Moisturizing and nourishing the skin: do you know exactly what the difference is?

Cleansing, moisturizing and nourishing are the three pillars that keep the beauty and health of the skin. And if everything is more or less clear with cleansing, then the boundaries between hydration and nutrition are blurred. It’s time to find out what the difference is.

What is the meaning of skin hydration

Google any skincare product and within seconds, we’re bombarded with offers. It seems that artificial intelligence knows better than us what we need. Here is nutrition for you, and here is hydration, and here are nourishing oils with a moisturizing effect. So what should we choose, nutrition or hydration?

Everyone knows that a living organism needs water and food. We need water for the simple reason that we are 2/3 of it. By the amount of water in the body, you can determine the biological age:

  • in a newborn – 90% water;

  • in a 50-year-old man – 55%.

Even from slight dehydration, the head starts to hurt, fatigue develops.

Skin turgor is an indicator of the moisture content of the cellular environment. Only with a sufficient level of moisture, the skin can be elastic and beautiful.

Biological age can be determined by the amount of water in the body.

Human skin (cells and extracellular fluid) is approximately 72% water. And since the skin is a barrier organ, it is the first to suffer from a lack of moisture. In addition to the 1,5–2 liters of water needed by the body per day (tea, coffee and soups do not count), the skin needs special moisturizing care.

If there is not enough moisture, the skin becomes dull, dry up to peeling, wrinkles appear on it. These are sure signs of a violation of the hydrobalance.

Sufficient moisture is needed to ensure:

  • skin turgor;

  • timely removal of toxins;

  • microcirculation, on which a healthy complexion depends;

  • lack of edema (yes, that’s right: with sufficient moisture, lymph outflow works well);

  • full functioning of the skin as an organ (including the synthesis of collagen and elastin, regeneration processes);

  • absorption of nutrients (water acts as a solvent and conductor).

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What is the meaning of skin nutrition

Without food, as you know, a person can hold out for a relatively long time (not just without water), but it is impossible to do without it at all. And this applies to the skin no less.

Nutrients are properly assimilated only if there is a sufficient content of water in the tissues, which is an indispensable participant in metabolism. And they are necessary for the skin as well as moisture.

From food we get vital proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and a host of other biologically active substances (antioxidants, probiotics, enzymes). All this is necessary for the skin. For what? To fulfill your multi-tasking mission.

  • Protective function: The lipid film on the surface of the skin is the first line of defense against the negative effects of the external environment (including frost and free radicals).

  • Regeneration: Restoration and healing of the skin is impossible with poor nutrition.

  • Elimination of toxins.

  • Elimination of damage.

  • Maintaining attractiveness – do not underestimate this point.

But only with an ideal diet can we provide the skin with all the nutrients.

“The skin receives nutrition on a residual basis, after the needs of the internal organs are satisfied,” explains Vichy medical consultant Ekaterina Turubara.

In recent years, cosmetics manufacturers have placed maximum emphasis on moisturizers, but the skin’s need for nutrients has not decreased at all. Especially for her, high-quality fats are important.

Nourishing creams are most often associated with heavy, oily textures. This is an outdated stereotype. Yes, for some skin types, this consistency will be optimal. But nutritious does not mean oily or sticky.
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Textures 2-in-1

From the moment when scientists made oils “love” water and created hydrophilic and two-phase products, there was a happy opportunity to combine hydration and nutrition. The old clear distinction is gone: in the morning – moisturizer, in the evening – nourishing, and you no longer have to choose between them.

The problem of combining hydration and nutrition in one bottle is of particular relevance:

  1. for oily and combination skin, which you do not want to overload with layers of cosmetics.

  2. for anti-aging care: after 40 years, the skin needs intensive and deep hydration plus nutrition.

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Moisturizing Ingredients

  • Glycerol.

  • Hyaluronic acid.

  • Extracts of some plants and algae.

  • Urea and other components of natural moisturizing factor (NMF).

Manufacturers today are actively promoting the idea of ​​​​pure hydration, as this is the number one need for the skin.

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Intensive moisturizing products in different textures

Fabric mask “Aquabomba” with pomegranate extract, Garnier makes the procedure of moisturizing a very pleasant experience. And the effect of one mask with hyaluronic acid, pomegranate extract and glycerin is equivalent to a week of using a moisturizer with glycerin.

Moisture Genius Facial Fluid for Normal to Combination Skin, L’Oréal Paris with the lightest texture (the product consists of 82% purified water) is instantly absorbed and deeply moisturizes the skin – it acts on 5 layers of the epidermis. Provides moisture for 72 hours. Does not require subsequent application of the cream.

Кrich moisturizing cream for dry and very dry skin Aqualia Thermal, Vichy Thanks to its smart formula, it optimally distributes moisture to all areas of the face. Hyaluronic acid, aquabioryl complex, thermal water, carrageenan provide an intense moisturizing effect.

Intensive moisturizing regenerating gel Hydrating B5 Gel, SkinCeuticals, gives a noticeable effect, it is enough to apply only 4-5 drops in the morning and evening. The active ingredients of the product are hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5.

Naked Skin One & Done, Urban Decay multifunctional tinted moisturizer cares for the skin and evens out the tone. Moisturizers and SPF (in this case SPF 20) are the bare minimum we expect from a tint today.

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Nutritious Ingredients

  • Vitamins: almost the entire alphabet from A to R.

  • Minerals: they contain products with thermal water.

  • Omega fatty acids, lipids are the main components of nourishing cosmetics.

  • Essential oilssaturated with many biologically active substances.

  • Amino acids (proteins, proteins).

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Nutrients in different textures

Night cream-mask “Luxury nutrition. Extraordinary Oil, L’Oréal Paris, can be used as a night cream and/or as a mask. The composition is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, lipids and other biologically active substances, which are contained in argan oil, nutmeg rose oil, royal jelly, and imperial cylindrical extract.

Cream to protect dry skin Nutrilogie 1, Vichy has a light texture, although rich in oils of apricot and jojoba. Contains sphingolipids that activate the skin’s own production of lipids. And thermal water provides the skin with essential minerals.

Emulsion Hydra Zen Glow, Lancôme relieves the skin of stress caused by negative environmental factors. Contains amino acids, hyaluronic acid, rose extracts and aloe vera.

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Products with the function of simultaneous moisturizing and nourishing

Intensive soothing care for hypersensitive and allergic skin Toleriane Dermallergo, La Roche-Posay with the lightest texture based on thermal water rich in selenium, soothes irritation and soothes even the most sensitive skin. Moisturizing ingredients in the formula are combined with nourishing shea butter and squalane.

Light cream for normal to oily skin with signs of aging Face Cream, SkinCeuticals and nourishes and moisturizes the skin, correcting age-related changes due to active ingredients. Soy proteins, a complex of vegetable oils, antioxidants – all this provides a caring and anti-aging effect.

Génifique Repair Night Cream, Lancôme allows you to combine deep hydration and nutrition. In the morning, the skin looks fresh and rested even if you have slept less than necessary.

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And yet: what to choose?

When choosing care, focus on:

  • skin type (we look at the manufacturer’s recommendations);

  • subjective feelings: like/dislike;

  • satisfaction from use: there is an effect or it is not visible;

  • understanding what the skin needs.

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