20 Bad Habits That are Making You Look Older

Not being able to manage your anger can elevate the chemicals associated with stress. These stress chemicals and related metabolic changes can lead to premature aging, as well as a whole host of health problems such as asthma, heart issues, high blood pressure and eczema. So, address feelings of anger and resentment and let go of those grudges — your face and body will thank you.

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This is a no-brainer and yet so many of us forget about it or ignore the warnings. The sun’s ultraviolet rays destroy youthful and radiant skin and contribute to premature aging. If you have a hard time remembering to use sunscreen everyday, pick up a daily moisturiser with added SPF.

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All this time we’ve been worrying about UV rays from the sun but now we have another type of light to contend with: HEV (high-energy visible) light or the blue light emitted from computer, phone and tablet screens. HEV is purported by some beauty experts as being as damaging as UV light. If you’re staring at screens all day, it might be time to invest in a new primer — one that claims to filter HEV light.

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Whether you’re out in the sun all day or for an hour or two, wearing a hat is a crucial player in keeping your complexion looking youthful. A hat not only protects your delicate skin against sun damage but it prevents unnecessary squinting, which can lead to deep creases around the eyes. Find a broad-brimmed hat you love and wear it anytime you’re outside.

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Puckering up for frequent fish face selfies can increase the likelihood of hardcore lines developing around the mouth. Contorting your face into unnatural positions repeatedly might make you look like you’ve been smoking for a decade. If you must selfie, just smile.

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As if it doesn’t feel awful enough to be tired, now studies suggest that poor sleep and not enough of it (you can never get enough sleep) can lead to accelerated signs of aging such as fine lines and decreased skin elasticity. The skin of tired people also tends not to recover as well from environmental toxins and exposure to the sun. Quick, get to bed (and get naked, too)!

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Your parents always told you to sit up and stop slouching. And they had good reason to nag! Rounded shoulders make you look way older than you are. Slouching and poor posture can also lead to headaches, backaches and neck aches, as well as increased feelings of depression and low self-esteem. So if you want to avoid looking like a little old lady before you actually become one, sit straight and roll your shoulders up and back.

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Smoking is notorious for accelerating the aging process. The chemicals in cigarettes starve your skin of oxygen and these toxic ingredients cause premature aging in the form of sagging eyelids, discolouration, sagging chin, bags under the eyes and deep wrinkles around the mouth. Photos of identical twins, one of whom smokes, are enough evidence to convince even the most sceptical smoker out there. If you can’t butt out for your lungs and heart, do it for your skin.

Drinking dark liquids, like coffee, tea, red wine and colas permanently stain your teeth. Dull, yellow-tinted chompers automatically make you look way older than you are. To combat this, check out these 12 tips for whiter teeth.

Our skin loses moisture and oils as we age so caking on the foundation and powder, while it seems it will help cover spots and discolouration, can actually accentuate wrinkles and uneven skin texture. Keep makeup light, especially if your skin is on the drier side. No foundation at all is better than foundation that’s too heavy, too dry or the wrong shade.

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The pigment of our skin changes as we age, with discolouration and darkness ever more common as we get older. Rubbing and tugging the delicate skin on our face, and especially around our eyes, can increase the likelihood of shadows developing, adding years to your appearance. Be gentle when cleansing and moisturising your skin, as well as when you remove and apply makeup.

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You can spend so much time and money on anti-aging creams but if you forget to apply these magical elixirs to some key spots, you’re doing yourself a major disservice: don’t forget to take care of your hands, neck and décolletage too. There’s no point having a super smooth complexion with a wrinkly old neck and décolletage!

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Have you ever suddenly caught sight of yourself in a window reflection and were shocked at what your ‘resting face’ looks like? Try to be aware of how your face sits when you’re going about your day (are you frowning, furrowing your brow, squinting) so that wrinkles and lines don’t become permanently etched into your skin.

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Our brows naturally thin as we get older so over-tweezing when you’re young can make you look years beyond your actual age. Keep brows natural and bold, tweezing strays but not messing too much with general shape, in particular, the ends.

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Looking down at your phone for hours a day not only leads to awful posture but can cause unnecessary sagging and wrinkling of the neck. So if you can’t cut screen time, try elevating your device.

Dehydration is a key factor in premature aging and considering alcohol strips moisture away from the skin this is a sure fire way to fast-track the aging process. Booze also tends to cause inflammation, increasing redness and puffiness. Try limiting the frequency of drinking to once or twice a week and stick to clear drinks (gin, vodka), which the body tends to process more efficiently. Just remember, boozin' is also a surprising reason you may be gaining weight.

Wincing and grimacing while pumping iron at the gym can seriously carve creases in your skin. Lighten the load or try your hardest to keep a straight face while lifting. Also, consider a fitness class that you and your friends just enjoy!

People who strive for smooth foreheads, fuller lips and fewer crows feet can very often end up all looking the same. Many women tend to seek injectable fillers and Botox as they get older, but there is a growing trend for younger women to start treatments in their 20s and 30s. Enduring multiple and frequent cosmetic enhancements can make a youthful face look like it’s trying to look young, resulting in flat features, paralyzed expressions and cookie-cutter lips.

Drinking from a straw makes you purse your lips, initially causing little lines and wrinkles to form around the lipline. Eventually, these lines become deeper, adding years to a youthful face. So skip the straws — it’s better for you and the environment too!

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