Introduction: The Science of Skin Aging
Ever wondered why some people seem to age faster than others? It’s not just about your genes—it’s also about where you live and how you live. Certain states in the U.S. create environments that can accelerate visible signs of aging. Factors like sun exposure, smoking, stress, and sleep habits all influence how your skin ages over time.
At HubMedEd, we aim to help both medical professionals and the general public understand how environmental conditions affect long-term skin health. By identifying the states with the highest and lowest skin-aging risk, we offer actionable insights to support healthier, more resilient skin—wherever you live.
This study ranks all 50 states using our 2025 Skin Aging Index, a composite score based on five evidence-backed factors known to impact skin aging. As summer approaches, it’s a timely reminder that aging gracefully depends not only on what you put on your skin—but also on the world around you.
Key Findings Summary
- Minnesota ranks #1 in the nation for aging gracefully, thanks to low UV exposure, clean air, low smoking rates, and low stress.
- West Virginia ranks last, with the highest skin-aging risk, driven by smoking, chronic stress, and poor air quality.
- States like Nevada and Florida appear in the bottom 10 due to extreme UV exposure, despite healthier scores in other categories.
- Smoking and sleep deprivation are the most consistent contributors to accelerated skin aging across all states.
- States with cleaner air and lower stress, such as Minnesota and New Hampshire, rank well even with moderate UV levels—highlighting how environmental balance supports healthier skin aging.
U.S. Skin Aging Risk Map: Where Americans Age Most Gracefully
To give you a clearer picture of how your environment may influence skin aging, we’ve created a national heatmap based on each state’s skin aging risk score. This score reflects five key environmental and behavioral factors: UV exposure, smoking rates, stress, sleep deprivation, and air quality.
The results reveal clear geographic patterns. Sun-heavy regions in the Southwest face high UV exposure, while parts of the South and Appalachia contend with elevated stress, poor air quality, and higher smoking rates. These compounding factors create conditions that can accelerate visible aging and reduce the skin’s ability to repair itself over time.
Key Takeaways:
- The Southern and Appalachian regions — including states like West Virginia, Tennessee, and Louisiana — rank among the highest risk for premature skin aging, driven by elevated smoking rates, stress levels, and environmental exposure.
- UV radiation remains a primary aging accelerator, especially in sun-intense states like Nevada, Florida, and Arizona.
- States such as Minnesota and New Hampshire, with cleaner air, lower stress, and healthier lifestyle patterns, provide more protective environments for graceful aging.
This heatmap offers a snapshot of where skin is aging most—and where it's aging best. While some states face higher environmental stress, others provide protective conditions that support healthy, graceful aging. Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 states with the lowest skin-aging risk.
Top 10 States Where Americans Age Most Gracefully
Some states offer a healthier aging environment—where cleaner air, lower UV exposure, and healthier lifestyle habits combine to support long-term skin resilience. Based on the latest data, these are the 10 states where your skin is most likely to age gracefully, thanks to lower environmental and behavioral risk factors.
1. Minnesota: The Nation’s Most Skin-Friendly State
Risk Score: 29.7 | UV Index: 6 (Low) | Smoking: 15% | Stress: 32 | Air Quality Index: 38
Minnesota tops the list for wrinkle-safe living thanks to a combination of low stress, minimal UV exposure, and healthy lifestyle habits. With cleaner air and some of the lowest stress scores in the country, it sets a high bar for skin longevity.
2. Nebraska: Low Stress, Low Sun, Low Wrinkle Risk
Risk Score: 34.6 | UV Index: 7 (Moderate) | Smoking: 15% | Stress: 32 | Air Quality Index: 37
Nebraska provides a well-balanced environment where no single factor significantly contributes to wrinkle risk. With low smoking rates, moderate sun exposure, and minimal stress, it stands as an underrated haven for healthy skin aging.
3. New Hampshire: Cool Air, Clean Living
Risk Score: 36.0 | UV Index: 6 (Low) | Smoking: 16% | Stress: 32 | Air Quality Index: 39
This New England state blends fresh air with relatively low stress and health-conscious living. While winters can be long, they may actually protect skin from cumulative sun damage.
