50 Surprising Mistakes That Are Aging You

Over time, piercings get stretched out — especially if you’re wearing heavy statement earrings. These earring support patches help distribute the weight of heavy jewelry while preventing the piercing from tearing and stretching. They’re clear, hypoallergenic, and latex-free, and their self-adhesive design lets you wear them discreetly behind the lobe.

Repeatedly pursing your lips can contribute to the appearance of fine lines around your mouth, especially if you drink from a straw every day. These anti-wrinkle straws have a flattened mouthpiece that lets you comfortably sip without puckering. They’re made from flexible, BPA-free silicone for easy washing and reuse, and they fit most tumblers, bottles, glasses, and to-go cups.

The hair on your head isn’t the only hair that thins with age. You may also see a reduction in the length and thickness of your brows. This rapid brow growth serum contains nourishing ingredients like biotin, vitamin B5, and soy amino acids to encourage faster, stronger growth. “I could not believe the results,” wrote one reviewer. “[It] made my eyebrows so much thicker.” The doe-foot tip also makes for easy application.

Your hands are constantly exposed to washing, picking, dry air, sun, and other environmental stressors, but they rarely get the same TLC as your face. This rich hand and cuticle cream gives them the care they deserve. It has retinol to reduce signs of aging, shea butter for hydration, and ceramides to strengthen the moisture barrier, all in a fast-absorbing formula that melts into your skin without a greasy residue.

My hair is pretty thin, and when I got bangs, it started looking even thinner. I’m obsessed with this touch-up powder, which uses sweat- and rain-resistant fibers to make the hair at my crown look thick and full. It actually stays put, and it covers roots, too. You can get it in tons of shades to match most hair colors — and when I accidentally bought the wrong one, the company sent me the right shade, no questions asked.

Sleep is linked to slower aging, but even minimal light in your environment can disrupt your metabolism and disturb your rest. From bright sunlight to blinking cable boxes, this contoured sleep mask blocks out all of it. Its bead-filled design applies gentle, soothing pressure to your face without crushing your eyes, and its stretchy strap is adjustable for a comfy yet secure fit.

Denim trends seem to change every season, but if you’re looking update your wardrobe, these wide-leg jeans are the move. The cotton-blend denim is stretchy for comfort, the high-waisted cut works with most tops, and the sizes come in short and regular inseams so you don’t have to get them hemmed.

Your moisture barrier weakens as you age, which can lead to more sensitive skin. If reusing the same damp towel is breaking you out, consider these disposable face towels instead. Made from 100% viscose, each one is clean, absorbent, and gentle, so you can remove your makeup or dry your face without reintroducing bacteria, oils, and residue.

Facial expressions are a part of being human, but repetitive muscle movements can deepen forehead wrinkles over time. These forehead patches offer a simple, non-invasive way to smooth them while you sleep. They’re infused with collagen for plumping, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and essential nutrients for elasticity, plus they actually stay put throughout the night.

Studies show that stress does biologically age you — but the effect doesn’t have to be permanent. Once we get our stress under control, our bodies start restoring themselves again. Professor and best-selling author Cal Newport created the Time-Block Planner to help you achieve deep focus in an over-distracted world, so you can organize your day into dedicated sections, prioritize important tasks, and make room for restorative breaks.

In addition to growing more slowly, nails lose moisture, flexibility, and lipids as we age, making them brittle and easily damaged. This special polish actually nourishes your nails instead of weakening them. While the jelly finish conceals discoloration for a neat manicure, the formula is infused with keratin for growth, primrose for strength, and jojoba oil for hydration.

Squinting and excessive sun exposure both contribute to visible signs of aging around your eyes. Luckily, these vintage oversized sunglasses provide plenty of protection while helping you look stylish as hell. The UV400 lenses block out 99% of harsh rays, while the frames are bold yet lightweight, with European-style nose pads for comfortable wear.

