Do you know that well hydrated and moisturized skin can keep your skin looking young and healthy? That is why many skincare products used for anti-ageing purposes target hydration and moisturization. Incorporating items such as serums and moisturizers are a great way to keep the moisture and hydration in your skin intact.
With that said, a skincare routine should be tailor-made based on the condition of your skin. A method that works for one person may not be as effective for another. If you’ve been wondering why other people at a very mature age still manage to have young and glowing skin compared to yours, maybe you should reconsider your current skincare routine regarding hydration and moisturization. Also, do not be afraid of finding alternative solutions such as hyaluronic acid fillers to achieve more immediate yet equally effective results.
So, what does hydration make any difference to moisturization? Does each require a different skincare routine? Have you been doing it wrong?
What’s the Difference between Hydration vs Moisturization
• Hydration
Hydration with regards to complexion means having a healthy amount of water in your skin. The lack of water or hydration results in dry, dull, and flaky skin. Hydrated skin is very obvious to people who deeply understand proper skincare, in terms of proper skin hydration and moisturization. A hydrated skin usually appears to be smooth, radiant, and has an even tone.
• Moisturization
Moisturization is about trapping and locking in the moisture to build a natural protective barrier to the skin. Though our body can produce natural oils, also known as lipid cells, not everyone is lucky enough to have enough of this mentioned component on their skin. This is when moisturizing products come.
Moisturizing every day can reduce the chance of developing extreme dryness or oiliness, which are both the primary reasons for having acne.
Speaking of hydration and moisturization, there are two misunderstood skin issues: dehydrated skin and dry skin. Some may think that dehydration is the cause of dry skin, so better know its differences. Dry means it lacks moisturization, while dehydrated means lack of skin water. Here are some of the signs that determine whether you have dehydrated or dry skin:
• Dehydrated skin
- Dark looking skin
- Dark Circles
- Itchiness on some areas of the skin
- Dry mouth
- Puffy eyes
- Wrinkles
• Dry Skin
- Flaky Skin
- Redness of the skin
- Irritation of skin
- Flaky skin
Therefore, both hydration and moisturization have important roles in your skin. Both help your skin fight the early signs of aging like wrinkles and saggy skin. The only difference between these two is how to achieve the results. This is also important because the absence of the other cannot achieve the young and healthy skin you are going for.
How do you Hydrate your Skin?
• Drink an adequate amount of water
One of the literal ways of hydrating your skin is by consuming ample amounts of water every day. Hydrating your body means a lot, especially for the quality of your complexion. Aside from keeping a healthy metabolism it also keeps your skin healthy. Like what your parents and teachers often remind you as a kid, always drink 8 glasses of water a day.
• Avoid long hot showers
Taking a bath is undoubtedly essential to wash away dirt accumulated on your skin. However, taking long hot showers is not recommended. It can destroy the barriers of your skin and cause flaky dry skin over time. It can also reduce or even lose moisture and oils in your skin that are necessary to keep your skin both hydrated and moisturized.
• Use of hydrating skin products
There are tons of products available that can help you gain good hydrated and moisturized skin. With that said, it also helps to check carefully on the products that you use to make sure they apply to your desired results. There are some specific and important contents you should look at the labels of the product.
1. Glycerin
Glycerin acts as a magnet for your skin, it attracts moisture from the environment from the surface of your skin. Glycerin is known as a humectant or the ability to retain moisture.
2. Urea
Urea is a component of the Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) that is naturally produced by the skin. Same as glycerin, urea is also a humectant that can help absorb moisture from the environment which helps soften and smoothen the skin.
3. Ceramides
Ceramides contribute as a barrier to lock in the moisture of the skin. It helps you prevent losing skin water and keeps the moisture of your skin present.
4. Panthenol
Panthenol is a chemical substance produced by pantothenic acid or vitamin B5. It is commonly used as a moisturizer for cosmetic products and can also heal wounds. It protects the skin to reduce possible dehydration and dryness.
5. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is popular on skincare products that are opting to provide hydrated skin. It helps maintain the elasticity of your skin which is very significant in fighting early signs of aging. It increases the production of collagen, which lessens the visibility of thin wrinkles and uneven skin tone.
What are Hyaluronic Acid Fillers?
Hyaluronic acid fillers are dermal fillers designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is also popularly known as sugar or sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycan that are present in the dermis. It is a major component that naturally exists in the skin and is a key component in the skin’s ability to retain water for a plump, hydrated complexion. This component is famous on cosmetic products because of its ability to attract more water since hyaluronic acid is also a humectant like glycerin and urea that helps provide natural-looking plump skin.
Unlike serums and lotions, hyaluronic acid fillers’ results appear faster. It rapidly adds volume, smoothens the texture of the skin, and stimulates the production of collagen.
Who are Good Candidates for Hyaluronic Acid Fillers?
Fillers are commonly one of the best options amongst those who are looking for a safe and non-surgical way to reduce the appearance of deep creases, loose cheeks, and saggy skin. Fillers are the best solution to avoid going under the knife yet effective and have fast results.
Most individuals interested in acquiring fillers are in the age of mid-to-late thirties. These are patients who think they are about to get into the age where wrinkles and thin lines are close to possible. With that being said, there are also people in their twenties who receive dermal filler treatments to correct minor deformities that are naturally present since childhood.
Generally, anyone can seemingly become a good candidate for hyaluronic acid fillers. Though there are ideal candidates that best fit to acquire fillers. Smokers for example are needed to lessen or quit smoking. Cigarette smoking patients lessens the ability for the skin to heal immediately compared to non-smokers. Also, because cigarette smoking initially is a common cause of some skin damages.
Even though ideal candidates are healthy and are not exposed to cigarette smoking, there can be other concerns that dermal fillers can address, such as:.
- Thinning or sunken cheeks caused by a loss of volume
- Thin or unevenly shaped lips
- A receding chin
- Minor nose deformities
- Deep nose to mouth lines
- Lines around the mouth
Additionally, allergies may also be present in some patients. They may be ideal patients in terms of health, but not with allergies. A skin test is usually provided before injecting hyaluronic acid fillers to examine if the body will show unnecessary skin reactions to the component. However, since hyaluronic acid is already present in the human body, there is a minimal chance for a patient to have an unwanted skin reaction towards hyaluronic acid.
Sunekos: Hyaluronic Acid-based Fillers for Skin Hydration
Sunekos 200 is a non-surgical treatment. It is an injectable treatment that promotes youthful, natural features through ECM homeostasis improving facial volume loss, reducing wrinkles, and hydrating the skin. The patent-protected formula contains hyaluronic acid and a combination of amino acids, precursors of collagen, and elastin (HY6AA). This combination helps to stimulate extracellular matrix regeneration, leading to dermal biogenesis. Sunekos 200 is a Class III medical device, available for both needle and cannula format.
Sunekos 200 determines the production of new Extracellular Matrix (ECM) by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin which are the main structural elements of the matrix. Sunekos is a specific patent-protected combination of Hyaluronic Acid and amino acids to stimulate ECM)regeneration.
Because it helps decrease the possible loss in the elasticity of the skin, it allows your skin to prevent expression lines and thin wrinkles which are a common sign of skin aging.
In clinical trials, results showed that after 10 days after the first treatment session with Sunekos there is a significant improvement in deep skin hydration and skin surface hydration, which remains present, even after 6 months.
To sum up everything, it is clear how hydration and moisturization act differently, yet, are significant to each other. Some may have mistaken that both are the same, which leads them to do a routine that works for only one of the two functions.
Now that you have the idea of how hydration and moisturizing differ from each other, you might want to take a look at the product you have right now, and rethink how you’ve been doing your skincare mantra. Including your daily water intake, and bath time. Also, again, there are alternate solutions out there that you can opt for alongside your current skincare regimen. Finally, always remember to do your research to make sure of your action, especially when it involves your health or your skin. Sometimes, DIYs are not safe and might only cause further skin problems.