9 Expert-Approved Ways To Prevent Wrinkles   

If lines, wrinkles and crevices are starting to creep in, this is a good thing. It means you have lived, experienced the good and bad life throws at you, and are still here to tell the tale. Consider yourself lucky to have them.  

However, if you’re reluctant for wrinkles to imprint prematurely – some people begin to see them in their 20s, this might be the guide for you.  

As we age, collagen depletes and fine lines and wrinkles become more evident. In addition, smooth and luminous skin becomes harder to come by, so finding easy ways to soften and smooth the skin can help us feel our best. Plus, prevention is better than cure.  

Beauty Daily speaks to experts on proven ways to prevent wrinkles and reduce fine lines.    

What are wrinkles?

Health experts define wrinkles as creases, folds, or ridges in the skin.  

Wrinkles naturally appear as people get older. They also make their first appearances in areas where the skin naturally folds during facial expressions. Who else squints at the sight of the sun? We’re all guilty of it sans sunglasses. That squinting, over time, will become more prominent due to the skin getting thinner and less elastic. 

There are a host of other reasons why our skin gets wrinkly. However, one thing to know is that there is a fine line between natural skin ageing and premature one.  

Firstly, the inevitable ‘intrinsic ageing’, also called chronological ageing, is a natural consequence of ageing and is genetically determined. It’s something you can’t control and is caused by internal factors. The second type is called ‘extrinsic ageing,’ triggered by environmental aggressors and unhealthy lifestyle choices.  

We can do something about the latter so that your skin can age gracefully as it should.  

What are the common causes of wrinkles?  

1. Ageing:

Wrinkles are a natural by-product of ageing. As we mature, our skin cells biologically age and hormones drop. The cell’s slow regeneration in the epidermis leads to thinner, drier and wrinkly skin.  

2. Facial Expressions:

The famous quote: “If you don’t have wrinkles, you haven’t laughed enough.” There’s such truth to it, but it also applies when you’re sad, confused and stressed. Smiling, frowning, squinting and other habitual facial expressions, coupled with gravity, contribute to the formation of wrinkles.  

3. Environmental threats:

The sun is our skin’s biggest enemy, not only for premature ageing but also for irreversible skin damage. Ranking second is pollution, which includes blue light, also known as ‘digital pollution’. Too much screen time causes your skin cells to shrink and die. Sun and pollution both generate free radicals, DNA damage, and inflammation.  

4. Poor lifestyle choices:

Smoking, drinking alcohol, poor nutrition and lack of sleep contribute to fine lines and wrinkles. Even heat from cooking or grilling using “unclean fuel“, such as charcoal, is associated with wrinkling the skin on the face and the backs of hands. 

How To Prevent Wrinkles?

1. Wear SPF

Unprotected sun exposure is the number one cause of early wrinkling. The UV rays penetrate and damage collagen and elastin fibres, leading to loss of firmness and bounciness of the skin. So, if there’s one thing you shouldn’t skip in your daily morning routine, it’s applying SPF.  

London-based NHS consultant dermatologist Dr Anastasia Therianou MD, PhD, advises, “wearing sun protection is a must to prevent you from all sorts of skin conditions, not just fine lines and wrinkles, but hyperpigmentation, and worse case, skin cancer.”  

A heavy-duty like the UV PLUS [5P] Anti-Pollution Translucent is ideal. Not only does it protect your skin against UV rays, but also the five types of pollution, including blue light. 

The  American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) highly suggests wearing sun-protective clothing, like a sun hat. Wide-brimmed hats that surround the head offer the most protection. 

Read next: SPF Benefits: Everything You Need To Know About Sun Protection 

 2. Use retinol  

Retinol is a cult favourite. Some may even call it the fountain of youth and most dermatologists agree that retinol helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.    

“Retinol is a vitamin A derivative, and it works in a few different ways in the skin. It increases the production of collagen, which results in reducing fine lines and wrinkles; it smooths and even skin’s complexion and improves saggy skin.” Dr  Therianou says.  

However, using an active ingredient as potent as retinol needs a lot of caution as the higher the concentration, the stronger the skin will respond with visible shedding and redness. So, if you’re not keen on building your skin’s resistance to the active ingredient, there’s a plant alternative, which works 40% more effectively than the far better-known retinol.  

It is found in the Clarins Super Restorative Range and the new Total Eye Lift. This game-changer product smooths out fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. In addition, it visibly lifts the eyelids while reducing puffiness and dark circles in only 60-seconds.    

