Wrinkles are an inevitable part of life. The older you get, the less capable your skin becomes of producing collagen and less able to fight against signs of aging. Different people experience skin aging at varying rates. Often the process can also be affected by a myriad of factors, from bad habits to genetics. 

In this article, we take a look at 7 wrinkle-causing habits to avoid to prevent premature signs of aging from appearing on your skin. 

1 - Eye rubbing

We’ve all done this before. Something gets into our eye and the first thing we do is try to relieve the discomfort with rubbing. But eye rubbing not only worsens the irritation that you’re feeling, but it’s also one of the major causes of wrinkles. If you want to maintain the firm skin around your eyes, avoid rubbing your eyes when it feels itchy or irritated. Instead, place a cool, damp washcloth over your closed eyes and keep them there until the itchiness disappears. 

2 - Wrong sleeping position

Let’s face it — some sleeping positions are just more comfortable than others. Unfortunately, comfortable doesn’t always translate to the “right way” of sleeping. While most people lie on their side or their stomach, the most beneficial sleeping position is lying on your back. 

Not only does this position allow your spine to realign while you sleep, but it also protects your skin from lines and wrinkles gained from hours of being pressed against your pillows and bedsheets. Consider this tonight, when you go to bed!

3 - Insufficient sleep

Besides your sleeping position, another important factor to consider about sleep is the number of hours you get of it each night. The skin repairs and heals itself at night, when you’re fast asleep. If you get too few hours of sleep, the skin doesn’t get enough time to do healing magic, leaving you looking and feeling dull. 

Making sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep each night can help prevent premature aging symptoms from developing on your skin. Adding day and night moisturizers into your turn can also help enhance the skin health benefits of a good night’s sleep.

4 - Skipping sun protection

Excessive sun exposure is one of the biggest contributors to skin damage and (yes) wrinkling. Not only does it dry the skin but it also exposes you to skin-damaging UV rays. This is why slathering on a good amount of sunscreen before running out of the house is important. Make sure to get a product that has at least SPF 30. This is the least amount of sun protection that dermatologists recommend.

5 - Stacking skincare products

Most people make the mistake of stacking their skincare products in pursuit of perfect, healthy, and glowing skin. They fail to realize that, when it comes to skincare, less is always more. The skin is a sensitive organ and it can have all sorts of reactions to skincare products, from irritation to inflammations. Focusing on a few products at a time (two to three) can help prevent uncomfortable and unappealing side effects e.g., skin rashes, sores, and acne flare-ups. 

Oil cleansing is a great skincare technique that everyone should consider trying out. Not only does it help the skin preserve its natural oils and moisture, but it also helps clear acne, leaving the skin with a refreshed and rejuvenated look. 

6 - Not moisturizing enough

If you have a habit of moisturizing only when it crosses your mind, then you’re putting your skin at more risk of premature aging. Skin dryness can make fine lines and wrinkles more apparent, causing you to look older than you’re age. Moisturizing doesn’t have to take up much of your time. Dedicating at least five to ten minutes of your day to applying a lotion, cream, or ointment with a good amount of humectants is enough to keep your skin hydrated and healthy for the rest of the day. 

7 - Using straws

Besides being bad for the environment, sipping on straws can also cause wrinkles to form around your lips. The pursing movement of the lips when drinking out of a straw encourages collagen breakdown around the lips. This makes fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. If you’re concerned about developing wrinkles around your lips, drinking your beverages straight from the glass is a much better option. 

Keep your skin healthy, young, and glowing

We all want to look our best as we get older. However, not all of us have the right knowledge and information to protect our skin from premature aging. Fortunately, a glance at our article can provide you with a world of benefits for your skin health. By avoiding the 7 wrinkle-causing habits we’ve listed above, you should be able to maintain a healthy, young, and glowing complexion, even as you age. 

Written by guest writer: Katie Pierce