What is the difference between nutrition and hydration?

Nutrition and hydration are two essential elements in maintaining healthy, comfortable skin. Does this seem obvious to you, but you don't know how to distinguish between these two needs? Follow our guide to understand the difference between nutrition and hydration, and find a targeted response to your skin's needs.

Moisturizing your skin means supplying it with water. Nourishing skin meets its lipid needs. However, it's sometimes difficult to tell the difference...

• Skin hydration, a universal need

Skin hydration is a universal need, whatever the skin type. Water makes up around 70% of our body and is essential for maintaining the skin's balance. When skin is dehydrated, it can become dull, rough and uncomfortable. The appearance of fine lines, feelings of tightness or loss of elasticity are signs that can point you in the right direction. Even oily skin can be dehydrated.

• Dry skin and skin nutrition

Dry skin lacks lipids, which are essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and preventing water loss. In other skin types, sebum helps fulfill this mission. Lipids nourish the skin, helping to keep it smooth and supple. Dry skin is a skin type prone to sensations of discomfort such as tightness, redness and flaking. These are areas where dead cells break off in large numbers, giving the effect of small scales on the skin. 

To choose the right skincare products, it's important to understand the specifics of your skin type and to know which ingredients are best suited to it.

• Know your skin type

The first step in determining what your skin needs is to know your skin type. There are 4 categories: oily, combination, normal and dry. Each skin type has specific hydration and nutrition needs. They all need hydration, but nutrition is only essential for dry skin. With oily or combination skin, you'll need skincare that prevents blemishes and shine.

• Skin in all its states

The skin is an organ that evolves over time. It can be affected by external factors such as climate, pollution and stress. Its needs also vary according to your sex, age and genetic predisposition. These factors can affect your skin's hydration and nutrition needs, as well as its sensitivity and radiance. Stay tuned to adapt your skincare routine to your skin's condition at any given moment. 

To hydrate your skin, choose skincare products containing moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or aloe vera. The Crème Fraîche® de Beauté collection is the hydration expert. With the Replumping Moisturizing Cream | 48h a duo of plant milk and sweet almond oil provides immediate and long-lasting hydration. The fresh fragrance transforms every application into a gentle interlude.

You can also meet this skin need with the Super Serum [10], the universal anti-aging concentrate . Its hyaluronic acid serum base infused with thousands of fractionated plant oil microbeads penetrates quickly to moisturize and stimulate the skin's youth mechanisms.

Would you like to moisturize your skin while providing anti-aging benefits? A range of treatments are available:

• La Crème Eclat Multi-Correction, Prodigieuse® Boost with hyaluronic acid to correct the first signs of aging;

• Bonne Mine Effet Liftant Cream, Merveillance Lift for a firming, healthy-glow effect;

• Global Anti-Aging Cream, Nuxuriance Ultra with ALFA [3R] Technology, more effective than retinol for a global anti-aging action.

Dry skin needs the benefits of plant oils and butters to strengthen its cutaneous barrier and resist external aggressions. Choose rich textures such as Rêve de Miel Ultra-Comforting Face Balm or the Rich Radiance Moisturizing Cream | 48H (targeting hydration and nutrition). Our anti-aging collections also offer day formulas enriched with nourishing ingredients to pamper dry skin, such as the Crème Velours Effet Liftant Merveillance Lift Crème Velours Effet Liftant, Nuxuriance Ultra Global Anti-Aging Rich Cream or the Crème-Huile Nutri-Fortifiante Nuxuriance Gold the anti-aging nutrition for dry skin weakened by age.

For all skin types, night care is traditionally more enveloping, providing a sensation of comfort after make-up removal.

Don't forget that your body also needs hydration and nutrition. With its combination of 7 precious 100% plant oils (Tsubaki, Argan, Macadamia, Borage, Camellia, Hazelnut, Sweet Almond), the Huile Prodigieuse® nourishes, repairs and beautifies all skin types. It is also available in a Huile Prodigieuse® Riche with a higher concentration of Macadamia oil for drier skin. Visit Rêve de Miel 48H Ultra-Recomforting Body Cream or the Rêve de Miel Melting Body Oil Balm provide intense nourishment for dry to very dry skin.

The delicious fragrance of our iconic Huile Prodigieuse® can also be found in Prodigieux® Lait parfumé which moisturizes and silkens the skin. Visit Lait Hydratant Ressourçant Rêve de Thé unveils a sparkling fragrance and melting texture for softened, revitalized skin.

Last but not least, don't forget your hands and lips, which are subject to many daily aggressions. Apply a lip care every day and a dab of cream on your hands whenever you feel the need.

Although hydration and nutrition are two distinct elements, they are complementary in caring for your skin. While all skin types need hydration, only dry skin needs nutrition. The latter can still be beneficial for your skin, depending on the period of your life or the climate. So stay in tune with your skin to give it exactly what it needs and preserve its beauty.