Aging is natural, but some of your daily habits may be making wrinkles worse than they need to be. From lifestyle choices to skincare routines, certain actions can accelerate the appearance of lines and make you look older than you are. Here’s how to identify and break those habits to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant.
1. Stop Sleeping on Your Stomach or Side
Your sleeping position could be contributing to those deep-set wrinkles. If you’re a side or stomach sleeper, your face is constantly pressed against the pillow, creating friction that leads to sleep lines. Over time, those lines become permanent wrinkles. Switching to sleeping on your back is ideal for minimizing this issue. Investing in a silk or satin pillowcase can also reduce friction and help prevent deep lines from forming.
2. Stop Squinting and Frowning Unconsciously
Repetitive facial expressions like squinting, frowning, and smiling can etch lines into your skin. Squinting can deepen lines around your eyes and forehead, especially when staring at screens or in bright sunlight. Combat this by wearing sunglasses outdoors and adjusting your screen’s brightness. While you can’t avoid all facial expressions, being mindful of your habits—especially frowning—can slow down the formation of expression-based wrinkles.
3. Stop Using Harsh Physical Scrubs
Exfoliation is crucial for healthy, glowing skin, but harsh scrubs with gritty textures can do more harm than good. These scrubs can cause micro-tears, leading to inflammation and weakening your skin’s natural barrier. Over time, this accelerates the appearance of wrinkles. Swap out abrasive scrubs for a gentle enzyme exfoliant or a chemical exfoliant with AHAs or BHAs to slough off dead skin without damaging your complexion.
4. Stop Drinking Through a Straw
Regularly sipping through a straw causes you to purse your lips repeatedly, leading to fine lines around your mouth. These “pucker lines” can become permanent over time, making your face appear older. Opt for drinking directly from a glass instead, and you’ll not only avoid deepening these lines but also help the environment by cutting down on plastic use.
5. Stop Overloading on Sugar
Too much sugar in your diet doesn’t just affect your waistline—it’s one of the biggest culprits behind premature aging. Sugar triggers glycation, which damages collagen and elastin, leading to sagging skin and deep wrinkles. Cut down on processed sugar and focus on a diet rich in antioxidants, such as berries and leafy greens, to protect your skin from within. Your skin will be firmer and more radiant when you fuel it with the proper nutrients.
6. Stop Tanning and Skipping Sunscreen
Tanning may give you a bronzed glow, but it’s wreaking havoc on your skin’s collagen levels. UV rays are the number one cause of premature wrinkles, breaking down collagen and creating sunspots and deep lines. The damage isn’t just limited to beach days—it happens year-round, even through windows. Make sunscreen a daily habit, and choose bronzers or self-tanners instead of baking in the sun or hitting the tanning bed.
7. Stop Ignoring Your Neck and Hands
When applying skincare, many people stop at their jawline, but the neck and hands are some of the first places to show signs of aging. The skin in these areas is thinner and has fewer oil glands, making them more susceptible to wrinkles and age spots. Extend your anti-aging routine to include these areas, using products with SPF, retinol, and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to keep them looking youthful.
8. Stop Using Heavy Matte Foundation
Matte foundations can make your skin look dry and emphasize fine lines. Heavy, cakey formulas settle into wrinkles, drawing attention to them. Instead, opt for lightweight, hydrating foundations with a satin or dewy finish. Mixing your foundation with a drop of facial oil can also give you a radiant, youthful glow without making your skin look overly greasy.
9. Stop Sleeping Irregular Hours
Inconsistent sleep patterns don’t just make you tired—they wreak havoc on your skin. When you don’t get enough quality sleep, your skin misses out on essential time to repair itself, resulting in a dull complexion and deeper lines. Establish a consistent bedtime routine and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to give your skin the time it needs to regenerate and stay youthful.
10. Stop Overdoing Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates your skin and accelerates aging by breaking down collagen and elastin. Excessive drinking also causes inflammation, which leads to puffiness and deepening lines, especially around the eyes. Limiting your alcohol intake is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking fresh. If you do indulge, alternate with water to stay hydrated and counteract the drying effects of alcohol.
11. Stop Drinking Caffeine and Sugary Drinks
Sipping on coffee, sugary sodas, or tea all day dehydrates your skin, making wrinkles and fine lines more prominent. These drinks act as diuretics, drawing moisture from your skin and leaving it dry and dull. Make sure to balance out your caffeine intake with plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated, smooth, and plump. Hydrated skin naturally appears more youthful.
12. Stop Ignoring Stress
Chronic stress accelerates the aging process by increasing cortisol levels, a stress hormone that breaks down collagen in the skin. Stress can also lead to frowning, poor sleep, and unhealthy lifestyle choices, contributing to aging. Incorporating stress-relieving practices like meditation, yoga, or even taking regular breaks can help reduce cortisol levels, giving your skin a break from premature aging.
13. Stop Smoking and Vaping
Smoking and vaping not only damage your lungs, but they’re also major contributors to skin aging. Both reduce blood flow to the skin, depleting it of oxygen and nutrients needed for collagen production. The repetitive motion of inhaling can also cause deep lines around the mouth. Quitting these habits is one of the best things you can do for your skin’s health and longevity.
14. Stop Taking Long, Hot Showers
A long, hot shower may feel amazing, but it’s stripping your skin of essential moisture. Hot water weakens your skin’s protective barrier, leaving it dry and more prone to wrinkles. Switch to lukewarm water and limit your showers to 10 minutes. You’ll retain more moisture, and your skin will look more hydrated and youthful. Cold water blasts at the end of your shower can also help invigorate your skin and boost circulation.
15. Stop Neglecting Your Eyebrows
Full, well-groomed eyebrows can make a dramatic difference in your overall appearance. Neglecting them or over-plucking can age your face and make wrinkles more noticeable. Keep your brows full and natural to frame your face, lifting your features and drawing attention away from any fine lines. Regular maintenance and a good brow gel can keep them looking polished and youthful.