6 Surprising Things That Might Make You Look Older

You know that you can’t halt the aging process. Even still, you follow a solid skin care regime to fight free radicals and help to at least slow the visible signs of aging. However, all this good work could be for nothing if you’re still embracing habits that make you look older.

Let’s take a look at six interesting things that could potentially be adding years to your appearance.

1. Dry Hands

You pay so much attention to the skin on your face and neck that it’s easy to forget about your hands. But your hands are often one of the first things that people see when they greet you. And, they can make you look older than you really are.

Your hands suffer just as much from moisture loss as your face, made worse by the fact that you use your hands for everything.

Keep your hands soft and firm with a younger-looking skin texture, by moisturizing them often throughout the day – especially after washing them. And, always apply an SPF sunscreen to the back of your hands to protect them from harmful, aging UV rays.

TIP: Slather your hands in a rich moisturizer at bedtime and pop on some cotton gloves while you sleep.

2. Overplucking Your Eyebrows

Thicker, fuller brows shout out “youthful” to the world. Why? Well, some believe it’s because young women tend to have stronger facial features, with more definition.

And eyebrows, of course, are one of the most “defining” features that our face has.

In fact, one study on the importance of eyebrows found that altering eyebrows can cause an entire change in one’s overall facial impression!¹

Now, women’s brows tend to get lighter and thinner with age, and their features become less defined as they lose collagen and bone density. So, overplucking those brows can easily start to make you look older due to all this lack of definition.

Of course, not everyone is born with thick brows. But there are plenty of makeup products available that you can use to fill them in and make them appear thicker and darker than they really are.

3. Using Too Much Powder

When it comes to makeup, you’ve probably spent your life trying to stop the shine. Quality face powder is a big part of most makeup routines. But powder also has a downside, especially as you age.

While a little makeup powder can help reduce shine, too much will make you look older. This is because your skin becomes drier with age, and powder settles into every dry skin patch, wrinkle, and fine line. This draws attention to everything you’re fighting to hide.

But dewier skin looks youthful, and you shouldn’t be afraid of a little dewiness. In fact, unless you have incredibly oily skin, you really can just skip the makeup power altogether. You’ll have a more youthful glow!

4. Sun Exposure

You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: sun exposure leads to premature aging of the skin. By seeking the perfect summer glow, you’re increasing your chances of sunspots, skin damage, and fine lines and wrinkles. And all these things may make you look older.

The good news is, you can turn sun protection into a youthful, stylish look. Find a big, wide-brimmed hat and pair it with some glam sunglasses to protect your face and eyes. Then throw on a hip long-sleeve caftan to protect your arms before you hit the beach.

And, of course, don’t forget a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplied every two hours! A mineral-based sunscreen is your best pick here.

Mineral-based sunscreens physically block UV rays rather than filtering them like chemical sunscreens. And, the FDA believes them to be safer than their chemical counterparts.

5. Keeping The Same Haircut

Hair ruts are real. You might be comfortable with the same haircut you’ve always gotten, but it might actually be making you look older. What once flattered you may now be adding years to your appearance. So it’s a great idea to switch up your hairstyle!

Talk to a hair stylist that you trust about what may be most flattering for your face.

For example, on some people, a blunt, dramatic cut might really accentuate the face and draw more attention to fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Whereas soft, wispier bangs around the face may give off a more youthful appearance.

6. Not Getting Enough Sleep

You probably know that a lack of sleep makes you look older and wearier. Turns out, it might also be aging your skin cells. You need restorative sleep to help boost your skin’s health on a cellular level.²

On top of that, if you don’t sleep enough, you’ll also have puffy eyes and dark circles to contend with. And dark circles don’t exactly lend themselves to a youthful look.

Make sure you’re getting a good night’s sleep; aim for at least 7-8 hours per night. Also, invest in a quality, hydrating eye cream to help fight those sometimes unavoidable dark circles.

Bonus Tips and Tricks

Eat more antioxidant-rich fresh fruit and vegetables. Antioxidants fight free radicals and oxidative stress which can prematurely age your skin.
Refresh your wardrobe. The wrong clothes can make you look older. Ditch any worn and faded clothes, significantly dated clothes, or items that do nothing to flatter your figure. Freshen up your wardrobe with a couple of key new items each season.
Reduce stress. Studies have shown that there is a link between emotional stress and skin aging.³ Daily activities like meditation, yoga, or going for a simple walk can really make a difference to your stress levels.
Stop slouching. Did you know that poor posture makes you look older and even heavier than you are? Time to start standing up tall and proud!

Don’t Look Older Before Your Time

You can’t avoid the aging process. But there are plenty of ways to stay youthful-looking for longer!

While you should absolutely follow that daily skin care regime, you should also think about other habits that could be aging you. From clothes to makeup to lack of sleep – are you taking care of the complete you?

Learn More:
Anti-Aging Secrets: Should I Be Taking Collagen Powder
Have Beautiful Feet for a Lifetime (5 anti-aging foot care tips)
The Ultimate Guide to Anti-Aging Essential Oils

Sources
1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367164/
2. https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/37/1/65/2454015
3.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4082169/