4. Vermont: Wrinkle Risk Kept at Bay
Risk Score: 36.4 | UV Index: 6 (Low) | Smoking: 16% | Stress: 43 | Air Quality Index: 39
Vermont’s favorable wrinkle-risk profile is attributed to limited UV exposure and low smoking rates. While stress levels are slightly higher than in neighboring states, the overall lifestyle promotes healthy, graceful aging.
5. Massachusetts: Balanced and Resilient
Risk Score: 38.3 | UV Index: 7 (Moderate) | Smoking: 14% | Stress: 37 | Air Quality Index: 41
Massachusetts offers a well-rounded profile: low smoking, clean air, and moderate UV exposure. This combination makes it one of the most balanced states for maintaining youthful skin, particularly in its urban and suburban areas.
6. Alaska: Cold, Calm, and Skin-Conscious
Risk Score: 39.9 | UV Index: 1 (Very Low) | Smoking: 21% | Stress: 51 | Air Quality Index: 29
Despite long winters and higher stress levels, Alaska’s extremely low sun exposure and excellent air quality help mitigate other risks. In terms of skin aging, the state’s climate can actually provide protective benefits.
7. Utah: Clean Air, Low Smoking
Risk Score: 40.3 | UV Index: 8 (High) | Smoking: 9% | Stress: 39 | Air Quality Index: 51
Utah boasts the lowest smoking rate in the U.S., earning its place on this list despite strong UV exposure. For those who consistently use sun protection, Utah offers excellent lifestyle factors that support skin longevity.
8. Wisconsin: Middle of the Road and Skin-Safe
Risk Score: 42.2 | UV Index: 7 (Moderate) | Smoking: 16% | Stress: 37 | Air Quality Index: 40
With moderate scores across most risk indicators, Wisconsin is on this list through consistency. Relatively low stress levels and solid air quality create a quietly protective environment for skin health.
9. Connecticut: Quiet Strength
Risk Score: 42.4 | UV Index: 7 (Moderate) | Smoking: 13% | Stress: 38 | Air Quality Index: 45
Connecticut’s low smoking rate and stable environmental profile make it a reliable choice for healthy skin aging. Even with average sun exposure, the state’s overall health habits keep wrinkle risk down.
10. Iowa: Calm and Collected
Risk Score: 42.7 | UV Index: 7 (Moderate) | Smoking: 17% | Stress: 36 | Air Quality Index: 38
Completing the top 10, Iowa’s calm pace and clean environment foster long-term skin health. While it may not stand out, it proves consistently effective in managing wrinkle risk.
The 10 States Where Skin Faces the Most Stress
Where you live can influence more than just your lifestyle—it can shape how your skin ages. States with higher levels of sun exposure, smoking, stress, and poor air quality tend to accelerate the skin’s aging process, from fine lines to deeper signs of environmental wear.
In this section, we spotlight the 10 states with the highest overall skin-aging risk, based on the latest behavioral and environmental data. From high-stress Southern regions to sun-soaked corners of the West, these are the places where skin may need extra protection—and where prevention matters most.
1. West Virginia: The Highest Skin Aging Risk in the U.S.
Risk Score: 79.9 | UV Index: 7 (Moderate) | Smoking: 26% | Stress: 55 | Air Quality Index: 48
West Virginia ranks #1 for overall skin-aging risk. The combination of the highest smoking rate in the country, elevated stress levels, and poor air quality creates a challenging environment for skin resilience. While its residents are known for their grit, environmental stressors may accelerate visible aging without proactive care.
2. Louisiana: High UV, High Stress
Risk Score: 74.1 | UV Index: 8 (High) | Smoking: 23% | Stress: 56 | Air Quality Index: 40
With intense sun exposure and above-average smoking and stress levels, Louisiana lands near the top of the risk index. Combined with a humid climate, these factors put extra pressure on the skin's ability to heal, regenerate, and defend against visible aging.
