Here’s what the connection is between dryness and aging.
In addition to applying sunscreen daily and cleansing morning and evening, keeping your skin moisturised is one of the most important things you can do for your complexion. Not only does a hydrated, moisturised face have a stronger barrier – making it less susceptible to damage – but it can directly impact your appearance. Even if your skin is only mildly dry, you’re apt to notice more dullness, laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Does Dry Skin Cause Wrinkles?
Dry skin won’t directly cause wrinkles to form, but it can make them more noticeable. Wrinkling represents over years of repetitive skin folding and moving as we use the muscles of facial expressions. In parallel, as UV damage accumulates, collagen and elastin production slows down and the extracellular matrix that provides structural support for our skin is damaged.
However, when skin isn’t properly hydrated and moisturised, it can exacerbate the appearance of any existing fine lines and wrinkles. Dull, dry, and flaky skin won’t reflect light as well, which can highlight textural issues such as wrinkling. Plus, your complexion won't look as radiant!

Why Moisturized Skin Looks Younger
When skin is dry, skin cells that hold onto moisture become depleted and contract. For a visual, think of a balloon that was once full and taut that, over time, deflates and shrivels. When you hydrate your skin, you help plump up these cells which can make fine lines and wrinkles less apparent. It can even help with the appearance of firmness and overall brightness.
Thus, hydration is a key factor in minimising the appearance of wrinkles. It can replenish skin’s tissues and provide a plumper, hydrated appearance, and can make fine lines or wrinkles less noticeable. It also allows skin to be softer and suppler during movement, which can also make fine lines or wrinkles less noticeable.
With regular hydration, you are sure to see and feel a difference right away, and with consistent hydration over time you’ll see an even bigger difference in your skin’s youthfulness. That’s not to say every single wrinkle will disappear, but you’ll definitely see improvement.

How to Moisturise Skin to Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles
When we talk about moisturising skin, there are actually three different components at play: humectants, emollients, and occlusives. Humectants, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, attract moisture to the skin while emollients provide a boost of moisture to the skin’s surface. Occlusives lock in all the above to reduce trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), which helps keep skin plump, bouncy, and supple for longer.
You need all three types to tackle the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A good example of what this looks like includes cleansing your face, applying a hyaluronic acid serum to damp skin (flooding), applying a non-active moisturiser, then a thin layer of petroleum jelly (slugging) on top. Following this routine consistently – at least once or twice per day – you’ll see a difference. Within a week the skin should be able to retain hydration and moisture better, and the skin should also experience less transepidermal water loss.

MORE TIPS TO PREVENT DRY SKIN
• Wear sunscreen: Wear SPF 30 or higher every single day and reapply once every two to four hours. Make sure to get your neck, ears, chest, and anywhere else that’s exposed. Your skin should also be protected from the sun and moisture loss that can occur through sun-exposure and heat.
• Cleanse daily: Wash your face with a gentle, hydrating cleanser in the mornings and evenings. This nixes dirt, grime, product, and oil, and provides a blank slate for the rest of your skincare regimen.
• Exfoliate weekly: As we get older, our bodies become less proficient in skin cell turnover. This means we can accumulate lots of dead skin cells on the surface of our skin, which can exacerbate dullness and wrinkles. It can also make it more difficult for other products, including moisturisers, to absorb. Exfoliating weekly with a chemical or physical exfoliant makes a huge difference.
• Avoid drying ingredients: Avoid drying and potentially irritating ingredients in your skincare, like fragrances and dyes. Also, avoid using really hot water to cleanse your skin as that can strip the skin naturally of its moisture.