What Makes a Woman Look Older Than Her Age

According to a study on “Why Some Women Look Young for Their Age,” skin wrinkles, lip height, and hair graying were found to be strongly correlated with a woman’s perceived age, regardless of other factors. The study also suggests that sun exposure can have a significant impact on skin aging, particularly in causing wrinkles. Additionally, the study measured the influence of genetics on aging features such as skin, hair, and facial features, and found evidence that subcutaneous tissue may also play a role in a woman’s perceived age.

Table of Contents

It’s important to note that factors such as poor diet, lack of sleep, smoking, and stress can all affect woman’s look.

Let’s examine skin ageing factors scientifically to determine what steps a woman can take to avoid looking older than her actual age.

Sun Damage and Skin Aging

Sun Damage and Skin Aging
Both intrinsic and extrinsic aging factors can impact wrinkles and skin texture, with sun exposure being a major external factor that depends on individual behavior. The relationship between photo-induced and chronological aging is intricate, and it's challenging to isolate the effects of sun exposure alone.

Numerous studies have addressed this topic, and researchers are still making progress. However, from the available data, it is safe to conclude that women’s skin condition is highly susceptible to damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Advices to Protect Your Skin from the Sun

To safeguard your skin from the damaging effects of the sun’s UV rays, here are some straightforward recommendations:

  1. Seek out shade, particularly during hottest time of the day.
  2. Cover up exposed skin with long-sleeved shirts, and use sunglasses to reduce direct sun exposure.
  3. Use sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or higher that guards against both UVA and UVB (ultraviolet A and B) rays.

Poor Diet and Nutrition

Poor Diet and Nutrition

“Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what your are.”

Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

A diet lacking in essential nutrients can contribute to premature aging. Foods high in sugar, processed foods, and unhealthy fats can also contribute to inflammation and damage to the skin.

Consuming a balanced and healthy diet can enhance one's quality of life and potentially increase longevity. A study titled "The Effect of Nutrition on Aging - A Systematic Review Focusing on Aging-Related Biomarkers" is an excellent resource on this topic.

Providing advice on proper nutrition and dieting can be challenging as each person’s body is unique in terms of its dietary needs.  We have a dedicated section on our website affiliated to nutrition, which we highly recommend you to read. Please keep in mind that our team may not be able to provide a universal plan of action that suits everyone. If you have concerns about your dietary habits or are experiencing health issues related to nutrition, we strongly advise seeking guidance from a specialist.

Lack of Sleep and Aging

Lack of Sleep and Aging

Our team’s view is that the most crucial and often underestimated factor contributing to making a woman look older than her years is age. Why do we think so?

As per our standard practice, we have compelling arguments to support our claim. The first one is a study titled "Does Poor Sleep Quality Affect Skin Aging?" which indicates that chronic poor sleep quality is linked to increased signs of intrinsic aging, reduced skin barrier function, and lower satisfaction with appearance.
Another supporting argument comes from a second study titled "Normal and Abnormal Sleep in the Elderly." The research reveals that there are significant changes in sleep patterns that come with aging, and there could be various underlying reasons for this. The diagnosis of sleep-related issues requires a thorough assessment of sleep history, and in some cases, a sleep study may be necessary. Treating the primary cause of sleep disturbances can result in a significant improvement in quality of life and daytime functioning among older adults. 

Therefore, if you experience any changes in your sleep patterns, we strongly recommend seeking the advice of a specialist.

Advice for Achieving Healthy Sleep


It’s recommended that older adults get around 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, which is the same amount recommended for all adults. However, it’s important to note that every individual’s body is unique and may require different amounts of sleep.

Tobacco Smoking

Tobacco Smoking

The most agreeable point made in this article is that smoking is undeniably unhealthy, and there are no positive aspects associated with it.

The study "Tobacco smoke causes premature skin aging" provides both in vitro and in vivo evidence that smoking tobacco accelerates the aging process of the skin. The study shows that tobacco smoke extract affects dermal connective tissue in nude mice, providing further evidence that smoking has a negative impact on skin health.

Advice on Smoking

Based on the negative effects of smoking on skin health and overall health, we strongly recommend quitting smoking. There are no positive aspects associated with smoking, and it not only has a negative impact on the smoker but also on those around them who inhale the secondhand smoke.