3. Tennessee: Where UV Meets Lifestyle Stress
Risk Score: 73.5 | UV Index: 8 (High) | Smoking: 23% | Stress: 53 | Air Quality Index: 48
Tennessee’s elevated smoking rate and persistent stress scores create a less-than-ideal backdrop for healthy skin aging. Add in frequent sun exposure, and the environment becomes especially taxing on the skin’s long-term health.
4. Nevada: Desert Climate, Elevated Stress
Risk Score: 73.1 | UV Index: 10 (Very High) | Smoking: 18% | Stress: 60 | Air Quality Index: 42
Nevada has one of the highest UV Index scores in the nation. Combined with significant stress levels and dry air, these conditions can prematurely degrade collagen, accelerate fine lines, and dry out the skin’s natural barrier.
5. Alabama: Cumulative Risk
Risk Score: 72.4 | UV Index: 8 (High) | Smoking: 21% | Stress: 53 | Air Quality Index: 47
Alabama’s ranking reflects a mix of moderate-to-high risk across nearly all categories—from sun exposure and smoking to stress and air pollution. These overlapping contributors push the state into the top 5 for skin-aging vulnerability.
6–10: States Where Skin Still Faces Strain
While these states didn’t make the top five, they aren’t far behind. Each is characterized by elevated levels of factors that contribute to skin aging, including smoking, UV exposure, stress, and pollution.
6. Arkansas: Quiet but Climbing
Risk Score: 71.5 | UV Index: 8 | Smoking: 22% | Stress: 53
Arkansas may not always make headlines, but the data speaks for itself. With high smoking and stress rates plus steady sun exposure, this Southern state poses a notable challenge for graceful aging.
7. Mississippi: Heat Meets Habit
Risk Score: 70.8 | UV Index: 8 | Smoking: 22% | Stress: 55
Smoking and stress remain persistent issues in Mississippi, combining with strong UV levels to create a skin-aging environment that calls for proactive protection and skincare support.
8. Kentucky: Tobacco and Tension
Risk Score: 70.2 | UV Index: 7 | Smoking: 25% | Stress: 49
With one of the nation’s highest smoking rates and middling air quality, Kentucky’s environmental burden is clear. For aesthetic professionals, this highlights how lifestyle context matters in patient care.
9. Georgia: Sun-Soaked, Skin-Stressed
Risk Score: 66.1 | UV Index: 9 | Smoking: 18% | Stress: 50
Georgia’s abundant sun is both a blessing and a burden. High UV exposure, coupled with urban air pollution, keeps this state firmly in the high-risk category for premature aging—despite a relatively low smoking rate.
10. Florida: Aging in the Sunshine State
Risk Score: 64.6 | UV Index: 10 | Smoking: 16% | Stress: 51
Florida’s UV Index is among the highest in the U.S.—and while residents enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, that exposure carries a skin cost. Without diligent sun care, even younger populations may see signs of aging emerge sooner.
Full State Ranking: Skin Aging Risk Scores for All 50 States
Want to see how your state stacks up? Below is the full ranking of all 50 U.S. states based on their Skin Aging Risk Score. Each score reflects how strongly local environmental and behavioral factors contribute to premature skin aging.
Important note: Lower scores indicate lower risk — and a more favorable environment for aging gracefully. Higher scores suggest greater exposure to skin-aging stressors.
The final scores are calculated using a composite of five weighted factors known to impact skin health:
- UV Index (30%)
- Smoking Rate (25%)
- Sleep Deficiency (20%)
- Stress Score (15%)
- Air Quality Index (10%)
Each state receives a total score out of 100. For details on how each factor was scored and weighted, see the Methodology section below.
How to Reduce Skin Aging Risk — Wherever You Live
Our environment plays a bigger role in skin aging than many people realize. While we can’t always control factors like air quality or UV intensity, we can take proactive steps to reduce the impact of those stressors on our skin.
