Breadcrumbs [Home](/) > [Are You Accidentally Ageing Your Skin Every Morning?](/markdownify/node/4497) ![Are You Accidentally Ageing Your Skin Every Morning?](https://media.slman.com/2V9E_PeRSKZRtUmPphmLIttZpPE=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fslman-site-assets-260826-thumbhero-are-you-accidentally-ageing-your-skin-every-morning.jpg) Image: @GrownAlchemist [Grooming](/grooming) / 26 August 2026 # Are You Accidentally Ageing Your Skin Every Morning? Your morning routine is supposed to set you up for the day, but some seemingly harmless habits could be having a detrimental impact on your skin. From cranking up the shower temperature to skipping SPF, we asked the experts which everyday mistakes could be accelerating the signs of ageing – and what to do instead. Image: @GrownAlchemist All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products. 01 ## Taking A Piping Hot Shower “We all love a hot shower, but they can damage the skin. High temperatures strip away the skin’s natural oils, which are essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and keeping moisture locked in. A compromised skin barrier allows water to evaporate from the skin more quickly, leaving it feeling tight, dry and dehydrated. For those with eczema or rosacea, hot showers can worsen symptoms. By turning down the temperature dial and following your shower with a hydrating moisturiser, you can support the health of the skin barrier and achieve more balanced skin.” **–** *Daniel Isaacs, co-founder & chief product officer at* [*Medik8*](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=99011&awinaffid=69421&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medik8.com%2F) 02 ## Using Soap To Wash Your Face “Most mass-market soaps or shower gels have a high-alkaline pH level of 9-10. Healthy skin has a naturally acidic pH of 4.5-5.5. Once you know that, you can see why using soap or shower gel on the face can disrupt the delicate balance of the skin. They can strip away much-needed natural oils and compromise the skin barrier, which is responsible for retaining moisture and protecting the skin from environmental aggressors. Once it’s weakened, skin can become more prone to dryness, sensitivity, irritation and inflammation. For anyone with already sensitised skin or concerns such as eczema, rosacea or acne, this effect can be even more pronounced. Instead, use a [hydration-first cleanser](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=99011&awinaffid=69421&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medik8.com%2Fproducts%2Ftotal-moisture-daily-cleansing-gel%3F) that removes impurities and sunscreen without disturbing the skin’s moisture levels.” *– Daniel* 03 ## Scrubbing Your Skin Too Harshly “The skin’s barrier is doing an enormous amount of work to hold moisture in and irritants out. Aggressive physical exfoliation strips the lipids that make that possible. What follows is low-grade, chronic inflammation which activates the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin. That’s why scrubbing to look fresher accelerates exactly the changes you’re trying to avoid. The eye area is a particular concern. The skin there is a fraction of the thickness of the cheek, with very little supporting structure, so repeated tugging or rubbing contributes over time to laxity, crepiness and, in deeper skin tones, persistent pigmentation from friction.” ***–*** [*Dr Ariel Haus*](https://drhausdermatology.com/)*, dermatologist* 04 ## Eating A High-Sugar Breakfast “How sugar can affect the skin comes down to a process called glycation. When there’s excess sugar circulating, it binds to proteins and forms advanced glycation end products. Collagen and elastin are especially vulnerable because they are long-lived proteins; the collagen in your skin can remain for years so there is time for that damage to accumulate. The effect is to cross-link the fibres, making them stiff and brittle rather than springy and less able to repair themselves. Patients often describe it as a loss of bounce and a dullness they can’t quite explain. I’d stress that this is about overall glycaemic load rather than never eating breakfast. Pairing carbohydrates with protein, fat and fibre blunts the spike considerably.” ***–** Ariel* 05 ## Smoking Or Vaping First Thing “Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor. It narrows the small vessels supplying the dermis, so the skin receives less oxygen and fewer nutrients. On top of that, tobacco smoke generates significant oxidative stress, which upregulates the enzymes that degrade collagen while simultaneously suppressing new collagen production. This presents as a sallow, greyish tone, deeper nasolabial folds, and the fine vertical lines around the mouth that are compounded by the repetitive pursing action. Smoking also measurably impairs wound healing, which matters for anyone considering surgical or energy-based treatments. Vaping is often assumed to be neutral for the skin, but I’d be cautious about that. The long-term data simply isn’t there yet, but nicotine acts on the vasculature in the same way regardless of how it’s delivered, the heated aerosols produce their own oxidative by-products, and the same perioral muscle movement applies.” *– Ariel* 06 ## Skipping SPF “Studies indicate that as much as 80% of premature skin ageing stems from sun exposure, so we know that daily application of sunscreen is key if you don’t want to