Hydrating drinks are like eating 5 pieces of fruit/vegetables a day. 🍉🍌🍐 Your mother and grandmother have been saying it all their lives, they mention it from time to time on the radio or TV… but you never question why they recommend it or the specific benefits.

Today we'll tell you the basics of moisturizing creams and analyze the most common phrases in advertisements so you don't get ripped off.

Why moisturize your face with creams?

Come on, the basic thing is that water is necessary in our lives (you know... drink 1-2 liters daily). But drinking water isn't enough for your face. Nor is simply wetting it too much, because water molecules are too large to penetrate the skin, and besides, water evaporates throughout the day.

That's why we use creams to boost hydration.

A dehydrated face… is what you end up with on Saturday mornings after a hangover: a little puffy, rough, with noticeable wrinkles and expression lines that aren't as prominent during the day, dark circles under your eyes, and the occasional blemish…

And hydration, then, serves for just the opposite purpose:

• You look better instantly: with more supple, soft and 'juicy' (not shiny) skin
• It forms a protective shield against external agents, pollution, weather, …
• You prevent problems; dry skin is the precursor to dermatitis, flaking, inflammation, and irritation…
• You delay the appearance of wrinkles
• …

Koreans even have a word for when your skin looks fresh and perfect: chok chok (촉촉). That word is also a synonym for 'wet' (which is quite different from 'shiny' or 'greasy')

A moisturizer has 2 'basic' functions

• Moisturize: that is, to attract water and retain it in the skin.
• Occlude: That is, to create a (literal) layer above the skin that prevents water from evaporating.

• Emollients that smooth and soften the skin's surface,
• Ingredients to restore skin integrity (if yours is already damaged),
• Ingredients to improve your skin's natural hydration level,
• Ingredients to improve the activity of aquaporins (which are like the water slides in a water park, transporting water between cells).
• …

❌ "If you drink plenty of water, you don't need to use creams."

Drinking plenty of water is the bare minimum… but not enough.
There's a study (there isn't much relevant literature on this) that says to see significant effects on your skin, you should drink 4 liters of water daily. So the cream is a better deal for you..

❌ "IF I HAVE OILY SKIN OR ACNE, IT'S BEST NOT TO USE MOISTURIZERS"

Absolutely not. Maximum screw-up. In these cases (well, generally in all cases), a moisturizer is more than necessary. Oily skin, and acne-prone skin in general, produces more sebum than other skin types. Sebum is a fantastic natural occlusive. But that's only 50% of hydration, remember. You're missing the moisturizing component. It's different if you're looking for lighter, more watery creams or ones that control shine. But you absolutely must use a moisturizer!

❌ "NATURAL OILS ARE EXCELLENT MOISTURIZERS"

Well, generally speaking, no. Oils are good occlusives (they create a barrier) and some have additional properties… but they are also terrible moisturizers. Don't just use olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, or argan oil (jojoba oil is an exception…) because they create a false sense of hydration.

🧑‍🏫 What is false hydration?

It's a feeling of momentary relief… but it lacks deep hydration. For example, when your lips get chapped and you end up using a lip balm that you have to reapply every 3 minutes?

That's usually a sign that the cocoa (or petroleum jelly) you've chosen has great occlusive properties... but it's not treating dry skin thoroughly.

🧑‍🏫 ARE OIL-FREE CREAMS BETTER FOR BOYS THEN?

Oil-free It simply means that it doesn't contain oils. Nothing more. That does not imply:

• It should be non-comedogenic, meaning it shouldn't cause breakouts.
• Ensure the product will not cause or worsen acne
• That it feels 'heavy' or 'greasy'
  
  

Chupiconsejo: Trust the final texture of the product and whether you like it, rather than whether it's advertised as "oil-free".

🧑‍🏫 And are creams that claim to penetrate the deepest layers of the skin any better?

Avoid those kinds of slogans because they're lies… And they tell you a lot (and bad things) about the person who advertises it. By definition, a cosmetic product stays in the outermost layers of the skin. If you don't have surgery… it's impossible. 🤯 (and inadvisable) to penetrate the dermis with a cosmetic.

Moisturizer is necessary, basic and easy to make your face look great ALL year round.

What it does is attract water and prevent it from escaping (one without the other is useless).

To choose yours, go by the one you like best in terms of texture and results (so it's easy for you to repeat it every day). As for the rest of the stories… forget it.

P.d. As expected, this week's post is sponsored by our star moisturizing cream, Dragon Shot.

In addition to moisturizers, occlusives, and emollients, we've added ingredients to keep your face shine-free throughout the day, and Dragon's Blood as an extra antioxidant. It's absolutely complete.

The texture? A super light swipe that transforms into almost water upon contact with your skin. And a light, rich scent that will make you love your mornings.

Dragon Shot

Moisturizing cream with a water-cream texture and anti-shine finish for daily use.
Hydrates the skin, eliminates shine, and has an antioxidant effect.

Siwon
We do cool, right!