Hydration vs. Moisturisation—What’s the difference?

The journey to healthy hair begins with hair moisture. Hair that lacks moisture not only looks and feels dry but also brings a slew of other hair care woes along with it. So, to moisturise your locks, your first instinct should be to pick up products that are “moisture-rich” or “hydrating.” However, did you know that hydration and moisturisation are two different things? Since these terms are often used interchangeably in the beauty world, your confusion is justified.

So, before we try to figure out whether your hair needs hydration or moisturisation, let’s understand the difference between hair hydration and hair moisture.

We all have heard how important it is to stay hydrated, for our skin and hair. Hydration is the process of replacing the water your body loses. Usually, this is attained by drinking water and fluids, or by consuming water-rich foods. However, when you think of hair hydration, it involves using products that increase the moisture content in your hair strands. Such hair products contain humectants that are responsible for absorbing and retaining moisture.

Moisture is the presence of water in the environment (in the form of vapour). During humid conditions, your hair tends to absorb this moisture from the air and releases it in drier environments. So, hair moisture implies the presence of water in your hair. Thus, you will need moisturising hair products that aim to prevent the loss of water from your tresses. If the shampoo or conditioner says “moisturising”, it means it contains moisturisers that aim to lock in water.

Routine shampooing and cleansing of hair are the ideal sources of hydration. Shampoos that have a slightly alkaline pH will raise the cuticle layer and allow your hair to absorb water into the inner layers. Since moisturising hair products contain water and prevent your tresses from losing moisture, they work wonders for extremely dry hair. Hair moisture treatments are ideal for hair that rapidly loses moisture and becomes frizzy.