accelerate the ageing process. When skin is left unprotected, UVA rays penetrate the deeper layers of the skin, breaking down collagen and elastin, which are the proteins responsible for skin’s firmness and elasticity. Over time, this leads to fine lines, wrinkles and a loss of structural support. UVB rays don’t penetrate as deeply as UVA rays. They damage the skin’s surface, creating more immediate damage such as a tan or sunburn, both of which happen when the skin produces melanin as a defence response to being unprotected in the sun. UVB rays also contribute to uneven pigmentation, a rough texture and a compromised skin barrier. Consistent daily use of a broad-spectrum SPF is one of the most effective ways to protect and preserve your skin.” *– Daniel* Visit [DrHausDermatology.com](http://drhausdermatology.com) & [Medik8.com](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=99011&awinaffid=69421&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medik8.com%2F) [Skip to the rest of this article](#sidebar-bottom) ## We think you might like [Grooming](/grooming) [## How To Get Your Best Holiday Hair At Home ](/grooming/how-to-get-your-best-holiday-hair-at-home) ![How To Get Your Best Holiday Hair At Home](https://media.slman.com/tEiYYXVmyMiJoaEYlrvlK0kmxV8=/600x800/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fslman-site-assets-190826-thumbhero-holiday-hair.jpg) [Grooming](/grooming) [## How To Beat Back Acne ](/grooming/how-to-beat-back-acne) ![How To Beat Back Acne](https://media.slman.com/VuNnGfn63y9LPvun8QrnmMo_970=/600x800/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fslman-site-assets-110826-thumbhero-back-acne.jpg) [Grooming](/grooming) [## 6 Shampoos For Fuller-Looking Hair ](/grooming/best-shampoo-men) ![6 Shampoos For Fuller-Looking Hair](https://media.slman.com/LS3dKhsWUwHW1ux0l4mucisF5Xk=/600x800/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fslman-email-050826-thickening-shampoos-3.jpg) --- ## SHOP THE EDIT ![DRx BioRejuvenation™ Serum from Dr. Dennis Gross](https://media.slman.com/_7UKU8pUufWI_bzXnl4apyTsJw0=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fdr-dennis-gross-drx-biorejuvenation-serum.png) [#### DRx BioRejuvenation™ Serum](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=69421&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fskincare%2Ftreatment%2Fserums%2Fdrx-biorejuvenation-serum-UK200067932.html) ##### Dr. Dennis Gross £88 ![Daily Moisture Boost from Elemis](https://media.slman.com/68oLKILgOzOqyuh0-FGpGntpgc4=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Felemis-daily-moisture-boost.png) [#### Daily Moisture Boost](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1011lfgLy/destination:https%3A%2F%2Felemis.com%2Fuk%2Fproduct%2Fdaily-moisture-boost) ##### Elemis £40 ![Total Moisture Daily Cleansing Gel from Medik8](https://media.slman.com/bNeM2B-TJfYGSZZQAw1Vyr6pVd8=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fmedik8-total-moisture-daily-cleansing-gel.png) [#### Total Moisture Daily Cleansing Gel](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=99011&awinaffid=69421&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medik8.com%2Fproducts%2Ftotal-moisture-daily-cleansing-gel%3Fvariant%3D56779109138812) ##### Medik8 £29 ![Face Wash from Harry's](https://media.slman.com/VU5eldYBXt4rqb98gCrxv4DBQXs=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fharrys-exfoliating-face-wash.png) [#### Face Wash](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Fharrys-mens-face-wash-200ml-10263402%3F) ##### Harry's £5 ![Anthelios UVAIR Serum Sunscreen SPF50 from La Roche Posay ](https://media.slman.com/QHLLK_7Ltn05hmFB4nErvBDXOvo=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fla-roche-posay-anthelios-uvair.png) [#### Anthelios UVAIR Serum Sunscreen SPF50](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Fla-roche-posay-anthelios-uvair-serum-sunscreen-spf50-50ml-10375409) ##### La Roche Posay £19.50 *(was £26)* ![Hydra-Restore Day Cream from Grown Alchemist](https://media.slman.com/0H3sTrHGTVv_IBxs7H51DXRQXBI=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fgrown-alchemist-hydra-restore-day-cream.png) [#### Hydra-Restore Day Cream](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=37558&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fgrownalchemist.com%2Fen-gb%2Fproducts%2Fhydra-restore-day-cream-65ml%3F) ##### Grown Alchemist £40 ![The Hydrating Serum from Keats](https://media.slman.com/UOsoTU1v759k6l3eF98z-N4_3cE=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fkeats-the-hydrating-serum.png) [#### The Hydrating Serum](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=117419&awinaffid=69421&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.keatsbeauty.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-hydrating-serum) ##### Keats £28 ![Ultra Peptide Eye Cream from Formula](https://media.slman.com/m-26IvOpjIoyvvxFt-FXRZsu3Eo=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F08%2Fms-formula-ultra-peptide-eye-cream-1.png) [#### Ultra Peptide Eye Cream](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=1402&awinaffid=69421&platform=dl&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marksandspencer.com%2Fultra-peptide-eye-cream-15ml%2Fp%2Fhbp60916825) ##### Formula £16 *(was £20)* *DISCLAIMER: Features published by SLMan are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. 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