I’m not getting any younger, and my skin is the showing its age. I’m used to seeing a new wrinkle here and there and, to be honest, I’m okay with that. I mean, how can you be mad at “smile lines” or “laugh lines?” Even “fine lines” sound, well, fine. But I started to notice a different type of creases on my face and they were bothering me.
I went to see my esthetician and she diagnosed me with dehydrated skin. She explained the difference between dehydration lines and the wrinkles that come with aging. They’re two separate things and knowing how to tell them apart is the key to treating them. As I get older, I’m noticing this issue more and more. Rather than just upping the hydrating skin care products in my rotation, I decided to get to the bottom of why these lines were getting worse and how to fix my dehydrated skin.
My Overall Conclusions
- Dehydration lines and wrinkles are not the same thing. Dehydration lines are temporary fine lines caused by lack of water and can improve with the right hydrating skin care routine.
- Hyaluronic acid, panthenol and antioxidant-rich ingredients plump skin, strengthen the moisture barrier and reduce the appearance of dehydration lines and dull skin.
- Applying a hyaluronic acid (HA) serum to damp skin followed by a moisturizer helps lock in hydration for softer, smoother and more radiant-looking skin.
- Lifestyle habits like drinking more water and less alcohol, eating healthy fats and using a humidifier can help prevent dehydrated skin and support long-lasting hydration.
My Skin Before: What Dehydration Lines Are (And Why They're Not Wrinkles)
Dehydration lines are superficial fine lines that appear when your skin lacks sufficient moisture. They appear most frequently on the thinnest, most fragile areas of the face (think: under the eyes, on the forehead and around the mouth). They look like thin, shallow lines or crepey skin. And they’re temporary — they come and go based on the current condition of your skin.
One thing to note here is that dehydrated skin and dry skin are not the same. Dry skin is a skin type, meaning it’s permanent and can’t be changed — though it can be managed with the right products. Dry skin lacks moisture and doesn’t produce enough oil or sebum. Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition that can happen to any type of skin. It’s caused by a lack of moisture in the skin's surface layer. When cells are low on water, they shrink slightly, causing the skin to lose its plumpness and form faint lines. It can be improved by a combination of topical skin care and lifestyle changes.
Wrinkles are permanent lines caused by the natural aging process, sun damage and repetitive muscle movement. In other words, they’re the deep, structural changes that happen to the skin as it loses collagen, which gives your skin elasticity and support. They are permanent but the look and depth of the can be improved with products or in-office procedures.
My Skin After: The Results
After four weeks on my skin “rehydration” project, I’m seeing results. The products I added my routine combined with upping my water intake and adding a humidifier to my bedroom have made a difference in both the look and feel of my skin. It’s softer, more supple and looks plumped and radiant.
I feel better, my fine lines have softened and my skin has a new glow. These were very small changes that I think improved my overall health and wellness. My only regret is not starting sooner.
The Lifestyle Habits That Prevent Dehydrated Skin
While the products we use on our skin can have a major impact on the overall feel and health of our complexion, some lifestyle factors can have a big effect as well. Fluid intake, diet, sleep and stress can all directly influence how well your skin retains moisture, determining whether your complexion appears plump and radiant or dull, tight and prone to fine lines.
Fluid intake is a major factor when it comes to dehydrated skin. Not drinking enough water results in decreased hydration levels at a cellular level. While drinking more water won't fix naturally dry skin, it is essential for overall cellular function. I was definitely not drinking enough water. I’m not the type to walk around with a giant jug to sip on all day. But I made a conscious decision to drink 16 ounces in the morning and again mid-afternoon and I noticed a difference!
By the way, not all fluids are created equal. Alcohol and caffeine act as diuretics and actually accelerate fluid loss from the body, leading to decreased skin elasticity and more fine lines. So be mindful of your intake but enjoy life too!
Nutrient deficiencies can also contribute to dehydrated skin. A compromised lipid barrier, caused by a diet lacking in essential fatty acids, can cause moisture to evaporate. I added more salmon, nuts, avocados and healthy oils to my meals and noticed some extra glow.
