How to Actually Prevent Wrinkles as You Age, According to Dermatologists

Wrinkles are a natural part of aging. As we get older, skin loses elasticity and produces less collagen leading to fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, forehead, mouth, and even your neck.

While genes do play a role, some people are simply more prone to wrinkles than others, including those of certain ethnic backgrounds.

Here’s what experts have to say about aging skin—and what really makes a difference in reducing those pesky lines.

Don’t smoke

One of the best things you can do for your overall health. In addition to decreasing your risk of several cancers and heart disease, you’ll also prevent wrinkles for a longer period of time.

Often, wrinkles in smokers don’t appear until much later in life, but one study found evidence of “microscopic superficial wrinkling” in current smokers aged 20 to 39 years old.

That’s because the nicotine in cigarettes actually narrows the blood vessels in the top layer of your skin, halting blood flow in the process. This decrease in oxygen prevents beneficial nutrients, like vitamin A, from reaching your skin. On top of that, tobacco is loaded with chemicals that damage your collagen and elastin, while certain facial expressions (like pursing your lips) may also speed up the appearance of fine lines.

Skip the intense facial exercises

You may have heard that you can give your face a natural lift by firming up facial muscles with exaggerated expressions like puffing out cheeks, sticking out tongue, and puckering lips. Doing this may even deepen lines that naturally develop over time.

Prioritize sleep

That’s right, our skin switches into a healing mode when we sleep—increasing skin-thickening cell turnover, collagen production, and blood flow for faster cell turnover.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends clocking in at least seven to nine hours per night.

Never leave the house without sunscreen

To prevent wrinkles and other forms of sun damage, apply sunscreen

early and often—and preferably don’t just rely on makeup with SPF.

That’s because UV rays are responsible for as much as 80% of the sun damage that ages us.

Need another good reason to slather on the sunscreen? Slathering on the SPF may allow your skin to repair itself by reducing dark spots, improving texture, and boosting brightness.

Try wrinkle-fighting skin care

While Botox and facial fillers are a fast fix, they’re not always the most natural-looking solution, not to mention the price and—yikes—needles.  Here are a few key ingredients to look out for in your skin care:

Retinol is an OTC topical form of vitamin A that stimulates wrinkle-smoothing collagen.

Peptides are strings of amino acids that help make up our collagen and elastin. They are similar to retinols but aren’t as strong or as irritating.

Resveratrol is an antioxidant that fights against free radicals to prevent collagen and elastin damage.

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that draws water to the skin to temporarily plump fine lines.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps produce collagen and brightens the skin.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that works well with vitamin C to protect, nourish the skin barrier, and soothe inflammation.