As you age, your brain has more difficulty filtering out background noise in crowded environments. You may also become more sensitive to sound and experience worsened tinnitus. These high-fidelity earplugs have acoustic filters that reduce damaging sounds while still allowing you to hear music, conversation, or sports commentary. They have three adjustable modes (transparent, experience, and quiet), plus they include a carrying case and four silicone tip sizes for a secure fit.

When you’re trying to cover pronounced eye bags, most cakey concealers make matters worse. This temporary eye firmer uses a tightening formula that physically shrinks eye bags, puffiness, and wrinkles in as little as three minutes. It’s lightweight and residue-free, especially when applied with the included brush. “You can see real results!” wrote one reviewer who was “completely shocked.”

I recently switched to this silk pillowcase, and I can’t believe the difference in my beauty routine. My face is less dry, and my hair is less frizzy when I wake up. Its 19-momme Mulberry silk is hypoallergenic and cooling, and it causes significantly less friction than other bedding materials. Choose from tons of sizes, colors, and prints, all machine-washable with hidden zippers.

The older I get, the more I struggle to find a foundation that doesn’t look dry and flaky on my skin. This color-changing tinted serum is the first formula in over a decade that I’ve genuinely loved. Its smart pigments adapt to your skin tone for a natural match, its serum-like consistency feels dewy and lightweight, and its gentle color correction lasts all day without settling into fine lines.

Keeping your mind engaged is an important part of healthy aging. Swap an hour of nightly screen time for this Sudoku puzzle book to keep your brain sharp and your nervous system relaxed. It contains over 150 number-based games at various skill levels, and the enlarged print makes for easy visibility while the spiral-bound pages lay flat.

A recent poll found that the primary reason people don’t wear sunscreen is because they don’t like the texture. This facial sunscreen stick goes on matte without leaving a white cast or a greasy residue. According to one reviewer, it’s “really lightweight” and “comfortable to wear every day” because it “absorbs into the skin,” plus it “works well under makeup.” It’s also oil-free and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.

The natural turnover of skin cells slows with age, leading to the accumulation of dry, flaky skin. This overnight exfoliating treatment combines AHAs and BHA with a hydrating, serum-like consistency. As a result, it chemically exfoliates dry, dull skin and moisturizes the complexion underneath — all while you get your beauty rest.

Window shades don’t just protect your skin; they also reduce glare and make your car cooler in the hot winter months. These window shades reduce over 99% of UVA and UVB rays, but they’re semi-transparent so you can still see out. The static cling technology grips the glass without adhesive or suction cups for easy application and removal.

In some cases, an overcomplicated skin-care routine ends up doing more harm than good, and that’s definitely the case for irritated or sensitized skin. This recovery spray has an alcohol-free, pH-balanced formula composed of hypochlorous acid and electrolyzed water. As a result, it fights bacteria, soothes acne, neutralizes redness, purifies pores, and resets skin, all in one easy step.

Recent research shows that muscle health is one of the biggest indicators of longevity, metabolic health, and injury recovery in older adults. These resistance bands help you strength train at home and with minimal equipment. Made from thick material with non-slip grips, they stay in place during squats and stretches, and they come in four intensity levels to increase the challenge as you get stronger.

Your skin doesn’t end at your jaw. This neck cream has a built-in massager, so you can apply its nourishing cream and sculpt your face at the same time. “I have never bought a product that works so amazing with just one try!” one reviewer raved.

Throughout the day, makeup can settle into lines, especially when you’re layering on multiple products. This three-in-one spray triples as a hydrating primer, an imperfection-reducing corrector, and a setting spray that locks your makeup in for up to 24 hours. “Keeps my mature skin looking beautiful and dewy,” wrote one reviewer who loves it just as much as high-end brands.

Your face isn’t the only area that benefits from regular exfoliation. Dry brushing sweeps away dead cells and boosts circulation for firmer, softer skin. This body brush has a wooden handle for durability, firm boar bristles for efficient exfoliation, and a canvas hand strap for a more secure grip. You can also use it in the shower for scrubbing.

