6 Reasons You Look Older In Winter—and What You Can Do About It
Updated: Jun. 30, 2022
Colder weather can make lots of things lackluster—you shouldn't be one of them.
It’s all in the eyes
Don’t discount the idea that the eyes are the window to the soul. It turns out that when they look tired, so does your entire appearance. One study found that bags under the eyes were significantly darker during the colder months; 82 percent of women suffered from them then as opposed to the 38 percent who did in the simmer. ”Lacking in Vitamins D and K has a considerable negative effect on the appearance of dark circles and puffy eyes and can age a woman by 4.7 years,” anti-aging expert Dr Mark Binette told the Telegraph. The main cause of the circles is paler, more transparent skin. Brighten things up with one of these six tricks to reduce puffy eyes and dark circles. Or, learn the 10 concealer tricks every makeup-wearing woman must know. Our favorite trick? Use a damp cosmetic sponge to blend your concealer after applying it. You’ll get a dewy glow that’ll last for hours.
Your locks are lackluster
Winter’s combination of low humidity, dry indoor heating, and wild static electricity doesn’t do hair any favors. Have mercy on your strands by using heating tools less, and giving it a bit of TLC more. We guarantee one of these 19 natural hair masks will do the trick. If you need a more professional fix, check this list to find the best mask for your hair type. The simplest trick for smoothing flyaways? Simply apply moisturizer to the palm of your hand and pat the stray strands into place.
Drab colors have got you down
Many women love black clothing for it’s versatility. And in the winter months, a black jacket goes with practically everything. Unfortunately, it can also age you. “Black looks for dark things on the face such as the shadows, lines and dark circles, and highlights them, particularly as women age,” colorist Jules Standish told the Daily Mail. (It also says a lot about your personality—here’s what the color of your outfit says about you.) That doesn’t mean you have to shun the color from your closet though. Standish says simply pairing it with a chunky scarf or statement necklace in a bright color can remedy the issue.
Your skin is dried out
In addition to drying our your hair, indoor heat can also wreak havoc on your skin. “A youthful glow is all about luminosity,” Jody Alpert Levine, M.D., a New York City dermatologist told Glamour. “Dry, rough, scaly skin stops light in its tracks.” Re-establish moisture by adding a drop of extra virgin olive oil to your daily moisturizer, says Alexander Dane, DO, of Affiliated Dermatologists & Dermatologic Surgeons, PA in New Jersey. Here are some other home remedies for dry skin you can try.
You’re less likely to exercise
We know the feeling: It’s cold, it’s dark, and the last thing you want to do is drag yourself to the gym. One Gallup poll found Americans are way less likely to exercise in December than in July, and we don’t blame them. Unfortunately, skipping out on exercise could lead to winter weight gain. What’s more, you’ll never see that youthful post-workout glow! If all else fails, schedule a fitness class in advance. We guarantee you’ll go as opposed to pay in order to cancel.
You feel older in general
A lack of sunlight and vitamin D drops serotonin—the happy hormone!—and takes its toll on everyone. If you’re sure you’re not suffering from one of these eight signs of depression, stick to a schedule that helps you feel young. Eat your fruits and veggies (Gallup says we’re less likely to do so in winter than in summer), get enough sleep, and get your heart rate up at least once a week. In no time, you”ll feel as young as you did in July!
