RoC Skincare unveiled new data that demonstrates the correlation between geographic location and the formation of wrinkles. Created in partnership with independent research firm Sperling’s BestPlaces, the RoC Skincare Wrinkle Ranking Study outlines the 50 most wrinkle-prone regions in the U.S. and the underlying factors that may cause skin to age.
To identify which U.S. residents are most susceptible to wrinkles, RoC Skincare conducted a meta-analysis of original and existing research to assess the impact of lifestyle, occupational and environmental elements on skin by region. In addition to factors commonly known to cause skin damage such as climate and pollution, the study also weighed unique criteria, including stress levels, traffic commutes and diet.
“People are widely aware of the dangers of UV exposure, so a natural assumption is that the Sunbelt states would automatically be at the top of this list,” said New York-based, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Erin Gilbert, MD, PhD, FAAD. “However, we sometimes forget that there are a number of regionally based factors—not getting enough rest or working late hours—that can also take a toll on your skin.”
While investigating which factors had the most impact on a region’s ranking, the study results showed that no two areas’ risk for aging skin are identical, despite proximity or similarities among cities:
- Riverside and San Diego are only two hours apart, but on opposite ends of the Wrinkle Ranking scale. Why? Riverside was placed first for having an above average number of sunny days while the mild Pacific climate landed San Diego in last place.
- New York residents have the longest commute and third-highest number of sleepless nights, elevating Gotham City to the second most wrinkle-prone in America.
- Denver earned the sixth position for scoring highest in the environment category. Its residents have one of the highest skin cancer rates due to the thin air quality, which is less able to absorb skin-damaging UV rays.
RoC Skincare wants to broaden awareness that wrinkles are caused by a number of region-specific factors. Through appropriate precautions, individuals across the nation have the power to identify and manage these aging influences.
RoC Skincare Wrinkle Ranking Study Ranking for Top 50 Most Wrinkle-Prone Regions in the U.S.:
- Riverside, California
- New York
- Philadelphia
- Atlanta
- Baltimore
- Denver
- Chicago
- Newark, New Jersey
- St. Louis
- Orlando
- Washington, D.C.
- Nashville
- Tampa, Florida
- Miami
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- Charlotte
- Dallas
- Phoenix
- Warren, Michigan
- Edison, New Jersey
- Indianapolis
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Boston
- Oakland
- Las Vegas
- Nassau County, New York
- Detroit
- Pittsburgh
- Cincinnati
- Fort Lauderdale
- Providence
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Austin
- Sacramento
- Seattle
- Kansas City
- Columbus, Ohio
- Milwaukee
- San Antonio
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- San Francisco
- Cleveland
- Portland, Oregon
- West Palm Beach, Florida
- San Jose, California
- Santa Ana, California
- Minneapolis
- San Diego
To determine the metropolitan areas in the U.S. most likely to wrinkle skin, RoC Skincare and Sperling’s BestPlaces performed a meta-analysis, combining the findings of original and existing research. Lifestyle, occupational and environmental criteria that directly and indirectly relate to skin damage were used for the selection. The factors were equally weighted and grouped by impact and relevancy. All data was adjusted by the current population to arrive at per capita figures, and category scores were aggregated and weighted to determine an overall “RoC Skincare Wrinkle Ranking” score.
