Could the Lines on Your Face Be a Sign of Dehydration?
Fine lines and wrinkles are inevitable as we age and our skin loses its elasticity. It's a part of life that we embrace for the privilege of growing older. But if your skin is chronically dehydrated, the lines and wrinkles you notice might be dehydration lines and wrinkles.
Not to worry! Amping up your skin's hydration is easy and will help reduce the appearance of those pesky dehydration lines under your eyes and elsewhere on your face. Read on to learn more about what causes dehydrated skin and how to rehydrate it to curb dehydration lines and wrinkles!
What Causes Dehydration Lines and Wrinkles?
The answer might seem obvious: The cause of dehydrated skin is insufficient water in our skin cells. So, if lines and wrinkles come from dehydration, the answer is to hydrate the skin, right?
The answer is yes, but it's a little more complex than that. When we think of dry skin, we usually think about the surface of our skin. When our skin feels tight or becomes itchy or flaky, those are telltale signs of dry skin.
But dry skin is not the same thing as dehydrated skin. In fact, oily skin can be dehydrated! This is because dehydrated skin lacks water and needs to be hydrated, while dry skin lacks oil and needs to be moisturized. (There's a difference!) Think about it this way: If you've ever had a bit too much to drink during a night out, then you've probably seen the effects of dehydrated skin the morning after—puffiness, dullness and discoloration. Your skin likely wasn't drier than usual, but it probably was more dehydrated.
When our skin is dehydrated, our natural fine lines and wrinkles become more pronounced. And chronically dehydrated skin can cause premature aging and an accelerated loss of elasticity in the skin. With proper hydration, though, we can re-plump our skin and minimize the appearance of dehydration lines under our eyes and elsewhere on our faces!
What Causes Natural Wrinkles?
Genuine fine lines and wrinkles—not dehydration lines and wrinkles—appear as we age due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in our skin cells. When we're young, our cells rapidly repair themselves and produce collagen and elastin abundantly. Optimal production from our skin cells leaves our skin looking healthy, taut and smooth.
Fine lines and wrinkles also come from our expressions. When we smile, laugh and frown, we use the same muscles over and over to make these expressions, and over time these result in creases and wrinkles. And that's okay! Aging is a gift, and expression lines like crow's feet just show that we've had lives full of smiles and laughter!
How Can I Protect Fine Lines and Wrinkles from Dehydration?
The good news is that it's easy to rehydrate our skin to reduce the appearance of dehydration lines and wrinkles! Obviously, increasing your water intake can help, but what else can you do to combat dehydrated dull skin? Try these three tips to get glowing, hydrated skin.
1. Look for Products with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a crucial building block for collagen production. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body, and it supports our tissues, joints and skin. In addition to supporting collagen production, vitamin C is a natural and potent antioxidant, which is why we see vitamin C in many skincare products for mature skin. Our Power Within Skin & Scalp Collagen Gummies uses sustainable, eco-friendly marine collagen types I and III to support healthy collagen levels for overall wellness from the inside out!
Hyaluronic acid is a natural liquid and humectant found in our joints, skin and eyes. It pairs well with the restorative properties of vitamin C for skincare because of its ability to retain moisture and fight dehydration lines and wrinkles. According to Harvard Health, hyaluronic acid can hold 1,000 times its weight in liquid! Our You Glow Girl Probiotic Skin Supplement contains vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, bacillus subtilis and niacin to support healthy gut microflora and healthier, brighter-looking skin!
2. Add an Occlusive to Your Skincare Routine
Occlusives provide a waterproof layer of protection between your skin and the air. Some of the most common occlusives are petrolatum, shea butter and beeswax, but there are many varieties available. Remember that occlusives should be the last step in your evening skincare regimen! They go last because they're designed to lock in hydration from the moisturizing products you applied first.
3. Hydrate Your Skin While You Eat
If sipping water all day isn't your style, no problem! Up your water intake by choosing high water-content foods like cucumbers, lettuce and watermelon. And remember: The more colorful your plate, the better! If you think you might be missing hydration- and skin-supporting nutrients, try adding a supplement specifically formulated to support healthy skin, like our Significant Other Hair, Skin & Nails Supplement. It's packed with essential nutrients like vitamins A and B and biotin to support healthy hair, skin and nails.
Pro Tip: If plain water gets you down, try adding a squeeze of lemon, lime or whole berries to your water bottle for a flavor infusion. You can also swap your water for a decaffeinated tea or coffee for a hydration boost that isn't plain water. The best plan for improving hydration is the one you can stick with!
Tell Us: Have you tried a supplement or probiotic to combat dehydrated dull skin? Share in the comments below!
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Better Not Younger knows that fine lines and wrinkles come with the territory and privilege of aging. We also know that dehydrated dull skin and dehydration lines and wrinkles are not part of the aging process. Take care to stay hydrated for your skin health and your overall wellness. Our entire product line is specifically designed to support aging skin and hair and to help you keep both hydrated and healthy-looking!