While anti-aging is a top priority for many, it’s important to remember that, in addition to applying SPF daily, factors such as your environment and where you live can also greatly influence your skin’s health.
We analysed various metrics that impact skin health which could accelerate the aging process, examining factors such as quality of life and noise levels, beauty sleep and stress management are crucial for maintaining healthy, youthful skin. Additionally, we considered drinking habits, UV, and sunlight levels, as these environmental and lifestyle factors significantly impact skin health.
Best cities in the U.S. for youthful skin
Sterling Heights is the U.S. city where your skin will age the slowest
Our data shows that if living in Sterling Heights, Michigan, you are likely to age slower than anywhere else in the U.S., thanks to its score of 81.1 out of 100. Sterling Heights has an extremely high quiet area score, which means residents can get lots of beauty sleep, helping to slow down signs of aging. The city has 1901 sunlight hours and a low average UV index of 2.92 throughout the year, which means residents can enjoy the sun without the harsh effects of UV radiation.
Anchorage, Alaska, ties as the best city for youthful skin
Anchorage, Alaska, also scores 81.91 out of 100, making it tied with Sterling Heights. The city has a low average UV index of 2.25 and only 1750 hours of sunlight annually. This means that they will have a lower chance of sun damage, helping Anchorage locals keep their skin youthful. Residents also have a much higher livability score than those in Sterling Heights at 77, which means residents are benefiting from lower stress levels. However, if you live in Anchorage, you can expect to get much less beauty sleep, as the city has a much lower quiet area of 31%.
Rochester, Minnesota, is the third-best U.S. city for slowing down aging
Rochester, Minnesota, emerges as the third-best location for those seeking to slow down the aging process, boasting an impressive overall score of 80.8 out of 100. The city's exceptional livability score of 92 indicates that residents can enjoy a high quality of life with potentially lower stress levels, which is crucial for maintaining youthful skin and overall well-being.
US cities that age skin the fastest
Eight of the top 10 cities that will accelerate skin aging in the US are in California
Oxnard, California, stands out as a city where the signs of aging may appear more rapidly with the lowest overall score of 47.4 out of 100. A livability score of just 52, indicates a lower quality of life that can contribute to higher stress. Stress is known to accelerate aging and negatively impact skin health.Oxnard experiences a huge amount of sunlight at 3,758 hours annually and has a high UV index of 4.83, both of which increase the risk of sun damage, a significant factor in premature skin aging.
In East Los Angeles, California, you are also likely to age significantly faster than in other U.S. cities, thanks to it having the second lowest overall score of 47.9 out of 100.
East LA also has a notably low amount of quiet areas at 14%, meaning sleep is likely significantly impacted, and has a very high number of sunlight hours, at 3706 a year, with a high average UV index of 5.
Paradise, NV is the worst U.S. city for noise pollution
Paradise, Nevada, is known worldwide for its casinos, nightlife and world-famous strip, so it is no surprise that the city is at risk of premature aging due to lifestyle and environmental factors, with a score of 48.4 out of 100.
Unsurprisingly, the city famous for its nightlife has 0% quiet areas, which means residents' sleep is likely to have a significant impact on the skin's appearance. Paradise also has the third-highest sunlight hours of any U.S. city, at 3839, and a very high average UV index of 5.33, which puts residents at a higher risk of premature aging and sun damage.
Best cities in the UK to maintain youthful looking skin
Stoke-on-Trent is the UK city where your skin will age the slowest
Stoke-on-Trent stands out as the best UK city for aging slowly, thanks to its favorable environmental conditions, with a score of 84.2. The city has a low noise pollution at 21.43, meaning residents can get a good night's rest. Stoke-on-Trent has only 1112 hours of sunlight a year, with an average UV index of 2.67, meaning residents aren't at risk of premature aging due to sun damage.
Glasgow is the best city for minimising UV exposure
Glasgow is recognised as the second-best UK city for aging slowly, thanks to its favorable environmental conditions that benefit skin health, reflected in its overall score of 82.9. With a high quality of life score of 194.81, residents' low stress positively impacts skin vitality.
Thanks to its notoriously poor weather, Glasgow has the lowest annual sunlight hours and average UV index in the UK, at 961.6 hours, and 2.42 respectively. This means Glaswegians are at the lowest risk of sun damage in the UK.
Worst cities in the UK for aging
Bournemouth's high UV exposure will age skin the fastest in the UK
Our data found that Bournemouth is the UK city where you will age the fastest due to its low overall score of 63.4.
Bournemouth experiences 1,648.2 sunlight hours annually, the second highest in the UK behind Brighton. Coupled with the highest UV index in the country of 3.08, this exposes residents to higher levels of UV radiation. This accelerates skin aging and increases the risk of wrinkles and age spots making Bournemouth a challenging environment for maintaining youthful, healthy skin.
London's city stress contributes to making skin aging faster
London is identified as a particularly bad city for your skin based on its overall score of 63.6. The city's quality of life score of 148.3 shows that London's high-stress environments can harm the skin's health. While the capital has a high noise pollution score of 55.08, many residents may struggle to achieve quality, uninterrupted sleep. With 16% of the population engaging in binge drinking, lifestyle choices further compound the negative effects on the skin's visible age.
