10 Habits That Help Prevent Wrinkles

The best defense is a good offense and these simple habits are your best bets to prevent wrinkles.

There's nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to wrinkles. I myself find that crow's feet add character and a whisper of wisdom to my otherwise bright complexion. Even wrinkles under the eyes when smiling are evidence of a happy life well lived.

But if looking as young as you feel is what will make you happy, here are 10 easy habits you can start practicing now. They're so simple yet so transformative.

Quick Guide to Youthful Skin | Key Habits That Prevent Wrinkles

1. Antioxidants to Help Fight and Prevent Wrinkles

Fill your plate with antioxidant-rich foods that will protect your skin cells from oxidative damage which results in advanced skin aging. A study showed that women who ate more red meat and indulged in snacks had more wrinkles than those whose diets comprised largely of fruits.

Here are some powerful sources of antioxidants that you can easily introduce into your diet. These are just some of my favorites, but I find that they are the most palatable and the most suited for those with a sweet tooth:

• coffee
• green tea
• blueberries
• dark chocolate
• kale
• avocado
• nuts

So maybe stick to the fruit tray on your next brunch. Skip the soda and sangria, coffee and tea are a great source of antioxidants and pair deliciously with a healthy breakfast.

2. Getting Proper Sun Protection (Sunscreen, Hat, Sunglasses)

Of all external factors that contribute to advanced skin aging, UV rays are the most significant. UVA and UVB rays especially are able to penetrate deep into our skin and damage skin cells, while UVC rays are held back by the ozone layer.

Even on cloudy days or in late afternoons, apply a generous portion of sunscreen on your face and body. Look for sunscreens that read “SPF 30” or “SPF 50” with broad spectrum on the label. A cool hat and protective sunglasses will act as shields from the sun on the spot most prone to wrinkles – your face.

Around 80% of skin aging is credited to UV rays. Think about that the next time you're feeling too lazy to apply sunscreen or to grab a hat and sunglasses.

3. Keeping Your Skin Hydrated and Moisturized

Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C do wonders for hydration and moisturization, effectively keeping wrinkles at bay. They keep the skin plump and elastic, steering your skin clear of wrinkling.

The body contains hyaluronic acid naturally but decreases as we age, while the body cannot produce vitamin C. There are plenty of skin care for men and women that contain hyaluronic acid and vitamin C and there are plenty of yummy foods you can get vitamin C from.

And of course, the simplest way to stay hydrated – drink water. Keep a new insulated jug by your side at all times if this will help remind you to take a big gulp once in a while.

4. Sleeping on Your Back to Prevent Wrinkles

A study showed that sleeping with your face buried on your pillows (either sideways or on your stomach) could result in facial distortion and wrinkles. If you can help it, sleep on your back and keep the skin on your face relaxed and unmoved.

This habit could take plenty of getting used to, but it's a small sacrifice if you want to prevent wrinkles. The skin on the face is the thinnest and is the most prone to external factors. It will take up to four weeks to get used to sleeping on your back, but this habit may knock four years off of your face.

5. Shift to Silk Sheets

Silk is a smooth fabric with much less friction than cotton. It may prove to be forgiving to your skin especially if you can't help sleeping on your stomach. This is one of my favorite tips to prevent wrinkles – does wonders for interior design as well!

6. Quit Smoking

Cut the habit of reaching for a cigarette – there simply isn't a good thing that can come from this. A study involving twins showed that those that smoked had more wrinkles than their non-smoking counterparts. Smoking breaks down collagen and elastin, which are what keeps skin bouncy and plump.

This may be the motivation you've been looking for to curb this bad habit, keep in mind that smoking accelerates skin aging. Smoking may feel good for a while, but it will age you and destroy your body both inside and out.

Pursing your lips frequently may also lead to wrinkles around your mouth.

7. Keeping a Poker Face

Like we learned in number four, distorting your face frequently can accelerate the development of wrinkles on your face. Don't let stress wear you down and distort your face – breathe, relax, and maintain a poker face.

8. Maintaining a Healthy Skin Care Regimen to Prevent Wrinkles

Learn to love these three and I promise they will love you right back: collagen, retinol, and vitamin C.

• Collagen firms and plumps our skin, keeping it elastic and wrinkle-free. Its role in anti-aging strategies has been widely and extensively researched and skin care companies know this. Our bodies produce collagen naturally but this degrades as we age, fortunately, we can apply this topically or get it from food sources.
• Retinol is a skin care game-changer, helping our bodies to retain more water (hydration!) and boosting collagen production.
• Vitamin C applied topically is proven to help with rejuvenating aging skin and significantly boosts collagen production.

9. Limiting Alcohol Intake

As we age, we can't have our cake and eat it too – not when it comes to wrinkles anyway.

A study on heavy alcohol consumption showed that those who drink a lot (at least eight drinks a week) had more severe wrinkles than non-alcohol drinkers.

If you fancy a glass of wine, make it red. Red wine contains resveratrol, which has shown potential anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-aging properties. Keep in mind: Everything in moderation.

10. Practicing Yoga

The next time you feel like exploding, maybe use your words instead and keep a kind, relaxed face. Stress may also contribute to premature aging, so explore different calming activities. Practicing yoga has proven to reduce stress levels and lower cortisol levels.

There is no natural wrinkle treatment that will get rid of wrinkles instantly, but there are things we can do early on to avoid them.

You can also explore different mindfulness techniques and other calming and relaxing activities. What's important is that we find healthy avenues to destress, unwind, and keep those pesky wrinkles off our faces.

Wrinkles are inevitable, but I'm glad to say there are things we could do that may delay them. Start off with one and slowly introduce another one into your daily routine. Slow and steady wins the race, the key thing to remember is that these have to be sustainable to form a habit.

Are you up for the challenge of looking in your 40s well into your 50s? Let us know about your journey with these 10 new habits in the comments section below!

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