7 Weird Habits That Keep Skin Healthy & Smooth

When it comes to wrinkle prevention, most of us stick to wearing sunscreen and lathering on creams and moisturizers. However, there are a number of other weird habits that can prevent wrinkles as well, and as surprising as they are, they're an important way to protect against unnecessary aging or unwanted lines. Although we can't completely stop the aging process — it's a natural part of life — we can incorporate these habits into our lives to help protect our skin any way we can.

Wrinkles are caused by a number of factors, some of which you can control and some of which, including aging you unfortunately cannot. Exposure to the sun, smoking, and repeated facial expressions can all cause wrinkles, according to Mayo Clinic. On the flip side, a healthy diet, getting good sleep, moisturizing, and wearing sunscreen can all help protect against wrinkles, according to WebMD.

Those are some of the more obvious ways to avoid those fine lines, but there are a few more surprising ways you can keep your skin looking young. Here are BLANK weird habits that can actually help you prevent wrinkles.

1. Sleeping On Your Back

Side sleepers, you might want to flip over. "It is important at night when you finally rest your head to sleep, to sleep on your back," says dermatologist Dr. Jill Waibel over email. "Sleeping on either side can cause unwanted wrinkles on the side being slept on. Gravity begins to take its course while we sleep, and this can cause wrinkles to develop on your décolleté as well."

2. Eating Chocolate

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! A study from European Dermatology London found that a daily portion of dark chocolate could protect the skin against the aging effects of the sun. "The antioxidants that are naturally found in cocoa (mainly found in dark chocolate) are amazing for your skin," says Waibel. "They can help stimulate the collagen in your skin, which essentially prevents wrinkles."

3. Washing Your Face Less Often

It may sound contrary to the advice we have typically been given, but it might be time to lay off the all that soap and water. Too much cleansing strips the skin of its natural oils and moisture, which help protect against wrinkles, according to dermatologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

4. Wearing Sunglasses

Here's a reason to invest in some cute sunnies: "Squinting can cause overuse of the facial muscles, causing wrinkles," says Waibel. Sunglasses with the right protection can also help block out UV rays, protecting not only your vision, but your skin.

5. Wearing A Hat

Same goes for wearing a hat. In addition to sunscreen, it's always good to wear something on your head too that can help shield your face. "Too much sun can cause an increase in UV radiation which attributes to sun damage," says Waibel. "The sun damage then causes those unneeded wrinkles throughout our face."

6. Cutting Down On Sugar

Your daily pastry may seem harmless, but sugar is one of the most overlooked causes of many skin issues. " Excess sugar in our blood stream attaches to collagen, making it tough and aging it before its time, which leads to wrinkles," says Dr. Ben Johnson, MD, founder of Osmosis Skincare, over email. "It also produce free radicals, increasing the aging process even more."

7. Eating More Fish

Sushi happy hour, anyone? Fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, and sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for our skin's health. These fatty acids are responsible for the health of the cell membrane, and the membrane is what influences the cells ability to hold water, according to WebMD. A strong barrier leads to moister, softer, and more wrinkle-free skin.

The healthier your habits and the more you protect your skin, the less likely you will be to get those unwanted wrinkles.

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