As you age, your skin ages naturally, but some environmental and lifestyle factors can contribute to premature aging. You can prevent premature skin aging by applying moisturizer daily, using retinoids, and applying sunscreen. Other lifestyle changes to protect your skin include eating nutrient-dense foods and staying hydrated.
Some skin changes are a natural part of aging. There are also lifestyle factors, such as sun damage, that can also accelerate the aging process. Read on to learn how to slow down the appearance of wrinkles in your 30s and protect your skin.
Signs of Premature Aging
It is normal for the skin to change as we age. You may notice that your skin is getting a little dry and thin. Fine lines may form around the eyes and mouth. Collagen and elastin – both of which maintain the skin’s structure, strength, and elasticity – begin to wane. Some people may notice these changes sooner than others.
Some of the most common signs of premature aging include:
- Actinic keratoses, or precancerous pink rough patches that require medical attention
- Age spots or dark spots appear in areas exposed to the sun
- Brown rough patches, skin tags, and warts
- Cherry-shaped hemangioma or red benign (non-cancerous) skin growth
- Bruises and bleeds easily under the skin
- Hair turns gray
- Leathery skin
- Thin, dry, itchy skin
- Wrinkles and sagging skin
What Causes Premature Aging
Your skin ages naturally due to genetics and hormones. Some of the environmental and lifestyle factors that accelerate the aging process include:
- Air pollution
- Alcohol
- Chemicals and toxins
- Skin irritants (even products that burn or sting the skin)
- Smoke
- Solarization
- Tanning bed
1. Apply Eye Cream
In your late 20s and early 30s, the delicate area under your eyes may begin to thin and change. The eye cream helps to reduce dark spots, reduce puffiness and rejuvenate sensitive skin. Apply an eye cream such as Lumière Firm Illuminating & Tightening Eye Cream or CeraVe Eye Repair Cream daily.
2. Reduce Added Sugar and Alcohol
Excessive added sugar and alcohol in your diet may exacerbate skin inflammation and exacerbate health problems such as rosacea. This skin condition can cause redness and bumps.
Try limiting your intake of added sugars and alcohol. Instead, aim to replace these items with antioxidant-rich foods and healthy fats to help support healthy skin. Examples include salmon, pomegranate, and green tea.
3. Don’t Use Harsh Detergents
As we age, the skin loses its ability to retain moisture.
Instead of using harsh foaming soaps, use a moisturizing cleanser from a brand like Cetaphil or CeraVe. Keep the water warm when washing your face. Gently pat your face dry with a soft towel to help prevent over-irritation and loss of natural oils.
4. Exercise Regularly
A study published in 2015 found that physical activity at least a few times a week may help protect your skin.
The researchers asked sedentary volunteers to ride bicycles at a moderate-intensity pace for 30 minutes twice a week. After three months, their skin samples showed that their inner and outer layers looked several years younger than they were before the workout program.
The authors also noted that skin samples from habitual exercisers had less age-related variation than adults who exercised once a week or less. More research is needed to understand the effects of exercise on skin health. Still, there are plenty of studies that show that exercise is generally beneficial to your overall health.
5. Stay Hydrated
Drink water regularly and apply moisturizer to your skin to hydrate from the inside out. Water preserves the skin’s elasticity and plumpness, giving it a radiant glow. 2If you don’t drink enough fluids, you may develop dry spots on your skin.
Some people sorely neglect moisturizing. Every time you shower, some of the natural oils on your skin come off. Replace moisture with creams or lotions that contain ceramides or lipids (fats) that are structurally similar to the skin barrier.
6. Try a Spot Peel
As we age, the natural process of cell renewal slows down. Dead skin cells that don’t fall off the skin remain on the surface of the skin, making the skin dull. As a result, these dead skin cells can age your appearance and exacerbate fine lines and pores.
Topical peels are used to remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin. Be sure to gently apply the product in small circular motions and rinse with lukewarm water rather than hot water.
It is important to note: If you have any open wounds or sunburn, do not use a topical peel. If you use retinoid creams or products that contain retinol or benzoyl peroxide, avoid exfoliating agents. Mixing these products may exacerbate dry skin or cause acne breakouts.
7. Use Retinoids
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that help improve skin texture and reduce wrinkles. Like retinol, retinoids can strengthen the skin barrier, limit water loss, and prevent collagen loss. Retinoids can smooth fine lines, wrinkles, and even age spots. Keep in mind that it may take at least a few weeks to notice any changes.
8. Wear Sunscreen Every Day
Sunscreen is suitable for year-round, not just summer. Use a waterproof broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreen helps protect you from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause damage and accelerate skin aging.
Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside. Remember to reapply at least every two hours. If you’re swimming or sweating, you’ll need to reapply more often.
How to Reverse Premature Aging
Premature aging, especially due to sun exposure, is usually permanent. Still, you can reduce signs of premature aging, such as age spots, sagging skin, and wrinkles.
Some treatments that may help include:
- Chemical peels: Smooths the outer layer of the skin
- Cryosurgery: Freezing tissue to help remove age spots
- Fillers: Tightens loose skin and wrinkles
- Growth Factors & Peptides: Apply topically to improve the appearance of loose skin
- Laser resurfacing: CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasers, among others, remove layers of living skin, thereby tightening and smoothing the skin
- Phototherapy: Low-intensity LED light helps increase collagen production in the skin23
- Microdermabrasion: Exfoliation of the skin
- Microneedling: Boosts collagen production and helps fade acne scars24
- Non-invasive radiofrequency: Heats the tissue to tighten loose skin
- Prescription-grade retinoids: More effective than over-the-counter retinoids and retinol, it helps smooth the skin
- RF Microneedling: Segmented microneedling radiofrequency (FMRF) devices help reduce the appearance of wrinkles25
- Ultrasound: Uses heat to improve sagging skin
Conclusion
It’s never too early to start taking care of your skin. Remember to drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and include antioxidant-rich foods and healthy fats in your diet. These lifestyle changes help to support your skin from within.
Try products like retinol, creams, sunscreens, moisturizers, and spot peels to support your skin’s structure, strength, and elasticity. If you’re not sure which products are best for your skin, talk to a dermatologist.
