8 diet and exercise mistakes that can age you – and how to avoid them

Green tea contains protective compounds like EGCG and theaflavins that help prevent the breakdown of collagen, the cause of wrinkles.

Foods with little or no nutritional benefits can damage the collagen and elastin that keep skin firm and youthful.

Eating too much sugar certainly isn’t wise for your waistline, but overindulging in dessert can also add years to your face. “Good nutrition is a fundamental building block of healthy skin,” explains Leslie Baumann, a dermatologist based in Miami Beach. The natural ingredients in whole foods such as romaine lettuce and strawberries help increase cell turnover, and boost production of collagen fibres to help keep skin smooth and firm.