Disclosure: These products were provided as a courtesy of RoC Skincare. All thoughts and opinions are my own. (This is standard disclaimer language. Read on for my own, below.)
Medical experts agree that there are certain factors that cause us to look older than our chronological age. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD, FAAD, says, “Residents of every state have their share of positive and negative skin health factors so the exact cause of wrinkles can vary. However, there are several factors that can increase the rate at which skin ages including high levels of stress and dangerous exposure to pollution and UVA/UBA radiation.”
Good to know. Knowledge is power and in this case, power is doing our utmost to protect our skin against stressors that damage it and cause premature aging. To this end, RoC® Skincare, an anti-aging pioneer, has combined forces with Sperling’s Best Places, an independent research firm and, yes, the same Sperling that’s known for its studies on the best places to live, work, retire and play, to release the Second Annual Wrinkle Ranking. The first annual study highlighted the 50 most wrinkle-prone U.S. cities. The 2015 study goes geographically further to include states. Each state was awarded a “Wrinkle Index” based on such factors as geographic elevation, daily commute times, stress levels, ozone pollution, skin cancer rates and lifestyle, all of which contribute to premature aging.
So, how does your state stack up in the Wrinkle Ranking? I live in Pennsylvania,and bummer, it came in second for places most likely to contribute to the premature wrinkling of its residents. The study cites, in part, our recent bitter cold winters, higher than average smoking rates and long commute times as wrinkle-causing factors. New York, the state from which I hail and my second home, came in first, which is probably a surprise to no one. Residents in Oregon and Alaska, whose states placed 50th and 51st in RoC’s and Sperling’s study are the least likely to experience premature aging. Washington, D.C. placed solidly in the middle of the list. Residents there have the lowest rate of skin cancer in the country but this statistic is offset by high scores for ozone pollution, lengthy commute times, long work weeks and binge drinking. (Discuss that among yourselves. It’s an interesting factor, don’t you think and may have something to do with a) the political climate and b) the large number of college students living there. Or maybe not.)
Where You Live Could Make You More or Less Prone to Wrinkles
To determine the states’ where residents’ skin is most at risk from damage by their lifestyle and environment, RoC® Skincare and Sperling’s Best Places analyzed the findings of original research and combined those with existing related research in the field of the study. Lifestyle, occupational and environmental criteria that directly and indirectly relate to skin damage were used, and factors were weighted by relevancy to skin damage risk. All data was adjusted by the current population to arrive at “per capita” figures, providing an accurate comparison between states of varying sizes. Each state in the study received points for each of the criteria based on their relation to the other state’s scores in that data category, and Category scores were weighted and aggregated to determine an overall “Wrinkle Index” score to rank the U.S. states.
The Top Five Factors That Contribute to Premature Aging
So what does this mean for you? Use the Wrinkle Rankings to understand factors that may contribute to skin damage and premature aging and then take steps to avoid these.
The Underlying Factors That Contribute to Skin Aging
RoC Skincare is a great brand to try. This leading French skincare line has been around for more than 50 years and was the first to stabilize and patent pure retinol in a cosmetic product. Retinol, as you know, is a form of Vitamin A and is universally recognized to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A product I particularly like is RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum. Put it on before your moisturizer for best results. Get it at Target here.
And, as regular readers of EverBeautiful.com know, I am a RoC Brand Ambassador so, yes, the company sends me product and gifts from time to time. They most recently sent a beautiful A Heirloom cutting board in the shape of my adopted home state of Pennsylvania.
I’m going to use it to serve cheese, fruit and crackers because it’s too nice to cut on. But that’s not why I use and love RoC products. I use them because they work. I love them because the product line is broad and includes everything from moisturizers to serums to line correcting formulas that are gentle on my sensitive skin, don’t cause it to peel or break out and that, in my opinion, keep it in tip-top shape. And no, my opinion is not swayed by the swag. I owe it to you, the readers of EverBeautiful.com, to be real and honest – and I owe it to my skin to keep it at its best.
You May Also Like:
A Line Corrector That Actually Works!
Rock RoC for Younger Looking Skin
My Favorite Beauty Products, Part 2
