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.

If you have chronically dry hair that’s brittle and rough, you are probably having issues with your hair hydration levels. This is why you need a gentle cleansing shampoo and conditioner. If moisture tends to escape your hair strands, you need hair products with moisturisers that will lock the moisture and keep your tresses hydrated.

If hair hydration is what you are aiming for, you need a shampoo and conditioner that gently nourishes and cleanses your hair, giving it the hydration it needs. Try Pantene Aloe Vera Gentle Hydrating Shampoo. Formulated with 0% silicones, dyes, and parabens, this aloe vera shampoo gently removes dirt without stripping your hair of its natural nutrients. This nutrient-infused shampoo also contains a Pro-V blend of Pro-Vitamin B5 and antioxidants. Pair this shampoo with Pantene Aloe Vera Gentle Hydrating Conditioner. This lightweight, silicone-free conditioner makes use of the nourishing properties of aloe vera and hydrates your tresses. With 0% silicones, parabens, and dyes, this nutrient-infused conditioner gives you healthy, hydrated hair.

The key to giving a new lease of life to your dry hair is to keep it moisturised. But, how do you know if your hair is being moisturised enough? Well, healthy hair emanates an unmissable gorgeous shine, when each hair strand is moisturised. We’ll tell you how to moisturise your hair and flaunt beautiful, lush locks every day.

• A moisturising shampoo and conditioner
The best way to ensure that moisture doesn’t escape from your hair is to stick to a moisture-rich shampoo and conditioner. You can always rely on Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo. This nourishing shampoo is packed with three times more moisturisers that gently clean and nourish your hair. This Pro-V nutrient blend strengthens dry, brittle hair from inside-out. Follow this up with the Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner for best results.

• Deep condition your hair
Another effective way of moisturising your hair is to choose a good deep conditioner. Deep conditioning not only moisturises your tresses but also repairs any damage your hair has sustained over time. Try Pantene Gold Series Deep Moisture Hair Mask. This deep conditioning hair mask is formulated using Pro-V blends, antioxidants, lipids, and argan oil and gives you soft and manageable hair.

• Do not rinse with hot water
When you shampoo and condition your hair, turn down the temperature of the water. Piping hot water might make you feel great after a hectic day at work, but it’s not good for your tresses. Plus, rinsing with hot water will strip your hair of its natural moisture and leave it dry and brittle. Although this doesn’t mean that you need to wash your hair with cold water all the time. Lukewarm water will do just fine.

• Use a leave-in conditioner
If your hair tends to lose moisture through the course of the day, a trusted leave-in conditioner is what you need. You can use Pantene Love Your Smooth Leave-In Crème Frizz Control, which is formulated using a unique Pro-V formula. This Leave- In Crème from Pantene deeply penetrates your hair’s core and seals in moisture to give your tresses the hydration they need and eliminates hair frizz.

The key to understanding your hair care needs depends on gauging whether your hair requires hydration or moisturisation. And with Pantene, you can get healthy, hydrated hair that is moisturised and has a glamourous shine that lasts long.