Out of four dermatologists we consulted, all identified the same culprit without hesitation: skipping sunscreen.
UV radiation breaks down elements of the skin, contributes to hyperpigmentation and creates the fine lines and leathery texture that make skin look years older than it actually is. What surprises most people is that "even on cloudy days or when you're mostly indoors, UVA rays can penetrate windows and contribute to cumulative skin damage over time," Hovenic explains.
Dr. Nicole Lee, board-certified dermatologist and owner of Epoch Dermatology, agrees that the damage is sneaky. It's not dramatic beach vacations that do the most harm—it's "the incidental daily exposure (like commuting, walking outside or sitting near windows)" that accumulates and majorly accelerates skin aging. And if you think you can just head to a tanning bed instead, Dr. Chang Son added that artificial tanning "only multiplies these same risks."
Related: The 10 Best Makeup and Skincare Gifts for Women Over 50 From Our 49-Year-Old Beauty Editor
What Other Habits Make Skin Look Older?
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Smoking appears on every expert's list as a major accelerator. Camp explains it "restricts blood flow to the skin and introduces oxidative stress that damages collagen and elastin," while Hovenic notes that not getting enough sleep shows up as "dullness, puffiness and accelerated breakdown of collagen" since your body doesn't have time to repair itself overnight.
In addition, untreated skin conditions like rosacea contribute to premature aging, as does "repetitive use of certain facial muscles—like frequent frowning—which can deepen expression lines and lead to the formation of wrinkles over time." Hovenic emphasizes that "not moisturizing consistently is also underrated; dehydrated skin emphasizes fine lines and loses the plump, healthy look that keeps skin appearing fresh and youthful."
There's aging you can control and aging you can't. All four dermatologists describe skin aging as falling into two categories: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging is the genetically programmed process where skin gradually produces less collagen and elastin, cell turnover slows and we lose volume in the face. "Not much can be done to directly address intrinsic factors," Dr. Son says.
The combination of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors ultimately determines how our skin ages, Hovenic says, but addressing extrinsic factors can make a meaningful difference in how skin looks and feels over time.
How To Prevent Aging Skin
Prevention combines daily protection with strategic active ingredients and lifestyle choices.
Of course, professional treatments can amplify results. Hovenic mentions fractionated laser treatments that "create controlled microthermal zones within the skin" to stimulate collagen production, while Lee says that "lasers, radiofrequency and ultrasound can further stimulate collagen, but they work best when combined with good daily skincare habits."
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Related: 'SPF Excellence Awards': The 33 Best Sun-Protection Products for 2026
Sources:
Dr. Whitney Hovenic, double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, co-founder of SPOOGE sunscreenDr. Brendan Camp, board-certified dermatologistDr. Nicole Lee, board-certified dermatologist and owner of Epoch DermatologyDr. Chang Son, board-certified dermatologistHence then, the article about we asked 4 dermatologists the 1 habit that makes skin look older and they all said the same thing was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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