5 sneaky things that are ruining your skin, and how to stay clear

By Hansa Makhijani Jain

You may have invested in the crème de la crème of skincare or you may be diligently indulging in the latest anti-ageing facials. You may even be using sunscreens every four hours. But that’s not all it takes to look forever young.

There are a lot of factors that determine skin ageing – some of it is in our control while some of it is just not. Our skincare routine and products are just one part of the jigsaw puzzle.

Everything – from the environment to the lifestyle choices we make – comes together and reflects in the appearance of our skin. Though seemingly trivial, paying attention to these minor details can contribute to healthy, glowing and youthful skin.

Here are a few things that show up on our skin and make us look older than our years. Although there is nothing wrong with ageing – it’s a natural process we must embrace – but it doesn’t hurt to look a decade or half younger, right?

1. Drinking from a straw

So you thought you are protecting the precious enamel of your teeth when you sip your drinks from a straw. It especially protects your teeth from discolouration associated with drinking coffee.

But using a straw on a daily basis can accelerate wrinkle formation around your mouth. Referred to as perioral wrinkles by dermatologists, they are also called smoker’s lines as they can also be a long-term effect of smoking.

Action plan: A great at-home solution is to scrub the lips and mouth area gently every now and then. You may apply lip balm and rub with a soft toothbrush to boost circulation in the area and stave off the fine lines. Aesthetic treatments like microneedling, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion also produce good results.

2. Skipping fats in the diet

We get it: the older one gets, the harder it is to lose weight. And in this quest, the first thing to be cut out of the diet is fat. The catch is that we do need a bit of fat for that youthful, plump appearance of the skin.

According to a 2012 study published by the Oregon State University, the fatty acid composition of the skin can be significantly modified by the diet. Adding certain omega-3 PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) in the diet reduces UV-induced photodamage, extrinsic signs of skin ageing, and inflammatory skin responses.

And omega-6 essential fatty acids are required for skin barrier function and structural integrity.

Action plan: Use high quality fats in your battle against a sluggish metabolism. omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can help here. You can pump your diet with these by adding nuts and nut oils, olive oil, seeds, avocados, fatty fish and eggs to your meals. 

3. Using the wrong pillowcases

Your pillowcase can be a hotbed of bacteria, germs, oils and sweat, dead skin cells and sometimes even dust mites. This can clog pores, causing them to enlarge, making your skin appear older.

Clogged pores also make it difficult for your skincare products to work effectively. While cotton pillowcases can rob your skin of hydration, a precious commodity as you age.

Action plan: Change your pillowcase weekly and use a gentle detergent. Satin pillow covers are especially great for the skin and hair both. Antibacterial pillowcases are also advisable if you are prone to allergies or have sensitive skin.

4. Social isolation

Did you know that loneliness can age you faster than smoking? That’s what a recent study published in the journal Aging US reveals. Loneliness is linked to a host of diseases – it manifests somewhere or the other in our bodies.

Studies reveal that social isolation often leads to increased inflammation in the body, which can really hit the accelerator on the ageing process. And since the skin is the largest organ in the body, it can show up there too. It can damage healthy tissues and deplete collagen much faster than normal.

Action plan: Take a walk around the neighbourhood and say howdy to everyone. Or pick up that phone and set up a coffee date with your old college gang.

5. Thin eyebrows

Scanty hair is generally associated with old age and a mature appearance. Depleting oestrogen stores primarily lead to thinning of hair and the eyebrows are no exception. Eyebrows define our face but age and gravity are often unkind.

According to a study conducted on Indian women, as age increases, the brow changes its shape and position. This age-related change decreases the vitality, youth, and expression associated with the aesthetically ideal face, says the study published in the journal Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Action plan: Make friends with a good eyebrow pencil – that usually sorts the matter on a daily basis. You can also try brow gels, waxes and powders. Brow oils and serums are also available to boost hair growth. If you are looking for a long-term solution, a brow lift or microblading can be a solution. Brow tinting works like a semi-permanent dye for the brows, with results lasting around six weeks.

Hansa’s Hit List

• Nat Habit Strawberry Crush Lip Mura, ₹553
• The Derma Co. 1% Ceramide Complex Lip Balm SPF 30, ₹329
• Sugar Arch Arrival Brow Definer in Jerry Brown, ₹525
• Layers Micro Satin Silk Pillow Covers, ₹999
• Oziva Plant Based Omega 3,6,9, ₹499

eShe’s beauty editor Hansa Makhijani Jain may as well have been born with a lipstick in her hand. She’s been writing about the beauty biz for almost two decades. Follow her on Instagram.

Lead image: Diego Zarulli / Canva