The Top 7 Things that Cause Premature Aging

By now, you’re probably aware of the things that will be aging your skin faster by causing premature wrinkles on the skin. These include tanning (both outdoors and indoors in a tanning bed), lifestyle choices, and lack of wearing daily sunscreen. If you’re reading this, surely you avoid these common skin agers in an effort to save your skin. However, you might be surprised at some of the ways you are unknowingly aging your skin.

You’re aging your skin faster by…

#1 Not wearing sunscreen on cloudy, rainy days or in fall or winter

Think you’re not exposed to the dangerous UV rays because the temperature is cold or it’s rainy outside and you’re not outdoors as much? Think again. The rays that cause premature skin aging and skin cancer (UVA rays) are approximately the same strength year-round and can penetrate through clouds, even on a snowy or rainy day. It’s so important to get in the habit of using a moisturizer with sunscreen built right in. You’ll want to apply it every morning, every day of the year, rain and shine, inside and out. (UVA ray can penetrate through windows!)

The very best anti-aging product in the entire world is sunscreen. Period. Yes, other products like a well-formulated retinol serum can make a big improvement but it won’t be effective unless you’re protecting your skin daily from the harmful rays that are aging your skin. And always a daily SPF!

#2 Yawning 

If you stay up past your usual bedtime, chances are you’ll be yawning more, right? When you yawn, the act encourages your eyes to water, which creates swelling and puffiness both at night and in the morning when you wake up. This excess fluid (water) around the eyes weakens the elasticity of the surrounding tissue, causing an acceleration of wrinkles. The loss of elasticity is like a rubber band that’s been stretched repeatedly: at some point, it doesn’t snap back anymore, and this is what happens to the eye area.

Aside from preventing unnecessary wear and tear on the skin tissue, regular exfoliation under the eyes with a product will help manage dryness and lines. Also, get in the habit of using a peptide firming eye cream which delivers hydration while helping the quality of your skin.

#3 Putting off getting eyeglasses

Anytime you squint your eyes from bright lights or blurry vision, you’re weakening the elastin fibers around the eyes. This will accelerate the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Schedule an annual exam and get prescription glasses (if needed) to stay squint-free. Also, be sure to wear sunglasses whenever outdoors.

#4 Exposing yourself to secondhand smoke

Did you know that secondhand smoke may actually be more dangerous than firsthand? Shocking, but true. The components in secondhand smoke are more concentrated since there is no filter at the end of the cigarette. The levels of nicotine, tar, nitric oxide, and carbon monoxide are at least twice as high in secondhand smoke. So, what does this mean for your skin? 

Simply put, you’re getting much of the skin damage that smokers can get, if not more, and you’re not even a smoker. Among many things, secondhand smoke affects the skin greatly because collagen-destroying enzymes (MMPs) ramp up when exposed to tobacco smoke. This leads to premature aging in the form of wrinkles. Sadly, it’s often easy to tell from an adult persons’ skin if they grew up in a home with a heavy smoking parent.

Try to avoid secondhand smoke and always use antioxidants in your skin care products. Studies show that using a potent vitamin C serum every morning under sunscreen will protect skin cells from oxidative damage to keep your skin looking fresh, bright and youthful. Since your skin’s natural antioxidant supply depletes during the day, a product loaded with superfruits and vitamins is important to use.

#5 Drinking out of straws

Just like squinting, repeated facial expressions and movements will break down collagen and elastin fibers. When drinking out of a straw, you have to purse your lips, causing unnecessary lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Drinking from a narrow bottle may also cause this to happen. You should drink your beverage from a glass instead so that your mouth doesn’t have to purse so tightly.

Note: I know that dentists suggest drinking out of straws to prevent liquids from staining your teeth, so this is a choice that you have to make for yourself. I think it’s far easier to bleach your teeth with an at-home whitening system than it is to get rid of wrinkles once they appear.

#6 Over-exfoliating your skin

With the surge of at-home exfoliating products available, this trend is noticeable when using skin care products: if it’s not burning or stinging, it’s not working. And more is better! Sound familiar? In the quest to look younger and have smoother skin, many people are doing way too many aggressive exfoliating treatments. This is actually injuring their skin and causing what is known as a damaged moisture barrier.

Results include flaking, redness, dryness, dehydration, inflammation and possible destruction of healthy cells, which can lead to premature aging. Not good at all if your goal is healthy skin! Every type of skin responds differently to exfoliation but the general rule is, it should not be performed daily.

#7 Not cleansing your skin in the morning (I’m talking to you, water rinsers)

Think it’s unnecessary to wash your face in the morning since your skin is clean from the night before? Wrong! The reason it’s important to wash your skin in the morning is that while you sleep at night, your skin is in repair mode for fighting premature aging. This causes your skin to secrete toxins and sebum (oil). The benefit of washing your face with a cleanser in the morning is that you’re getting all of that off along with your nighttime skin care products. This creates a clean slate so your daytime products (especially sunscreen!) can perform their best. You don’t want anything to interfere with proper sun protection.

You have 365 chances a year to get your morning skincare routine perfect. Washing your face in the morning is a key step in ensuring healthy and happy skin. Always choose a cleanser that is ‘sulfate-free’ and doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight and dry. 

Avoiding these seven things will most certainly help your skin look and feel its very best. These little changes can add up in a big way over the course of a lifetime. As always, consult the professionals at Botanica Day Spa for the best products, advice, and facials to prevent premature aging in the Tampa Bay area!

Love,

Gen