Wellness
Things You’re Doing Daily That Cause Premature Aging
The upside? You can change them today.
Smoking and Drugs
The nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes go into your skin’s blood vessels and restrict the oxygen flow, destroying your skin’s elastin and collagen. This results in the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and pucker lines around the mouth, and in your skin overall. Also, smoke, in general, is filled with volatile free radicals and cancer-causing compounds that can prematurely age the skin. These compounds interfere with collagen production, causing your skin to lose firmness more quickly. The result is skin that looks more battered and degraded than it should.
You probably already knew this, but I figured a reminder can’t hurt.
If you can’t stop smoking, you’ll have to embrace the dull and sallow skin. If you partake regularly, multiply your age by two and that’s how you’ll actually look… and soon.
Coffee
Seriously? Whatever happened to the “coffee-is-rich-in-antioxidants-that-protect-your-cells-from-damage” claim? Well, coffee does contain antioxidants, but it also has caffeine, which is still its most potent ingredient. And the antioxidant levels in coffee are nothing compared to those that you get from a piece of fruit.
Ever wonder why you don’t feel thirsty after drinking coffee? It’s because caffeine act like diuretics that make you less thirsty for water, while at the same time pulling water from your body and making you have to pee more often. If you’re a heavy coffee drinker and you don’t drink at least eight glasses of water a day, chances are your skin looks dry and dull. (*more about coffee and its effects.) If you can’t resist the urge to drink your favorite latte, try drinking more H2O or organic herbal tea to compensate and stay hydrated, or try on of these 5 ridiculously delicious alternatives to coffee.
Sheena Osborn
never smoked never took a sip of alcohol i sleep on my back never fake tan !! damn i’ll stay young forever ?
Lynn Dixon
Can anybody tell me my face seems wrinkled and folds ( not actually wrinkles) while laughing and when I get angry and I’m only 23…. Why’s it happening?? I don’t drink and smoke and keep myself hydrated and never forget to wear my sunblock… An it’s been happening to me since my school days… But only when I laugh or get angry. I’m too disturbed with this ??
Marlene Collins
You can do all the diet and exercise you want and do all the right things but if you have a bad attitude unfortunately it will age your face quickly… hasn’t done it to me yet but it might eventually if I don’t shape up
Kim Benes
Thank you for the advice, Hilary. I’m wondering how my mum looks so young, she’s almost 50, but looks 35. And she barely does skincare.
Elisa A
My biggest problem is my phone ? I don’t drink alcohol and I avoid everything you said — but I look older than my age just because of this ??
Ruth Burkes
Yes, I have already started aging… I am already getting wrinkles… I hate the world AAARRRGGHHH
Maryann Carlton
According to who? Sun ? is really good for you especially for dark skinned people. ?
Sheri Smith
I totally agree. The sun has vitamins that help plants grow. Nobody talks about that. We cannot live without our beautiful sunshine, and not being in the sun can cause major depression that would actually add to the aging process.
Maddison Gibson
There was this guy I knew who was an alcoholic, he looked like he was in his 70’s or 80’s, his hair was grey and falling out, he had wrinkled skin with droopy ears and cheeks, and a big red nose, as it turns out he was only in his early 50’s, when his brother died and he was attending his funeral, I thought he was his father because he looked so old.
Rachael Wise
Yep, my sister says the “Hello Miss” changed to “Hello Ma’am” at 35 ??? My biggest fear is getting old.
Helen Vincent
Thank you for these tips! I’m 30 years old, with a dry skin. Do you have any recommendations on a good moisturizer for my age?