Skin care products can have a very technical vocabulary at times, but this one is pretty easy. If we take a look at this word, the meaning of it is right before our eyes if we just take the time to break it down. Think hydro, or water. Hydrous skin care products are water-based products, whereas anhydrous facial products are oil-based skin care products.
What’s the Difference?
Hydrous Skin Care
You can have a product that has both, but typically, water and oil do not mix. So, if there is oil in a water-based product, an emulsifier is used to ensure these ingredients can blend properly. The danger of water-based products is that bacteria can form if they are not properly preserved. When you see a skin care product that touts “natural water,” it could actually develop harmful bacteria that could do more harm than good to your skin.
Anhydrous Skin Care
These products do not contain water, but are instead oil-based products. Think body butters and balms as the types of skin care products you will see in this category. Because there is no water present, you are not in any danger of having bacteria form in the product. To extend the shelf-life of these products, Vitamin E is sometimes added to the product.
Watch the Marketing
Hydrating skin and moisturizing skin are two different things, but marketing ploys will often try to suck people in by misrepresenting products. For instance, anhydrous products have no water, so the do not “hydrate” the skin, but they do moisturize the skin. If a company is selling an anhydrous product with the claim that it hydrates the skin, it is misleading the customer.
Incorporating Anhydrous Products into Your Skin Care Routine
You should always start with a clean face. Wash your face thoroughly in tepid water and facial cleanser, then pay your face dry with a towel.
You will only need a small amount of anhydrous skin care product due to its oily nature. Start with only a small dot, then work the product into your face using a circular motion. If you need more, add more, but better to add then to pour out too much and waste it.
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