Moisturisation Vs Hydration

In the world of pet grooming, healthy skin is the foundation for a radiant coat. Yet, with the array of shampoos, conditioners, and topical treatments available, one vital distinction often goes unrecognised: the difference between hydration and moisturisation. While both are essential for skin health, they function differently and understanding their roles is key to selecting the right grooming products, especially when it comes to the use of humectants.

What’s the Difference?

• Hydration refers to increasing the water content within the skin. This is achieved by attracting water to the skin's outer layers.
• Moisturisation, on the other hand, involves trapping and sealing that moisture in, preventing water loss from the skin surface.

Think of it this way: humectants hydrate, while emollients moisturise.

Emollients: The Sealers, emollients are ingredients like plant oils, butters, and silicones that smooth and soften the skin by forming a protective layer. They help repair the skin barrier, reduce dryness, and prevent water from evaporating. While crucial in managing chronic dryness and improving texture, emollients do not draw water into the skin - they simply help retain what’s already there.

Humectants: The Water Magnets, humectants, by contrast, are water-attracting ingredients. Common examples include glycerin, propylene glycol, sodium PCA, panthenol, and the increasingly popular hyaluronic acid. These compounds draw mois

Best Practices for Groomers, when choosing or recommending products:

• Look for humectants on the ingredient list, ideally in the first half, indicating a higher concentration.
• Create Hydration sprays for pet owners to spray each day all over the pet with a humectant based Mask or conditioner mixed with water.
• Avoid overuse of alcohol-based products, which can strip hydration from the skin.
• Educate pet owners on the importance of regular, professional grooming to maintain skin hydration, particularly in allergy-prone or sensitive pets.

Our Favourite Hydrating Mask is the Pek Mask Conditioner, ideal for also making hydration sprays