15 Things That Are Making You Look Older, According to Experts

You’re not getting enough sleep

We spend about a third of our lives sleeping—and it’s time well spent. Quality sleep is when your body repairs itself, regulates metabolism and immune function, and resets key brain processes. In fact, according to 2025 research published in The Lancet, people with consistently poor sleep had brains that looked significantly older than their actual age. 

Lack of sleep shows up visibly, too. A 2025 research paper published in Dermatology highlights how poor sleep can:

• Interfere with skin repair and cell regeneration, making skin look dull, sallow, and less firm. 
• Weaken the skin’s barrier, leaving it more vulnerable to damage. 
• Slow collagen production, which contributes to fine lines and wrinkles.
• Decrease skin hydration.
• Worsen skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.

You sleep on your belly

Even if you’re logging plenty of hours in bed, how you sleep can still make you look older. The Cleveland Clinic warns us that a prone sleeping position (lying on your belly) compresses your facial skin, contributing to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

Stomach sleeping can also contribute to back, neck, and shoulder pain, the Cleveland Clinic experts say. Over time, this can lead to stiffness and poor posture—another habit that can subtly age your appearance. 

You’re too stressed

Chronic stress doesn’t just feel draining; it can age you from the inside out. A 2024 study published in Nature Aging found that ongoing stress triggers changes on the cellular level, including DNA damage, that speed up natural aging. This means unmanaged stress is linked with a shorter lifespan and increased risk of age-related diseases. 

These effects show up on your face, too. A 2024 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that even moderate, everyday stress contributes to premature skin aging, such as dullness, dryness, and fine lines. 

You’re not moving enough

The benefits of exercise stretch from head to toe—and that includes your skin, too. Regular movement boosts blood flow, delivering nourishing oxygen and nutrients to your skin, promoting a healthy glow. 

Research supports this impact. A Canadian study found that exercise can not only prevent but also reverse signs of aging in the skin. Another study published in the journal Preventive Medicine found that more active people appeared nine years younger than their sedentary counterparts. 

You’re always on your phone

Dermatologists are seeing more complaints of horizontal wrinkles across the neck, often called “tech neck.” The Cleveland Clinic explains this can happen from looking down at your phone for hours on end, which puts strain on the delicate skin. Since neck skin is thinner and more sensitive than facial skin, it’s often one of the first areas where signs of aging show up. 

Tech neck can also contribute to neck pain, stiffness, and slouching, all of which can make you feel and look older. 

Your diet is speeding up your age

What you eat can age you from the inside out, according to a 2025 review published in Food Science & Nutrition. It points to research showing that:

• High intake of sugar and refined carbs is tied to more visible signs of skin aging. 
• Alcohol weakens the skin barrier and dehydrates your skin.
• Fruits and vegetables supply skin-protective antioxidants that help slow visible aging. 
• Omega-3s (found in fatty fish like salmon) may protect against sun damage and improve skin hydration.

A 2025 study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology also found that high-inflammatory foods—such as red and processed meats, high-fat dairy, refined grains, and processed products—can accelerate brain aging. High intake of these foods is also linked with a range of chronic diseases. 

You smoke

Yes, there is yet another reason not to smoke—your looks. A study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery compared the facial features of twins—one who smoked and one who didn’t—and the differences were significant. The smokers had bigger under-eye bags, deeper lip wrinkles, and more pronounced jowls. 

What’s more, the chemicals in cigarettes can decrease your skin’s production of collagen, a protein that helps keep it firm and supple. Over time, this breakdown can lead to skin sagging, dullness, and premature wrinkles. 

Pollution is taking a toll

A 2025 review published in Annals of Dermatology says there’s a strong link between air pollution and skin aging, particularly when it comes to dark spots, uneven pigmentation, and wrinkles. Pollution can also worsen skin conditions, such as dermatitis, psoriasis, or acne, and may even contribute to hair loss. 

While pollution is hard to avoid, UCLA Health experts say there are ways you can protect your skin from its damage: 

• Wash your skin every night to cleanse off pollutants.
• Use a skin cream or serum with damage-fighting antioxidants, such as green tea extract, niacinamide, retinol, vitamin C, or vitamin E. 
• Strengthen your skin’s protective barrier with a daily moisturizer. 
• Use sunscreen every day—research shows it helps defend against both UV and pollution-related damage. 
• Eat a diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. 

