Surprising Habits That Might Be Giving You Wrinkles

Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but what if some of your everyday habits are speeding up the process? While genetics and the passage of time play their part, there are surprising environmental factors and lifestyle choices that could be contributing to premature fine lines and creases. From the way you sleep to how you sip your coffee, here are some unexpected things that may be affecting your skin — and tips to keep those wrinkles at bay.

1. Repetitive Facial Expressions

Have you ever been told that your face might “freeze that way”? While that’s an old wives’ tale, there is some truth to the idea that repetitive facial expressions can lead to wrinkles. Frowning, furrowing your brow, sipping through a straw, or puckering your lips can cause lines to form over time due to repeated muscle contractions. Even smiling — yes, smiling! — can contribute to fine lines by breaking down the skin’s collagen over many years. But don’t let this stop you from expressing joy. Smiling adds brightness to your face, and a life without smiles is no fun. Instead, focus on relaxing your face when you’re deep in concentration or stress to minimize unnecessary creases.

2. How You Apply and Remove Makeup

Your makeup routine might be doing more harm than good if you’re not careful. Raising your eyebrows while applying eyeliner or eye shadow can lead to forehead lines that stick around over time. Similarly, pulling or tugging on your eyelids when applying mascara or eyeliner can break down collagen in the delicate skin around your eyes. The removal process matters too. Rubbing aggressively with makeup remover can damage sensitive skin and accelerate wrinkle formation. Instead, opt for gentle tapping motions when applying eye cream and use a soft remover to avoid unnecessary friction.

3. Squinting in the Sunlight

Squinting isn’t just annoying — it’s a wrinkle factory for the areas around your eyes. Repeated contraction of periocular muscles from squinting can lead to crow’s feet and deeper creases over time.

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Protect yourself by wearing sunglasses with UV protection whenever you’re outdoors. Not only do they shield your eyes from harmful rays, but they also prevent squinting altogether. And don’t forget to check your prescription glasses — poor vision can cause you to squint unnecessarily, exacerbating the problem.

4. Tech Neck: Gazing Down at Your Phone

Your smartphone might be aging more than just your brain — it’s also contributing to neck wrinkles. The term “tech neck” refers to the creases and folds that form from constantly looking down at your phone or laptop. Over time, this posture can lead to lines in your neck that reveal more about your age than you’d like. Combat tech neck by holding your phone at eye level whenever possible and taking breaks from screen time. Consider incorporating exercises that strengthen your neck muscles and improve posture for long-term benefits.

5. Sleeping Positions

Did you know the way you sleep could be causing wrinkles? Sleeping on your stomach or side presses your face against the pillow, creating lines that deepen over time. A Scandinavian study even found that these positions can lead to more pronounced wrinkles compared to sleeping on your back. Switching to silk pillowcases can reduce morning creases, as silk is gentler on your skin than cotton. Better yet, train yourself to sleep on your back — it’s not only better for wrinkle prevention but also for spinal alignment and overall health.

6. Poor Diet Choices

Your diet plays a major role in how youthful your skin appears. A nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables can slow down skin aging, while high sugar and carbohydrate intake accelerates it by breaking down collagen and elastin.

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Crash diets are another culprit, as yo-yoing weight loss and gain can reduce skin elasticity over time. Instead, focus on maintaining a stable weight through balanced meals and regular exercise. And don’t underestimate hydration — drinking plenty of water helps plump up your skin, making wrinkles less noticeable.

7. Skipping Daily Exercise

Exercise isn’t just good for your heart — it’s great for your skin too! Regular physical activity boosts blood circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients directly to your skin cells. This promotes collagen production and keeps your skin glowing while slowing down the aging process. Plus, sweating during workouts can help unclog pores and give you that post-workout glow that lasts for hours. Just make sure to remove makeup before exercising to prevent clogged pores and irritation.

8. Smoking Cigarettes and Drinking Alcohol

Smoking is notorious for its negative effects on skin health. Nicotine restricts blood flow, depriving skin cells of essential nutrients and oxygen, while repeated puckering of the lips leads to deep wrinkles around the mouth over time. Smoking also reduces skin elasticity, causing crow’s feet and uneven complexion that can’t be reversed once they appear. Alcohol is no better — it dehydrates the skin, leading to inflammation and increased wrinkle formation. Over time, excessive drinking can leave your skin dull and aged beyond its years. If radiant skin is a priority for you, consider cutting back or quitting altogether.

9. Speaking Romance Languages

This one might surprise you: experts say people who speak romance languages like French, Spanish, or Italian may develop wrinkles around their mouth due to frequent lip-pursing while enunciating words. These lines are similar to “smoker lines” but result from repetitive lip movements during speech rather than smoking or sipping through straws.

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English speakers aren’t off the hook either — if you tend to purse your lips while talking or concentrating, those fine lines might still appear over time.

10. Tanning and Fluorescent Lighting

Tanning beds are well-known for their harmful effects on skin health, but did you know fluorescent office lighting can also contribute to wrinkles? Long-term exposure to fluorescent lights adds up over decades, causing UV radiation damage that accelerates aging (though not enough to cause skin cancer). To protect yourself indoors, wear sunscreen daily — even when you’re not heading outside — and opt for LED lighting instead of fluorescent bulbs whenever possible.

11. Chewing Gum

If chewing gum is part of your daily routine, it could be adding fine lines around your mouth. The repetitive motion of chewing can overwork facial muscles and break down the support tissue in the skin, leading to volume loss and decreased elasticity over time.

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If you’ve already invested in fillers for existing wrinkles, chewing gum may even dislodge them prematurely, bringing back old lines sooner than expected. While more research is needed on this link, cutting back on gum might be worth considering if you’re concerned about wrinkles around your lips.

12. Not Getting Enough Sleep or Managing Stress

Beauty sleep isn’t just a saying — it’s scientifically proven that poor sleep accelerates signs of aging like fine lines, uneven pigmentation, and reduced skin elasticity. A lack of quality sleep also slows down recovery from environmental stressors like UV radiation damage, making wrinkles more pronounced over time. Stress is another wrinkle-inducing factor thanks to cortisol (the stress hormone), which can lead to dullness, age spots, and deeper lines in your skin. Combat stress with mindfulness practices like yoga or meditation, and prioritize a consistent sleep schedule for glowing skin and overall health benefits.

13. Failing to Protect Your Skin in the Car

While driving or riding as a passenger, UVA rays penetrate through untreated car windows, accelerating aging even if you’re not directly exposed to sunlight outside. Windshields may block UVA rays, but side windows often don’t — leaving parts of your face vulnerable during long commutes or road trips. To protect yourself, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily (yes, even in the car) and consider installing UV-blocking window film on untreated windows for added protection against premature wrinkles caused by sun exposure.

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Before you start blaming genetics for premature aging, know this: wrinkles aren’t hereditary (via Penn Medicine). Your parents’ skin health doesn’t dictate when or how wrinkles will appear on yours. Additionally, while moisturizing doesn’t prevent wrinkles from forming entirely, it does make them less noticeable by brightening your complexion. The best defense against wrinkles? Sunscreen! Choose one with SPF 30 or higher and wear it daily — whether indoors or outdoors — as UV rays are one of the biggest contributors to skin damage. Wrinkles are inevitable as we age, but understanding these surprising factors can help you take proactive steps toward healthier skin. From adjusting your sleeping position to sipping through a glass instead of a straw, small changes can make a big difference in keeping those fine lines at bay for years to come!