What does moisturize mean?
Moisturize means to add moisture to something or reduce dryness in it. The word is especially common in skincare, where creams, lotions, oils, and similar products are used to keep skin soft and comfortable. It can also refer to an object that helps retain moisture, although the verb is normally used with the material being treated as its object: people moisturize their face, hands, or dry skin. In general descriptions, moisturize can describe an environmental or physical process, as when damp air helps plants retain moisture. The term is chiefly associated with American spelling, while British English generally uses “moisturise.” Its meaning is narrower than the broad verb “hydrate,” since moisturizing usually concerns the surface of an object or the body’s outer tissue, whereas hydration can refer more broadly to supplying water throughout the body.
verbTo add moisture to something or make it less dry, especially the skin. It may also be used intransitively to describe the process of retaining or restoring moisture.
- To add moisture to something, especially skin, in order to reduce dryness or preserve suppleness.
"She gently moisturized her face before applying makeup."
"The lotion moisturizes dry skin without leaving a greasy residue."
"Humid weather helps the plants moisturize naturally, so they need less frequent watering."
“Moisturize” fills in what cleansing removes: the natural oils and water that keep skin supple.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does moisturize come from?
Moisturize combines “moisture” with the combining form “-ize,” which is derived from Greek and is used to form verbs meaning “to make” or “to cause to become.” “Moisture” in turn comes from “moist,” ultimately associated with Latin words meaning damp or musty. The verb developed during the 19th century, when it was especially applied to the treatment of skin.
Related word forms
How moisturize is actually used
Usually used transitively, with the thing being moisturized as its object. In product and skincare contexts, it often implies applying a cream, lotion, or oil; “moisturise” is the usual spelling in British English.