This post is about all the differences between hydrating vs moisturizing and the best 20+ hydrators and moisturizers.
Hydrating vs moisturizing,
do you need one over the other? or perhaps both?
Up to 60% of our bodies are made of water and that's why it plays a huge role in maintaining our skin healthy, youthful and radiant.
As you drink water, the surface of your skin is the last place to receive it because it goes through all of your other body processes first.
As a result, drinking water has very little impact when assisting pre-existing damage.
Hydration and moisture are both in charge of nourishing the skin to be able to fight dryness, dehydration, signs of aging and environmental damage.
However, each play a different role on the skin and understanding the difference between hydrating vs moisturizing is what will help you out when choosing which skin care products work best for your skin.
Hydrating vs Moisturizing: What's The Difference?
Understanding the difference between hydrating vs moisturizing will help you identify your skins needs.
Hydrating means improving the skin’s ability to absorb moisture and nutrients by infusing cells with water.
While, moisturizing means building the skin’s protective barrier by trapping and sealing in moisture, which will prevent water loss and keep the skin soft and smooth
In simple terms, hydration equals water and moisture equals oil, dehydrated skin lacks water so it needs to be hydrated and dry skin lacks oil so it needs to be moisturized.
What is a Hydrator?
A hydrator helps collect moisture in the environment and bind it to the skin using humectants.
Importance Of Hydrating The Skin
There are so many reasons hydrating the skin is important, the reasons being are:
- It slows the aging process: it improves elasticity which reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
- It fights and flushes out toxins effectively: when the skin is fully hydrated, skin cells have the capacity to function at their best because they are receiving the maximum amount of hydration.
Hydration is one of the key elements to a healthy and youthful complexion.
What is a Moisturizer?
A moisturizer helps skin feel soft and smooth by locking in hydration.
Importance Of Moisturizing The Skin
Moisturizing the skin is just as important as hydrating the skin, the reasons being are:
- It helps prevent dryness: it replaces and prevents loss of moisture.
- It helps fight oil and acne: moisturized skin combats oiliness because when the skin is dehydrated the sebaceous glands produce more oil to compensate the moisture that has been lost. This over production of oil, clogs the pores causing various forms of acne.
Moisture is the other key element to maintaining a complexion that's healthy and youthful; and when you don't moisturize, here's what happens to your skin.
Types of Ingredients In Moisturizers
There are 4 types of ingredients moisturizers contain:
- Humectants: also known as moisture absorbers, keep skin hydrated by drawing water to skin cells.
- Emollients: also known as space fillers, fill in cracks on the skin with lipids and oils.
- Ceramides: also known as skin ‘Glue’, replace natural fats missing between skin cells.
- Occlusive: also known as moisture sealers, form a protective seal blocking water evaporation.
Different Moisturizer Formulas
With so many skin care products on the market, from different and exotic ingredients to the lastest skin care technologies, it can be a challenge choosing the right ones specially when customers don't have basic skin care knowledge.
Gels, creams and lotions are all formulated to moisturize the skin, however, their difference rely on their formulation, which results in different consistencies that can work, as well as, feel better on certain skin types.
- Gels
Are water-based and are quickly absorbed by the skin because of its lightweight texture.
Gels are lightweight and don’t leave a greasy residue because they have less emollients than creams and lotions do.
A study in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, demonstrated that gel formulas increase water content on the skin which improved skin hydration, barrier function and an enhanced appearance.
Best for: normal, combination and oily skin types.
- Lotions
Are water-based and oil-based with a higher water concentration.
Lotions are more lightweight than creams but heavier than gels and they leave a less greasy residue because they have less emollients than creams do but more than gels do.
Best for: normal, combination and sensitive skin types.
- Creams
Are water-based and oil-based with a higher oil concentration.
Creams are heavy and leave a greasy residue because they have more emollients than lotions and gels do.
Creams reinforce the skin barrier by proving it with hydrating ingredients that replenish essential skin barrier components and help prevent loss of moisture.
Best for: normal, combination and dry skin types.
Creams and lotions are emulsions that are divided into 2 types:
- Oil-in-water (O/W): composed of droplets of oil in water phase.
- Water-in-oil (W/O): composed of droplets of water in oil.
Which Should I Choose?
