Lets face it (see what I did there?), we’re all going to get old. Unless the biohackers of Silicon Valley finally find the elusive fountain of youth, we will all develop wrinkles one day. I don’t know about you, but I’d like that “one day” to be far into the future - I know it’s coming, and that’s ok, but here are ten ways to delay the inevitable. Some you’ve probably heard before, but some may be new to you.
Sleeping on your face: Are you a face sleeper? This first one might be something you’ve never thought about. Sleeping with your face smushed into the pillow may be very comfy and calming, but it actually can create creases on our cheeks and around our eyes. If you can’t get yourself to sleep on your back, there are special pillows now that help keep your face off the pillow. Another aspect to this is your pillowcase - high thread count 100% cotton is best, washed frequently to prevent oils and dirt from building up and clogging pores. This one from Amazon (I do not get any kickbacks) is an example of a style that keeps your face off the pillow to prevent wrinkles and breakouts.
Not drinking your water: This one seems obvious, but how often do you actually count the ounces of water you’re drinking a day? It’s shocking just how much dehydration, even mild, can exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles. One way to test if you’re dry and/or dehydrated is to wash your face with your usual cleanser. Wait up to 30 minutes before applying any other products. Do you feel tight? What about the texture of your skin at the end of an average day - is it rough, flaky, itchy? All signs of dryness. Be consistent with water intake by setting a timer on your phone and bringing a giant container with you wherever you go. Get a good filter to get rid of nasty flavors. Avoid using those little disposable plastic water bottles you get in cases of 24 - terrible for the environment; terrible for your body (microplastics).
Not moisturizing: Even if you have oily skin, it needs moisture. Your skin can overproduce oil/sebum when it’s parched. Give it what it wants by using a moisturizer that’s specific to your skin needs. Those with oily skin can use a good gel moisturizer that’s targeted to that concern. Those with overly dry skin need more of an emollient, and might even need to re-apply during the day, especially in winter. No matter your skin concern, similar to drinking water, your skin needs topical hydration as well to keep those wrinkles at bay.
Touching your face: Do you rub your eyes a lot? Do you find yourself picking in the rear view mirror of your car? What about rubbing your forehead when you’re worried? Once in a while, these things likely aren’t a problem. But if you find yourself doing things like this daily, all that pulling can add to the risk of developing fine lines. (Not to mention, the risk of getting sick by introducing bacteria from unwashed hands - but that’s a topic for another day!)
Leaning your head on your hand: When I was a kid in school, I used to rest the entire weight of my head on the heel of my hand while sitting at my desk. I still catch myself doing it now, when I’m bored or watching TV! But like sleeping with our face smushed into the pillow, smushing our cheek into our hand creates creases that we want to avoid.
Pulling eyes when applying makeup: Like stretching our mouth wide open when we apply mascara (seriously, why do we do that lol), pulling the eye up or out to put on eyeliner is a recipe for wrinkles. Constantly stretching the skin eventually leads to loose and sagging skin. Try to find eyeliners that go on easier/smoother, so you don’t need to stretch the skin.
Excessive powder makeup: Powder foundation is out - dewy, moisturizing foundations are in! Powder sinks into the creases, sucks the moisture out of our skin, and makes us look older. But there’s a difference between “dewy” and “shiny” - dewy looks fresh, healthy, and glowing. If you have issues with oily shine, there are blotting papers you can buy (or even just using tissue works). Powders, combined with oily skin, create caked creases. Less is more - but if you prefer more coverage, my favorite foundation brand that provides glow without the shine is Dior Backstage (I don’t get a kickback; I just love this foundation - find it at Sephora).
Skipping sunscreen: Another no-brainer, sunscreen is THE main preventative for aging skin. I should’ve listed it first! Sun damage is the #1 cause of discoloration, fine lines, age spots, and of course, melanoma. Always apply a minimum of SPF 30, even in the winter and on cloudy days to keep skin looking young longer.
Not exfoliating: Having a regular, basic skincare routine is fantastic. But if you’re not also regularly exfoliating your skin, at least once a week, you’re missing out on a prime anti-aging tool! We’re constantly sloughing off dead skin cells, and cleansing alone doesn’t do the trick. Exfoliating minimizes the appearance of fine lines, and helps the skin look smoother. There are two types of exfoliants, chemical and mechanical. Mild chemical exfoliation with ingredients such as salicylic acid or glycolic can do wonders for rough, dry skin. Mechanical, or physical exfoliators, such as a washcloth or jojoba beads, buff away the dead skin cells (but avoid products that are too harsh, like crushed apricot pits, as they can actually damage the skin barrier).
Stop smiling so much: Ok this one is clearly a joke! I’m all for celebrating smile lines/laugh lines and small crows’ feet - what an amazing way to show how happy you are! Remember, it’s the glow from the inside that really matters. At the end of the day, having a positive and lighthearted outlook on life will keep us looking younger (arguably) better than most things on this list. Take a few minutes every night before bed to think of that negative thing that happened to you that day, and try to find a way to put a positive spin on it. Finding the humor, or the silver lining, does wonders for our youthfulness.
Of course, pressuring ourselves to do everything perfectly isn’t fun. This list is meant to serve simple ideas to incorporate into your routine, Take what serves you, leave the rest. And, if none of it resonates, that’s ok too! Not all of us are on the same journey. Some of us are ok with aging gracefully, some of us not so gracefully. Let’s choose acceptance, no matter which journey into maturity we take.