Dehydration Lines vs Wrinkles: What’s the Difference?

Darlings, are you experiencing fine lines around your face and eyes? Wrinkles and dehydration lines can easily be mistaken for one another, so I’m here to set the record straight. Discover the differences between dehydration lines vs wrinkles and identify whether your face is showing signs of ageing or dehydration. Then, learn the secrets to managing each of these skin concerns with my expert advice and supercharged skincare suggestions.

What’s the Difference Between Fine Lines and Wrinkles?

What are Dehydration Lines?

Dehydration lines are faint, surface-level lines that can appear on your skin when it is lacking moisture. Commonly found around the eyes and on the lips and forehead, dehydration lines are your skin’s response to insufficient water intake. These lines appear on dehydrated skin and are temporary in nature, often disappearing when skin is rehydrated.

What are Wrinkles?

Wrinkles are pronounced lines within the skin that commonly appear as we age. Wrinkles are often deeper-rooted than dehydration lines, appearing around the eyes and on the face and creating creases in the skin. Mature skin is prone to developing wrinkles, with signs of ageing setting in and becoming more apparent over time.

What Causes Dehydration Lines?

When your skin is dehydrated, there is a lack of water in your surface skin cells, causing your skin to lose elasticity and allowing fine dehydration lines to appear. This can be caused by not drinking enough water, consuming high levels of salt, drinking too much alcohol and external elements like weather and seasonal changes.

What Causes Wrinkles?

Wrinkles are a sign of ageing and maturing skin. As you get older, your collagen and elastin levels (which keep skin looking and feeling smooth and supple) break down, causing your skin to lose its elasticity and bounciness and allowing fine lines and wrinkles to appear.

The appearance of wrinkles can also be accelerated by long-term sun exposure and exaggerated facial movements.