7 aging habits dermatologists say to stop immediately if you want to look 10 years younger

When it comes to maintaining youthful skin, what you don’t do can be just as important as what you do.

Dermatologists see it all the time: people investing in expensive serums and treatments while unknowingly sabotaging their results with everyday habits that accelerate aging. These aren’t obscure practices—they’re common behaviors most of us engage in without a second thought.

The frustrating part? Many of these habits feel harmless in the moment. But according to skin experts, their long-term impact on your appearance can be dramatic, adding years to how old you look.

The encouraging news is that these are all within your control. Unlike genetics or the natural aging process, these are choices you can change starting today.

Here are the seven aging habits skin experts say you need to stop right now if you want to turn back the clock on your complexion.

1. Sleeping on your side or stomach

Remember when we could sleep anywhere, any position, and wake up fresh? These days, how we sleep matters more than ever.

Dermatologists have found that pressing your face into a pillow night after night creates permanent sleep lines. Those vertical creases on your cheeks? They’re not just morning marks anymore.

I made the switch to back sleeping about three years ago, and honestly, it took some getting used to. The trick that worked for me was surrounding myself with pillows — almost like building a little fortress that keeps me from rolling over. Some nights I still wake up on my side, but progress beats perfection, right?

If back sleeping feels impossible, try a silk or satin pillowcase. The fabric creates less friction and pulling on your skin. Think of it like the difference between dragging your hand across velvet versus sandpaper.

2. Squinting at screens without proper glasses

Last month at book club, we all had a good laugh when half of us pulled out reading glasses simultaneously. But here’s what’s not funny: all that squinting we do throughout the day is literally etching lines around our eyes.

Every time you squint to read a text, check a recipe, or scroll through photos of the grandkids, those tiny muscles around your eyes contract. Do it thousands of times, and those temporary lines become permanent residents.

The solution couldn’t be simpler: get your eyes checked and wear your glasses. I keep pairs everywhere now — kitchen drawer, car, purse, bedside table. No more pride about needing them. Those crow’s feet have enough reasons to show up without me inviting them.

3. Forgetting your neck and chest in your skincare routine

For decades, I stopped my skincare right at my jawline. Big mistake. Dermatologists often say your neck and chest are like truth-tellers — they reveal your real age when your face might be holding up better.

Think about it: these areas get just as much sun exposure as your face, sometimes more with certain necklines. Yet most of us treat them like afterthoughts. Now, whatever goes on my face — cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen — travels south to my collarbone.

During my morning routine, I use upward strokes on my neck, never pulling down. It takes maybe 30 extra seconds, but the skin there has already started looking less crepey. Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference.

4. Drinking through straws regularly

Who would have thought that something as innocent as a straw could age us? But dermatologists warn that the repetitive pursing motion creates vertical lines around the mouth — the same ones that used to be called “smoker’s lines.”

I noticed this myself when a friend pointed out I was constantly sipping iced tea through a straw. Those little lines above my upper lip were getting more pronounced. Now I drink straight from the glass most of the time, saving straws for the occasional smoothie.

The same goes for water bottles with those small openings that make you purse your lips. Switch to wide-mouth bottles or just use a regular glass. Your future self will thank you for fewer lip lines.

5. Over-exfoliating your skin

There was a time when I thought scrubbing harder meant cleaner, younger-looking skin. Turns out, aggressive exfoliation does the opposite — it damages your skin barrier and accelerates aging.

Dermatologists recommend gentle exfoliation just twice or thrice a week, maximum. I learned this the hard way after going overboard with a new scrub that left my skin red and irritated for days. Now I use a soft washcloth with my regular cleanser most days, and save the actual exfoliant for Wednesdays and Sundays.

Your skin gets thinner as you age anyway. Treating it like delicate silk rather than sturdy denim makes all the difference. Gentle circular motions, lukewarm water, and patting dry instead of rubbing — these little kindnesses add up.

6. Skipping sunscreen on cloudy days

Growing up, we only worried about sunscreen at the beach. Now dermatologists tell us that UV rays are responsible for 90% of visible aging signs. And those rays don’t take cloudy days off — up to 80% still get through.

I keep sunscreen by my bathroom sink, right next to my toothbrush. Can’t miss it. Every morning after moisturizer, on goes the SPF 30, rain or shine. Even in winter, even if I’m just walking to the mailbox.

The proof is in the results. My dermatologist recently compared photos from five years ago, and the sun spots on my hands and face have actually faded rather than multiplied. Daily sunscreen isn’t just prevention — it can actually reverse some existing damage.

7. Neglecting your hands

Hands are often the first place to show age, yet we forget about them constantly. While we’re carefully tending our faces, our hands are out there taking all the abuse — sun, harsh soaps, extreme temperatures.

I started treating my hands like I treat my face about two years ago. Moisturizer after every hand washing, sunscreen before heading outside, and gentle exfoliation once a week. At night, I slather on a thick hand cream and sometimes even wear cotton gloves to bed.

The transformation has been remarkable. Those prominent veins and age spots have become less noticeable. My hands actually look plumper and more youthful. Who knew hands could respond so well to a little TLC?

A gentler approach to aging

Changing these habits isn’t about chasing youth or denying our age. At 70, I’ve earned every line and spot. But there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look as vibrant as we feel inside. These small adjustments have made me feel more confident and comfortable in my skin.

Start with just one or two changes. Maybe keep sunscreen visible or switch your pillowcase. Small steps lead to lasting habits. After all, the goal isn’t to look 25 again — it’s to look like the best version of ourselves at any age.