15 Beauty Mistakes That Are Making You Look Older Than Your Age

Exfoliating is essential for all ages. Not only does it prevent bacteria from building up in pores and turning into acne, but shedding those old, dead layers triggers cellular turnover. That means your skin will work harder to create fresh new cells. You should be exfoliating your face and body at least twice a week. Bonus: a chemical exfoliant (like a peel) will reduce wrinkles with consistent use.

Not drinking water.

This should seem like an obvious point, but it bears repeating: you should wear sunscreen every single day. Even if it's not sunny outside, even if it's Winter, and even if the only times you'll be outdoors is walking from your car to your office and vice versa. So put it on. Sun damage happens instantly, and its the top cause of maturation on the skin.

While it's OK to skip conditioner once in a while — especially if you have fine, straight hair — we don’t recommend that you give up on it forever. As you age, your hair gets drier and duller (and often coarser!) because the shaft gets weaker. Nourish it by applying conditioner several times a week. (We use a light spray formula that doesn’t weigh down our strands.)

You may have rocked the raccoon look in your youth, but now it’s time to put away the liquid liner and forgo the aggressive waterlining. That harsh hue is drawing attention to your crows' feet! If you can't give up lower liner, consider a softer shade like charcoal or chocolate.

Now that you've nailed wearing sunscreen on the daily, bring it on down to your chest and hands. After your face, your hands are the body parts that get the most sun exposure — thus aging you — so protect them. Don't you want to keep your décolletage taut, smooth, and wrinkle free?

Due to years of overplucking or just general aging, your brows probably channel Clara Bow more than they do Brooke Shields. Look more youthful by faking fuller arches with one of these products.

Ask your stylist to add some layers at your next salon visit. Stark, choppy strands look harsh. Lighter layers feel more of-the-moment without being too trendy. You've already added classic fashion staples to your wardrobe so it's time to get the hairstyle to match.

Don't restrict them to beach vacations — proudly wear a chic pair of sunglasses all year long! By not squinting at sunlight, you'll be staving off crows' feet.

Frosty, glittery shadow formulas draw attention to sagging eyelids, fine lines, dark circles . . . the list goes on. Stick to satin or silky (not chalky!) matte shades instead.

While we can totally relate to a mascara addiction, we suggest you pass on applying to your lower lashes. Just like wearing too much liner, bold lower lashes can draw attention to your fine lines, under eye bags, and dark circles — all those fun things (ugh!) that pop up when you hit 30.

You mastered applying red lipstick without a mirror long ago. It’s time you incorporated liner into that routine. As you mature, fine lines form around your mouth (especially if you were or are a smoker), and color can migrate into those lines. Keep your lip look on lock by lining your pout first — the firm formula of the pencil will prevent creamy product smears.