Does dry skin really cause wrinkles and aging skin?
I have often been told by sales assistants over and again that I need to use a moisturizer to ensure my skin is well hydrated and moist to prevent it from drying out and causing wrinkles. While I understand that it is important to keep our skin well hydrated, and that we do need a moisturizer, what I can’t make sense of is: can dry skin really cause wrinkles and premature aging? So I’ll like to tackle this question today.
What causes wrinkles?
Wrinkles are folds or creases in the skin that occurs as a person ages and grows older. As we age, our skin gets thinner, less elastic and produces less collagen. The genetic make-up of a person can also determine how wrinkly we get and when and where wrinkles will start appearing. It has been proven that most wrinkles appear on areas that receive the most sun exposure, even though there are other contributing factors to wrinkles as well. Having sufficient quality sleep will also improve the overall skin condition and in turn push back the hands of time a little when it comes to premature skin aging (source).
What cause dry skin?
Our skin gets dry when the outer layer of our skin is not hydrated enough. When the outer layer of our skin is depleted of water, it loses its protective function and allows water loss through the skin, making the skin vulnerable to environmental attacks. Our skin has its own build-in moisturizers that are oils produced by the skin glands, acting as a seal to contain water in our skin. But when that layer is stripped, we lose water through our skin faster than we can replace it, and that causes dry skin.
What are the contributing factors to having dry skin
Having dry skin can be a sign of a kind of skin condition such as eczema, contact dermatitis or psoriasis. But generally, dry skin can stem from a couple of things that aren’t serious or necessarily harmful, although if left untreated can be annoying because dry skin tends to itch or flake if serious enough. Dry skin can be caused by exposure to low humidity environments such as winter and air conditioning. Central heating can also cause dryness in skin as it acts the same as an air conditioner, removing water from indoor air. Taking long and hot baths, detergents and cleaners that remove the skin’s natural oils while cleansing and a variety of other personal care products can also be contributing factors to dry skin (source).
Does dry skin really affect aging in the skin?
The main factors in causing wrinkles are usually smoking, exposure to sun and repeated facial expressions. If you take a look at areas on your body that never sees sunlight directly, you will realize that they don’t have any wrinkles at all, and that is because majority of the aging in skin is due to the amount of sun exposure one has. Dry skin is never one of the reasons that cause wrinkles, but the dryness may bring emphasis to wrinkles. So moisturizers help ‘prevent’ wrinkles only because it hydrates the skin and makes the skin look moist and plump, therefore reducing the appearance of wrinkles. But wrinkles are ultimately creases that go deep into the layers of skin and hence, moisturizers can only improve the appearance of wrinkles but can neither solve the wrinkle problem nor prevent wrinkles (source).
My verdict is out
After doing some readings, I am convinced premature skin aging is largely due to sun exposure and not so much due to dryness in our skin. So the next time any sales assistant tries to sell me a moisturizer, I will bear in mind to gently let her know that dryness does not cause aging. And I will definitely be more cautious when heading under the sun and make sure I have enough sunscreen on to prevent future aging in my skin!
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I do think that dry and dehydrated skin exacerbate the signs of wrinkles — but they in and of themselves probably do not contribute much to the creation of wrinkles themselves.
However, I do wonder about the often touted idea that those with oily skin tend to “get old” (develop wrinkles) later. It seems to associate dry skin with wrinkles.
I think dry skin ages the skin although not as directly as UV rays and stress.
Because dry skin leaves the skin more vulnerable and exposed to environmental stress that can weaken the skin in the long run.
EcoBeauty last post is: A Luxurious Facial Spa Experience with Cellilux Glacial Clay Mask
Very nice information about the casues of both dry skin and wrinkles. Now I know the causes and to prevent it..
Another cause – Facial expression! I’m starting to notice my first permanent fine lines caused by smiling..crows feet & lines around the mouth! Short of refraining from smiling & remaining expressionless all the time, or botox, I think there’s no prevention for those ?
yes, dry skin only makes the wrinkles more visible but once you hydrate the dry skin, those wrinkles do tone down in appearance so that’s fine!!! I have also seen that some serums which are supposed to be hydrating are in fact drying on the skin and cause the wrinkles to deepen!!!!
Swati last post is: Apply moisturizer on damp skin {Tip of the Day}
Yeah I noticed that they do mention ladies with oily skin tend to have wrinkles appear later in their lives compared to those with dry skin. I sure hope that’s true because I have combination skin. ?
Ahh yes.. Dry skin definitely needs addressing before it leads to other skin problems as it does leave the skin vulnerable to environmental stress.
It was very informative for me as I was doing the research too. ?
You’re right! Facial expressions do set the foundation of the places our wrinkles ‘settle’ in. I guess the the best way to go about that is to age gracefully and be happy. Laughing too much definitely sounds better than trying to maintain a face free of wrinkles. ?
I am using a serum that is supposed to dry out pimples, and like you mentioned about serums, I’m afraid of it drying out my skin a little more than I would prefer..
I have frown lines on my forehead between my brows. And I do notice that when my skin is well-hydrated, those lines appear less prominent/deep.
Vonvon last post is: Nails Of The Day (NOTD): GLISTEN-ing With FURY With Boots 17 Nail Polishes
Very happy to read that dry skin doesn’t cause wrinkles. I have very dry skin because of a skin condition. I can’t use moisturizers, they always irritate my skin. Thanks for the helpful info.
agree and disagree; if dry skin is not well-hydrated, i say you’d be at risk of getting premature wrinkles, not due to aging, but because i think the lines will entrench themselves on your face. it’s like drawing a line on paper (or any soft substance) with your nails; do it often enough and those lines will just stay there–they may appear less visible if you moisturize them, but they will never go away for sure! so hydrating your skin well will decrease chances of those lines getting entrenched
That was a great article! And happy to know dry skin doesnt cause wrinkles! Just discovered your website and really enjoy reading all the beauty articles! Thank you! :))
Many factors contribute to dryness of your skin; some of these factors include:
Hormonal Changes,Frequent Atmospheric Changes and Personal Habits
For smoother and Supple skin remain hydrated, use a good sunscreen and adopt a good skin care regimen.
Jenny Williams last post is: Healthy Habits for Beautiful Skin
Actually dry skin causes the skin to be vulnerable to the sun. Dehydrated skin causes the skin to look older. This is why I created Liquid Gold Cell Quench, Niki Taylor’s favorite skincare product. It truly hydrates the skin, not covers it in gasoline and alcohol!
mary last post is: DRY SKIN vs DEHYDRATED SKIN
Th’rees nothing like the relief of finding what you’re looking for.
Dry skin makes your wrinkle more visible. So it is very necessary to treat dry skin. I use Stemuderm. It is a Solvaderm product. It pampers skin with moisturizers and nutritive conditioners to hydrate skin and noticeably improve texture and softness of the skin. One can try this product.
awesome post. Please what is the easieest way to remove wrinkels on the face