Have you woken up one morning and discovered a new wrinkle or two when you look in the mirror? That said, they definitely weren't there yesterday. If so, I'm here to reassure you—what you're looking at probably isn't wrinkles. Instead, you'll probably notice some dryness lines.
What are dryness lines?
These are very similar fine lines that are very shallow unlike an actual wrinkle where the damage reaches deeper into the skin. Dryness lines come and go as your fluid levels change, while fine lines will stay if you don't use products to reduce them.
So, how do you know if you have wrinkles, fine lines or not just plain old dryness lines? Here are five signs:
1. Dry skin
Because dry skin is not as elastic as moisturized skin, it becomes tight when it is not properly moisturized. This can lead to dry patches and itching. Your skin can itch for a variety of reasons, but if you have itchy skin and some of the other signs that appear below, chances are your skin is dehydrated.
Basically, itchy skin by itself doesn't necessarily indicate dehydration, but it's definitely something you should investigate.
2. Sensitive skin
If your skin is dehydrated, it slowly loses the protective barrier that keeps it safe from the elements, wind and pollution. This can make your skin feel sensitive and irritated. In addition to itching, you may see more redness where your skin is irritated. Your skin may also be more sensitive to skin care products. Sensitive skin is another symptom that can mean many things, but it can likely indicate dehydration if it appears with any of these other signs.
3. Tired & dull skin
If your skin is dehydrated, it will probably have an overall dull appearance. You may notice that your cheeks are no longer rosy, your skin lacks glow and feels gray, tired and dull. These are all signs of dehydrated skin. Dehydrated skin can't turn over dead cells as quickly as hydrated skin can, which can cause dead skin cells to build up on top of your skin.
These skin cells can make your skin look dull and even gray, but they can also clog your pores and cause acne. Because of this, acne, pimples or rashes can also be a sign of dehydrated skin.
4. Dark circles under the eyes
Dehydration can cause the skin to lose its plumpness and brightness, which can make your delicate under-eye skin look dark and sunken. Dehydration can also make your under eyes look a little puffy. Bags under the eyes can be caused by a number of things, including lack of sleep, stress and inadequate nutrition. However, one of the main causes is dehydration. If your under-eye looks dark along with fine lines, chances are you have dryness lines.
5. They appear and disappear overnight.
The main way to tell if you have dryness lines or wrinkles is to track how quickly they appear and if they seem to disappear. Although it may seem like they appear out of nowhere, wrinkles and fine lines take years to form. Because of this, they can also take years to treat. If your fine lines disappear an hour or two after your moisturizer, they probably aren't fine lines.
You most likely have dehydration lines because they can disappear as quickly as they appear.
How can I reduce and prevent dehydration lines?
Since they aren't actually wrinkles, these pesky little lines can be easy to smooth out. Here are some of our top tips for reducing the appearance of dryness lines and preventing them from forming in the first place.
1. Drink water
Since dry lines are caused by dehydration, one of the best ways to treat them is to stay hydrated from the inside out. Although everyone is different, experts agree that you should drink about eight large glasses of water a day to help you stay hydrated. Being adequately hydrated will contribute to your overall health, and a healthy body can result in healthy skin! However, this does not mean that your skin will be hydrated by drinking water alone. Because of the skin's barrier, you also need to moisturize the skin on the outside.
Staying hydrated is important because having enough water in your system greatly affects your skin's natural moisturizing mechanisms. Basically, you fix dryness lines from the inside out! The great news is that you don't just have to drink water. You can replace some of these glasses with fresh fruit and vegetables, herbal tea and milk e.g. These foods and drinks are mostly made of water, so they are great sources.
2. Moisture, moisture, moisture.
Drinking water is important, but not all the water you drink goes into your skin. The best way to make sure your skin is as hydrated as possible is to use moisturizer . Consult an expert about which cream suits you best. A tip is also to use a moisturizing mask .
3. Use sunscreen
Sun damage and moisturizing may not seem to have a connection, but you'd be surprised. Sun-damaged skin has difficulty creating hydration on its own and retaining moisture in the skin. This is why sunburned skin is often dry and flaky. This is also why sun damage tends to result in more visible signs of aging. Dry and dehydrated skin has a harder time bouncing back from stress and creates lines and wrinkles. You should apply SPF every morning before your makeup and you should reapply during the day during the summer. In the middle of the darkest months here in Sweden, once in the morning is enough. Dermatologists recommend that you apply sunscreen every two hours or according to the instructions on the package. If you don't reapply, you risk sun damage—and, of course, dryness lines. This is mainly during the summer months or if you travel to the sun.
4. Review your skin care routine
Even if you regularly use moisturizers and sunscreens, it doesn't hurt to review your products. It is important to change your routine according to the seasons, just as you change clothes according to the weather. If you have dry skin, you should e.g. use a thicker moisturizer to add nutrition, lipids, peptides and ceramides . All these ingredients are used specifically to moisturize a skin with low sebum production . Are you unsure whether your products are suitable for you? Let us help you get to know your skin and which products to use when. Book a consultation via video call.
5. Introduce a moisturizing serum
If you want to maximize your moisturizing routine, try adding a serum . This is applied after cleansing and before cream. Serum has smaller molecules than a cream and reaches deeper into the skin to bind fluid and fill the skin's outer layer with as much moisture as possible. Discover Beauty Drops!
