Aging is a natural part of life; as we get older, our bodies become less and less proficient at repairing and replacing damaged skin components like collagen and elastin. While it may be impossible to completely stave off the effects of aging, one can make certain changes to the habits and lifestyle factors that may be speeding up the aging process for them. In this post, we’ll take a look at what ages the skin the most, some causes of wrinkles, and how to slow aging.
What Ages The Skin The Most?
#1: Using the Wrong Kind of Cleanser
Now, everyone’s skin is different, so it’s impossible to say exactly what product will work for you, the reader. However, there are some basic factors that will contribute to the type of cleanser that may give you the best results. It’s important to remember that using a sub-optimal product will either cause dry skin or overly oily skin一 both of which are sub-optimal states for your skin to be in. Dry skin can not only make fine lines and wrinkles more apparent but it can also lead to the development of more lines and wrinkles, as dry skin is more susceptible to damage.
Overly oily skin, on the other hand, is more likely to develop imperfections and scarring through pimples and blackheads. In order to maintain the right balance between these two extremes, you’ll need to find a cleanser that works well for your skin type. When selecting a cleanser, stay away from oil-based cleansers if you have oily skin, and as well as from alcohol-based cleansers if you have dry skin. Cleansers are usually clearly labeled whether they’re meant for dry skin, combination skin, or oily skin.
#2: Smoking
No only does the constant smoking of cigarettes create that classic “pucker” shape, contributing to fine lines and wrinkles around the lips, it’s also known for causing damage to your skin and predisposing you to certain types of cancer. This, along with many other adverse health effects of smoking, is why It’s best to kick the habit now, minimizing further damage to your skin and body.
#3: Negative States of Mind
Stress, anxiety, worry, and depression have an effect on nearly every aspect of the body, and the skin is no exception. Excess cortisol (a stress hormone) in the blood can lead to collagen breakdown. Collagen is necessary for maintaining skin’s firmness and structure. When collagen breaks down in the skin, sagging, lines, and wrinkles form more quickly and look much more extensive. It may be difficult for you to reduce stress in your daily life, but doing so will do wonders for your skin. You might find that meditation or other mindfulness techniques help you let go of some of the stress that you are holding onto.
#4: Rubbing Your Eyes
Here’s another of the causes of wrinkles: if you’re looking at how to slow aging, try to stop rubbing your eyes. Rubbing the eyes damages the sensitive skin that surrounds the eyes themselves, breaking down the critical components of your skin underneath the surface. If you find that you’re rubbing your eyes a lot, try to figure out why. If you suffer from dry eye, grab some eye drops or take a trip to the ophthalmologist. If the skin around your eyes constantly itches, you may have dry skin or eczema. Talk to your dermatologist if this is the case.
#5: Not Getting Enough Sleep
Without enough rest and sleep, the skin isn’t able to heal itself and renew itself as well. Sleep is a critical component of everyone’s health, and skin health is no exception. If you’re having trouble falling asleep at night, try to stop looking at screens and other blue light-heavy light sources (daylight LED bulbs) at least 30 minutes before bed. Another trick is to try to maintain a rigid sleep and wake schedule; our bodies have an internal clock and we tend to operate optimally when we don’t stray far from this schedule. You may also find that non-habit-forming sleep aids like melatonin can be a big help.
#6: Using Makeup & Sunscreen Improperly
There is a lot of debate about whether or not makeup that has SPF protection can be used as sunscreen. Since foundation tends to be applied thinly and not all over the face and neck, it’s hard to rely on these products for sun protection (and we all know how important adequate sun protection is). We recommend that individuals use an SPF of at least 25 in their daily skincare routine, making sure to apply it over the entire face, neck, and any chest and shoulders that are exposed.
#7: Skipping the Sunglasses
As stated above, the skin around the eyes is highly sensitive, but it’s also often missed when applying sunscreen. For this reason, it’s recommended that individuals wear sunglasses while outdoors. Sun damage can cause premature aging and predispose individuals to skin cancer.
#8: Other Lifestyle Factors
Now, you may recognize some of these skin-aging habits as things that, in general, contribute to poor overall health. In fact, poor health often is externally visible in our skin, and it may be one of the first noticeable signs that we might need a change. Aside from the above factors, other causes of wrinkles and aging include high alcohol intake, being overweight, poor diet, and too little exercise.
If you’re looking for how to slow aging, start with the above recommendations, paying special attention to sun exposure and other general health and wellness factors. Once fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging have already developed, using a firming cream like Rejuvaskin’s Advanced Firming Cream can help!