What Are Dehydration Lines & How Do You Get Rid of Them?

By: Margaux Reese
May 30, 2023

There’s nothing worse than dealing with dry, flaky skin. It feels like no matter how much moisturizer you lather on, nothing will get rid of those pesky dry skin flakes. Not only is dry skin uncomfortable, but it can also lead to dehydration lines.

Dry skin can be a result of dehydration, and that can cause dehydration lines. These lines look similar to wrinkles, but they’re a result of a lack of water and can be prevented. Your body needs water to function, and without proper hydration, your skin can start to develop these dehydration lines fairly easily.

We all dream of having youthful, glowing skin, but to achieve that, you need to hydrate your body. That means drinking enough water and using a moisturizer that nourishes your skin. Dehydration lines on your face can be stressful to deal with, but fortunately, there are a few ways you can get rid of them.

Continue reading to learn more about dehydration lines so you can achieve that bouncy, glowy skin you’ve always wanted.

What Are Dehydration Lines?

If you don’t drink enough water, your skin is going to reflect that. You’ll look puffy and dull, and you might even have a little bit of discoloration. But one of the most common effects is dehydration lines on your face.

Dehydration lines are lines on your skin that form due to a lack of water in your body. You can have dehydration lines under your eyes, on your forehead, and pretty much anywhere on your face.

While dehydration lines are caused by not having enough water in your body, chronic dehydration can potentially contribute to premature aging and less elasticity in the skin. This is why it’s so important to drink plenty of water every day and use moisturizing skin care products to hydrate aging skin and prevent fine lines.

However, it’s important to note that dehydration doesn’t just take the form of dry, flaky skin. People with oily skin can also be dehydrated! So whether you have dry or oily skin, make it a priority to drink enough water every day to hydrate your skin from the inside out.

Two boxes side by side with text in them. The first box is titled “Dry Skin” and has a list that reads, “Inherent; Skin type; Due to lack of oil production”. The second box is titled “Dehydrated Skin” and has a list that reads, “Temporary; Skin condition; Due to lack of water retention”.

What’s the Difference Between Dehydration Lines vs. Wrinkles?

Dehydration lines may look similar to wrinkles, but they’re actually very different. First, wrinkles are caused by aging, while dehydration lines are caused by dehydration. As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen, which is how our skin stays smooth and elastic. The less collagen your body has, the more likely you are to form wrinkles.

Dehydration lines, on the other hand, are not an effect of aging. You can develop dehydrated skin by not drinking enough water, consuming too much alcohol, not getting enough sleep, and making poor lifestyle choices.

Fortunately, there are a few ways you can prevent dehydration lines on your face, which we’ll be going into more detail about below.

Close up of a young white man looking at his under-eye wrinkles in the mirror.

4 Signs of Dehydrated Skin

If you want to achieve that vibrant, youthful appearance, you need to hydrate your skin. Dehydrated skin can take many other forms in addition to dehydration lines. Here are some telltale signs that your skin is dehydrated:

Dullness

If you wake up and feel like your skin doesn’t look as vibrant and fresh as it usually does, you’re probably dehydrated. Dullness is a very common sign of dehydration and is typically one of the first things to happen when you’re not drinking enough water. 

Without proper internal hydration, your skin cells can’t turn over as quickly as they should,  which can cause dead skin cells to accumulate on your skin. This can lead to clogged pores and an overall dull appearance.

Itchiness

Itchy skin is the absolute worst, and it’s often a side effect of dehydration. Sun exposure can ruin your skin’s protective barrier and make your skin more susceptible to itchiness and dehydration.

Itchiness can also be accompanied by flaky skin and dry patches, which are never enjoyable. Remember to protect your skin when you go in the sun and drink enough water.

Skin Sensitivity

Sensitive skin is more susceptible to redness, irritation, and fine lines and wrinkles. You can keep your skin hydrated and healthy and prevent skin sensitivity by using moisturizer and drinking plenty of water. This will help to rebuild your skin’s natural moisture barrier, which will lead to less sensitivity and redness.

If you already have naturally sensitive skin, you want to be especially careful.

