We all want our skin to look young and fresh. But sometimes, the stuff that makes our skin age faster is just part of our daily routine. Whether it’s too much sun or not enough sleep, these things affect us all. And guess what? They’re making your skin lose its glow.
Let’s take a closer look at what scientists say are the nine biggest reasons our skin ages too quickly. And most importantly, what can we do about it?
Sun Damage
This will come as no surprise to anyone, but UV radiation from sunlight is the number one cause of skin aging. In fact, research suggests that as much as 80% of ‘visible facial aging signs’ are caused by sunlight. It damages the cells of our skin, reducing their elasticity. This creates the formation of wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin.
The best way to fight back against UV radiation is to avoid the sun altogether. Spend more time in the shade during the hottest days of the summer, and avoid the midday sun. When you do go out, always apply a good quality sunscreen that has an spf of 30 or above. It sounds excessive, but try to wear your sunscreen year round, and not just during the summer months.
Washing Your Face With Hot Water
Excessively using hot water on the skin is actually damaging’ as it can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause dryness and sensitivity over time. Using lukewarm water when washing will help to retain these oils and keep the skin supple and nourished.
Warm water also helps to loosen the pores more gently, and helps your foam cleanser foam to perfection, giving your skincare product room to absorb faster and not dry out the skin.
Not Washing Your Face Before Bed
Going to bed without cleansing is a skin sin. It allows makeup and pollutants to clog pores and cause damage. These also interfere with the skin’s repair process at night.
Not removing your makeup can increase exposure to free radicals that the skin is exposed to during the day. Free radicals speed up the aging process. That’s why it’s important to cleanse your skin every night to remove these potential agers.
Smoking
More and more people are turning away from tobacco smoking. This is fantastic news for our skin! But if you’re still struggling with this habit, let’s help you find a little motivation.
When you smoke, you actively age your skin. It increases the levels of MMP in your blood, which destroys collagen, one of the fundamental building blocks of our skin. It also reduces skin elasticity, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.
It’s never been a better time to stop smoking. Ask your doctor about the support and resources available to help you quit smoking for good. Not only will your skin thank you, but your whole body will be so much happier.
High Stress Levels
Stress is a silent killer in our society. While you don’t notice its effects from moment to moment, stress actually destroys our bodies on a cellular level, including our skin.
Long periods of increased stress are linked to slower wound healing, increased inflammation and rapid skin aging. It also increases the levels of cortisol in the blood, which speeds up the rate at which we break down collagen. Worse yet, stress can cause tension in the muscles of the face, which can cause ‘stress wrinkles’.
There’s only one real way to fight stress, and it’s by practicing better wellbeing and mindfulness. It’s also so important to find a good work life balance. Speak to your doctor If you feel stress is becoming overwhelming, or if you feel as though you cannot cope.
Not Moisturizing
People tend to skip moisturizers too often, but this will only lead to a life of poor dehydrated skin. Even oily skin needs to be kept hydrated on a regular basis.
In the evening, I use my own overnight cream recipe without fail. I also use a day moisturizer in the morning and a serum to help balance the skin and give it a soft, mattified look that doesn’t look shiny. By using my own moisturizers, I can control what I put on my skin, and to be honest, I love that I know more about what works, what doesn’t and why.
Not Looking After Your Delicate Eye Areas
If you’re trying to save money on skincare, you might think about skipping eye cream. But actually, these creams are made especially for the delicate skin around your eyes. They work differently from regular face creams and can help make fine lines less noticeable.
If you pick an eye cream with caffeine or retinol, it could help reduce puffiness and dark circles over time. However, one thing to keep in mind is that many store-bought eye creams have preservatives. I do prefer using natural preservatives in my face cream recipes, as it helps them last longer. However, I’m cautious about using them near my eyes, so I made my own preservative-free eye cream at home.
Poor Nutrition
Everybody needs a good, balanced diet. It’s not just important for staying fit and healthy; it’s also important for the quality of our skin.
A diet that is high in excessive sugar, highly processed foods, and refined carbohydrates is a ticket to awful skin. These things will contribute oxidative stress, which causes inflammation and aging in the skin. Avoid these foods as much as possible.
