This post was reviewed and updated by Sarah Otto, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Otto Skin Goods on August 18, 2026.
There are two categories of aging skin: intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging. Intrinsic aging is mostly genetic—we usually notice these signs of aging at different degrees and rates based on our hereditary genes. Extrinsic aging (also known as premature aging) includes factors that are mostly in our control, such as sun exposure, diet, sleep, stress, pollution and lifestyle habits.
Both types of aging may look the same—but only extrinsic can be slowed by products we use and how we choose to live our lives. Here are some quick and easy tips to adjust your skincare routine and lifestyle to slow extrinsic aging or premature aging…
Pollution & Sun Damage
Pollution and sun damage are the most damaging sources of extrinsic aging. Not only can sunlight cause skin cancer—it can damage the skin’s elasticity and collagen fibers, resulting in fine lines, sagging skin, rough texture, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Oxidative stress associated with pollution can also leave behind similar damage. Luckily, a well-balanced skincare routine can help prevent and reverse harm from these two signs of extrinsic aging. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:
Step One: SPF
The first step is to ensure you’re using a daily, quality SPF 30 on your face. This is a must—whether a stand-alone sunscreen or one incorporated into your moisturizer or foundation.
Step Two: Antioxidant-Rich Day Serum
The second step is to add an antioxidant-rich day serum to your routine. Not only will it fight free radicals associated with pollution damage, it’ll help your sunscreen work better, too. Our day serum contains plant-based antioxidants, vitamin C, hydrating hyaluronic acid and plumping peptides to combat dehydration and skin sagging associated with aging.
Step Three: LED Light Therapy
The third step is to try LED light therapy. Specifically, red light uses strong wavelengths that penetrate deeply into the skin. Red light therapy may reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, promote healing, help to eliminate sun damage and improve overall appearance. Remember, best results are achieved with a series of treatments.
Step Four: Exfoliate
The fourth step is to exfoliate—but don’t overdo it! Harsh glycolic acid peels should only be administered by a trained esthetician. During a quarterly facial, he or she will be able to consider your skin’s hydration level, as well as the state of your skin barrier, and help you choose the right products. An advanced chemical peel at the spa is the best way to use strong exfoliating acids without overdoing it. While at home, stick to a gentle blend of acids, such as fruit acids found in our Multitasker Night Serum. These are safe to use daily, with little to no dryness or irritation.
Step Five: Retinol
The fifth step is to consider adding retinol—but go slow. Most of us are unable to tolerate daily retinol usage, but adding it a few times a week can help improve skin turnover and collagen production. The best method is to mix a prescription-strength retinol with your moisturizer two to three times per week.
For those of us unable to tolerate retinol—especially those with sensitive skin or rosacea—consider adding a retinol eye cream only, specifically one with encapsulated retinol. The eye area is where most fine lines appear, so it’s a good place to start. You can also use it on areas of your face where you see other fine lines, such as around your mouth or forehead. Not to mention, an eye cream is usually formulated with many hydrating ingredients, which offsets irritation.
Other types of extrinsic aging include stress, diet, and sleeping habits. Each and every one of these can be controlled by adjusting your lifestyle—however, these tips can be more difficult to incorporate into your daily life versus making a few changes to your skincare routine. But even one or two adjustments can make a big difference for the health of your skin!
Emotional Stress
Stress can be difficult to manage. First, try dealing with things that cause you daily stress, such as purging or organizing your home. Another tip? Try minimizing your kids’ schedules and plan ahead with things like meal planning and packing lunches. Finally, try adding a new mindful activity to your routine, such as yoga or meditation.
Diet
Diet is also difficult to manage, but planning ahead can help. Meal planning apps and grocery delivery have made this easier than ever before! I’ve personally tried to eat more simply these days. Reducing processed snacks while encouraging myself and my family to eat more real food has been a game-changer. We also rotate the same meals most weeks, which makes it easy to plan—especially when kids are coming and going from different practice times throughout the week. Other dietary tips are to reduce alcohol and sugar intake. I try to limit this to the weekends and special occasions, if I can.
Sleeping Habits
Improving sleeping habits isn’t a walk in the park—start by staying consistent with bedtime and waking up. I also don’t look at my phone past 9pm, unless one of my kids is out doing something in the evening. I also find that getting regular exercise and fresh air helps me sleep better at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic aging?
Intrinsic aging is largely genetic and happens at a rate determined by your hereditary makeup. Extrinsic aging (also called premature aging) comes from factors you can influence: sun exposure, pollution, diet, sleep, stress, and other lifestyle habits. Both can look similar on the skin, but only extrinsic aging can be slowed through skincare and lifestyle changes.
What are the biggest contributors to extrinsic aging?
Sun exposure and pollution are the two biggest culprits. Sun damage breaks down skin elasticity and collagen, leading to fine lines, sagging, rough texture, hyperpigmentation, and uneven tone. Pollution causes similar damage through oxidative stress.
What's the first step in an anti-aging skincare routine?
Daily SPF 30, applied to the face every day; whether as a standalone sunscreen or built into a moisturizer or foundation.
Why add an antioxidant serum if I'm already wearing sunscreen?
An antioxidant-rich day serum fights free radicals from pollution and actually helps your sunscreen work more effectively. Ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and peptides also address dehydration and sagging.
Is LED light therapy worth trying?
Red light therapy in particular may reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, support healing, and help fade sun damage. It works best as a series of treatments rather than a one-off.
How should I exfoliate without damaging my skin?
Go easy. Strong glycolic acid peels should be done by a trained esthetician, ideally during quarterly facials where they can assess your skin's hydration and barrier health. At home, stick to gentler exfoliants like fruit acids, which can typically be used daily with minimal irritation.
How do I add retinol to my routine safely?
Start slow; most people can't tolerate daily use. Mixing a prescription-strength retinol with your moisturizer two to three times a week is a good starting point.
What if I can't tolerate retinol on my face?
Try a retinol eye cream with encapsulated retinol instead. The eye area shows fine lines first, and eye creams are usually formulated with extra hydrating ingredients to offset irritation. You can also spot-apply it to other fine-line-prone areas like around the mouth or forehead.
Besides sun and pollution, what else affects extrinsic aging?
Stress, diet, and sleep all play a role. They're harder to change than a skincare routine, but small adjustments—like reducing processed food, limiting alcohol and sugar, keeping a consistent sleep schedule, or adding a mindful practice like yoga—can meaningfully improve skin health over time.
Do I need to overhaul my whole lifestyle to see results?
Nope! Even one or two changes can make a noticeable difference. The article suggests starting small, whether that's cutting back on screen time before bed or meal planning to reduce processed food intake.