There are two main factors that influence which formula you choose:
Skin Type
Your skin type will determine the type of formula you'll use.
Creams are better for dry skin, which lacks moisture, because its thick formula help lock moisture and/or keeps skin hydrated by providing a protective layer.
Lotions are better for normal, combination and sensitive skin because its low viscosity formula seals moisture in the skin leaving less grease to avoid clogged pores.
Gels are better for oily skin, which overproduce oil/sebum, because its thin formula prevent pores from being clogged which can lead to acne breakouts.
Weather
Colder weather brings drier air and that increases the evaporation happening at your skin’s surface. Creams provide more protection against dry climate and harsh winds. Conversely, during summer months switch to lotions that allow breathability.
How Do Great Moisturizers Feel on Your Skin?
Great moisturizers should:
- Feel silky and glide effortlessly on your skin.
- Contain natural moisturizing factors.
- Absorbed right into the skin.
- Be lightweight.
- Be fragrance-free.
- Never feel oily.
Is Water a Good Moisturizer?
No, water along with natural oils cannot keep skin moisturized because they evaporate from the skin; read more about how it works here.
Do You Need a Moisturizer, Hydrator or Both?
To identify if your skin is dry or dehydrated, taking notes of your skins condition is the way to go. Ideally, we want our skin to be hydrated and moisturized, therefore, hydrating and moisturizing the skin is essential.
The skin is made of a natural barrier made of lipids that protects itself from water loss and damage.
If you suffer from dry and flaky skin, you're not producing the necessary amount of lipid cells to form a protective barrier so your skin cannot lock in moisture.
Incorporating a moisturizer into your routine is the way to go, moisturizers lock and seal moisture to reduce the amount of water that evaporates off of the skin to minimize transepidermal water loss.
If your skin is dull and fine lines, as well as, wrinkles are becoming noticeable then your skin is dehydrated which means that the skin cells of the stratum corneum need water.
Incorporating a hydrator into your skincare routine will provide the water the cells needs while improving the ability of the skin to absorb moisture and nutrients.
How do you choose the best hydrator and moisturizer for your skin type?
Choosing the best hydrator and moisturizer depends on the skin type and weather.
SKIN TYPE | WEATHER | PRODUCT SELECTION |
|---|---|---|
Normal Skin | Spring/Autumn | Moisturizer |
Summer | Serum/Hydrator | |
Winter | Toner with Moisturizer | |
Oily Skin | Spring/Autumn | Toner with Serum/Hydrator |
Summer | Toner | |
Winter | Toner with Moisturizer | |
Dry Skin | Spring/Autumn | Toner with Moisturizer |
Summer | Toner with Serum/Hydrator | |
Winter | Toner with Facial Oil | |
Combination Skin | Spring/Autumn | Toner with Serum/Hydrator |
Summer | Serum/Hydrator | |
Winter | Toner with Moisturizer | |
Sensitive Skin | Spring/Autumn | Moisturizer |
Summer | Serum/Hydrator | |
Winter | Toner with Moisturizer |
What are the key ingredients you should look for in a moisturizer and hydrator?
Key ingredients to always look for in a moisturizer are:
- Mushroom beta-glucan: it's an innovative ingredient derived from mushrooms, it moisturizes, rejuvenates and forms an anti-aging shield on the skin.
- Caviar extract: the reason behind its expensive price tag relies on the fact that it's loaded with essential nutrients which nourish the skin. It has key vitamins like A, B1, B2, B6, D and E, amino acids, and is rich in minerals.
- Hyaluronic acid: helps the skin retain moisture, as a result, it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It speeds up wound healing and helps relieve pain in the joint.
- Dimethicone: it's a lightweight silicone-based polymer that helps create a smooth finish by filling in fine lines and wrinkle. It's ability to lock in moisture makes it a great water retention booster.
- Argan oil: derived from kernels of the argan tree, it contains vitamin E, antioxidants, fatty acids and anti-aging properties. It's not only one of the rarest but also one of the most nourishing and lightweight oils in the world.
The key ingredient to always look for in a hydrator is hyaluronic acid which penetrates the skin and binds water to skin cells.
It acts as a humectant which pulls water to the epidermis from the dermis, this increases moisture in the stratum corneum.
