While aging is undeniably a blessing and naturally maturing skin should be embraced, certain lifestyle choices can accelerate the visible process. To help slow self-induced aging, you’ll want to quit these 7 wrinkle-causing habits (if you haven’t already) so you can show off your healthiest skin, at every age.
Bad Habit #1: Spending too much time in the sun
Over time, excess exposure to the sun’s aging UVA and burning UVB rays can cause photoaging, also known as sun damage. This sun damage can reveal itself in the form of premature lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and skin sagging.
Bad Habit #2: Skipping sunscreen
Now, spending too much time in the sun is damaging to the skin no matter what, but this is especially true if you aren’t wearing SPF. Exposing skin to the sun’s radiation without sunscreen can lead to not just early signs of aging, but skin cancer, too.
Bad Habit #3: Forgetting your sunglasses
Squinting to help block your eyes from the sun will naturally cause the delicate skin around your eyes to crease. Repeatedly moving and bending this fragile skin will, in time, allow crow’s feet and fine lines to form.
Bad Habit #4: Not drinking enough water
Keeping your skin hydrated from the inside-out and outside-in is essential for its overall health and elasticity. To keep your skin bouncy and dewy, a good rule of thumb is to drink at least 8 eight-ounce glasses of water each day (or 64 ounces total).
Bad Habit #5: Not washing off your makeup
On top of the fact that sleeping with your makeup on is bad for your skin, it’s just gross. Not only can it lead to clogged pores and breakouts come morning, but it also interferes with your skin’s essential overnight process of repairing and regenerating itself.
TIP: Stick to a streamlined nighttime routine of our simple yet effective essentials. In just four transformative steps, you’ll help kickstart your skin’s nightly recovery process in less than 10 minutes. Your skin will be cleansed, hydrated, and getting beauty sleep in no time!
Bad Habit #6: Taking hot showers
While hot showers have their benefits, lukewarm or cold showers are known to be less drying, so they won’t strip the sebum from your skin (or hair). Since sebum is our naturally lubricated barrier, keeping it strong and protected is essential for maintaining a visibly youthful radiance.
Bad Habit #7: Sleeping on your face
If you’re waking up from your beauty sleep with lines across your face, you’re not alone. While they usually go away after you’ve been awake for a bit, after enough creasing over time, you may start to notice more permanent lines and wrinkles.
TIP: For side- and stomach-sleepers, opt for a silk pillowcase to help with this. It will cause less friction and tugging on your skin at night, leading to fewer wrinkles over time.
