Like it or not, we all age. Yet, not everyone necessarily ages gracefully. Sometimes, despite being in your 30s or 40s, you may find yourself looking over the age of 70, and it’s certainly nothing to do with genetics. Looking older may not be in your DNA, but rather a result of lifestyle and habits that fast-tracked your aging process.
This can be frustrating, to say the least, but in some cases, the damage can be reversed. If people are constantly guessing that you’re older than you are, here are some factors that may be contributing to it.
Chronic Stress
There’s stress, and then there’s stress. The kind of stress we’re talking about is not just the kind that weighs on your mind, but the kind that shows on your face. When your cortisol levels are elevated for too long a period of time, you may find yourself with dry skin, thinning hair, and more wrinkles than before.
It’s important that you try to reduce your exposure to stress as much as possible, and if you are in a stressful situation, try to take the measures necessary to calm down. Stress-reducing techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or even going for a walk can make a world of difference in your stress levels—and ultimately improve your appearance.
You Forgot Sunscreen
Many people make the mistake of assuming you only need sunscreen if it’s blazing sunny outside. However, you need sunscreen even on cloudy days. That’s because even though you think the sun isn’t hitting you, in fact, the sun’s rays are still penetrating through that cloud. If you’ve spent decades without sunblock, then chances are, time has probably caught up with you.
However, it’s not too late to backtrack. Even years of damage on your face can be improved. By applying sunblock now, you may not be able to get rid of age spots or wrinkles entirely, but you can reduce their appearance by buying certain skincare treatments.
Poor Diet
As much as you might think that a poor diet only affects your waistline, the truth is that a poor diet may be affecting your facial appearance as well. Sugary and processed foods can cause glycation, which is a chemical process that will damage collagen and elastin in your skin. Proteins like collagen and elastin keep your skin looking its best, so it’s important that you eat foods and take supplements that promote the production of these proteins rather than destroy them.
Lack of Sleep
Beauty sleep is a real thing. If you’re not getting in those beauty Z’s, then the lack of rest will eventually lead to puffiness, dark circles, and dry skin. Over time, lack of sleep will start to weaken the skin’s barrier and ultimately make it more transparent-looking and dry. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night if you can, and remember that the quality of sleep is equally as important as quantity.
