Skincare routine: Nobody wakes up thinking, “Today, I’ll speed up the ageing process.” But here’s the truth: some everyday habits can quietly chip away at your skin’s natural resilience. And no, it’s not just about forgetting sunscreen. Ageing isn’t only in your DNA; it’s in your daily choices.
Let’s break it down.
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Skipping Sunscreen (Yes, Even Indoors):
Think the sun can’t reach you while you’re sitting by the window? UV rays have a nasty way of sneaking in. Over time, that adds up: fine lines, spots, uneven texture. It’s the silent, slow-burning damage.
Over-Cleansing Your Face:
If your skin feels squeaky-clean most of the time, it’s a sign that your skin needs help. Stripping away natural oils daily can leave it dry, dull, and more prone to wrinkles.
Constant Sugar Hits:
That second pastry might not just hit your waistline; it can hit your collagen. Excess sugar binds to skin proteins, stiffening and reducing their elasticity. As a result, there is more sagging and less bounce.
Squinting at Screens:
Ever notice yourself narrowing your eyes at your phone in bright sunlight? Tiny repetitive movements like that can etch permanent lines over time. Sunglasses aren’t just for style; they’re wrinkle prevention tools.
Sleeping on Your Face:
Eight hours pressed into your pillow, night after night, can leave more than morning creases. Over the years, those lines can stick. Side-sleepers, you’ve been warned.
Chronic Dehydration:
Water won’t erase wrinkles, but dehydration exaggerates them. Skin without enough moisture looks thinner, almost fragile. And no, coffee doesn’t count toward your water intake (sorry).
Skipping Moisturiser Because Your Skin is “Oily”:
Oily skin still needs hydration, just in a lighter formula. When you skip it, your skin can overcompensate by producing more oil, throwing everything off balance.
Forgetting to Clean Makeup Brushes:
Bacteria build-up on brushes isn’t just gross; it can trigger inflammation and breakouts. Inflammation, in turn, can speed up skin ageing. Weekly washes are the bare minimum.
Smoking (and Not Just Cigarettes):
Anything that reduces oxygen flow to your skin, whether it’s smoking or heavy exposure to pollution, accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin. The result: skin that looks older, faster.
Stressing 24/7:
Chronic stress floods your body with cortisol, which can break down skin structure and slow repair. You can literally see long-term stress in someone’s face with dullness, puffiness and deepened lines.
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Neglecting Your Neck and Hands:
We pile on serums and creams for our face, then forget the skin that actually shows age first. The neck and hands have thinner skin and less oil production, making them age in fast-forward.
The thing is, you don’t have to overhaul your entire life to keep your skin healthier for longer. Just notice these patterns, tweak what you can, and give your skin the break it deserves. Because ageing gracefully is one thing, speeding it up without realising it is another.
