Some say Gen Zs and millennials might be the most hydrated generation ever. Just look around: tumblers in every color, sparkling and flavored water in endless varieties, and constant reminders to “stay hydrated.” Hydration isn’t just a habit anymore—it’s a flex.
And it’s not just about what’s in our cups. Skincare has its own hydration craze, too. Serums, moisturizers, masks—they’re now non-negotiables, fueled by the obsession with glass skin and that elusive dewy glow. Water isn’t just cool, it is the culture.
But here’s the twist: Even with all the buzz, hydration in beauty remains one of the most misunderstood topics. For many, it still means slapping on moisturizer and calling it a day. If your skin isn’t dry or flaky, you’re fine. If it’s oily, you must be moisturized. Right?
Not quite. Which is why The Beauty Edit, in partnership with Céleteque, sat down with four of the country’s top dermatologists for an exclusive roundtable—to bust the myths, clear the confusion, and set the record straight on what hydration really means for the skin.
Why Hydration Deserves Attention
“[People] think that if you drink a lot of water, that’s enough to hydrate your skin,” says The Beauty Edit’s Nicole Morales, kicking off the conversation on one of skincare’s biggest misconceptions.
She’s joined by four board-certified dermatologists, each bringing their own expertise and perspective: Dr. Francesca Sy-Alvarado (@dr.chesca), founder and Medical Director of Quad Clinic; Dr. Gaile Robredo-Vitas (@irenegaile), Medical Director of dermHQ and dermatologist at beautiqueMD; Dr. Bea Chan (@beamaxinechan), Medical Director of The Skin B Clinic; and Dr. R-Jay Agbon (@radiantdermph), who specializes in skin, hair, nail health, and venereology.
And if there’s one thing they agree on right away, it’s this: when it comes to skin hydration, most people don’t have it figured out. Take the ever-confusing question: Is hydration the same as moisture? (Spoiler: No.) “Actually, to be honest, even as a resident before, even I was so confused… like what was that again?” admits Dr. Robredo-Vitas, showing that even seasoned skin experts can mix up the two.
The short answer? “Hydration is more about water content, and moisture is more about keeping the water in,” she explains. And that’s just the beginning. Do oily skin types still need hydration? Can skipping moisturizer actually make your skin oilier? These are just some of the myths and misconceptions the derms unpack in this discussion.
What You’ll Learn From the Experts
This roundtable isn’t about generic advice—it’s straight talk from experts who live and breathe skin. From how tropical weather affects hydration needs to the sneaky signs of dehydration that show up on your face, they dive into it all. “If you look more tired than usual, get dark under-eye circles even with enough sleep, or when your lines are more prominent—that means you’re already dehydrated,” shares Dr. Chan.
The conversation also zeroes in on cleansing, often overlooked as the first step to hydration. As Dr. Agbon emphasizes: “If your cleanser leaves you squeaky clean, that’s actually not good for your skin.”
And because no skincare talk is complete without tackling trends, the derms also weigh in on viral TikTok advice and myths—from preteens using retinol to the idea that oily skin can thrive without a moisturizer. On that note, Dr. Sy-Alvarado is clear: “Even if you’re oily, you still need a moisturizer. You just need lighter formulations.”
Hydration, Decoded
But perhaps one of the biggest takeaways is this: Hydration is universal. Every skin type—whether oily, dry, or somewhere in between—needs it. But the way you hydrate should shift as your skin changes with age, hormones, and lifestyle. “Hydration isn’t just a one-size-fits-all thing, because everyone is different, and every skin type is different,” says Morales.
That need becomes even more important as we age, too. Dr. Chan shares her own turning point: “When I reached 30, that’s when I really felt it. That’s the ideal age to exert more effort.”
Of course, these are just snippets of a much deeper conversation. The full roundtable goes further into ingredients, proper layering, and the nuances of maintaining a strong skin barrier. “Your skin barrier will dictate how your skin behaves,” says Dr. Robredo-Vitas—a line that perfectly captures why hydration matters more than most people realize.
For the full breakdown—myths, mistakes, pro tips, and personal stories—watch the full video and hear it straight from the experts.
