Guide for Proper Care of the Skin Around the Eyes
December 12, 2025Skin: The Most Common Mistakes We Make in Its Care
December 12, 2025Nobody can stop the clock of time. However, most people want at least to age with as few visible signs as possible, such as wrinkles, spots, and other age-related conditions. But how can this be achieved?
«It is one of the most frequently asked questions that dermatologists hear, and the answers we have to give are very specific,» says Dr. Markos Michelakis, Dermatologist-Aphrodisiologist (Aesthetic Dermatology-Dermatosurgery). «Special anti-wrinkle cosmetics, such as creams, serums, and other anti-aging products, can certainly reduce wrinkles to some extent. However, they are not a panacea. If wrinkles have already formed, it is difficult for a woman to eliminate them without medical or even surgical intervention. Prevention is more achievable, provided that the woman is willing to follow the necessary measures.»
Wrinkles develop because, as we age, the skin loses its elasticity due to a slowdown in collagen production. This slowdown can be exacerbated by factors such as sun exposure, air pollution, and certain lifestyle habits.
Over time, the skin also becomes thinner and drier, making it even more prone to wrinkles.
Another important factor is our genes. Intrinsic aging, as it is called, can affect the onset age of wrinkles as well as the rate of their progression and severity.
«Even if you have inherited genes that predispose you to early formation of pronounced wrinkles, you can still slow them down. It is enough to take certain measures early in life and follow them consistently,» says Mr. Michelakis. He then lists seven scientifically proven ways to protect your skin from wrinkles.
- Sun avoidance. Studies have shown that almost 90% of visible signs of skin aging are due to exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Excessive sunbathing ages the skin prematurely, causing deep, unsightly wrinkles. The good news is that daily use of sunscreen, in all seasons, can provide protective effects. Make sure it has at least SPF 30 and is broad-spectrum.
- Proper hydration. Daily moisturizing nourishes the skin and helps it «resist» wrinkles. Studies have shown that using moisturizing products with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C can prevent the formation of wrinkles and stop them from deepening. Moisturizers with ceramides, which nourish the skin, or alpha-hydroxy acids, which provide gentle exfoliation, are also beneficial. However, your moisturizer should be fragrance-free, as fragrances may irritate the skin. «Irritation causes dryness and more damage,» explains Mr. Michelakis. Apply moisturizer (choosing the appropriate one according to your skin type) and sunscreen daily, he adds.
- Nutritious diet. Numerous studies have linked diet to wrinkles. One of the most recent was published in 2019 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. It showed that women who eat a lot of red meat and unhealthy snacks have more wrinkles compared to those who eat more fruits. In addition, foods rich in anti-inflammatory or antioxidant components can improve skin elasticity and reduce premature aging. Foods with beneficial fats also help, such as fatty fish (e.g., salmon, sardines), pomegranates, vegetables (e.g., carrots, zucchini, broccoli), avocado, nuts (e.g., walnuts), green tea, and olive oil.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking not only seriously harms heart and lung health but also damages the skin by affecting collagen and elastin, the natural substances that give skin elasticity and strength. Additionally, nicotine causes blood vessel constriction, reducing blood flow to the skin. This, in turn, limits the supply of oxygen and essential anti-aging nutrients such as vitamin A. The heat emitted by cigarettes can also cause wrinkles, while the characteristic lip movements during smoking cause premature wrinkles around the mouth.
- Limit sugar and carbohydrate intake. Sugar and processed carbohydrates (e.g., white bread, pasta, rice, breakfast cereals) cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels, which in turn leads to a spike in insulin (the hormone that breaks down sugar). Insulin promotes inflammation in the skin and throughout the body. Sugar also binds to elastin and collagen fibers, causing damage. As a result, the skin loses support and wrinkles intensify, explains Mr. Michelakis.
- Exposure to clean air. Chronic exposure to air pollutants affects the skin’s appearance. In fact, many studies have shown that air pollution causes wrinkles and premature skin aging. Pollutants released by vehicles are considered one of the most toxic substances for the skin. To protect yourself, try to spend as much time as possible in parks and green areas in your city.
- Good sleep. Lack of sleep accumulates over time and causes skin damage. The cause, again, is the inflammatory effect of insulin mentioned earlier. Remember that for good health (skin and overall), you need 7–8 hours of sleep each night. Also, try to wake up early in the morning and go to bed at the same time every night.
«The more consistently you follow these measures and the younger you were when you started applying them, the more protected your skin will be,» says Mr. Michelakis. «Even at 40 or 50, if you start applying them, you will still benefit. You just need patience, and in a few weeks you will see the difference in your face.»
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