Have you noticed an increase in wrinkles and fine lines? It is something that we should expect as we grow older but what if I told you that some of the everyday habits may be the cause of some of those wrinkles? You can make a few changes in your daily life and take off a few years in the process!
I will admit that I have been guilty of just about all these things that I am going to be talking about. They are things that you just don’t think twice about because they are just a part of your life, or you have been doing them for so long. It’s never too late to make changes!
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We can get away with some of these things while we are younger but as our skin ages and we lose elasticity and collagen. We then start to notice wrinkles and fine lines. Along with adjusting behaviors, having great products we can stop and reverse some of the signs of aging.
Drinking from a straw
Are you a drinking from a straw lover like I am? My daughter has yelled at me for not using reusable straws, so I have been working on that! But now after reading about how drinking from a straw can give you wrinkles; I am going to have to do away with them all together!
Regularly pursing lips can cause your skin to lose elasticity prematurely. This can be like what happens with smokers. Both actions can create fine lines around your mouth.
So, what can you do to prevent this from occurring? Easy! Drink from a bottle or even better pour it into a glass and drink it from there.
Squinting
Squinting can be due to several things. Are you putting off those glasses so that you can see better or maybe you don’t wear sunglasses when needed?
We can sometimes put off the inevitable because it might make us feel “old”. I know I pushed off admitting that I needed reading glasses but now I have totally come to terms with it! I have a pair in every room in my house! Squinting to see can create fine lines around our eyes better known as crow’s feet!
Forgetting or not wearing your sunglasses out in the sun will also cause a lot of squinting. I had been forgetful about wearing my sunglasses and realized how much I have been squinting due to the sun. You know while driving at sunset, out for a walk. It is also a good idea to protect your eyes from damage from the sun, I addressed this a little in my blog post-Winter Sun Safety. You can find that post here.
You guessed it squinting from not wearing your sunglasses can cause fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes. So, carry those sunglasses around in your purse, car, wherever!
Sleep positions
What is your sleep position? Are you a side, back, or stomach, sleeper? I am a side sleeper; I have a difficult time sleeping if I must be on my stomach or back. Bad news friends, sleeping with your face “smushed” into the pillow can cause wrinkles. While you are sleeping your skin is being repeatedly pulled, stretched, and held in the same position all night. Well, if you are lucky enough to sleep all night! Lol.
The best fix for sleep wrinkles is to sleep on your back but for those of us that are not able to do this here are a few ideas that might help!
- Face pillow to help prevent wrinkles – yes, they do have special pillows that they make for side and stomach sleepers that will help prevent wrinkles. Check out some of the options here.
- Silk pillowcase – not only are they good for your hair but also your skin. They will help your face not get “crunched” upon your pillowcase as a standard cotton pillowcase can. Plus, they are great for your hair, help reduce breakage and reduce frizz.
- Moisturize before going to bed – having a good skincare routine is one of the best things we can do to help prevent wrinkles. Prior to going to bed make sure you have washed and moisturized your skin. I love MONAT’s skincare line, it is vegan and naturally based. If you want more information, click here.
Pulling at your skin/rubbing too hard
Pulling, tugging, or rubbing your skin can speed up the wrinkle process. With age, our skin naturally loses elasticity and collagen, so we don’t need to help it along!
This can be done in several ways without even realizing that you are doing it. The most obvious way is when you are washing your face. Be nice to your face, using gentle pressure and making sure that you aren’t using anything harsh or scratchy on your skin. A washcloth usually isn’t the best thing to use on your face unless you use a baby washcloth. I am a big fan of these.
A few alternative options for gentle face washing:
- Baby Washcloths
- Cleansing Sponge (soft)
- Microfiber washcloth
- Bamboo Facial Washcloth
Not removing makeup
Removing our makeup every evening is important for so many reasons. Not only does it remove the days makeup, but it also will help to remove oil, pollutants that can lead to poor skin texture.
You might wonder, how can not removing my makeup cause wrinkles? Remember me telling you that with age we lose collagen? When we don’t remove makeup daily it can cause collagen to break down and premature aging. AKA fine lines and wrinkles!
Don’t forget to be gentle when removing your makeup, especially around your eyes. The skin around our eyes is thinner and more delicate. I love Monat’s Makeup Vanishing Balm! It is gentle and removes all traces of your makeup. If you want more information, click here.
*Tip: make sure that you are washing your pillowcase and sheets regularly. Bacteria can build up and cause breakouts.
So, how many of these things do you find yourself doing on a regular basis? I told you that I am guilty of almost all of them at some point. It is never too late to pivot and change how we are used to doing things.
There is no fighting the fact that we are aging and that we will get some fine lines and wrinkles, but we don’t have to help the process along. I hope this helped you, please share your thoughts below.
I’m thinking about getting silk pillowcases. I need a new pillow anyway so may as well get the cases.
You definitely should! It would be great for your skin & hair!
I never thought about drinking from a straw but it makes so much sense!
I thought the same thing! I very rarely use a straw now unless I am out at a restaurant.