For most people, these are interchangeable, and it’s not hard to see why.

Both terms relate to liquid, making people think they’re one and the same.

After all, if your skin is hydrated, doesn’t that mean it’s moisturized, too?

A person touching their face

As it turns out not quite.

Just as dry versusdehydrated skinare different, hydrated andmoisturized skinare two separate things as well.

The confusion likely comes from the deluge of products promising to deliver the same effect.

Swatches of skin care products spread on a table

Start by gaining a deeper understanding of how hydration differs from moisturization.

The same thing goes for products that claim to deliver hydrating and moisturizing benefits.

Board-certified dermatologist and Mount Sinai Department of Dermatology instructor Meghan Feely toldShapethe key difference between the two.

A woman inspecting her face in front of a mirror

“Hydrating products hydrate your skin cells, i.e.

They work hand in hand to keep your skin barrier healthy.

How to know what your skin needs

Make no mistake.

Your skin needs to be moisturized and hydrated at the same time.

Dry skin has a flaky appearance, while dehydrated skin looks duller.

You still need supporting products to thrive.

“The solution is topical rather than internal,” NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner toldReal Simple.