The 7 Best Anti-Aging Creams for Men

Skin aging and wrinkles in particular are the result of a mix of factors, not just the natural changes that happen as we move through life. Over time, our skin produces less collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep it smooth and bouncy, so fine lines gradually become more visible. Repeated facial movements (smiling, frowning, squinting, screaming into the void, etc.) etch those lines more deeply the longer we live with them. Lifestyle habits like smoking, high stress, poor sleep, and even diet can speed things up, while environmental stressors such as pollution and free radicals wear down skin over time. While it’s certainly fine to have an occasional drunk cigarette or late night out at a sketchy warehouse rave (I’m guilty of indulging), it’s always important to be careful and not put too much stress on the skin, since it remembers more than we think and those little indulgences can add up over time.

And then there’s the biggest culprit of all: the sun. UV rays are like kryptonite for skin—they break down collagen and elastin faster than anything else, making unprotected sun exposure the number one preventable cause of premature wrinkles. Translation: wear your sunscreen, even when it’s cloudy, even when you’re just running errands, even when you swear you’ll only be outside for five minutes.