Dehydration Lines versus Wrinkles.

What’s the difference? 

If your skin feels dry, flaky, and more sensitive than usual, there's a chance that it may be dehydrated. Dehydration lines can look similar to deep wrinkles, and at times it may be hard to tell the difference. To help you determine if your skin is experiencing dehydration lines or deep wrinkles.  

What Causes Wrinkles?

Fine lines and wrinkles are most commonly caused by aging. As we age, the collagen and elastin in our skin break down. Both collagen and elastin are an essential part of skin health and provide structure to help keep it looking smooth and young. As these proteins begin to break down, skin loses elasticity and becomes unable to bounce back into place, ultimately causing wrinkles to appear. Aside from natural aging, exposing the skin barrier to damaging UV rays through sun exposure can also speed up the aging process and cause more fine lines to form [1]. Repeated facial expressions also play a role in wrinkle formation and first appear around the eyes, forehead, and mouth. And while we’d never tell you to ‘express less’ – we celebrate every moment of laughter, tears and big emotions that accompany life – we’re here if and when you want help diminishing the visible results that come with being fully expressed through the years. 

How to Minimize the Appearance of Wrinkles

To minimize the appearance of wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming, consider a dedicated age repair skin care routine. Incorporating skincare products and treatments into your routine that specifically target the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging is an excellent way to ensure that your skin continues to look and feel its best at every age.  

What Causes Dehydration Lines?

Unlike wrinkles, dehydration lines are not caused by aging but by dehydration itself. Dehydrated skin is a skin condition often caused by external elements like the weather and seasonal changes [2].It can be also largely associated with your diet and lifestyle choices. Not drinking enough water, consuming high levels of salt or drinking too much alcohol can drain your skin's water content and result in a less radiant appearance, causing lines similar to wrinkles. When determining if your skin is dehydrated, it's important to note that dehydration is the amount of water in your skin, not oil. Even people with oily skin types can endure dehydrated skin. The good news is that a combination of topical treatments and healthier lifestyle choices can help reduce the appearance of dehydration lines. 

Signs of Dehydrated Skin

Struggling to determine if you're dealing with dehydration lines or wrinkles? Here are some of the most common signs of dehydrated skin: 

#1 Your Skin is Itchy

Whether you've recently taken a trip to the beach, or are being affected by seasonal weather changes, if you feel a need to scratch your skin, then chances are you’re experiencing a bit of skin dehydration. Elements like wind, high temperatures, and sun exposure can deplete your skin’s protective barrier of moisture and leave it feeling dry and itchy. If you're struggling with dry skin, you may also notice a flaky, rough texture to it. 

#2 Your Skin is Sensitive

One of the most common signs of dehydrated skin is that you experience an increase in irritation. As your skin's moisture barrier depletes, it loses the ability to protect itself from external factors like pollution, wind, and bacteria. Coming in contact with everyday stressors can leave it feeling red, itchy, and sensitive.  

#3 Your Skin Feels Dull

If your skin doesn’t look or feel as bright and fresh as usual, it's likely dehydrated. Proper skin hydration plays a prominent role in essential functions like cell turnover. Without it, your skin cells won't turn over as quickly, and dead cells may accumulate on the surface of your skin. Not only can dead skin cells clog up pores, but they will also leave your skin looking dull and lifeless.  

How to Minimize Dehydrated Skin

To minimize dehydrated skin, you'll want to start by changing up your skincare routine. You can treat skin dehydration topically with products that are formulated with hydrating or soothing ingredients.  

When it comes to introducing more hydration into skin on a consistent basis, you want to look for products containing hydrating ingredients like squalene and hyaluronic acid.