Startling photos reveal how anxiety and common habits age your skin

More than two-thirds of us regularly use beauty creams and ointments.

But dermatologists say it could all be for naught if you don’t do your best to avoid factors in your environment that accelerate the aging of your face.

Experts at the Harley Street Skin Clinic in London used AI to simulate how five factors – including pollution, stress and sunlight – can cause skin to age over time.

Lesley Reynolds, skincare expert at the clinic, said: ‘There are many steps you can take to prevent signs of premature ageing.

‘This includes basic things like getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and eating well. But there are also skin care products, such as sunscreen, that can help.’

Tension

More than half of Americans and Britons report regularly feeling stress and anxiety in their daily lives.

But dermatologists say all of these concerns can cause a person’s skin to age faster.

They say the stress can cause inflammation, slow wound healing and cause psoriasis or eczema.

The dermatologists said: ‘One of the most visible signs of stress and anxiety is premature aging.

‘This shows up on this person’s face in the form of many fine lines and wrinkles. The eyes also look very sunken, with dullness and dark circles.’

Too much sunlight

Too much sunlight can damage the collagen in the skin, leading to finer lines and sagging.

It can also cause damage to cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer.

More than 17,000 Britons and 180,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma every year, making it one of the most common cancers in Britain and the US.

The experts at Harley Street said: ‘Several symptoms indicate the presence of skin cancer, such as red and brown spots and loss of definition in the lips.

‘This is in addition to a large number of prominent fine lines and wrinkles, especially on the forehead and around the mouth.’

To prevent this, dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen daily – even on cloudy days – to limit exposure to UV rays.

Air pollution

Fine particles – released by car exhausts and factories – can wreak havoc on your skin.

Dermatologists said the volatiles in the air can penetrate the skin’s surface and cause inflammation.

This in turn can cause the skin to increase oil production, potentially leading to clogged pores and causing acne – they said.

The dermatologists warned: ‘There are also visible acne scars, fine lines are more prominent and the skin under the eyes starts to loosen.’

To prevent skin damage from air pollution, the dermatologists recommended gentle exfoliation to remove the contaminants from the skin.

Water hardness

Hard water is water that contains a high level of dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium.

In the US, Indianapolis has the hardest water in the country, studies show, while Las Vegas, Phoenix and Minneapolis rank second, third and fourth.

After drinking water in these areas, the hardness can ‘dry out’ a person’s skin – say the dermatologists – stripping it of moisture and oils.

This can also cause inflammation, which can lead to acne and fine lines.

To prevent this, dermatologists recommend purchasing bottled water or using a water filter at home to remove some of the minerals.

Smoking

Around one in eight people in Britain and around one in five in the US still smoke cigarettes, despite concerns about the health impact.

Dermatologists say these can also cause the skin to age faster.

They said: ‘Their skin has become very dull and lifeless, especially under the eyes.

‘Intense fine lines also begin to form around this individual’s mouth, mainly due to excessive wrinkling when smoking a cigarette.’