Moisturize
MOYS-chuh-ryz
/ˈmɔɪs.tʃə.raɪz/
To make something, especially the skin, less dry by adding moisture or retaining hydration.
Focuses specifically on adding water or trapping hydration in organic tissue or skin.
The story behind the word. Moisturize developed in twentieth-century English from 'moisture', which descended from Old French 'moiste' (damp, wet). The addition of the suffix '-ize' created a verb that gained widespread popularity alongside the modern cosmetic lotion industry in the 1950s.
Word relationships
- hydrate: Hydrate often implies supplying water internally or chemically, whereas moisturize implies trapping hydration on skin surface.
- dampen: Dampen simply means to make slightly wet physically without intent to care for tissue.
- desiccate: Desiccate means to dry out completely, removing all moisture.
- dehydrate: Dehydrate means to lose water or cause water loss.
Commonly confused with
- Hydrate: Hydrate refers to supplying water at a cellular level, while moisturize focuses on sealing moisture into skin.
Word family
- moisturizer (noun): A lotion or cream used to hydrate and soften the skin.
- moist (adjective): Slightly wet or damp.
- moisture (noun): Liquid diffused as vapor or condensed on a surface.
Collocations
- moisturize dry skin
- moisturize daily
- effectively moisturize
- moisturize skin deeply
Example sentences
- "Applying skin cream right after a shower helps to moisturize damp skin and lock in moisture." Daily skincare routine
- "Patients with eczema need to moisturize multiple times a day to repair their compromised skin barrier." Dermatological publication
Memory hook
MOIST + RISE = letting skin moisture rise back up! Locking liquid into thirsty skin.
When not to use
Do not use to describe soaking or drenching objects in water; moisturize implies adding a balanced amount of hydration.
Fun facts
- The world's oldest known moisturizer ingredients include lanolin (from sheep wool fat) and beeswax, used over 4,000 years ago.
- Hyaluronic acid, a popular moisturizing ingredient today, can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
Explore more words
hydrate, humectant, hydration, humidifier, conditioner, lubricate
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