Ageing is a natural part of life, but once we spot the signs our skin is ageing prematurely – dullness, lines, loss of firmness or elasticity – we may wonder how to prevent this from worsening. While ageing may be partly down to genetics, many other factors influence our skin health.
We all know that sun damage is a major contributor to premature ageing. As specialist dermatologist, Dr Rayhaneh Zahedi explains, “We have up to 90 per cent control over how our skin ages, and the biggest thing we can do to prevent premature ageing is by effectively protecting and shielding against damaging UVA and UVB rays from the sun by wearing sunscreen all year round.”
Beyond sun damage, a surprising number of factors influence how old our skin looks. We spoke to experts to find out what may be ageing your skin without you realising and what you can do to prevent the damage from getting worse.
Pregnancy can wreak havoc on the body, but there’s some evidence to suggest that it might also accelerate ageing. A study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health shows that pregnancy can advance ageing at a cellular level by up to two years, and each additional pregnancy during early adulthood (up to the age of 25) was associated with more than two months of accelerated biological ageing.
Dr Eldimarys Curry-Machado, a leading aesthetics doctor with more than 27 years’ clinical experience, explains: “This ageing is primarily due to the extreme stress to the system that pregnancy causes to adapt the body for the development of the baby. We experience demineralisation of the bones and lose vital minerals while supporting our baby. Other factors that can impact the ageing of skin around pregnancy are lack of sleep and hormonal changes.”
Fortunately, Dr Curry-Machado says that these changes do not have to be permanent, and by focusing on correcting vitamin and mineral deficiencies postpartum, there is a chance to repair the damage.
Pollution
According to Dr Dan Marsh, a consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the Plastic Surgery Group, pollution affects more than the respiratory system – it can also lead to inflammation, premature ageing, and skin diseases.
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Marsh says, “Fine particle matter released by car exhausts into the air can penetrate the skin’s surface and trigger inflammation. Pollution also generates free radicals that can add further damage to skin cells, causing them to age prematurely.”
Dr Marsh recommends following a regular skincare regimen that includes cleansing and gentle exfoliation, which can help remove contaminants from the skin.
When you experience stress, you might notice changes in your skin. Over time, chronic stress may lead to signs of ageing.
Dr Dave Reilly, head scientist at Absolute Collagen, says: “When the body perceives stress, it triggers the brain to release the stress hormone cortisol. Over time, prolonged stress can weaken the immune system and disrupt the nervous system, causing inflammation and hormonal imbalances. These imbalances can cause symptoms such as acne, clogged pores, pigmentation, and even break down collagen, reducing skin elasticity and exacerbating wrinkles.”
Focus on managing stress itself to minimise the impact on your skin. This can include practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, or yoga.
Hot showers
You may enjoy a hot shower to unwind at the end of a long day, but as Dr Reilly explains, washing your face in hot water may age you prematurely. “Hot water and excessive scrubbing can strip essential oils from your skin, getting rid of the protective layer, which not only seals moisture in but also helps to protect from bacteria. Losing this layer leads to skin becoming dry, irritated, and vulnerable. This is particularly true for your face, as its skin is so delicate.”
Dr Reilly advises against washing your face in the shower and instead recommends double cleansing before your shower with gentle products and cooler water.
Nutritional therapist Stefanie Daniels says vitamin D deficiency can contribute to accelerated ageing. “Vitamin D helps slow skin ageing by reducing inflammation and activating genes that repair cell damage caused by UV rays – it also supports enzymes involved in making collagen, which keeps skin firm.”
Daniels recommends a diet filled with oily fish like salmon and mackerel, egg yolks, and UV-exposed mushrooms to boost vitamin D, but notes that the government advises everyone in the UK should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.
Overuse of exfoliants
Facialist and skincare expert Natasha Clancy says overuse of chemical exfoliants – like glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid – is an often-overlooked cause of premature ageing. Clancy says: “People layer multiple products with active ingredients, thinking more is better, but this can strip the skin barrier, trigger breakouts, and create low-grade inflammation that breaks down collagen over time.”Not all exfoliation is harmful, though. Clancy recommends exfoliating just once or twice a week with a gentle formula that supports, rather than stresses, the skin.
Dr Tom Curtis, clinical head of obesity at Voy, the UK’s leading medicated weight loss programme, says that while losing weight can be great for your health, it can sometimes have unexpected effects on your skin, giving you so-called “Ozempic face”.
“As you slim down, you can lose weight from your face, which can reduce volume in areas like your cheeks and temples, giving you more noticeable wrinkles and sagging skin. This can be particularly noticeable with rapid weight loss, such as that achieved with new GLP-1 medications, because your skin may not have time to adjust.”
Dr Curtis suggests proper hydration, a balanced diet, and gradual weight loss to help mitigate some of the effects on your face.
A low-fat diet
Becca Meadows, registered nutritionist and founder of She Thrives, says a low-fat diet may not be ideal for healthy skin and ageing, as it can deprive the skin of essential fatty acids and antioxidants.
“We are now understanding the key role fat plays in cell regeneration, the health of the skin cell membrane and absorption of fat-soluble antioxidants such as vitamins E and A. Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid that we have to get through food and is important in both the uppermost layer of skin, the epidermis, but also deeper down in the dermis.”
A diet rich in oily fish and – to a lesser extent – in nuts and seeds can boost essential fatty acids. If you are not a fish eater, Meadows suggests using omega 3 supplements.
Sleep position
Facialist Nicki Wright can tell her clients’ sleep positions by the lines on their faces because how they sleep may be causing them lasting wrinkles.
While 60 per cent of adults prefer sleeping on their sides, this position can often contribute to developing sleep wrinkles. The pressure and friction between your face and the pillow can cause sleep lines and creases to form over time.
As Wright says: “It’s a subtle but powerful reminder that beauty sleep isn’t just about the hours we clock in; it’s also about how we spend those hours.” You may loathe to change your preferred sleeping position, but sleeping on your back is less likely to leave lines on your face.
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