Best & worst cities in Canada for youthful looking skin
Edmonton is the Canadian city where skin will age the slowest
Edmonton, Alberta, ranks as the best city for aging slowly in Canada according to its lifestyle and environmental factors giving it a ranking of 71.5 out of 100. The city boasts a high quality of life score of 179.54, indicating a supportive and less stressful environment for residents. With only 12% of the population engaging in binge drinking, Alberta promotes healthier living habits that further support skin vitality and overall well-being. These combined factors make Edmonton an ideal location for Canadians looking to age gracefully and maintain youthful skin.
Skin will age slowly in Calgary despite having the most sunlight hours
Calgary, Alberta, stands out as the second-best city in Canada for aging slowly, thanks to its overall score of 70.9. Calgary offers an excellent quality of life score of 188.42, suggesting a supportive environment with lower stress levels for its residents.
The city enjoys the highest annual sunlight hours, 2,402.7, yet maintains a very low UV index of 2.33, reducing the chance of premature skin aging.
Hamilton is the Canadian city where skin will age the fastest
Hamilton, Ontario, is the Canadian city where you will age the fastest, based on its low overall score of 55.7, as the city faces significant challenges in fostering a healthy aging environment. Hamilton has a relatively low quality of life score of 114.81, indicating higher stress levels that can negatively impact skin health and overall well-being. The noise pollution score of 52.17 suggests a noisy environment, which can disrupt sleep quality and, therefore, skin health. Additionally, with 19% of the population of Ontario engaging in binge drinking, unhealthy lifestyle choices further exacerbate the aging process.
Surrey is the second fastest city for accelerating skin aging in Canada
We found that Surrey, British Columbia, is the second fastest city for aging in Canada, with a score of 59.8 out of 100.
Surrey experiences 1,819.1 sunlight hours a year with a comparatively higher UV index of 2.92, subjecting residents to considerable UV radiation that can accelerate skin aging and increase the risk of wrinkles and age spots. Moreover, with one in three (33%) of British Columbia's population engaging in binge drinking, the province's unhealthy lifestyle choices further contribute to the aging process through loss of collagen and skin elasticity.
Best and worst cities in Australia for youthful-looking skin
The high quality of life in Hobart is keeping skin looking youthful for longer
Hobart is recognized as the Australian city where skin will age the slowest, thanks to a high overall score of 72.3. Hobart offers an exceptional quality of life score of 205.41, indicating a supportive environment that minimises stress and promotes overall well-being, supporting the skin's youthful appearance. The city's low noise pollution score of 23.61 helps residents enjoy quality sleep.
Hobart receives 1,820.4 sunlight hours annually and has a UV index of 3.08, which is the lowest out of the whole country, meaning that Aussies in this region are at a lesser risk of sun-associated damage. Although 29% of Tasmania's population engages in binge drinking, the overall positive environmental factors contribute significantly to slower aging. These conditions make Hobart an ideal location for those seeking to age gracefully and maintain healthy, vibrant skin.
High alcohol consumption in Perth is making skin age faster
Our data shows that Perth is the Australian city where you will age the fastest, with an overall score of 54.5. Despite its high quality of life score of 200.83, which reflects a generally positive living standard, Perth's other environmental and lifestyle factors make it challenging to minimise the signs of aging.
Perth has moderate noise pollution at 37.31, which can impact sleep quality, although this is less of a concern compared to other factors. Perth's extensive 3,025.2 sunlight hours annually, combined with a high UV index of 4.83, significantly increases residents' exposure to harmful UV radiation, accelerating signs of skin aging like wrinkles and sunspots and putting residents at risk of skin cancer. Additionally, with 30% of the population engaging in binge drinking, unhealthy lifestyle choices further contribute to the speed of the aging process. These factors combined make Perth a challenging environment for maintaining youthful, healthy skin.
Best & worst cities in Europe for youthful skin
Copenhagen is the slow-aging capital of Europe
Not only is Copenhagen the cool girl fashion capital of Europe, but it is also the city where skin will age the slowest, scoring 79 out of 100.
The city boasts a top-notch quality of life score of 209.77, reflecting a stress-reducing environment that helps slow down skin aging. Whilst only 8% of the population engages in binge drinking, as healthier lifestyle choices further support the maintenance of youthful skin.
Sunlight exposure means Barcelona is a skin-damage hotspot
Barcelona has been crowned the European city where you will age fastest, based on several detrimental factors that leave it with a score of 48.1 out of 100.
The city has a moderate quality of life score of 153.88, suggesting higher stress levels that can negatively affect skin health. A relatively high noise pollution score of 63.48 indicates a noisy environment, which can disrupt sleep quality.
Barcelona experiences 3,061.4 hours of sunlight a year, the second highest behind Madrid. It also has the second-highest average UV index, behind Rome, with 4.25, exposing residents to substantial sun damage to the skin.
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