Instead, opt for whole foods. Our skin needs lots of different vitamins and minerals to keep it looking youthful and radiant. Incorporating foods that are rich in vitamins C, E, A and D are all fantastic skin superfoods. If you’re struggling to keep up with the needs of your skin, consider taking a dietary supplement in the form of a multivitamin.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is another contributor to skin aging. Like smoking, pollution increases the levels of MMP in our blood, which is associated with more rapid breakdown of collagen and the loss of our elastic fibers of the skin. This basically means the skin becomes more prone to wrinkling and sagging.
It’s difficult to fight back against the very air that we breathe, but there are some ways we can minimize its effects. Make sure to incorporate some form of cleansing and toning into your skincare routine. This will make sure that your skin doesn’t have a build-up of these toxic chemicals that will otherwise be absorbed into the body. You can save yourself a few dollars by making your own homemade cleansing and toning products at home!
Poor Sleep
Like stress, not getting enough sleep will wreck your body! But it will also make you age faster, leading to deeper, more defined wrinkles.
The body needs sleep to repair itself. In fact, without it, our bodies will slowly begin to fall apart. Our skin is no different. Studies have shown that people who get good sleep have as much as 30% better skin barrier recovery than their poorer sleeping counterparts. Furthermore, they have significantly lower levels of TEWL, which is a measurement of the rate at which moisture is lost from the skin.
The best way to try to get better sleep is to start practicing good sleep hygiene. Start by removing digital devices and screens from your sleeping space and avoiding caffeine and large meals before bed. If your lack of sleep feels out of control, speak to your doctor about ways you can find better sleep.
Over-Exfoliating Your Skin
Exfoliation is valuable to get rid of your dead skin cells. Unfortunately, too much of this good thing is actually not good for your skin. It rips the skin off its natural oils and can damage your skin barrier.
Did you know that excessive exfoliation can even speed up the aging process? That’s because it can cause skin inflammation. The inflammatory chemicals in exfoliants break down the collagen and elastin in your skin, the proteins that keep your skin firm and smooth. Instead of daily exfoliation, aim for 1-2 times a week, and make sure you use gentle natural exfoliants.
Not Drinking Enough Water
Hydration is key in order to maintain great skin. If you don’t drink enough water, it can lead to dehydration, which affects skin elasticity and plumpness.
Clinical research shows proper hydration can improve skin thickness and density. It makes your skin less prone to aging. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin and body hydrated.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol dehydrates and damages the skin over time. It’s not just about the immediate effects — long-term excessive consumption can lead to permanent skin damage and accelerated aging.
Alcohol increases inflammation and depletes the body of vital nutrients and antioxidants. Drink in moderation, and make sure you hydrate before and after you drink alcohol.
Ignoring Serums
Serums are rich in active ingredients that aim to prevent aging. They contain concentrated doses of antioxidants that hydrate and repair the skin, which can penetrate deeply.
When you don’t incorporate them in your skincare regimen, you miss out on their powerful anti-aging benefits. So, incorporate a natural serum that suits your skin, such as those with vitamin C or hyaluronic acid for maximum benefits.
Forgoing Night Cream
Night creams do more than just moisturize. Don’t skip this essential step so you won’t miss a chance for your skin’s natural nighttime repair process. Night creams are made to support skin regeneration, hydration, and repair that occurs while you sleep.
They also have active ingredients that work with the skin’s overnight healing process. Choose a night cream that is suitable for your skin type and concerns to help you with the rejuvenation process. I’m biased, but my homemade overnight wrinkle cream has been a massive hit for many years on Savvy Homemade. Made by thousands, without a single negative comment. Just saying!
Relying Solely on Makeup with SPF
While makeup with SPF provides some protection, don’t rely on it solely for your sun protection. Most people don’t apply enough makeup to reach the SPF level promised on the label, which can leave the skin under-protected.
The Skin Cancer Foundation emphasizes the importance of adequate sun protection. It is essential to apply a liberal amount of sunscreen underneath your makeup. Make sure you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, regardless of makeup use.
Not Changing Your Pillowcase Regularly
Your pillowcase might be a hotbed for bacteria and oils. Keep the same one too long, and it can turn on you by clogging your pores and speeding up aging.
I make sure that I swap my pillowcase every single week to prevent any of these issues. Silk or satin could be your skin’s best friend as it’s soft enough to fend off creases and wrinkles. It’s a simple switch for skin that stays smooth.
