iVillage

12 Things That Are Aging You

Yikes! These factors might be adding years to your appearance (13 Photos)

Jill Provost on Nov 19, 2010 at 11:45AM

2 chimes

Single View
View All

1 of 13

Getty Images

Stress

Though we've never met anyone who yearns for a stress-filled day, some people do wear their stress like a badge of honor. Unfortunately, those medals come in the form of a dull, lifeless complexion. According to dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, clinical instructor at the University of California San Francisco, "stress makes any skin condition worse, including the aging process." It can dehydrate the skin, magnify lines and wrinkles and impair the cell renewal process. Stress also makes us smoke more, drink more and exercise less -- none of which is good for your face. If getting rid of the source of stress isn't an option, try meditation. You can get several guided meditation apps on your cell phone.