Triangular Fine Lines

If you have triangular fine lines on your skin that aren’t a result of aging, that probably means you’re dehydrated. These fine lines will typically appear suddenly and as a result of not drinking enough water, but they can easily be prevented by, you guessed it, staying hydrated and incorporating the right skincare products into your routine.

As you can see, hydration and preventive care are key when it comes to minimizing or avoiding the effects of dry, dehydrated skin.

Graphic featuring a water droplet and text that reads, “Dehydration lines may be accompanied by other bodily symptoms, including: Dry mouth; Darker urine; Dizziness and weakness”.

How to Treat Dehydration Lines

Waking up to fine lines on your face can definitely be jarring, but fortunately, there are many ways you can treat dehydration lines.

Skincare

Hydrating skincare treatments are essential to treating and preventing dehydration lines. Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, you should have a hydrating skincare routine that includes a moisturizer, a gentle cleanser that won’t dry your skin, and serum.

Look for a serum that contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. You can also get under-eye dehydration lines, so don’t forget to practice good eye skincare with a moisturizing eye cream.

Sun Protection

Wearing sunscreen every day is crucial for many reasons, including as part of protecting dehydrated skin and preventing the condition from worsening.

Sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV rays, which can damage your skin and lead to dryness, irritation, and fine lines. Make sunscreen a part of your daily skincare routine, so you never go a day without sun protection.

Diet

Hydrating your body needs to start from within. To achieve a luminous complexion, you can’t just use a couple of moisturizing products and call it a day. You also need to drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet with foods that help you get your daily hydration needs met.

Incorporate more vegetables into your diet, like:

  • Cucumber
  • Celery
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Tomatoes

These are rich in nutrients and extremely hydrating. Making these small lifestyle changes and prioritizing a healthy diet will make a noticeable difference for your skin.

Graphic featuring text that reads, “Dehydration lines may be exacerbated by: Air conditioning; Harsh chemicals in products; Using hot water on your face”. There are three icons: air conditioning unit, poison symbol, and flame symbol.

5 Tips for Preventing Dehydration Lines

Treating dehydration lines is one thing, but preventing them is another. But don’t worry, there are many ways you can prevent dehydration lines from forming, including:

  • Drink plenty of water: Carry a reusable water bottle around with you every single day so you never forget to drink enough water.
  • Follow a skincare routine: Depending on the type of skin you have and what your skincare needs are, there are specific skincare products you should use. But regardless of your skincare needs, it’s crucial to establish a routine to prevent dehydration lines. You can use dry skin treatments to target dryness and irritation and restore your skin’s moisture balance.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol: It’s no secret that when you wake up after a night out, your skin will look dry and dull. And that big cup of coffee you have to ease your headache? Yeah, that isn’t really helping either. Caffeine and alcohol will dehydrate your body, which might contribute to fine lines and dryness. Remember to end every night out with a big glass of water to keep your skin supple and hydrated in the morning.
  • Use a humidifier: The air in your house can be really dry and irritating without you even noticing. This is why it’s important to use a humidifier to create moisture in the air to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
  • Don’t use a harsh face scrub: We know it’s tempting to want to scrub off all your dry skin with a promising face scrub, but it may actually end up doing more harm than good. A harsh face scrub will only further irritate your skin, leading to more redness and sensitivity. Instead, stick to a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Exfoliating is okay, but you should do so sparingly.

Get Youthful-Looking, Hydrated Skin

It’s everyone’s dream to wake up every morning with supple, radiant skin that looks like you just got a facial and slept for 12 hours. But while you might not be able to get 12 hours of sleep every night, you can still achieve that glowy, hydrated appearance by just using the right skincare products and drinking enough water.

If you’re looking for high-quality, hydrating skincare solutions that will give you that youthful glow, check out Colorescience skincare. Our thoughtfully developed skincare treatments and mineral sunscreen can help with everything from dehydration lines to aging and dark circles.

We’ll help you create a skincare routine that meets your skin’s specific needs and helps you achieve the complexion you’ve been dreaming of. Shop our moisturizing, firming, and protective treatments now to see the difference.