Moisture is the essence of wetness and wetness is the essence of beauty, said male supermodel Derek Zoolander.

Although he may have been clueless about most things, the vapid, eponymous character of the 2001 comedy film, Zoolander, may have been right on the money when it came to moisturisers.

Moisturising is a beauty mantra that most of us already know and beauty brands have taken it one step further by incorporating water into skincare and make-up products.

Water is an important component of skin as skin cells consist of 85 per cent water.

Dr Joyce Lim, owner of Joyce Lim Skin and Laser Clinic, said: 'A hydrated skin looks better - it looks smooth and clear. It also functions better as it preserves the skin barrier function, prevents loss of nutrients from the skin and prevents entry of bacterial or toxic substances into the skin.'

Companies like Laneige and Clinique use ingredients such as purified water and skin conditioning agents in their make-up range.

For example, Laneige's make-up line, Snow Crystal, contains ceramide repair water - a combination of purified water and ceramide, a family of lipid molecules - to lock in moisture and build up the skin's barrier function.

The brand also sells 300 bottles of its water-based moisturiser Water Bank Hydro Gel in Singapore each month. Meanwhile, Clinique's water-based moisturiser Moisture Surge Extra Thirsty Skin Relief alone contributes to almost 3 per cent of Clinique's global business sales each year.

French beauty brand Clarins is also launching a plethora of water-based creams and serums, The HydraQuench Multi-Climate range, next month which claim to protect the skin against pollution and extreme climates as well as keep it hydrated.

But can such products really do as they promise? Dr Eileen Tan, consultant dermatologist at Eileen Tan Skin, Laser and Hair Transplant Clinic in Mount Elizabeth Hospital, said: 'They may contain humectant and emollients such as hyaluronate and glycerin that help to retain water and smoothen the skin.'

Dr Lim added: 'Yes they can work. But they cannot replace drinking enough water.'

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times on Apr 30, 2008.