Read next: Everything You Need To Know About Retinol  

3. Exfoliate

Experts say the skin’s exfoliation process decreases by 28% in our twenties. This means our dead skin cells stick together for longer periods of time. So exfoliating once or twice a week is recommended to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and pollution particles away from the skin. Exfoliating helps speed up cellular turnover, softening fine lines and wrinkles. Beauty Daily recommends Fresh Scrub. It works for all skin types.  

This refreshing cream scrub has two sizes of natural wood cellulose beads: the larger ones are perfect for skin exfoliation, while the finer ones refine the skin’s texture sloughing off impurities and dead skin cells, unveiling fresh, radiant skin.  

4. Stay hydrated and use a moisturiser

If you want to target fine lines and wrinkles, incorporating hyaluronic acid into your skincare regimen will give you those covetable results. Because of its ability to retain water to the skin, hyaluronic acid is proven to improve skin’s firmness and elasticity.  

Beauty Daily loves products from the Hydra-Essential Range. The hero ingredient is a Madagascan-derived plant called “Leaf of Life” which can retain water within its leaves, much like hyaluronic acid in skincare products giving your skin a boost of hydration.

Try the Hydra-Essentiel Bi-phase Serum. It is a serum perfect for people suffering from dehydrated skin. If you combat dehydrated skin, there’s no room for fine lines and wrinkles to form.  

Another one we swear by is the Extra-Firming Energy day cream. This radiance-boosting, wrinkle control day cream is enriched with plant extracts like Kangaroo flower, which helps enhance the skin’s plumped appearance and visibly fights against sagging. And Mitracarpus visibly improves the elasticity and firmness of the skin. 

Finally, stay hydrated. The NHS says we should drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, milk, including herbal teas all count.  

5. Improve your diet

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) says the most effective way to prevent or work against skin ageing is by eating a balanced nutritional diet. So if you don’t want fine lines and wrinkles, start with your diet.  

“Supporting skin health by optimising your gut health would be a recommended approach,” says Dr Sammie Gill, PhD, RD  specialist gastroenterology dietitian, and scientific research and development manager at Symprove.

Focusing on a plant-based diet, incorporating lots of whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, fruit and vegetables is ideal.  

The member of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) adds: “Skin supplements are popular too – these tend to contain components that are important for skin, but I’d argue that if you’re consuming a healthy, balanced diet, you’ll be getting all the nutrients you need, including your skin. If it’s good for your gut, it’s likely to be good for your skin.” 

Read next: Everything You Need To Know About Skin Microbiome  

6. Don’t drink alcohol in excess

Alcohol is a diuretic that increases your body’s urine production, leading to dehydration and fine lines and wrinkles. Drink moderately if you want youthful, plump, and radiant skin.   

Read next: Does Alcohol Age Your Skin? The Experts Weigh In 

7. Use sunglasses

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, frequent and repetitive squinting movements cause deep, pronounced lines and wrinkles. Squinting are also a known cause of wrinkles at the side of your eye aka crow’s feet. So now that we’re experiencing sunny days in the UK,  make sure to always bring your sunglasses.  

Other factors, like not wearing prescription glasses, drinking with a straw, or sleeping sideways (sleep on your back!) can also leave behind wrinkles on your face. So be warned.  

8. Control stress

You can do all the preventive measures: wear SPF,  get enough sleep, stop smoking, but if you are constantly stressed, it will make you look older than your age and wreak havoc on your skin.  

Dermatologists say chronic stress takes a toll on your skin. When we are stressed, the body releases a hormone called cortisol. Overproduction of cortisol is problematic for skin issues such as premature ageing, dry and irritated skin, sallow and dull skin.  

Read next: Feeling Stressed? Here Are 6 Expert-Backed Ways On How To Relax Your Mind 

9. Stop smoking

According to Smokefree.gov, smoking cigarettes can cause the skin on the face to become dry and prone to wrinkles. It doesn’t end there: we are also wreaking havoc on our skin through barbeque grilling or just being around people who smoke. If you are a non-smoker and you live with people who are, keep your space ventilated.  

Finally, be more mindful about cooking methods, swapping barbecues with other forms of cooking such as oven baking and protect your skin with an antioxidant serum like Double Serum.  

Read next: Here’s What Different Types Of Smoke Do To Your Skin