To maintain a youthful appearance, alongside diet and exercise, skincare is a fundamental step. However, many people do not realize that certain daily habits can accelerate skin aging beyond expectation.

General practitioner Raj Arora, affiliated with the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and a recognized media personality, has shared crucial advice to prevent this condition.

Doctor Raj emphasizes: "The biggest cause of skin aging sometimes lies not in what you lack, but in what you need to stop."

Below are the four most detrimental habits she has identified:

Sleeping on your side

Despite being a common sleeping position, sleeping on your side is an adversary to the skin. Continuously pressing your face into a pillow for extended periods creates "sleep wrinkles" due to pressure and friction. Over time, these lines can become permanent.

This situation leads to deeper wrinkles, skin folds, and facial asymmetry, especially as skin gradually loses elasticity with age. Individuals who consistently sleep on one side often notice more wrinkles and an older appearance on that side of their face compared to the other.

Experts recommend sleeping on your back as the best position to avoid direct pressure on the face. If you cannot break the habit of sleeping on your side, consider using silk or satin pillowcases to reduce friction, or anti-aging ergonomic pillows to limit contact between facial skin and the pillow surface.

Neglecting daily sunscreen application is a primary cause of premature aging: AI generated illustration

Not using sunscreen (SPF)

Neglecting daily sunscreen application is a primary cause of premature aging, accounting for 80-90% of noticeable skin changes such as wrinkles, rough texture, and brown spots.

Studies indicate that UV rays destroy collagen and elastin, leading to sagging and uneven skin tone. Daily use of SPF 30+ is a vital factor in preventing (though not entirely reversing) this damage. Even if your skin already shows signs of sun damage, starting to use SPF now will still help protect your skin from worse harm in the future.

Vaping

Doctor Raj warns that vaping accelerates the aging process, causing premature wrinkles, sagging, and dull skin. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, depriving the skin of oxygen and nutrients, and reducing the production of collagen and elastin. Consequently, the skin loses elasticity, appearing paler and more lifeless than that of non-users.

Dehydration

Dehydration leads to dry, dull, and saggy skin, easily forming a "crepe-paper" texture with fine lines.

It is important to distinguish between dehydrated skin and dry skin (lacking oil). Dehydrated skin often results from environmental factors, poor diet, and a natural decline in collagen. Adequate daily water intake helps plump skin cells, enhance elasticity, and diminish fine lines caused by dehydration.

By My Y (Source: Express)