A natural process, aging is something we can't avoid. Yet, we try relentlessly to turn back the hands of time with creams and serums, only to find ourselves disappointed. Read on to find out what causes premature aging and how you can stop it. You may find that some of your daily habits are severely speeding up the aging process.

Causes Behind Premature Aging

Genes and the environment control how quickly the normal aging process unfolds. Some notice those first gray hairs in their 20s while others do not see graying until their 40s. Call your mom up and ask her when she got her first gray hairs, that will give you a clue about yourself. Most premature aging is caused by sun exposure. More causes include repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping positions, and smoking. The nose, ears and eyelids begin to droop due to gravity.

Smoking, Alcohol, and Premature Aging

Smoking cigarettes is severely damaging to your health and it speeds up the aging process exponentially. It increases skin wrinkles and dryness. The area around the mouth wrinkles up each time you smoke, and smoke depletes the body of Vitamin C, necessary for maintaining skin moist and plump. Even if you don't smoke, exposure to cigarette smoke is as damaging to aging skin as exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Alcohol contributes to aging skin by dilating small blood vessels in the skin and increasing blood flow near the skin's surface. With time, blood vessels in the face will break, permanently damaged. Increasing premature aging, these dark lines never leave the skin.

Wrinkles

Getting older means that collagen production slows, and elastin, the substance that enables skin to snap back into place, has a bit less spring. Dead skin cells do not shed as quickly, leading to wrinkles. More over, facial expressions lead to fine lines. Each time we use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin, which is why we see lines form with each facial expression. The skin on your face will stop springing back to its original smooth place because it is slowly losing its elasticity.

Prevent Premature Aging

You can't stop time, but you can prevent premature aging by sleeping on your back, using sunscreen and quitting smoking. A ridiculous idea is to try smiling and frowning less. Proper sun protection is key to premature aging prevention. Pay attention to your face and use at least SPF 35 on it. A hat is also wise. To quit smoking there are countless treatments available. Your body will thank you and will start to recover the moment you quit smoking. Following this advice and using a high quality natural skin care cream will help you reduce the signs of premature aging. All you have to do is change a few of your daily habits.