In addition to this, by locking moisture in it strengthens the skins natural barrier which provides the skin with lasting hydration.
Benefits of Using High Quality Ingredients
Using high quality ingredients provide the following benefits:
- Improves collagen production.
- Helps fight the loss of elasticity.
- Prevents and heals pigmentation and premature aging.
The Worst Ingredients to Use
- Fragrances: contain chemicals that are classified as neurotoxins, carcinogens, hormone disruptors, asthma triggers and allergens.
- Synthetic Colors: cause cancer, skin irritation and sensitization, allergies and blockage of the pores.
Fragrances and synthetic colors pose serious health threats, that's why they should be avoided.
20+ Best Hydrators
Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour
Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
The Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator is a lightweight oil-free hydrator that provides the skin with a boost of moisture and locks in hydration for up to 72 hours.
It contains an auto-replenishing technology with caffeine to support the skin’s rehydration system, hyaluronic acid fragments and activated aloe water to provide moisturizing properties and super-holding matrix of humectants and polymers to reduce water loss and seal in moisture.
It’s formulated without:
- Parabens SLS and SLES
- Talc
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Phthalates
Suitable for:
Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair® Cream Intense Hydration
The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair® Cream Intense Hydration is a vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free hydrator that provides hydrating properties instantly.
It contains colloidal oatmeal to protect skin from itch and irritation, shea butter to provide the skin with moisturizing properties and protect the skin barrier and allantoin to calm and soothe the skin.
It’s formulated without:
- Sulfates SLS and SLES
- Parabens
- Formaldehydes
- Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents
- Phthalates
- Mineral Oil
- Retinyl Palmitate
- Oxybenzone
- Coal Tar
- Hydroquinone
- Triclosan
- Triclocarban.
Suitable for: Normal skin Combination skin Dry skin
Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25
The Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25 is a hydrator that delivers potent hydrating ingredients and sun protection.
It contains vitamin B3 to exfoliate and provide hydrating and moisturizing properties to the skin, hyaluronic acid to regulate water within skin cells, amino peptides to smooth and firm the skin and avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene to protect against UV radiation.
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin
Tatcha The Water Cream
The Tatcha The Water Cream is a cruelty-free, non-comedogenic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing and dermatologist tested hydrator that offers the skin its hydrating properties.
It contains Japanese wild rose to support circulation, balance the skin and improve the appearance of pores, Japanese leopard lily to reduce sebum production, calm the skin and support skin cell turnover and Tatcha's signature hadasei-3, a concentrate of green tea, rice, and algae, to nourish and restore the skin.
The Tatcha The Water Cream won Allure 2020 Reader's Choice Award.
It’s formulated without:
- Mineral Oil
- Sulfate Detergents
- Urea
- DEA
- TEA
- Synthetic Fragrances
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion
with Hyaluronic Acid
The Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion is a non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested hydrator that provides intense hydrating properties.
It contains hyaluronic acid to boost and lock in moisture.
Suitable for: Combination skin Sensitive skin
Beautycounter Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream
The Beautycounter Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream is a vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free hydrator that has hydrating properties.
It contains retinatural complex to deliver the same benefits as retinol without side effects, tetrapeptide to increase skin elasticity and fermented sugars to provide the skin with hydrating properties.
Suitable for: Normal skin Dry skin
Peter Thomas Roth
Water Drench Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer
The Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer provides the skin with up to 72 hours of hydration and moisture.
It contains 30% hyaluronic acid complex to boost the skin with its moisturizing properties, pentavitin® to provide the skin with its hydrating properties for up to 72 hours and hydrolyzed silk to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.
It’s formulated without:
- Sulfates SLS and SLES
- Parabens
- Formaldehydes
- Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents
- Phthalates
- Mineral Oil
- Retinyl Palmitate
- Oxybenzone
- Coal Tar
- Hydroquinone
- Triclosan
- Triclocarban
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin
Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream
The SUNDAY RILEY Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream is a cruelty-free hydrator that delivers intense hydration and moisture for up to 24 hours.
It contains highly purified, alpha-arbutin 1% to brighten the skin, papain (papaya Eenzymes) to exfoliates the skin, two forms of hyaluronic acid to benefit the skin with its hydrating properties and tamarind extract to improve skin moisturization.
