Skin Care: Understanding Hydration vs. Moisture: Identifying Skincare Essentials
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) offers valuable advice on maintaining healthy skin. According to the AADA, taking care of your skin involves more than just applying sunscreen and checking for skin cancer. Here are some key points to consider:
- Choosing the Right Skincare Products: The AADA advises selecting skincare products based on your individual skin type. This could be oily, normal, dry, combination, sensitive, or aging skin.
- Hydrating Ingredients: Hydrating ingredients, such as honey, gelatin, urea, sorbitol, panthenol, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids, attract water to the outermost layer of the skin, improving its plumpness and softness.
- Moisturizing Ingredients: Moisturizing ingredients, like lanolin and mineral oil, form a protective barrier on the skin surface to prevent water loss. Examples of emollients, which strengthen the skin barrier function and promote an improvement in the skin's appearance and texture, include fatty acids and fatty alcohols.
- Determining Your Skin's Needs: If your skin feels tight, rough, or shows fine lines after cleansing, it may be dehydrated and benefit from hydrating products rich in humectants. On the other hand, if your skin is flaky, dull, or feels uncomfortable due to lack of oils, it is likely dry and needs moisturizers with emollients and occlusives.
- Hydration vs Moisturization: Hydration and moisturization are distinct skin care needs. Hydration refers to the attraction of water to the outermost layer of the skin, while moisturization refers to the lubrication of the skin to prevent water from escaping.
- The Role of Water: Consuming more water increases hydration in the epidermis, improving skin physiology. The daily recommended water intake is 101 ounces for males and 74 ounces for females, equivalent to 12 cups and 9 cups respectively.
- Product Recommendations: The AADA provides suggestions for specific products that address hydration and moisture needs based on an individual's skin type. For instance, if you have dry skin, the AADA recommends using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, applying moisturizers immediately after washing, and using an ointment or cream containing shea butter, glycerin, jojoba oil, lanolin, petrolatum, or hyaluronic acid.
- Bathing and Showering: For those with dry skin, the AADA recommends bathing or showering with warm water, limiting bath or shower time to 5 minutes, and avoiding hot water.
- Consult a Dermatologist: If you're unsure about your skin's needs, the AADA encourages seeking the advice of a dermatologist to determine if your skin requires more hydration, moisture, or both.
Many products marketed as "moisturizers" have both hydrating and moisturizing properties. If using a hydrating serum, it is usually best to follow with a moisturizer to lock that hydration in. Oily skin can still be dehydrated, so it might need hydrating ingredients but lighter, non-comedogenic moisturizers to avoid clogging pores.
By understanding the differences between hydration and moisturization, and choosing products accordingly, you can take significant steps towards maintaining healthy, glowing skin.
- The AADA advises that people with sensitive skin should opt for skincare products formulated specifically for their needs, considering the science behind various hydrating and moisturizing ingredients to maintain skin health and wellness.
- Despite having oily skin, it can still be dehydrated, necessitating the use of hydrating ingredients to maintain its balance, while using lighter, non-comedogenic moisturizers to prevent clogged pores and ensure effective skin-care.
- Skincare encompasses more than merely applying sunscreen and checking for skin cancer; it involves understanding the distinctions between hydration and moisturization, and addressing each need accordingly through suitable products and practices, optimizing skin physiology and achieving a glowing complexion.
- Apart from the recommended daily water intake of 12 cups for males and 9 cups for females to promote hydration in the epidermis, using skincare products rich in hydrating and moisturizing ingredients, such as glycerin, sorbitol, urea, hyaluronic acid, and emollients like fatty acids and fatty alcohols, can further support the health of your skin.
