I have just made major discovery, moisturizing and hydrating skin is very very important, I  know laughable. My friends fell off  their chairs, one even bragged she applies face moisturizer on her body….puleeezz! What happened to  skincare 101 every teenage girl should know already, the basic three step of cleanse, tone and moisturize? I’m way past my teens to put it mildly, I have spent tons of money- a small fortune on skin care but I have till recently never realized that  the fine lines or laugh lines if you will on my skin which  have baffled me  for years is really a simple case of thirsty skin. My skin was beginning to grow wizened with the  passing of time and lack of adequate moisture.  A problem that never occurred to me after all there so many other skin issues to contend with.

So with my new found discovery which came about because I happen to attend some talks and workshops on skin care like the Biotherm swanky Wave Bus- made me realized how bad my skin care regiment is and how I have neglected my skin. But like all good things, it never rains but it pours. Suddenly a whole new world opened up, my mind is  deluged with all kinds of moisturizers and hydrating gels that are out there that it fused out -I got confused. My mind had frozen with the information overload.

So I decided to get some clarifications and asked a couple of industry experts what is the difference between hydrating  and moisturizing, Biotherm’s Trainer Vanessa  and Eunice Phang and Clinique’s  Senior Product Manager, Christine

Biotherm Aquasource for Oil Free for Combination Skin

1) What is difference between hydrating and moisturizing?

EunicePhang: moisturizer is the umbrella term for skincare to provide moisture (a balance, healthy layer of hydro-lipidic film on the epidermis) to skin. Moisturizers come in various texture to suit different skin needs, such as the hydrating gels for oily skin that prefers a light gel-like texture. While cream moisturizer are for dryer skin.

Christine: Hydrating gels are more for giving the skin “water content”, to plump up the skin. Example would be like from a raisin to grape. Skin would look healthier and feels more comfortable instantly. This product is more suitable for someone whose skin is dehydrated.

Clinique’s Moisture Surge

2) When should someone use a hydrating and when to use moisturizers?

Eunice Phang: this depends on the users individual needs, hydrating gel is used if the person has dry & dehydrated skin and has superficial fine lines (sign of dehydrated skin). While richer creams which contains more lipid are needed if the skin appear scaly and dry.

Christine: Moisturizers works to improve skin texture (example of rough to smooth skin) and to build and strengthen back the skin’s moisture barrier. As we age, also due to stress and UV rays, the moisture barrier breaks down. An intact moisture barrier is important as it keeps moisture in and irritants out. This products is good for someone who is concern with dryness.

3) What is difference between gel and lotion?

Eunice Phang: the difference is the texture. Gel is lighter, lotion such as the Milky Lotion that Biotherm has in the whitening and age fitness range has a fluid, milky texture for people who likes moisturizer that are not too creamy and sticky.

Christine: Moisturizers and hydrators can come in different textures – gel, lotion, cream (in order of thickness). Gels would absorb faster compare to cream.

4) What are some common problems when used wrongly either one?

Eunice Phang: if the moisturizer is too rich, it will lead to break out as the skin receive extra sebum that may not be needed. Meanwhile, if the moisturizer is not rich enough, there will be no efficiency on the skin. Hence skin consultation is very important to determine your skinâ€^TMs specific need and helping you pick the right moisturizer.

Christine: When wrongly used, common skin problems could include tiny or major breakouts, and skin feels uncomfortable.

5) How should one go about choosing the right hydrating gel or moisturizing cream/lotion /gel?

Eunice Phang: getting a professional consultation and skin test is the best way in determining the suitable moisturizer for maximum efficiency. Else, different skin type has different preferences: such as oily skin to use a non-greasy hydrating gel.

Christine: Go for a skin consultation to find out your skin condition to see which texture is more suitable. It would depend on your skin condition (oily / dry / combination), skin concern (dehydrated, dryness) and your texture preference.

6) If there is one product you think someone should absolutely have which is it …

Eunice Phang: there is no ONE product to pick but must be a complete 3 steps range. So to pick a range, I would choose one for hydration as it is the root to healthy skin. The Biotherm Aquasource range is highly recommended as everyone needs hydration to their skin, environmental factors such as dry weather and air conditioning, all these leads to loss of hydration and moisture. As well the Aquasource range comes in different texture suitable for different skin type: mattifying gel for oily skin, fresh gel moisturizer for normal/combi skin and a richer cream for dry skin.

Christine: The one product that everybody should have is Clinique Moisture Surge, a thirst quencher, which is ideal for all skin type. A skin lacking in water is precursor to other skin problems from lines, freckles and premature aging. This moisturizer can be applied on top of you regular moisturizer to enhance the moisture absorption, and for immediate pick up, it can be applied as a 5 minute mask.

Product Review: I have been for the past month trying both products  on my face as I have a combination skin, oily on the Tzone.I alternate between Biotherm’s Aquasource for day and night with copper minerals for hydration with mattifying effect and in between during the day I would just pat a small dollop of Clinique’s Moisture Surge over my make up of the day around noon time with clean fingers of course. I had my reservations about putting on the moisture surge in the beginning for fear of breakouts after all, aren’t we suppose to clean our face first before applying any skin care? But I just had to try it, because the claim is that it is an instant pick me up and the beauty consultants have all reassured me YES, I can put it over make up , so I did and I must say, so far so good. No break outs even as I usually touch up over it with SPF 25  compact powder for immediate sunblock effect.

I must say my skin feels and looks more plump. Skin is not so oily in the first  part of the day and fine lines previously known as laugh lines, near my mouth has been reduced looking plumper.  And skin is only slightly oilier in the afternoon and evenings compared to usual but applying the Moisture Surge is now a cooling experience exactly like a thirst quencher…so guess who is having the last laugh!!

Picture credit:www.sxc.hu

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