Copenhagen is the “slow ageing” capital of Europe. Here are 7 Danish habits to copy now

A number of different factors determine how our skin ages, and almost all of them are things that we can control. Yes, genetics play a role in the rate of visible ageing, but research indicates that it is only responsible for 15 to 20 per cent of the process. Our skincare routines and, above all else, our lifestyle choices, can make a real difference. According to a recent study carried out by Lookfantastic, Copenhagen is the European city where people’s skin ages the slowest. (At the other end of the spectrum? Barcelona.) This finding may not be all that surprising – after all, people in Copenhagen enjoy a higher quality of life, less environmental pollution, and fewer hours of direct sun exposure on average than the residents of many other capital cities. Still, we decided to dive deeper to discover what else we can learn from the lifestyle habits of Danish women.

Hygge – the art of creating a cosy atmosphere, especially in your own home – is one of the most famous elements of the Danish lifestyle. As Meik Wiking explains in his book My Hygge Home, it is so deeply rooted in Danish culture that it would be a worthy topic for a doctoral thesis. For Danish people it’s tremendously important to look for happiness in the little pleasures of life, and to feel that their home is a safe retreat. (It’s important to remember that Denmark is always at or near the top of rankings of the happiest countries in the world – they are experts on this topic.) Danish people know how ambience and décor in rooms can influence mood, which is why Danish homes tend to follow certain rules: they create “light islands” using floor and table lamps to create an inviting atmosphere, dinner is often enjoyed by candlelight, and they prefer round dining tables to encourage conversation and social bonding. They love blankets, rugs, and cushions (on the floor too), to create a feeling of softness and comfort. Chronic stress has been shown to age people rapidly. A home that is relaxing and inviting will help to diminish stress – and the toll it takes on your body.

In Nordic countries, saunas and cold baths have long been part of daily life, and they promise all kinds of benefits for the body – including the skin. Beatriz Larrea, an expert in holistic nutrition and ageing, explains that the high level of toxins that we accumulate in the body can accelerate biological ageing. She says that one way to release those toxins is to sweat them out regularly in a sauna. This is a practice with deep roots in Denmark – many Danish women visit a sauna at least once a month, sometimes more often.

Copenhagen is one of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities, which is one of the ways in which Danish women are able to burn more NEAT calories. NEAT stands for non-exercise activity thermogenesis, and it refers to energy expenditures that are the result of spontaneous physical activity, and not the result of voluntary or scheduled exercise. By cycling to work every day, Danish women do extra cardiovascular work, which helps to subtract years from their biological ages (that is, the age of their cells). Designer Jeanette Madsen told Vogue Scandinavia that she always cycles to work, and stylist Sophia Roe told Rose Inc that she makes a point of walking whenever she can (ideally without a phone), while trying to be conscious about her breathing. The point is simple: incorporate movement into your daily routine wherever possible, and not just at the gym.

The Danish diet is distinguished by a high intake of fish, fruit (especially berries), vegetables, healthy fats and whole grains, including oats. These foods all have a direct influence on the health of our skin. But there are also other aspects of the Danish diet that are important. As Wiking explains in his book, a central aspect of hygge is “feeling safe from the storm outside and preparing for the onset of winter”. That means knowing how to stock your pantry, “and enriching those homely scenes by knowing that you have enough tempting food on hand, ready for the perfect hygge moment. It’s about making your evenings special and never feeling like you’re missing out,” he says. Think about shopping for seasonal items, and sometimes preserving them – as pickled beetroot and peppers, kimchi or blackberry jam. Another practical tip for eating well, according to Wiking: keep an up-to-date list on your mobile phone of what you have in the freezer, so that you can quickly prepare a healthy dinner even on busy days.

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“The Danish beauty attitude is very relaxed,” Pernille Teisbaek previously told Into the Gloss. “What I really care about is that everything I wear is comfortable. You feel good, you feel stronger, you look better when you're comfortable.” That’s why, when it comes to make-up, Danish women tend to use just enough cosmetics to look good and feel comfortable. No dense foundation or eyeshadow, which requires lots of touch-ups.

Connecting with nature is central to Scandinavian life. Copenhagen is filled with green spaces, which helps to mitigate pollution and free radicals and improve air quality, all of which is good news for Danish women’s skin. It also makes it easier to spend more time enjoying the benefits of natural light – many experts recommend spending at least two hours a day exposed to natural light in order to, among other things, regulate our biological rhythms.

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While a “less is more” approach to skincare has become broadly popular, and the obsession with multi-step routines has waned somewhat, Danish women were the pioneers in terms of this attitude towards beauty. “Danish women have adopted a less-is-more philosophy when it comes to beauty and skin protection. It’s characterised by a focus on mental wellbeing and having high expectations in terms of efficacy and sustainability for the products they use,” Rasmus Nørgård, one of the three founders of the Danish brand Grums Aarhus, told us. Danish beauty lines typically focus on four pillars: cleansing; the use of antioxidants such as vitamin C or E; wearing SPF all year round; and moisturising. One secret followed by many Danish women is to use a facial oil as a sealing product at the end of their cleansing routine, to address the dehydration caused by cold temperatures.