Many of us over-plucked our eyebrows in the 1990s and 2000s. If your brows never fully grew back, this eyebrow pencil helps you get realistic, full-looking definition in a few strokes. Its four-pronged tip creates hair-like marks in your choice of four common shades, and the formula is waterproof and smudge-resistant for all-day wear.

Tanning is a catch-22: While skin may look bronzed and radiant in the moment, regular UV exposure accelerates premature aging. This daily natural glow moisturizer is infused with collagen, coconut oil, and elastin to improve texture and boost hydration — and it doubles as a streak-free, buildable self-tanner for a sun-kissed glow without the sun.

Strong actives can often do more harm than good. This gentle blemish cream contains three ingredients for acne relief, four ingredients for nourishment, and five ingredients for soothing. The result? “I have sensitive acne-prone skin with slight rosacea, and my skin has really made a 360,” wrote one reviewer whose face “looks clear” and “feels soft and hydrated!”

Sleeping in your makeup clogs pores and stops your skin from repairing itself overnight — but if your cleanser is too harsh, it can strip your skin’s natural moisture barrier. This cleansing balm thoroughly removes impurities and residue while nourishing and caring for your skin. It contains only 10 gentle ingredients, and the buttery consistency melts into a silky oil that removes makeup fast.

Dry skin requires more hydration, but when applied underneath makeup, rich lotions can leave your face feeling oily, heavy, and slippery. After 20 seconds, this grippy serum primer transforms from a water-based hydrator into a sticky canvas, which grips makeup for up to 24 hours of wear. It also contains 2% niacinamide to plump and smooth your complexion.

Who says sun-protective clothing needs to look like hiking gear? This UV-protective polo is polished enough for casual workdays, cute enough for a backyard party, and breathable enough for the court. Despite its collared V-neck and professional silhouette, it’s cooling and moisture-wicking — and its UPF 50+ fabric guards your skin against harmful rays.

• Available sizes: Small — XX-Large
• Available styles: 10+

Research shows that taking regular breaks restores mental focus and improves memory function — especially if you’re getting up and moving around. This rechargeable cube timer helps you incorporate movement breaks into your daily routine — without fidgeting with screens and buttons. Rotate it to start the time-adjustable countdown, flip it up to pause the timer, and flip it down to reset. You can also choose from multiple volume settings and silent/vibration modes.

Sometimes, you don’t realize you need sunscreen until the sun is already beating down on you. These sunscreen packets are lightweight and way more travel-friendly than a full bottle, so you can stash a few in your bag, suitcase, or car. Each one contains 0.19 ounces of SPF 50 protection, and the formula is lightweight, non-greasy, and oxybenzone-free.

Sleeping with a face mask is an easy way to pamper your skin overnight, but what about your décolletage? These chest patches are designed to hydrate your skin and plump. The silicone material can be reused up to 15 times each, and the T-shaped design stays put all night for comfortable wear.

Some pick at their skin out of boredom, while others do it to regulate anxiety. These picky pads feel just as satisfying — but they keep your fingers occupied without damaging your cuticles or irritating blemishes. Your order includes 10 silicone stars embedded with multi-colored beads, which you can string into bracelets when you’re done (another mindful activity that can help soothe anxiety).

Our sense of thirst weakens as we age, and our bodies have a harder time holding onto water — but proper hydration supports brain function, joint health, digestion, temperature regulation, and more. This smart water alarm has a silicone band that straps around most water bottles. It blinks 40 minutes after your last sip to remind you to drink more, and it’s silent so you don’t disturb your coworkers.

When you spot dark spots, these kojic acid soap bars make it easy to pamper every inch. The Japanese-inspired skin care formula contains collagen for plumping, vitamin C to neutralize discoloration and dark spots, shea butter for moisture, retinol for anti-aging, and turmeric to improve texture and reduce wrinkles.

Studies suggest that fidgeting may increase longevity because even slight movements can help offset the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle. This stress-relieving toy encourages quiet fidgeting with its satisfyingly tactile texture, which you can pull, twist, squish, and pinch to your heart’s content. It’s also compact enough for travel and cute enough to display on your work desk.

