There are two types of moisturizers out there: a frenemy moisturizer and a true BFF moisturizer. Here’s a brief overview on how these types of moisturizers are different and how to spot the true BFFs that will support your skin in the long run.

Frenemy Moisturizers

Like the name implies, a frenemy is someone who pretends to be your friend, but is really your enemy. Frenemy-type moisturizers are a dime a dozen. They line the shelves of drug stores and are full of empty promises. Here’s how a frenemy moisturizer works:

• It gives artificial moisture to the skin by simply plumping up the dead skin cells that lie on the surface of the skin.

• This plumpness feels wonderful (like a fake compliment from your frenemy) but this plump, supple skin is gone as soon as the moisturizer is washed away or the water evaporates from those superficial skin cells.

• Essentially, this is like blowing up balloons, only to leave them untied and let the air escape.

This type of moisturizer does nothing to support the skin’s hydration levels in the long term sense.

True BFF Moisturizers

Like a true best friend forever, a moisturizer that provides proper hydration from the inside out is a rare treasure. Here’s how a BFF moisturizer cares about you, shows kindness to your skin, provides long-lasting support, and brings out the best in you:

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  BFF moisturizers don’t artificially inflate dying skin cells; instead, they prevent transepidermal water loss, which is just a sciencey way of saying “dehydration because water is leaving the body through the skin.”

• BFF moisturizers also give the skin structural fats (like ceramide, sphingomyelin, and phospholipids) which support and strengthen the barrier function of the skin.

• This enhances the skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF), which allows your skin to build up its own natural moisturizing abilities over time. This is like your BFF reminding you why you’re already an amazing person to boost your self-esteem and confidence levels!

• A true moisturizer that has your back will also act as a vehicle to deliver key ingredients (Vitamins A, C, & E and anti-oxidants, to name a few) in a fat soluble form that will allow that healthy good stuff to get where it needs to go: the deeper layers of the skin. It’s like that perfect gift from your BFF who knows what you really, really wanted.

How to Spot ‘Em

Your next BFF moisturizer might not be the easiest to spot, but with a little investigating, you’ll find your perfect ride or die buddy in no time. Look for the following clues to determine which moisturizer is going to be there through thick and thin:

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  Texture: A good moisturizer should feel light, like a serum. Frenemy moisturizers are the sorts that are heavy and occlusive.

• Ingredients: Look for aloe, ceramides, phospholipids, shea butter, and oils like argan and hempseed.

• Packaging: Some of the best skincare ingredients are fragile and need protection from air and light. Look for serums in airless pumps that have opaque bodies, and avoid serums in wide mouth jars like the plague! These products either don’t have proper ingredients or they are jam packed with unnecessary preservatives.

Looking to swap your frenemy moisturizer for a true BFF that will support you and bring out your best?

Look no further than Hydrate: Vitamin Moisturizer by GR8/SKN.
This Hydration Hero ticks all the boxes:

• Prevents dehydration

• Protects the barrier function of your skin

• Provides structural fats to strengthen the skin

• Increases the skin’s natural moisturizing factor

• Packed with fat soluble Vitamins B, C, & E, anti-oxidants, and hyaluronic acid

• Packaged properly in airless pumps to prevent light and air from mingling with your BFF