One habit that can make a big difference is adding a humidifier to your bedroom or other spaces where you spend a lot of time. Both heating and air conditioning can severely dry out the surrounding air, which draws moisture directly out of your skin. A humidifier counteracts that dryness by infusing air with essential moisture.
The Ingredients That Changed my Skin
With the help of my spa professional, I added some new products to my routine. While lifestyle choices play a part in dehydrated skin, topical hydration and barrier care are important pieces of the puzzle.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant (meaning that it draws moisture into the skin) critical for keeping your skin healthy and hydrated. This molecule has the ability to hold hundreds of times its weight in water! Naturally produced by the body, you’ll find the largest amounts of HA in your connective tissue and in the epidermis, where it provides moisture, plumpness, firmness and suppleness to the skin.
Panthenol
Panthenol, also known as vitamin B5, is a highly effective and soothing humectant. Like hyaluronic acid, it attracts and binds moisture to the skin while reinforcing the barrier to reduce water loss. It’s also anti-inflammatory and can soothe the appearance of redness and irritation, making it an ideal ingredient for sensitive or inflamed skin.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is another ingredient that was recommended to help treat my dehydration lines. It provides antioxidant protection and is rich in polyphenols and vitamin C, both of which help shield your skin from free radical damage and preserve a youthful, healthy moisture barrier. It is also commonly combined with botanical hyaluronic acid complexes in skin care. The pairing draws moisture into the skin's surface and lock it in, preventing water loss.
As much as I love my multi-step skin care routine for regular maintenance, finding a simple fix when my skin is having issues is always a good thing. The fewer step and products I need to introduce, the better. I found all three ingredients in the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Collection and it was easy to work them into my routine.
How I Actually Use Hyaluronic Acid (The Steps That Make it Work)
My new skin care stack was quite simple and I followed it to the letter hoping to see results. Two steps every morning and evening for about four weeks and I noticed a big change in the look and feel of my dehydration lines.
Step 1
After washing my face with a gentle cleanser for my oily skin, I apply my hyaluronic acid to damp skin. Because HA acts like a sponge, using it on slightly wet skin allows it to absorb and retain that extra water. Applying it to a dry face can actually cause it to pull moisture from the deeper layers of your skin. The Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum was the perfect texture for this step. As well as plumping and smoothing my skin, it left it feeling soft and radiant.
Step 2
I apply an occlusive moisturizer to seal it in. While the serum is still wet on the skin, applying a layer of the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator over the entire face, neck and décolleté area supports the skin’s moisture barrier. This provides deep absorption and instant hydration, and can be applied in a lightweight layer, slathered more thickly over dry areas, or simply layered under another moisturizer. HA binds water, while moisturizers lock it in, giving longer lasting hydration.
Step 3
In the morning, I add SPF and a little bit of concealer and I’m ready for the day. I also apply the Strawberry Rhubarb Masque about three nights a week. I use it as a treatment over the other two products and wear it overnight. This extra step had me waking up to a nourished glow.
Since dehydrated skin doesn’t just affect the face and neck, I slather the Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Body Lotion all from the neck down right after my shower while my skin is still moist. As well as smelling delicious, it absorbs quickly and provides major hydration.
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All Your Questions Answered
What causes dehydration lines? Dehydration lines happen when skin lacks water and loses its plump appearance. Common triggers include dry air, sun exposure, stress, lack of sleep, alcohol, caffeine and not drinking enough water.
Can oily skin be dehydrated? Yes. Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition caused by a lack of water, not oil. Even oily or combination skin can develop tightness, dullness and fine dehydration lines.
How do you tell the difference between dehydration lines and wrinkles? Dehydration lines are usually shallow, temporary and improve with hydration. Wrinkles are deeper, more permanent lines caused by aging, collagen loss, sun damage and repeated facial movement.
Should hyaluronic acid be applied to damp skin? Yes. Applying hyaluronic acid to damp skin helps it attract and hold moisture more effectively. Follow with a moisturizer to seal hydration into the skin barrier.
Can lifestyle habits improve dehydrated skin? Absolutely. Drinking enough water, limiting alcohol and caffeine, eating healthy fats, getting quality sleep and using a humidifier can all help support hydrated, healthy-looking skin.
Do you think you might be dealing with dehydrated skin? Visit your local Eminence Organics Spa Partner to find out.