It’s formulated without:
- Sulfates SLS and SLES
- Parabens
- Phthalates
Suitable for: Normal skin Combination skin Dry skin
Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream
The Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream is a cruelty-free and dermatologist tested hydrator that provides the skin with its beneficial hydrating properties.
It contains squalane to plump the skin with its moisturizing properties, two types of hyaluronic acid to bind water and draw moisture to the surface of the skin and sodium pca to hydrate the skin.
It’s formulated without:
- Parabens
- Silicones
- Petrolatum
- Mineral Oil
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Dye
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream
The Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream is a hydrator that has hydrating properties that benefit the skin.
It contains alaska glacier water to protect the skin against free radicals while promoting absorption of moisture, XPERTMOIST to shield skin from dehydration and iceland moss to calm and reduce redness while hydrating.
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is a vegan and cruelty-free hydrator that offers non-greasy hydrating properties.
It contains 11 amino acids to provide immediate hydrating properties.
It’s formulated without:
- Oils
- Alcohols
- Silicones
- Nuts
- Gluten
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates
- Fragrances
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum is a cruelty-free serum that benefits the skin with its hydrating properties.
It contains multi molecular hyaluronic acid 2% to provide hydrating properties to the skin and matrixyl 3000™ to support collagen production.
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin
Tatcha The Essence Plumping Skin Softener
The Tatcha The Essence Plumping Skin Softener is a cruelty-free, non-sensitizing, non-irritating and dermatologist tested hydrator that has hydrating properties.
It contains Tatcha's signature hadasei-3, a concentrate of green tea, rice, and algae, to nourish and restore the skin.
The Tatcha The Essence Plumping Skin Softener is an Allure 2020 Best of Beauty winner.
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk™
Intensive Hydrating Treatment
The Josie Maran Pure Argan Milk™ Intensive Hydrating Treatment is a vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free serum that deeply benefits the skin with its hydrating properties.
It contains 100% pure argan oil to nourish and protect the skin and purified water to visibly plump the skin with its hydrating properties.
It’s formulated without:
- GMO
- Formaldehyde
- Synthetic Fragrances
Suitable for: Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive Skin
First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Water Cream
The First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Water Cream is a vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free and cruelty-free hydrator that hydrates the skin with electrolyte-rich moisture.
It contains coconut water to boost the skin with its hydrating properties, sodium hyaluronate to restore moisture on the skin and aalteromonas ferment filtrate to soothe the skin with its moisturizing properties.
Suitable for: Normal skin
Mineral Fusion Intense Hydration Face Cream
The Mineral Fusion Intense Hydration Face Cream is an antioxidant rich and collagen-boosting hydrator that has potent hydrating properties.
It contains mineral water, shea butter, rosehip and hyaluronic acid to provide the skin with moisturizing properties and lavender, aloe and cucumber to soothe the skin.
It’s formulated without:
- Gluten
- SLS
- Phthalates
- Parabens
- Talc
- Artificial Colors
- Synthetic Fragrances
Suitable for: Dry skin
Primera Alpine Berry Water Cream
The Primera Alpine Berry Water Cream is a hydrator that provides long lasting hydrating properties.
It contains water-stay™ technology to lock in moisture, coconut-derived oil to nourish and soothe the skin and artemisia extract to support the skin's moisture barrier.
Suitable for: Dry skin
Sephora Collection All Day Hydrator Hydrate & Glow
The Sephora Collection All Day Hydrator Hydrate & Glow is a hydrator that provides the skin with hydrating properties.
It contains hyaluronic acid of natural origin to prevent dehydration by increasing water retention on the skin, vitamins E and C to protect skin and glycerin of natural origin to provide moisturizing properties.
It’s formulated without:
- Sulfates SLS and SLES
- Parabens
- Formaldehydes
- Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents
- Phthalates
- Mineral Oil
- Retinyl Palmitate
- Oxybenzone
- Coal Tar
- Hydroquinone
- Triclosan
- Triclocarban
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin
Clinique iD™ Custom-Blend Hydrator
The Clinique iD™ Custom-Blend Hydrator is a hydrator that has hydrating properties with which the skin can benefit from.
It contains Japanese angelica root to even skin tone, ascorbyl glucoside to reduce discoloration and salicylic acid to smooth and brighten the skin.