Genetics and Aging

Genetics and Aging

Genetics can play a role in how quickly a woman ages. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to certain signs of aging, such as wrinkles or age spots.

According to “Aging Genetics and Aging” study aging is a complex process that involves various cellular functions working together to cause senescence. There is a significant variation in longevity between individuals, indicating that aging is influenced by factors that cause damage to repair systems and compromise stem cell function. These factors can be genetic or epigenetic, and they are affected by environmental and stochastic factors. However, scientists are still uncertain about the specific contributions of each of these factors, and further research is needed to determine their impact on the aging process.

In summary, scientists may find it easier to state what they are uncertain about rather than what they are certain of.

Stress and Aging

Stress and Aging


The study “The Link between Chronic Stress and Accelerated Aging” found that сhronic stress can lead to destructive effects on the body, particularly on the immune system, resulting in oxidative stress and increased risk of aging-related pathologies .

The study is complex and difficult to understand, and the explanation given above is an attempt to simplify it. However, to fully comprehend the study, it is recommended that you read it directly by following the above link.

Stress: Chronic stress can cause a number of physical and emotional problems, including premature aging. Stress can cause the body to produce more cortisol, which can break down collagen and elastin in the skin, leading to wrinkles and sagging.

Advice to Reduce the Effects of Stress

Stress can have negative effects on both our physical and mental health, but there are many strategies we can use to reduce its effects. Some of these strategies include exercise, mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, getting enough sleep, practicing self-care, connecting with others, and seeking professional help if necessary. By incorporating these strategies into our daily lives, we can better manage stress and improve our overall well-being.

Drinking Alcohol and Aging

Drinking Alcohol and Aging
"Associations between alcohol use and accelerated biological ageing" study investigated the relationship between alcohol use and biomarkers of biological aging, including brain and DNA methylation age estimates. The results showed a consistent positive association between alcohol use and accelerated biological aging, as indicated by higher predicted brain age.

We also know that alcohol can cause dehydration, leading to dry and dull skin with premature wrinkles due to the loss of skin elasticity.

Alcohol consumption can also damage our liver, causing a build-up of toxins that can cause inflammation throughout the body, accelerating the aging process and increasing the risk of age-related diseases.

Finaly, alcohol can interfere with the production of collagen, leading to a loss of skin elasticity and firmness, causing wrinkled and sagging skin.

Advice on Drinking Alcohol

To slow down the aging process and promote good health, it is advisable for women to limit or avoid alcohol consumption.

The idea that is important to grasp is that there is no amount of alcohol that can be considered completely safe for consumption. In other words, any amount of alcohol can potentially be harmful to your health.

Dehydration and Aging

Dehydration and Aging
A study found that individuals with serum sodium levels at the higher end of the normal range are more likely to develop chronic health conditions and show signs of advanced biological aging compared to those with serum sodium levels in the middle of the normal range.

Sodium plays a key role in regulating the body’s fluid balance. Sodium is an electrolyte, which means it carries an electric charge, and it is one of the most important electrolytes in the body.When you are dehydrated, your body loses fluids, including water and electrolytes like sodium, which can upset the delicate balance of electrolytes in your body. When you are well-hydrated, your body is better able to maintain the right balance of electrolytes, including sodium, which helps to ensure that your cells can function properly. When sodium levels are in balance, your body can regulate its fluid levels more effectively, which can help you stay hydrated.

How to Stay Hydrated?

The recommended daily water intake for adult women is the same as for senior women, which is about 8-10 cups (64-80 ounces) of water per day. However, older adults may have a decreased thirst sensation, which can put them at risk of dehydration. Additionally, some health conditions and medications may also increase the risk of dehydration.

Therefore, it is important for seniors to pay close attention to their hydration levels and make a conscious effort to drink enough fluids throughout the day. It may be helpful to keep a water bottle nearby and sip on water regularly, even if not feeling particularly thirsty.

It is also important to talk to a healthcare provider if there are any concerns about hydration levels or if experiencing symptoms of dehydration such as dark urine, dry mouth, dizziness, confusion, or fatigue.

Final Word

As a woman ages, there are many factors that can affect the process, some of which are beyond her control. However, there are still some things that can be done to improve the way she looks and feels with the help of a specialist or by oneself. The key to success is to start small and not to burden oneself with too many changes at once. Improving one’s life step by step will ultimately lead to positive results.

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