You can also reduce exposure by using an at-home air purifier and checking your local air quality levels. When pollution is high, experts recommend avoiding long periods of time outdoors between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

You’re skipping skincare basics

You don’t need a 10-step routine to age well—but skipping the essentials can make a visible difference. As we get older, skin naturally becomes drier, so a good moisturizer is key, says Christine Choi Kim, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in Santa Monica. 

If you want to level up your anti-aging protection, dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD, creator of Visha Skin Care, recommends adding a serum with retinol, vitamins A and C, ferulic acid, or a spot-lightening agent. 

Critically, skincare doesn’t stop at moisturizing—sun protection is non-negotiable for healthy skin as we age. A 2025 review in Cureus found that UV exposure is one of the biggest drivers of skin aging, leading to wrinkles, loss of elasticity, uneven pigmentation, and deeper structural changes in the skin over time. 

Your makeup is aging your appearance

Makeup should enhance your natural features, but beauty experts tell us that a few common mistakes can unintentionally age you up. 

Atasha Jordan, a former theater costume, hair, and makeup artist, says that wearing the wrong foundation is a big one: “Foundation that is the wrong color for your skin can make you look ashy, which takes away from the youthful glow of skin.” A thick or heavy foundation can also draw more attention to fine lines or wrinkles.

Makeup artist Julie Ann Tillman adds that certain choices can amplify signs of aging. She says bright red lipstick can emphasize lip lines and make your teeth appear more yellow, while glittery eyeshadow reflects light in a way that highlights fine lines around the eyes. 

You have cosmetic fillers

Cosmetic enhancements are a popular anti-aging tool, but in some cases, they can actually make you look older. “While it is all the rage among young Hollywood to have cosmetic enhancements, the trend for cosmetic procedures in younger patients can actually backfire and make them look older,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in California. 

“We expect a certain look from cosmetic procedures, and we expect it in a certain age group (such as 40- to 60-year-olds),” she says. “Interestingly, our brains can assign that older age to a younger person when they register a certain cosmetic appearance.”

Your hairstyle is working against you

If a hair color is too dark or too light for your complexion, it can highlight sallow skin and make you appear older, says Dayna Durantini, a hair stylist based in Michigan. Plus, keeping your hair one uniform shade—especially anything darker than brown—can actually emphasize fine lines. 

“Choosing a shade that complements your skin tone and lightening it by a shade or two can take years off,” she says. “If you have always had dark hair, I recommend softening your color by adding depth and dimension with highlights around your face.”

Adam Bogucki, a hair stylist and area manager for StretchLab, also cautions against blunt bangs. While they might seem like a great solution to cover fine lines, he says they could appear too harsh, dulling your overall look. Opt for light, wispy bangs instead.

Your hairstyle matters, too. The American Academy of Dermatology warns that over time, a sleek, tight ponytail or updo can lead to premature hair loss. Black women are especially vulnerable to hair damage from tight hairstyles, extensions, or weaves, due to the natural shape of their hair follicles. 

Poor-fitting clothes are adding instant years

Wearing the wrong bra size could not only be uncomfortable, but it could also make you look older than you really are—the right bra could instantly make you appear taller, thinner, or younger.

Clothing fit matters more than the latest style or trends, adds Christie Maruka, a professional wardrobe stylist with more than 30 years of experience. “I have [clients] try on everything in front of me, and much to their surprise, they are covering up their bodies with big, baggy styles that are not flattering to them and add years to their actual age.” 

The bottom line: well-fitted, well-structured pieces can make you look polished, confident, and younger—no trend-chasing required.

Yellow teeth are aging your smile

It’s natural for teeth to become less bright with age, but poor oral hygiene can speed up the process. The Cleveland Clinic says that you can maintain youthful pearly whites by:

• Limiting stain-causing foods and drinks, like coffee, tea, berries, red wine, and soy sauce. 
• Not smoking or using other tobacco products. 
• Brushing and flossing regularly. 
• Going for regular dental cleanings, as stains cling to stubborn plaque. 

Professional or at-home whitening treatments can also take years off your smile. Here’s everything dental experts want you to know about teeth whitening options.  

You have a negative mindset about aging

A pessimistic outlook doesn’t just affect your mood; it can make you feel and even appear older. “Assuming that your best years are over is a very dangerous idea—and one that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy if you let it,” says Robi Ludwig, PsyD, author of Your Best Age is Now. “You will seek out reasons that it’s true in order to make yourself right.”

Research backs up the power of mindset. A 2025 study in the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services found that people with a positive mindset live an average of 7.5 years longer. 

For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:

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