11 ways to reduce premature skin aging The sun plays a major role in prematurely aging our
skin. Other things that we do also can age our skin
more quickly than it naturally would. To help their
patients prevent premature skin aging,
dermatologists offer their patients the following
tips.


1. Protect your skin from the sun every day. Whether spending a day at the beach or
running errands, sun protection is essential.
You can protect your skin by seeking shade,
covering up with clothing, and using
sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, SPF 30 (or
higher), and water-resistant. You should apply sunscreen every day to all skin that is not
covered by clothing.


2. Apply self-tanner rather than get a tan. Every time you get a tan, you prematurely age
your skin. This holds true if you get a tan from
the sun, a tanning bed, or other indoor
tanning equipment. All emit harmful UV rays
that accelerate how quickly your skin ages.

3. If you smoke, stop. Smoking greatly speeds up how quickly skin ages. It causes wrinkles
and a dull, sallow complexion.

4. Avoid repetitive facial expressions. When you make a facial expression, you contract the
underlying muscles. If you repeatedly contract
the same muscles for many years, these lines
become permanent. Wearing sunglasses can
help reduce lines caused by squinting.

5. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Findings from a few studies suggest that eating plenty
of fresh fruits and vegetables may help
prevent damage that leads to premature skin
aging. Findings from research studies also
suggest that a diet containing lots of sugar or
other refined carbohydrates can accelerate aging.

6. Drink less alcohol. Alcohol is rough on the skin. It dehydrates the skin, and in time,
damages the skin. This can make us look
older.


7. Exercise most days of the week. Findings from a few studies suggest that moderate
exercise can improve circulation and boost the
immune system. This, in turn, may give the skin
a more-youthful appearance.

8. Cleanse your skin gently. Scrubbing your skin clean can irritate your skin. Irritating your
skin accelerates skin aging. Gentle washing
helps to remove pollution, makeup, and other
substances without irritating your skin.

9. Wash your face twice a day and after sweating heavily. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, irritates the
skin, so you want to wash your skin as soon
as possible after sweating.

10. Apply a facial moisturizer every day. Moisturizer traps water in our skin, giving it a
more youthful appearance.

11. Stop using skin care products that sting or burn. When your skin burns or stings, it means your skin is irritated. Irritating your skin can
make it look older.