Startling photos reveal how anxiety and common habits age your skin

More than two-thirds of us regularly use beauty creams and ointments.

But dermatologists say it could all be for nothing if you are not doing your best to avoid factors in your environment that speed up the aging of your face.

Experts from the Harley Street Skin Clinic in the UK used AI to simulate how five factors — including pollution, stress, and sunlight — can cause the skin to age over time.

Lesley Reynolds, skin care expert at the clinic, said: 'There are many measures that you can take to prevent any signs of premature aging.

'This includes basic things such as getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and eating well. But there are also some skincare products, like sunscreen, that can help.'

More than half of Americans and Brits report feeling frequent stress and anxiety in their daily life.

But dermatologists say that all this worrying could be causing someone's skin to age faster.

They say the stress can trigger inflammation, slow down wound healing and trigger psoriasis or eczema.

The dermatologists said: 'One of the most visible signs of stress and anxiety is premature aging.

'This can be seen on this individual's face in the form of many fine lines and wrinkles. The eyes also appear very sunken, with dullness and dark circles.'

Too much sunlight Too much sunlight could cause damage to the collagen in the skin, leading to more fine line and sagging.

It can also cause damage to cells, raising the risk of skin cancer.

More than 180,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma every year, making it one of the most common cancers in the US.

The Harley Street experts said: 'Multiple symptoms suggest the presence of skin cancer, such as red and brown patches and loss of definition in the lips.

'This is in addition to a high volume of prominent fine lines and wrinkles, particularly on the forehead and around the mouth area.'

To avoid this, dermatologists recommended applying sunscreen daily — even on cloudy days — to limit exposure to UV rays.

Air Pollution Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston all rank among the top ten most polluted cities in the US, according to an analysis .

And all the fine p matter — released by car exhausts and factories — could be wreaking havoc with your skin.

Dermatologists said the volatile compounds in the air can penetrate the skins surface and trigger inflammation.

In turn, this can cause the skin to ramp up production of oil, potentially leading to clogged pores and causing acne — they said.

The dermatologists warned: 'There is also visible acne scarring, more prominent fine lines and the skin under the eyes is beginning to sag.'

To avoid skin damage from air pollution, the dermatologists recommended gentle exfoliation to remove the contaminants from the skin.

Water hardness Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium.

Indianapolis has the hardest water in the nation, surveys suggest, while Las Vegas, Phoenix and Minneapolis take second, third and fourth spots.

After drinking water in these areas, the hardness can 'dry out' someone's skin — the dermatologists said — stripping it of moisture and oils.

This can also cause inflammation, leading to the appearance of acne and fine lines.

To avoid this, dermatologists recommended purchasing bottled water or using a water filter at home to remove some of the minerals.

Nearly one in five people in the US still smoke cigarettes, despite concerns over their health affects.

Dermatologists say these could also cause the skin to age more rapidly.

They said: 'Their skin has become very dull and lifeless, particularly under the eyes.

'Intense fine lines are also beginning to form around this individual's mouth, mainly due to excessive puckering when smoking a cigarette.'