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I used to think that people who always wore sunglasses were trying to look cool, were trying to hide a hangover, or just weren’t comfortable making eye contact with people. I would tease one of my best friends for keeping her shades on even when it was, well, shady outside. But when I began seeing my first crows feet pop up and realized that my friend who always wears sunglasses, and is the same age as me, didn’t have them, I started to rethink her habit of wearing sunglasses all of the time. In fact, I wish I’d joined her a long time ago because there are benefits of wearing sunglasses year round.

Now, I keep a pair by the front door, in my car, on my vanity, and in my regular travel bag. If I somehow get caught without a pair on a trip, I’ll spend money on a new pair then and there. Saving the $20 isn’t worth the damage I’ll do to my eyes and skin. Here is why you should wear sunglasses year-round.

gettyimages.com/Portrait of woman squinting one eye

Prevent squinting

Squinting creates those fine lines on the sides of your eyes that can make you appear older. But when you don’t wear sunglasses, you’re bound to squint to keep the sun out of your eyes.

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Prevent crows feet

The skin around your eyes is very sensitive, and simply burns and dries much easier than the rest of the skin on your face. That’s why we get crows feet there long before we get lines anywhere else. Sunscreen can help, but sunglasses can really fight these annoying lines.