing products to maintain balance and prevent common skin concerns like dullness, dehydration, and excessive oil production.

How to Balance Hydration and Moisture in Your Routine

1. Make sure your cleanser isn’t stripping your skin barrier. GENTLECLEAN is a hydrating cleanser that matches the pH level of your skin, so it won’t disrupt your skin barrier.
   

2. Layer hydrators before moisturizers. In general, hydrators include serums and toners. CELLRENEW and BOUNCEBACK are both very hydrating and can be used both morning and night.
   

3. Use a facial oil for serious barrier repair. If you are dealing with a lack of moisturization (meaning your skin barrier is damaged and not retaining water), consider adding a face oil like GOLDENHOUR at this stage of your routine.
   

4. Lock in everything with a moisturizer. After your morning routine, use a lighter moisturizer like HYDRAGLOW, which contains both hydrating and moisturizing ingredients. At night, you can use a heavier barrier cream like HYDRABERRY. 

5. Use a hydrating skin mist throughout the day. If you ever feel like your skin is feeling tight, dry, or just not as dewy as you like, use a face mist like SKINSPRAY ALL DAY to instantly hydrate thirsty cells. 

Hydration + Moisture: The Ultimate Power Duo 

The difference between hydration and moisture is more than just semantics—it’s essential for maintaining healthy, glowing skin. For your healthiest, firmest, and most glowing skin, you should focus on building a skincare routine with both types of ingredients! 

CLEARSTEM’s collection of hydrators and moisturizers is designed to support your skin’s unique needs without the use of any pore-clogging ingredients, ever! Get ready to glow.