The Clinique iD™ Custom-Blend Hydrator is an Allure 2019 Best of Beauty Award Winner.
It’s formulated without:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream
The Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream is a hydrator that has hydrating and moisturizing properties that nourish the skin.
It contains sodium hyaluronate, trehalose, and Bobbi Brown’s signature enriched mineral water blend to smooth and refresh the skin.
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine
Oil-Free Moisture Cushion
The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion is a vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic hydrator that offers the skin hydrating properties.
It contains Japanese marine algae and hyaluronic acid to lock moisture in the skin.
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
If you're looking for extra hydration, sheet masks just like the Dermal Collagen Essence Masks are a great way to further hydrate your skin.
20+ Best Moisturizers
Burt's Bees Daily Face Moisturizing Cream
The Burt's Bees Daily Face Moisturizing Cream is a 99% natural formula, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and allergy and dermatologist tested moisturizer that has moisturizing properties.
It contains rice extract and aloe moisturize to soothe the skin and cotton extract to replenish the outer layer of the skin and protect it from irritants.
The Burt's Bees Daily Face Moisturizing Cream was Awarded National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
It’s formulated without:
- Fragrances
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Petrolatum
- SLS
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Moisturizer
The Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Moisturizer is a vegan and cruelty-free moisturizer that improves skin's tone, texture and firmness.
It contains signal peptide complex to bind moisture to skin, pygmy waterlily stem cell extract to replenish the skin with antioxidants and nutrients and soybean folic acid ferment extract to repair and renew UV damage.
The Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Moisturizer won:
- CEW, 2019 Beauty Awards
- Harper‘s BAZAAR, 2019 Anti-Aging Award
- Byrdie Beauty, 2019 Skincare Award
- Influenster, 2019 Best Indie Facial Moisturizer
It’s formulated without:
- Essential Oils
- Silicones
- Fragrances
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Moisturizer
with Ceramides
The Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides is a vegan and cruelty-free moisturizer that has intense moisturizing properties to replenish the skin barrier.
It contains african-oil blend to provide nourishing and moisturizing benefits to the skin, ceramides AP, EOP, and NP to soothe and maintain skin moisture while protecting against water loss and phytosphingosine to soothe and restore the skin.
The Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides won:
- Allure, 2019 Reader's Choice
- The Zoe Report, 2019 Best New Luxury Skincare
- Esquire, 2019 Grooming Award
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin
Neutrogena Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin
The Neutrogena Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin is a lightweight water-based non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and allergy and dermatologist tested moisturizer that has moisturizing properties.
It’s formulated without:
- Alcohols
- Fragrances
- Colorants
Suitable for: Oily skin Sensitive skin
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion is a lightweight, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested that delivers up to 24 hours of moisturizing properties.
It contains avocado oil and vitamins E and B5 to replenish the skin with hydrating properties and restore the skin's moisture barrier.
It’s formulated without:
- Paraben
- Lanolin
- Fragrances
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream
with Ashwagandha + Reishi
The Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream with Ashwagandha + Reishi is a vegan and cruelty-free moisturizer that provides the skin with long-lasting hydrating and moisturizing properties.
It contains squalane to boost skin hydration, ashwagandha to reduce signs of fatigue and fermented reishi to hydrate, detoxify and combat premature aging.
It’s formulated without:
- Fragrances
Suitable for: Normal skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet
The Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet is a vegan lightweight gel-cream that soothes and hydrates the skin.
It contains organic grape water to provide the skin with moisturizing properties, grape seed polyphenols to fight free radicals and chamomile to calm and soothe the skin.
The Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet is one of Caudalie's bestseller.
Suitable for: Normal skin Dry skin
Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturizer
The Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturizer is a lightweight vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free moisturizer that provides the skin with intense moisturizing properties.
It contains desert milk™ to provide the skin with hydrating properties, fig milk, shea butter and oat milk to refresh, soften, and soothe the skin and argan milk, grapeseed oil and olive-derived squalane to seal in moisture and protect the skin.
It’s formulated without:
- Fragrances
Suitable for: Normal skin Dry skin
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer
The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer is a vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free moisturizer that provides the skin with intense hydrating and moisturizing properties.