Between work, texting, streaming shows, and scrolling through social media, most people spend all day squinting at a screen. These blue-light-blocking glasses filter out harsh wavelengths to reduce eye tension and prevent screens from disrupting your circadian rhythm. Thanks to their ‘90s-inspired oval shape and tortoiseshell frames, they’re also a stylish addition to your outfit.

Greater flexibility is linked to a longer life, but you don’t have to sign up for daily yoga classes. This stretching strap has an average 4.7-star rating from over 9,000 reviewers. Its 10 non-elastic loops help you stretch almost any muscle group with adjustable difficulty levels. “This strap was recommended to me by my physical therapist,” wrote one reviewer who said it “works well” and it’s “great quality.”

Sun exposure is one of the biggest contributors to premature skin aging, and sunscreen alone may not cut it (especially if you forget to apply it to your ears and lips). This sun hat has a wide brim made of UPF-shielding material that blocks up to 98% of harmful UV rays. It’s also water-resistant on the outside and lined with a breathable mesh interior, plus it has a hidden ponytail hole to accommodate up-dos.

You don’t have to scrub your skin raw to get a smoother-looking complexion. This exfoliating body stick contains 7% glycolic acid, which removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, smooths bumps, and helps prevent ingrown hairs. The result, according to one reviewer? “Game-changer for smooth, glowing skin,” and it’s “super easy to use — just swipe and go.”

Most under-eye concealers settle into fine lines, so they rarely play nice with mature skin. This under-eye corrector is not your average concealer. It’s a primer and brightener that smooths the area before neutralizing dark circles with its pinkish tint. “I’m 65 and shocked that it doesn’t settle in lines,” wrote one reviewer who said that it provides “amazing coverage.”

Hand grip strength is a vital sign of health, and this grip strengthener set helps you keep your hand muscles in great shape. Your order includes five tools (a spring-loaded gripper, a silicone ring, a stress-relief ball, a four-finger resistance tool, and a finger stretcher), all made from tactile, durable materials. According to reviewers, it helps with tendonitis, carpal tunnel, circulation, and general hand strength.

Magnesium deficiencies are extremely common as we age, but the mineral is required for hundreds of enzymatic functions in the body, including muscle health, bone strength, and nervous system regulation. This body lotion is infused with topical magnesium, which absorbs through your skin to support relaxation and muscle health. It also contains hemp seed oil and shea butter to deeply hydrate skin.

Did you know that UV rays can pass through cars’ side windows? Keep your hands comfy and shielded with these driving gloves. The fabric offers UPF 50+ protection to block UV rays, the textured silicone palms grip your phone or your steering wheel, and the flip-up finger holes help you use a touchscreen without hassle. They’re also stretchy and breathable with adjustable wrist straps for a great fit.

Your skin’s natural oil production slows over time, which is why mature skin often requires more moisture even if your skin feels oily. This gel moisturizer delivers lightweight yet dewy hydration without the heavy, greasy, pore-clogging feeling of traditional creams. The formula features aloe leaf juice for nourishment and antioxidant-rich green tea extract to soothe irritation. It also layers well under makeup or alongside sunscreen.

Manicure lamps emit UVA radiation, which is linked to premature aging, DNA damage, and the breakdown of collagen. If you get gel manicures often, protect the skin on your hands with these fingerless gloves. The UPF 200+ fabric blocks up to 99% of damaging UV rays while still allowing your nails to cure, plus it’s stretchy and breathable for a comfortable fit.

The easier a habit is to achieve, the more likely you are to stick to it. Fill this sunscreen applicator with your favorite brand of SPF for easy sun protection. The built-in sponge roller creates even, mess-free coverage, and the BPA-free applicator is leak-resistant with a carabiner clip for convenient travel. “Easy to fill and keeps hands clean,” wrote one reviewer who loves it for both “kids and adults!”

Give your skin a glow year-round with these bronzing drops, which you can mix into makeup to give it a shimmery, sun-kissed sheen. You can also mix them with sunscreen or moisturizer for dewy, glowy coverage over a bare face.