Yes, it’s true - aging is a natural and inevitable part of life. And if you try to fight it too hard, you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment (and maybe even more worry lines).
But just because you accept getting older doesn’t mean that you want to expedite the process. You have to beware of the definite mistakes along that make wrinkles worse.
Here’s what they are and how to avoid them to achieve younger, less wrinkled skin.
What Causes Wrinkles?
Though wrinkles are a natural part of getting older, certain factors can speed up the development and appearance of wrinkles. These include genetics, the pollutants in the area you live in, physical changes in your body as you age, and your lifestyle habits.
By far the #1 cause of wrinkles in unprotected exposure to UV rays. Research shows that UV damage can account for a whopping 80% of the physical signs of aging - including wrinkles, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. Worse, it can lead to skin cancer.
Besides external factors, you also have to contend with the fact that it’s physically harder to combat wrinkles as you get older. Your body produces progressively less skin oil and collagen the older you get (a process that starts in your 20’s), leading to reduced elasticity, wrinkles, and sagging.
Even though you can’t entirely stop the aging process, you can avoid some major risk factors for early wrinkles. If any of these fit your situation, take action now to make sure your skin stays looking its best for years to come. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
4 Early Wrinkle Risk Factors 1 - Prolonged, Unprotected Sun Exposure
Many men don’t wear sunscreen - let alone daily. You might be able to convince a stubborn guy to put some on at the beach, but that’s about it. After all, he spends time in the sun almost every day and doesn’t even burn. What’s the harm?
Yeah. No.
Using a daily SPF product is just one line of defense you should be using to protect your skin from UV damage - like our Daily Defense Face Moisturizer with SPF 20 and Element Defense Moisturizer with SPF 45. Both offer broad spectrum UV protection without relying on harmful ingredients.
Applying an SPF product is critical if you spend lots of time outdoors - like if your job has you outside, you workout in the fresh air, or pursue hobbies that have you under the sun for extended periods.
On an average day, you might be exposed to UV rays more than you think. Consider this:
- You still need to worry about sun damage on cloudy days. Even if you’re not getting direct sunshine, harmful UV rays are penetrating the clouds and affecting your skin.
- Sun exposure happens during your daily commute too. The windows in your car are not filtering out all of the UV rays and your skin is absorbing the damage.
- The same goes for spending time indoors. Yes, you’re exposed to significantly less UV radiation than if you were outside. But glass windows are not filtering those rays out, so there’s still exposure and damage.
Using sunscreen everyday is a smart move, but that alone isn’t going to stop all the damage to your skin - especially if you don’t reapply often. That’s why it’s also important to physically protect yourself from sun exposure with protective clothing, especially from 10am to 4pm when the sun is particularly intense. Try wearing:
- Wide-brimmed hats
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Sunglasses
2 - Unhealthy Lifestyle/Habits
This is a big one. Processed foods that are high in sugar can affect your skin, leading to:
- Rough texture
- Dull skin tone
- Breakouts
These low quality foods are also devoid of antioxidants (which can fight free radical damage that leads to aging) and healthy fats that help maintain your skin’s natural barrier.
In the same vein, a lack of exercise can mean decreased oxygen to your skin, lower collagen levels, and fewer new skin cells. Overall, not great.
By far one of the most damaging habits for your skin is smoking. Tobacco use has been connected to all kinds of serious health problems, plus sit dehydrates your skin and leads to prominent skin wrinkles.
What can you do to combat these concerns?
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. This doesn’t mean it has to be all salad all the time. But include a variety of proteins, grains, fruits, and vegetables. That will ensure proper nutrition and help you get all the vitamins and minerals you need to promote smooth, healthy skin.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water - not just sugary liquids - everyday.
Get active. Workouts don’t necessarily have to be work. Simply getting outside for a 30 minute walk (or even less) counts as staying active. The point is to avoid a totally sedentary lifestyle. This contributes to your health in many ways, not just to improved skin.
Quit smoking. There’s really no room for argument here. Smoking is horrible for your skin - and your entire body. The sooner you quit, the better.
3 - Problematic Sleeping Positions
Surprised? Skeptical? It’s true! Certain sleep positions can make wrinkles worse.
Sleeping on your stomach or side, in particular, causes repeated external pressure on the skin. This can eventually lead to wrinkles in that spot - yikes!
Adjusting this may seem hard, since the position you sleep in is a tough habit to change. But with a little effort you may be surprised how comfortable you become sleeping on your back. Try it and see!
4 - Lack of Skincare
It might seem overly simplistic to say that the right skincare routine can combat all of these risk factors and concerns - but it’s definitely an effective starting point. If you totally ignore skincare until you’re covered in wrinkles, you won’t experience the same benefits as if you had started years earlier. Still, it’s never too late to care for your skin - and you deserve it!
When it comes to your skincare routine for preventing and smoothing wrinkles, focus on anti-aging products that include:
- Mineral-based, broad spectrum SPF protection of SPF 20 or higher.
- Antioxidants, which stop free radicals in their tracks and help create brighter, clearer, spot-free skin.
- Chemical exfoliants - like glycolic acid and salicylic acid - that will slough off dead skin cells, revealing younger, more even skin.
- Peptides, which can help rebuild collagen and restore elasticity for firmer skin.
- Hyaluronic acid and other natural moisturizers that restore the skin’s natural barrier and stave off the dehydration that can make wrinkles deeper and more pronounced.
Find all of these ingredients --and kiss those early wrinkles goodbye - with our Complete Defense Anti-Aging Routine. It comes with everything you need to protect your skin from damage while also restoring its smooth, youthful texture.