Here are some practical, evidence-informed ways to support skin longevity—especially for those living in higher-risk states:
- Use broad-spectrum SPF daily. Even in cooler or cloudier climates, UV radiation remains one of the most powerful—and preventable—drivers of skin aging. Choose sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, apply it generously 15-30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every 2 hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating.
- Wear protective clothing. Clothes such as hats, sunglasses with UV protection, and UPF-rated garments are recommended. Seek shade, particularly during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
- Support skin repair through sleep and stress management. Chronic stress and insufficient sleep both disrupt collagen production and skin regeneration over time.
- Avoid tobacco exposure. Smoking is consistently associated with premature wrinkling, reducing blood flow to the skin, and slowing wound healing—factors that can also hinder the effectiveness of aesthetic treatments.
- Limit pollution exposure where possible. In states with poor air quality, consider indoor air filters and antioxidant-rich skincare to help reduce the effects of airborne irritants.
- Schedule regular checkups with a dermatologist and monitor your skin for any changes.
Expert Insight: Environment Matters
“As clinicians, we often talk about the importance of sun protection, but this data reminds us that environmental factors like stress, pollution, and smoking can be just as impactful. Skin aging isn’t only about genetics—it’s about daily exposures. Fortunately, many of the most effective interventions are also the simplest.”
— Dr. Simone Hartley, MD, Aesthetic Medicine Educator at HubMedEd
Further Learning: HubMedEd Training Modules
Want to go deeper into the science of skin aging?
Explore our advanced training modules on facial anatomy, rejuvenation, and aging treatment techniques—designed to help professionals deliver impactful, evidence-based care.
Access the full course library at hubmeded.com/masterclasses
Conclusion: A Summer Skincare Reminder
As we head into the summer months, it’s worth remembering that skin aging is shaped by more than genetics—it’s also influenced by where we live and how we live. From UV exposure to lifestyle stress, the environment around us can accelerate (or ease) the signs of aging.
For practitioners, this reinforces a critical point: effective aesthetic care goes beyond injectables or topicals—it starts with understanding the full picture. Environmental risk factors, patient habits, and preventative education all play a role in supporting healthy, long-term skin outcomes.
Whether you're advising patients on sun protection or exploring advanced rejuvenation treatments, staying grounded in both science and context matters.
Want to stay ahead this season?
Explore HubMedEd’s training modules to deepen your clinical knowledge and deliver care that’s not only evidence-based—but truly patient-centered.
Methodology + Sources
This study ranks all 50 U.S. states by their relative risk for premature skin aging, using a composite Skin Aging Risk Score based on five evidence-backed environmental and behavioral metrics. Each factor was selected for its proven impact on skin health, and scores were weighted to reflect their influence on wrinkle formation and visible aging.
Scoring Method
Each state received a final score out of 100 based on five normalized metrics:
- UV Index (30%)
- Smoking Rate (25%)
- Sleep Deficiency (20%)
- Stress Score (15%)
- Air Quality Index (10%)
All scores were calculated using the most recent available data from 2023–2024, normalized to a 0–100 scale. Higher scores indicate greater risk.
Metric Details & Sources
UV Index
Reflects average annual noon-hour UV exposure by state. UV radiation is a primary driver of photoaging and cumulative skin damage.
Source: EPA UV Index / NOAA
Smoking Rate
Shows the percentage of adults who are current smokers—one of the most significant lifestyle factors linked to premature wrinkles.
Source: CDC Adult Cigarette Use
Sleep Deficiency
Captures the share of adults who regularly get fewer than 7 hours of sleep per night. Insufficient sleep impairs skin regeneration and contributes to visible aging.
Source: CDC BRFSS
Stress Score
Drawn from WalletHub’s annual ranking of the most and least stressed states, incorporating work, financial, and health-related pressures.
Source: WalletHub Stress Rankings (2025)
Air Quality Index (AQI)
Based on EPA state-level air quality data, including pollutants like ozone and fine particulate matter—both of which can accelerate oxidative stress in the skin.
Source: EPA Air Quality Data
Each state’s Wrinkle Risk Score reflects the weighted average of these five metrics.