4 Unexpected Mistakes That Are Causing Wrinkles, Experts Say

Skin changes over time — and it’s important to remember that it’s 100 percent natural and normal to develop fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots as the years go by. Beginning specific skincare routines like always applying (and re-applying) sunscreen daily and getting plenty of sleep are smart ways to keep your skin looking fresh. You may already know the obvious mistakes that you could be making that contribute to more rapidly aging skin. For example: as any dermatologist will tell you, soaking up the sun with zero protection is a no-no for health as well as aesthetic purposes. 

But you could be making other errors without even knowing it — and the sooner you swap these mistakes for alternatives, the more your skin — and future skin — will thank you. Board-certified Dermatologist Dr. Elaine Kung, founder of Future Bright Dermatology, weighs in on four unexpected mistakes that could be causing wrinkles. 

As we get older, we may have to squint in order to read on our electronic devices or computer screens. But it’s far better to visit your eye doctor and get a prescription for reading glasses than to get into a squinting habit. “Squinting uses our glabellar muscles to cause the vertical frown lines between our brows,” Dr. Kung said.

Need an excuse to practice “smizing,” the celebrity-favorite act of smiling just with your eyes in a way that doesn’t scrunch up your face? Here it is: “The huge smile with our eyes crunches our periorbital muscles over and over again causing folding of the skin around the eyes, commonly referred to as crow’s feet,” Dr. Kung said. 

No one is saying you should smile again (what a sad world that would be). But using a hydrating eye cream to protect eyes and being aware of how forced you may be making your smile can make a difference. 

“Sleeping on our sides, especially if we prefer one side over another, will cause facial asymmetry,” Dr. Kung confirmed. “One side of the face will be flatter, droops lower with a deeper nasolabial fold.” 

If you find it difficult to adopt a new sleeping position, try a beauty pillow the is designed to keep you positioned on your back at night. 

Yet another reason to kick plastic straws to the curb: they can cause wrinkles. “Recurrent pursing of the lips to drink from a straw may cause vertical lines radiating around the mouth, referred to as smoker’s lines,” Dr. Kung said. 

As always, make sure you’re wearing SPF every day, even on cloudy days, and add retinol to your nightly routine to also help combat wrinkles and even out your skin’s texture for that perfect glow.