How to prevent wrinkles
How to Prevent Wrinkles: 5 Evidence-Based Habits That Slow Skin Ageing
Wrinkles are a normal part of getting older — they're a record of every laugh, squint and sunny afternoon. They aren't something to "fight" or feel bad about. But if you'd like to keep your skin looking and feeling as healthy as possible for as long as possible, lifestyle has a much bigger influence than most people realise.
Below are five habits that are well-supported by research. None of them are quick fixes, and no single one will prevent wrinkles on its own — but combined, they're the strongest foundation you can give your skin.
Why we get wrinkles in the first place
Skin owes its smoothness, bounce and firmness to two key proteins: collagen, which gives skin structure and strength, and elastin, which gives it the ability to stretch and snap back. From our mid-twenties onwards, our bodies gradually make less of both — and the existing fibres are slowly broken down faster than they're replaced.
This decline accelerates with sun exposure, smoking, oxidative stress from diet and pollution, and hormonal changes — particularly during perimenopause and menopause, when collagen loss speeds up significantly. The good news: the things that accelerate this are largely within your control.
1. Wear sunscreen every single day
If you only take one habit from this list, make it this one. UV exposure is widely considered the single biggest external driver of visible skin ageing — what dermatologists call "photoageing." It breaks down collagen and elastin fibres and disrupts the skin's ability to repair itself.
- Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, every day — yes, even when it's cloudy, and even if you're mostly indoors near windows.
- Reapply if you're outside for extended periods or after swimming or sweating.
- A moisturising sunscreen can double up as part of your morning skincare routine, making it easier to stick with.
2. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants
Free radicals — unstable molecules produced by things like UV exposure, pollution, smoking and a highly processed diet — can damage skin cells through a process called oxidative stress. Antioxidants from food help neutralise them.
Foods that are particularly rich in skin-friendly antioxidants include:
- Berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
- Dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, rocket)
- Brightly coloured vegetables (red peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes)
- Green tea
- Nuts and seeds (walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds)
- Oily fish like salmon and mackerel, for omega-3s
You don't need to overhaul your diet overnight. Aim for variety and colour across the week — a "rainbow on your plate" is a simple way to think about it.
3. Cleanse properly — but gently
Washing your face at the end of the day isn't about scrubbing wrinkles away. It's about giving your skin barrier the chance to do its job overnight. A day's worth of sunscreen, makeup, pollution particles and excess oil can sit on the skin and contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress if left in place.
- Cleanse once in the evening with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser — twice if you've been wearing heavy makeup or SPF.
- Avoid harsh scrubs or anything that leaves your skin feeling tight; over-cleansing damages the barrier and can make skin look more aged, not less.
- Follow with a moisturiser to support hydration.
4. Stop smoking (and avoid second-hand smoke where you can)
Smoking is one of the most well-documented accelerators of skin ageing. It restricts blood flow to the skin, depletes oxygen and nutrients in the dermis, and directly damages collagen and elastin. Smokers tend to develop wrinkles earlier and more deeply — particularly around the mouth and eyes — than non-smokers of the same age.
Quitting helps at any age. The skin's repair processes don't fully reverse existing damage, but the rate of further decline slows considerably once you stop.
5. Consider a marine collagen supplement
Because the body's own collagen production drops with age, some people choose to support it with a hydrolysed collagen supplement. The evidence here is still emerging, but several reviews of clinical trials suggest that hydrolysed collagen peptides taken daily over 8–12 weeks may support skin hydration and elasticity in adults. Results vary, and supplements work best alongside the lifestyle habits above — not as a replacement for them.
Kollo is a liquid marine collagen drink containing 10,000mg of Naticol® hydrolysed marine collagen peptides per dose, plus a complex of vitamins (B1, B5, B6, B7, B12, C and D3) — including vitamin C, which the body uses in its own collagen synthesis. Kollo is Informed Choice certified, meaning each batch is independently tested for banned substances.
If you're new to collagen supplements, it's worth understanding what to do (and not do) for best results — see our guide to what to avoid when taking collagen supplements. And if you've heard mixed things about supplements and body weight, we cover that separately in does collagen lead to weight gain?
Marine collagen is derived from fish. If you have a fish allergy, this isn't the right supplement for you.
Frequently asked questions
What age should I start trying to prevent wrinkles?
It's never too early or too late. The biggest single thing you can do at any age is wear daily sunscreen. The earlier you start protecting your skin from UV, the more you preserve the collagen and elastin you already have — but the habits in this article are worth adopting at any stage.
Can I reverse wrinkles I already have?
Honest answer: not entirely. The visible lines you have now are partly a record of years of expressions, sun exposure and natural ageing. Lifestyle changes and supplements can support skin health going forward and may improve hydration and elasticity over time, but they're not a wrinkle eraser. Anyone promising that is overselling.
Do collagen supplements really help with wrinkles?
Emerging research suggests that hydrolysed collagen peptides taken consistently over 8–12 weeks may improve skin hydration and elasticity in some adults. They work best alongside the lifestyle habits in this article — not as a replacement for sunscreen, diet and not smoking.
How long until I'd see any difference from a collagen supplement?
Most clinical studies on hydrolysed collagen run for at least 8–12 weeks. Kollo recommends giving it a full 12 weeks of consistent daily use before judging results.
