Culprits of Premature Aging (Adapted)

By Tatin Yang for Yahoo! Southeast Asia

1. Do you always have to get a sugar fix?
Indulging your sweet tooth may be rebounding on you not just on the scale, but on your face, too. "Too much sugar in the body causes 'glycation,' which can cause premature aging," says Diana Lorenzo, M.D., of Skinhealth.

Glycation is a bonding process between fat, protein and sugar that occurs inside the tissues, where it can cause muscle inflexibility, inflammation and the production of free radicals, a culprit behind aging. You don't have to go give up sugar entirely (yet), but dial down the sugar intake and switch to small pieces of dark chocolate or low-sugar fruits when craving sweets.

2. Are you a side sleeper?
"Sleeping on one's side does not technically cause premature aging, but it can cause wrinkles, which make you look aged," says Lorenzo. Favoring a sleeping position on your side applies pressure on one side of the face, resulting in wrinkles in the nasolabial folds (the area along your nose and lips that forms parentheses when you smile); many dermatologists can take one look at a person's face and guess immediately which side they sleep on based on the lines on their faces.

Practice sleeping on your back (putting a pillow underneath your knees helps, since it'll be harder for you to shift on your side). If you sleep with the lights on or with a night light, this may be causing you to unconsciously furrow your brow, which can cause lines along the forehead area; wear a sleep mask to help shut out the light.

3. Are you sleeping enough? Are you stressed?

Stress or lack of sleep results in the overproduction of the hormone cortisol, which is also responsible for breaking down collagen and elastin (both are structural proteins which support the skin). Lorenzo explain that this also hastens the production of free radicals.

Bolster your body's response to free radicals by loading up on antioxidants—vitamins A, C, E which you can find in supplements and healthy food like fruits, vegetables and salmon. You can also look for these antioxidants on anti-aging creams, serums, and moisturizers. Also, make sure to get enough time in bed.

4. Is your skin dry?

"Skin that is too dry is less elastic, making it prone to wrinkles," explains Dr. Lorenzo. It is really important to hydrate skin from the inside and outside. Apart from getting your recommended daily intake of water, make sure to keep the outer layer of your skin well-moisturized. Look for a moisturizer suited to your skin type and the climate (e.g., gel formula for hot days, cream for evenings and colder seasons).

5. Hanging out with smokers?

We already know that smoking is bad for our health and for our skin as it breaks down collagen and elastin, while the act of smoking itself causes wrinkles around the lips from habitual puffing. But you also won't be doing your skin any favors if you keep inhaling second-hand smoke. "Passive smoking is also hazardous for the skin; it's as if you are a smoker yourself when you are in an environment filled with smoke," explains Lorenzo.

Encourage your friends to hang out in less smoky venues and persuade your smoker friends to ditch the habit (if that might possibly cause your friends to dump you instead, at the very least ask him or her to smoke somewhere else). Your skin (and lungs) will thank you later.

6. Are you a sun worshiper?

"The sun is the number one culprit in premature aging, because of photoaging," reveals Lorenzo. Photoaging is a term used for the skin's aging reaction from chronic exposure to the sun's UVA and UVB rays. Visible effects include wrinkling, discoloration, leathered skins, and tightened, stretched lips.

Of course, you can't avoid the sun like a vampire (unless the vampire is from Twilight), just make sure you use a moisturizer or day cream with at built-in sunscreen and if you plan on sun bathing, coat yourself in thick sunscreen of SPF 30 and above, and limit sun exposure during its harshest period (usually between 10 am to 4 pm).

Tatin Yang is a freelance beauty writer for Candy magazine, Good Housekeeping Philippines, and Philippine Daily Inquirer. Aside from writing, she's been doing makeup for six years and is also a self-confessed dog lover, bookworm and Steve Jobs devotee.