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Some people say that wrinkles are a sign of a life well-lived. That sounds great on paper, but in reality, I don’t think anyone likes seeing wrinkles in the mirror. And it turns out that some of the things you do without thinking every day may be making things worse!
You should have some kind of sunscreen on your skin every time you go outside. You should aim for SPF 30 or higher, regardless of the weather or season.
When someone says “You look tired,” it’s never a compliment. If you don’t get enough sleep now, it can make you look older than your age later down the line. Get your beauty sleep—it’s a real thing.
You don’t do this, right? Sleeping in your makeup is really bad for your skin. Gently remove any makeup at the end of the day. Wash your face and moisturize before bed every night. Your future self will thank you!
Stress is the worst. Your body thinks it’s under attack, even though there’s no immediate threat, and all systems are at red alert. That constant tension wreaks havoc on every part your body, including your skin. Exercise and meditation are the best ways to reduce stress, but you should also try to make changes to any situations that have you feeling chronically stressed.
We’ve heard a lot about how bad straws are for the environment. But did you realize that they’re bad for your face, too? Sucking drinks through a straw can cause those lines that radiate out from your lips. While they’re most common on smokers, too much straw usage can cause the same wrinkles.
Do you remember your reusable water bottle when you go out? If you’re like most of us, you forget to stay hydrated until your body sends out the danger signals. Your skin needs a lot of water to stay healthy and young-looking, so make sure you’re getting enough to drink. (And no, cocktails don’t count even if they technically have water in them.)
Yes, sugar is delicious. But it’s so, so bad for you. Consuming too many refined carbs messes with you blood sugar, which in turn causes inflammation. It also destroys the collagen in your skin, making it prone to sagging and wrinkling.
Smoking cigarettes is one of the worst things you can do to your body. You’ve already heard the anti-smoking spiel by now. Maybe you even switched to vaping since it seems to be a better choice. But you will still be using the same motion that causes wrinkles when you smoke or drink from a straw.
To minimize wrinkles in the future, swap out cotton pillowcases for satin. The slippery fabric is less harsh on your skin—it’s great for your hair, too! You should also sleep on your back, if possible. Sleeping on your side with your cheek pressed against the pillow squishes up your face for hours at a time.
