Author: Laura Chacon-Garbato LME – Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education, and Training.

Though ageing has positive aspects – such as gaining experience and wisdom – others can be less exciting. For example, losing elasticity and firmness in our skin happens as we age. But when these changes occur earlier, it’s known as premature ageing.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, there are two causes of skin ageing:

  1. Intrinsic ageing: Refers to genetic and biochemical factors, as well as the effects resulting from hormonal changes during life.
  2. Extrinsic ageing: These are external aggressions – pollution or UV rays – and lifestyle habits – smoking or eating too much sugar.

The good news is, you can focus on extrinsic, controllable factors to help keep your skin looking good as you age. Here are a few tips:

 

1. Don’t: Rely Solely on Your Makeup for Sunscreen

Nowadays, it’s easy to find makeup offering some Sun Protection Factor (SPF) level. However, they don’t always offer broad-spectrum protection. This means they will protect you against UVB rays – rays that cause skin reddening and sunburn – but not against UVA rays – rays that cause wrinkles and age spots.

Do: Apply sunscreen and a protective moisturiser than contains UVA/UVB protection before you apply makeup.
 

2. Don’t: Use a Drying Soap

Regular soap bars can contain ingredients – such as alcohol, fragrance, and sulphates – that strip skin of natural oils. The skin barrier is weakened when dehydrated, and dry skin cannot protect itself from irritants like pollution, viruses, and bacteria. Also, though dry skin doesn’t cause wrinkles, it accentuates them.

Do: Use a hydrating cleanser that is sulphate free and follow up with a moisturiser that contains antioxidants, such as Vitamins A, C, and E.
 

3. Don’t Skimp on Sleep

When your body is resting, it renews itself. Sleep helps skin cells regenerate, boosts collagen production, and gives your skin a break from environmental stress (UV rays, pollution). A study by the Department of Dermatology of the UH Cleveland Medical Centre found that chronic poor sleep quality is associated with increased signs of intrinsic ageing, diminished skin barrier function, and lower satisfaction with appearance.

Do: Get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night and try to have good sleep hygiene. For example:

  • Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day
  • Make sure your bedroom is quiet and dark before going to bed
  • Avoid screens before going to bed. For more tips on sleep click here


4. Don’t Rub Your Eyes Constantly

The skin around the eyes is especially delicate, so frequently rubbing it can cause wrinkles, fine lines, and dark circles. People who suffer from skin conditions like eczema, atopic dermatitis, or allergies tend to rub their eyes often.

Do: Visit an allergist or dermatologist to rule out underlying conditions that might cause eye-rubbing and get an accurate diagnosis and treatment if needed.
 

5. Don’t Normalise Chronic Stress

According to Harvard Health, stress can negatively affect overall skin wellness and exacerbate several skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, acne, and hair loss. Chronic stress, linked to the overproduction of cortisol, can also accelerate the ageing process because of increased inflammation and overproduction of free radical cell damage.

Do: Make lifestyle changes to reduce stress. For example:

  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a balance diet
  • Try meditation
  • Get enough sleep
     

6. Don’t Use Straws

Repetitive lip pursing can contribute to lines around the mouth. When sipping out of a straw, you activate muscles around the lips; the more we activate muscles, the more we create creases in the skin as we age because of loss of elastin and collagen.

Do: Avoid using a straw whenever you can. It also helps the environment by reducing single-use plastic items.
 

7. Don’t Forget to Use Sunglasses

Most people wear sunglasses only to cut down on the sun’s glare. However, sunglasses should be an everyday staple – yes, even when it’s cloudy or cold! They protect your eyes from UV rays, which can harm the eyelid, lens, retina and cornea.

Additionally, UV damage induces dryness, wrinkles, accentuated skin furrows, sagging, loss of elasticity, and mottled pigmentation.

Do: Wear high-quality sunglasses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection year-round.