Aging. It happens to all of us, but as we age, we all want to do so gracefully. Even if you take excellent care of your skin, there are still sneaky little culprits that can speed the aging process, causing an increase in fine lines and wrinkles.

To help you age as beautifully as possible, we’re revealing four common causes for wrinkles (a.k.a the “4 Sneaky “S’s”) and what you can do to avoid them. 

1. Squinting

This one might seem obvious but you probably catch yourself squinting those peepers more often than you think. Every time you forget your sunglasses or squint at the computer screen, you’re increasing the likelihood of crow’s feet and wrinkles around the eye area. And the more repetitive the facial expressions, the deeper the wrinkles over time. But don’t panic, your squinting won’t cause crow’s feet overnight, there are several things you can do to avoid fine lines around the eye area. 

The Fix: “...Keep those shades handy for brighter days, and make an appointment for a vision screening if headlines are getting hazy,” suggests Fitness Magazine. For preventative care, we also suggest using an eye cream like our Neroli Age Corrective Eye Cream daily. This best-selling eye care product uses green apple stem cell technology to fight the visible signs of aging, including the appearance of crow’s feet and fine lines.

2. Stress

Not only can stress cause strain on your heart and immune system, it can also wreak havoc on your complexion. According to the Huffington Post, researchers found that “people with the most work-related stress had the shortest telomeres, causing cells to die or become damaged, which may speed up the aging process”. 

The Fix: The good news about stress-related aging is that it can be averted. Healthy habits like exercise, meditation and a nutritious diet, can help ease stress and premature signs of aging. Aromatherapy is another safe and natural way to reduce stress. “Recent clinical and laboratory research has determined that chamomile is not only relaxing, but it can significantly decrease anxiety and even fight depression.” (realnatural.org). Family Circle Magazine recommends our Calm Skin Cleanser for its skin and aromatherapy stress-reducing benefits. 

3. Sugar

You already know that sugar isn’t good for your health, but did you know it can also age your skin? This scary process is called glycation where sugar bonds with proteins in your body. These sugar-bonded proteins produce free radicals that destroy your collagen and elastin, the building blocks that keep your skin strong and supple. 

The Fix: The easiest way to avoid sugar-induced wrinkles is to stop eating sugary foods. We also recommend a diet and skin care routine rich in antioxidants like vitamin C which reduces free radical damage to the skin and body. PopSugar recommends our Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil: “It fights signs of glycation, a breakdown of collagen and elastin caused by sugar in the bloodstream. The gentle, non-greasy formula is effective on all skin types...”

4. Soaps & Sulfates 

If you’re using harsh soaps or cleansers that contain sulfates, you may want to rethink your skin care routine. According to Today Beauty, “Sodium lauryl sulfate is a harsh emulsifier that is found in body washes, facial cleansers, and soap; it rids the skin of dirt and oil while breaking down precious lipids, the glue that binds skin cells together."

The Fix: The solution is simple. Stop using soap on your face! All Éminence cleansers are formulated without parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, animal by-products, phthalates, GMOs and triclosan. Visit our cleansers page to select a gentle cleanser that works with your skin type. 

Can you name any other causes for aging skin? Tell us in the comments.

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