10 Factors You Didn’t Realize Are Aging Your Skin

Your skin deserves to be taken care of, but sometimes it takes more work than you might think to do what’s suitable for your face.

Simply washing isn’t a great way to protect skin from aging, although it can help remove the day’s dirt and oils.

Examine some ways to make healthier changes that will support your skin, now and in the future.

1. Sleeping on Dirty Sheets

When was the last time you washed your sheets?

They see the worst of you every night, and eventually, dead skin cells, bacteria and so much more end up on them — and you lie down on them every night.

Your dirty sheets could age you prematurely unless you clean them regularly.

While it’s not realistic to wash your sheets every morning, you can at least do things to minimize oil and dirt.

Change your sheets regularly and make sure to cleanse your face before bed.

Following a skin care routine means having less dirt on your pillow in the morning.

2. Using the Wrong Fabric Pillowcase

Since your face rests on your pillow every night, you should ensure your pillowcase is made of high-quality material.

Some fabrics are more abrasive and may leave lines on your face.

Silk and satin pillowcases have more slip and won’t absorb moisture while you sleep.

Make the switch and you will see the difference in the morning.

3. Not Wearing Sunscreen

Spending too much time in the sun without the proper protection can make you start to see early signs of aging.

Sunscreen hydrates your skin while reducing sagging and discoloration that comes from UV rays.

Preventive methods are the easiest ways to treat premature aging, so find a sunscreen you like, trust and can wear every day, whether you spend time outside or not.

4. Spending Too Much Time in Front of Screens

Blue light from devices can affect you like sunlight and age your skin more than you might know.

You should try to mitigate some of the damage from screens.

Take breaks frequently to give your eyes and skin a break from the screen.

You can set time limits for certain apps on your phone and spend more time away from screens.

This can help you feel more productive and let you get things done.

You’ll be able to read more books or try out new recipes with all the time you spend off your phone.

5. Drinking Alcohol

What you put into your body can age your skin.

You may know to avoid excess sugar and processed foods, but you should also cut out drinking alcohol to see an improvement in your skin.

Regular drinking can make your face appear puffier, make your under-eye bags look more defined and add more lines to your face.

Try to reduce your drinking to see a quick change in your appearance.

6. Bathing in Hot Water

You should pay attention to the types of showers you take.

A nice, hot shower can be relaxing but also dry out your skin.

To appear more youthful and healthier, you should moisturize often.

Hot water can be damaging, so limit how often you wash your face with it.

It can also increase inflammation and intensify symptoms of skin conditions like eczema.

Opt for warm or cool water when possible.

7. Applying Too Many Skin Care Products

Unless you research your skin care products well, you may be doing more damage to your skin than helping it.

Many items aren’t regulated for their ingredients, as they’re categorized similarly to makeup.

Not knowing what’s in your products can damage your skin, and you may not even know until an issue has appeared.

Stick to the basics of your routine to protect your skin and give it time to absorb each product.

You might even try skin cycling, where you rotate products regularly, giving yourself a better chance of absorbing products without worrying about damage to your face.

It allows your skin to rest before jumping into the next thing.

8. Utilizing the Wrong Towels

Scratchy towels can cause micro-tears on your face.

Unless you wash your towel after every couple of uses, you may also be putting bacteria back on your face when you wipe or pat it dry.

Find a soft towel that won’t tug at your skin or cause unnecessary friction.

Your face deserves to be treated with kindness and gentleness.

9. Wearing Too Much Makeup

It doesn’t matter how much makeup you wear during the day as long as you take it off at night.

Wearing cosmetics to bed can trap oil, dirt and bacteria on your skin, leading to breakouts.

Make sure to use a gentle cleanser to remove products from your face.

Cleansing your face before bed can help you avoid deep wrinkles and help you feel better about your overall appearance.

10. Undergoing Stress

Believe it or not, stress can reflect on your face over time.

Some people carry tension in their shoulders or back, while others may show it in their faces.

Try relaxing your face to see how it feels.

People often tense their muscles without realizing it.

They may knit their brows together or wrinkle their forehead, and this prolonged tension might lead to fine lines.

One of the best things you can do to combat this tension is to remind yourself to occasionally relax your face by setting alarms.

You can also do face yoga to strengthen muscles and appear more youthful.

In any case, take care of your skin and don’t pull at it or treat it badly.

Treat Your Skin Right

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and even though your cells are hard at work, you can still provide them with a bit of support.

Caring for your skin supports the barrier that protects you and your organs.

Treating it right will give you a more youthful glow while appreciating everything it does for you — and loving yourself more as time goes on.

Cora Gold

Cora Gold is the Editor in Chief of Revivalist magazine, where she covers wellness, beauty and more. Follow Cora on LinkedIn and Twitter.