Does lack of moisturizer cause wrinkles?

Author: Jarrell Carter III  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Dehydrated skin makes all the lines on your face, even the fine ones, much more prominent. Skipping your moisturizer will cause deep wrinkles in the future.

Does not using moisturizer cause wrinkles?

Consistently applying moisturizer does, in fact, help increase the skin water content and can prevent those types of wrinkles from coming back. In effect, the moisturizer does not remove the wrinkles, but rather improves skin dehydration that can lead to fine wrinkles.

What causes 90% of the skin wrinkles?

Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.

What happens if you don't use enough moisturizer?

Without moisturizer, your skin may become dry, tight, and flaky. Increased sensitivity: A compromised skin barrier (due to dryness) can lead to increased irritation and sensitivity to environmental factors. Premature aging: Dehydrated skin makes fine lines and wrinkles more pronounced.

Does lack of moisture cause wrinkles?

Dehydration lines and wrinkles are caused by a lack of moisture in the skin, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, sun exposure, and environmental stressors.

My Science-Based Skincare Routine (easy & affordable)

Can hydration reverse wrinkles?

“Everyone wants a quick fix when it comes to making skin look better, but drinking more water isn't going to help get rid of wrinkles or plump up your skin unless you are extremely dehydrated,” says Elizabeth Damstetter, MD, a dermatologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Does moisturizing everyday make you look younger?

Moisturizing alone can improve the appearance of your skin. It temporarily plumps the skin, making lines and wrinkles less visible.

Why is my skin better when I don't use moisturizer?

Natural exfoliation and cell turnover

Moisturising prevents the skin's natural exfoliation by smoothing the skin cells and stopping them from sloughing off. So by stopping moisturising, this actually stimulates cell turnover and encourages natural desquamation (that's the shedding of the outer layers of the skin).

Does your face really need moisturizer?

Moisturizing Reduces Skin Problems - Moisturizing everyday can reduce the chance of developing extreme dryness or oiliness. Both extremes are harmful for skin and cause common skin conditions like acne. Conceals Other Skin Blemishes - Using a daily moisturizer ensures that the skin's blemishes are camouflaged.

Why did my dermatologist tell me not to use moisturizer?

Is Moisturiser Bad for Your Skin? Dr Obagi firmly believes that moisturisers, in general, reduce your skin's natural ability to exfoliate. Why? He says that dead skin cells “stick” back onto your complexion when you apply a moisturiser, which prevents them from exfoliating and shedding like they would naturally.

Why do I suddenly have more wrinkles?

Wrinkles are a natural part of aging. These lines and creases in the skin are most likely to form on skin that's often exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, hands and forearms. Pollutants and smoking also speed the aging process. Using sunscreen every day and quitting smoking help prevent some wrinkling.

Why am I aging so fast all of a sudden?

Diet, physical activity, sleep, tobacco and alcohol use, stress, and our environment can all accelerate premature aging.

What makes a woman look older than her age?

Skin: Things like excessive sun damage, liver spots, and enlarged pores are common foes that age our skin quicker than we'd like. Another thing that may affect your skin and make it look older is an uneven complexion caused by loss of collagen and elastin.

Does your skin age faster if you don't moisturize?

Not Using a Moisturizer

Dryness could be one of the main things that are aging your skin. Apply moisturizer daily so water is trapped in the skin. This will lead to a healthier and more youthful appearance. If you have oily skin, you still need to moisturize.

What happens if you skip moisturizer?

Dry and dehydrated skin lacks moisture which makes your skin tight, itchy, and uncomfortable, causing the urge to scratch. Scratching can further irritate the skin and cause damage to it, leading to redness, dry patches, and even infection. To avoid all of these, simply use a moisturiser that suits you!

Why is my face wrinkling so fast?

Frequent tanning, repeated sunburns, blistering sunburns in childhood, and lack of sun protection from the harmful UVA/UVB rays all contribute to premature aging of the skin, deep wrinkling and increased risk of skin cancer.

What happens to your skin if you don't use moisturizer?

What happens when you don't moisturise. Not taking care of your skin causes it to become rough, dry and dehydrated. Shrivelled skin is also an indicator of poor health. Moisturising daily is a must if you want supple, healthy skin, and as we said above, skipping days can make a difference.

What is the best face moisturizer?

Some of the best brands include:
  • CeraVe: Known for their gentle, dermatologist recommended moisturizers.
  • La Roche-Posay: Offers a wide range of affordable skincare products, including non-comedogenic moisturizers.
  • Kiehl's: Known for their effective, high end skincare products.

How do you know if you need moisturizer?

This one is the most obvious, but it's important to pay attention to how your skin feels. If you touch it and it's completely dry then your complexion is probably parched. Your skin should feel hydrated and not bone dry. If it's rough to the touch and without any moisture, it's probably in need of hydration.

What are the disadvantages of moisturizer?

According to Dr Rinky Kapoor, consultant dermatologist, cosmetic dermatologist and dermato-surgeon at The Esthetic Clinics, applying too much moisturiser and too often can cause more breakouts, blackheads, clogged pores, bumps, and dryness on the skin. This happens because there is only so much the skin can absorb.

Is doing no skincare better?

“Eliminating all products can potentially wreak havoc on your skin, so this is something that I don't recommend,” Dr. Zubritsky tells us. “For example, if you stop washing your face with a cleanser, dirt, debris, makeup, and oil can build up, resulting in more breakouts.”

What happens when you don't moisturize your face at night?

When the moisture barrier is disrupted, it can lead to all sorts of issues, including redness, tightness, itchiness, flaking, and atopic dermatitis. A good nighttime moisturizer can provide much-needed moisture to support the barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss.

Can moisturizer reverse wrinkles?

Moisturizers can't prevent wrinkles, but they trap water in the skin, temporarily masking tiny lines and creases.

Why am I looking old all of a sudden?

Stress speeds up the skin ageing process; this is called 'inflammaging' – and it's becoming more widespread. It's inevitable – our skin ages. But when there's the sudden rapid ageing of the skin, that's a whole different story. Caused by stress, inflammaging involves skin inflammation and manifests in different ways.

How to avoid wrinkles on face?

While you can't prevent wrinkles, you can reduce your risk of getting wrinkles early by:
  1. Wearing sunscreen daily to prevent sun damage.
  2. Not using tanning beds.
  3. Moisturizing your skin daily.
  4. Washing your face or using a cleanser to remove makeup.
  5. Not smoking.
  6. Staying hydrated.
  7. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Previous article
How do you make old mascara good again?
Next article
How many times a year can you do microneedling?