It contains colloidal oatmeal to calm and relieve the skin, shea butter to benefit the skin with its moisturizing properties and support the skin barrier and avocado oil to hydrate, nurture and soften the skin.
Suitable for: Normal skin
GOOPGENES All-In-One Nourishing Face Cream
The GOOPGENES All-In-One Nourishing Face Cream is a vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and clinically tested moisturizer that delivers up to 48 hours of moisturizing properties.
It contains plant-based ceramides to smooth, firm and hydrate the skin, schisandra fruit to supports elasticity and firmness and illipe butter to nourish, smooth and soften the skin.
It’s formulated without:
- Fragrances
Suitable for: Normal skin Dry skin
Christina Moss Naturals Facial Moisturizer
The Christina Moss Naturals Facial Moisturizer is a cruelty-free, petrochemicals-free, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic moisturizer that provides moisturizing properties to soften and repair the skin.
It’s formulated without:
- SLS
- SLES
- Propylene Glycol
- Propylene Glycol Derivatives
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Dyes
- Synthetic Fragrance
- Preservatives
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
The Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream is a vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free moisturizer that has hydrating and moisturizing properties to benefit the skin.
It contains omega fatty acid to hydrate the skin, hyaluronic acid to plump and support hydration on the surface of the skin and acai berry sterols to mimic and support cholesterol found in the skin.
It’s formulated without:
- Fragrances
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin
Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Moisturizer
with Niacinamide
The Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Moisturizer with Niacinamide is a lightweight oil-free, vegan, gluten-free and reef safe moisturizer that brightens and hydrates the skin.
It contains viniferine to brighten the skin, niacinamide to even skin tone and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin.
Suitable for: Normal skin Dry skin
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
The Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer is a lightweight vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free moisturizer that calms and soothes skin while supporting the skin barrier.
It contains probiotic (lactococcus ferment lysate) to balance the complexion and improve skin clarity, ginger extract to reduces redness and red seaweed to calm stressed skin.
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin
Sephora Collection Nourishing Moisturizer
The Sephora Collection Nourishing Moisturizer is a vegan moisturizer made of 91% natural plant ingredients that have hydrating and moisturizing properties which repair and soften the skin.
It contains avocado oil to nourish the skin, marula oil to repair the skin and rose hip seed oil to soften the skin.
It’s formulated without:
- Sulfates SLS and SLES
- Parabens
- Formaldehydes
- Formaldehyde-Releasing Agents
- Phthalates
- Mineral Oil
- Retinyl Palmitate
- Oxybenzone
- Coal Tar
- Hydroquinone
- Triclosan, and
- Triclocarban
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
Radiate Face Jelly
The Radiate Face Jelly is a lightweight vegan, cruelty-free, paraben free, non-comedogenic and dermatologist tested moisturizer that has hydrating and moisturizing properties that balance, purify, refresh and soothe the skin.
It contains aloe vera to maintain under balance the skin's natural pH, evening primrose with omega-6 fatty acids to boost skin’s elasticity, lavender to regulate sebum and tea tree to disinfect the skin.
Suitable for: Oily skin Combination skin
Caudalie Vinosource SOS Intense Hydration Moisturizer
The Caudalie Vinosource SOS Intense Hydration Moisturizer is a vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free moisturizer has hydrating and moisturizing properties.
It contains grape water to provide moisturizing properties which soothe the skin, grape seed polyphenols to fight free radicals and squalane to nourish the skin.
Suitable for: Normal skin Dry skin
100% Pure Restorative Sea Culture Extra Riche Créme
The 100% Pure Restorative Sea Culture Extra Riche Créme is a moisturizer that has moisturizing properties.
It contains cassia angustifolia to lock in moisture, beta glucan to soothe the skin, alteromonas to reduce inflammation, bacurri to soften and nourish the skin and sea buckthorn to provide the skin with essential nutrients and moisture.
Suitable for: Normal skin Dry skin
Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream
The Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream is a vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, non-comedogenic and dermatologists recommended moisturizer made of 95% naturally-derived ingredients which provide moisturizing properties.
It contains triple lipid complex to restore the skin’s natural lipids and fatty acids, peptide protein blend to support skin barrier function and protect the skin from free radicals and lily root extract to tighten the skin, reduce water loss and support moisturization.
The Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream is an Allure Best of Beauty award winner.
Suitable for: Normal skin Combination skin Dry skin
Tatcha The Indigo Cream Soothing Skin Protectant
The Tatcha The Indigo Cream Soothing Skin Protectant is a non-comedogenic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing and dermatologist tested moisturizer that provides the skin with relief and hydration.
It contains natural Japanese indigo extract to calm and soothe the skin, colloidal oatmeal to relieve eczema, sophora japonica to improve skin texture and elasticity and hadasei-3 that serves as anti-aging.
It’s formulated without:
- Mineral Oil
- Detergents
- Phthalates
- Urea
- DEA
- TEA
- Fragrances
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin
Juice Beauty Antioxidant Moisturizer
The Juice Beauty Antioxidant Moisturizer is a vegan, cruelty-free and leaping bunny certified moisturizer made with certified organic ingredients that has moisturizing properties.
It contains avocado oil to nourish the skin, grape juice to protect from UV radiation and free radicals and jojoba oil to provide moisturizing properties, fight free radicals, promote collagen and speed up wound healing.
It’s formulated without:
- Parabens
- Petroleum
- Propylene or Butylene Glycols
- Silicones
- Talc
- Carbon Black
- Phthalates
- Sulfates
- PEGs
- TEA
- DEA
- GMO
- Artificial Dyes
- Synthetic Fragrances
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin Mature skin
Paula's Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer
The Paula's Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer is a cruelty-free and leaping bunny certified moisturizer that replenish skin's water content.
It contains calcium, magnesium and potassium to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, peptide and ceramides to promote a healthy skin barrier and prebiotic sugars to provide hydration.
The Paula's Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer won a 2020 Women's Health Beauty Award for Best Light Moisturizer.
It’s formulated without:
- Parabens
- Fragrances
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin Mature skin
Lord Jones Acid Mantle Repair Moisturizer With 250mg CBD and Ceramides
The Lord Jones Acid Mantle Repair Moisturizer With 250mg CBD and Ceramides is a vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free moisturizer that replenishes the skin's barrier with hydration and moisture.
It contains whole hemp plant-derived CBD to restore and soothe the skin, ceramides (AP, EOP, EOS, NP, NS), cholesterol and essential fatty acids to support skin's moisture barrier and acid mantle and hyaluronic acid and sugarcane-derived squalane to hydrate and bind moisture for the skin.
Suitable for: Normal skin Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin
If you're looking for oil-free moisturizers, check out this list of the 21 Best Oil-Free Moisturizers on the market.
How to Apply Your Skin Care Products Properly?
You might not be applying your skin care products properly which could be the reason behind the lack of results.
When applying products, apply the ones with thinnest consistency first followed by the ones with the thickest consistency.
If you have products with equal thickness, then apply the one with the lightest color first followed by the one with the darkest color.
Serums and moisturizers should be applied while your skin is damp because skin become permeable allowing products to penetrate through easily.
If you suffer from dry and dehydrated skin then you need to be hydrating and moisturizing your skin at the same time to be able to fight both skin issues.
The order in which you apply your skin care products matter, hydrators should be applied first to deliver water to skin cells, followed by moisturizers to lock in water to prevent it from evaporating.
When skin care products are applied properly they provide the protection your skin needs.
How do you store your skin care products?
Because of the oil content, cream moisturizers can rotten if they are kept in areas with a high-temperature so keep your moisturizer in a skincare fridge.
Make sure to tightly close the lid of your products, otherwise, the water in gel moisturizers will evaporate.
Bottom Line
Understanding the difference between hydrating vs moisturizing, can help you identify the issues your skin is having to better resolve the problem.
If your skin is dehydrated then it needs to be hydrated because it lacks water.
A hydrator provides the water that the skin needs because it pulls water from the dermis to the epidermis increasing moisture.
On the other hand, if your skin is dry then it needs to be moisturized because it lacks oil.
A moisturizer locks and seals moisture to minimize transepidermal water loss.
Do you now know the differences between hydrating vs moisturizing? Do you need to hydrate or moisturize your skin? Let me know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
You should first hydrate your skin to deliver water to skin cells and then moisturize to lock in water to prevent it from evaporating.
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