5 Things You Do Every Day That Make Your Skin Look Older Than It Is

As we get older, we all seek the fountain of youth. And, fortunately, aesthetic procedures and treatments have come a long way. You now have more options than ever before to turn back the clock.

Norman J. Pastorek, MD, Janice Pastorek, BSN, RN, and our team offer a broad variety of effective skin rejuvenation treatments at our office in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. We can help you reverse aging with a facelift, Botox® and fillers, or NovaThreads, for example.

That said, it’s easier to keep your skin looking its best rather than having to undo damage to it. To help you safeguard your skin, we’ve rounded up five common activities or lifestyle choices that can prematurely age your skin. 

#1: Skipping sunscreen

Exposure to the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays is one of the fastest ways to create wrinkles and sunspots and dull your skin tone. To defend against the aging effects of the sun, incorporate sunscreen into your morning skin care routine. 

Experts say that you should wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 if you’re fair-skinned or at least 15 if you have more pigmented skin. 

#2: Skimping on sleep

It’s called beauty rest for a reason. When you sleep, your body gets a chance to regenerate cells and repair tissue. This is important throughout your body, but it matters quite a bit for your skin. Without enough rest, your body can’t keep up with the damage your skin encounters throughout the day (like exposure to pollution), so it ages faster. 

#3: Smoking or sipping through straws

Both of these activities require you to purse your lips. Over time, this can cause vertical lip lines, a surefire way to make you look older.

On top of that, smoking makes your skin age faster and can leave it looking dull. 

#4: Skin scrubbing

While cleansing your skin is a critical part of any skin care routine, be gentle in how you wash the day away. Scrubbing your skin can irritate it, which speeds aging. 

Instead, opt for a gentle cleanser and don’t use too much elbow grease as you wash your face. 

#5: Scant sweat sessions

When you work out, you stimulate your circulation. This can help your skin stay youthful-looking and vibrant.

Be mindful of your after-exercise routine. It’s important that you wash your face as soon as possible after working up a sweat to avoid skin irritation, which can make your skin age faster. 

Make small changes, and you can protect your skin from aging too quickly. If you do already have any signs of aging that you want to address, don’t hesitate to contact our office by calling us or scheduling your appointment online. Our team looks forward to exploring your treatment options with you.