Does Hydrating Skincare Products Actually Work?

Hydrating skincare will work IF it has the right ingredients in it. Some products claim to be hydrating when in fact they aren't.

This is unfortunately extremely common in the cosmetic industry. X products promises to give you this or this result, but it's all empty marketing claims.

These are the ingredients to look for in a good moisturizer:

• Humectants (glycerin, sorbitol, urea, hyaluronic acid) which are able to take moisture from the ambient and deliver it to the skin (especially if you live in humid climates).
• Emollients (squalene, squalane, cholesterols, and fatty acids). Squalene is a natural organic compound derived from shark liver oil, amaranth seed, wheat germ, or olives. Squalane is a derivate which is less susceptible to oxidation. Mineral oil and lanolin may also function as occlusives as well (see below). Also ceramides have been shown to be effective in improving dry skin. CeraVe is one particular moisturizer that incorporates multiple emollients, including ceramides, cholesterols, and fatty acids.
• Natural moisturizing factors, for example sodium PCA.

Hope this helps!