As natural as it is, aging is a stage of life most people don't want to deal with. 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. Sun exposure is to blame for most premature aging. Other external factors that prematurely age our skin are repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping positions, and smoking. Because of gravity, the tip of the nose, ears, and lower lip will begin to drop.

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. Vitamin C, which keeps the skin moist and plump, is depleted from your skin when you smoke. Even if you don't smoke, exposure to cigarette smoke is as damaging to aging skin as exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Another factor to consider is alcoholic beverages, as they increase the blood flow in the face. The blood vessels will break over time. These broken vessels look like dark blue lines on the face, an un-attractive sign of premature aging.

Wrinkles

As we age, 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. Every time we use a facial muscle, a mark is left beneath the skin's surface. As skin ages and loses its elasticity, the skin stops springing back to its line-free state, and these grooves become permanently etched on the face as fine lines and wrinkles.

Prevent Premature Aging

While you cannot stop or even slow down the intrinsic aging process, you can prevent signs of premature aging by protecting your skin from the sun, quitting smoking, and sleeping on your back. Otherwise you can try never smiling or frowning again, but that wouldn't be too fun. Sun screen is key to prevent premature aging. Apply a strong sunscreen to your face. Also, a wide brim hat is a good idea. You know that there are treatments available for quitting smoking. The moment you quit smoking your body will begin to recover. Remembering these tips and using a high quality natural skin care cream will help you reduce the signs of premature aging. It is just a matter of a few daily habits that need to be changed.