Stress, environmental toxins, diet, lack of sleep and many other factors can cause people to look and feel older than they really are.
Our appearance can begin deteriorating as early as our twenties! In 2016, the skincare industry is expected to reach 121 billion dollars in global revenue.
Instead of wasting money on expensive treatments, there are natural ways to combat the signs of aging, ranging from lifestyle changes to at-home remedies that really work.
Fine lines and wrinkles
As we age, our life experiences become more visible externally through fine lines and wrinkles that appear on the face. It is possible to reduce the appearance of these signs of aging with coconut oil.
It contains antioxidants that fight free radicals, vitamin E that helps repair the skin, and emollients that help reduce wrinkles and act as a natural moisturizer. Olive oil is another antioxidant-rich moisturizer that contains vitamins A and E, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Try mixing honey with a teaspoon of lemon juice and smoothing the mixture onto your face to tighten your skin and leave your face feeling extra smooth.
Honey contains humectants, which help your skin retain moisture, while the lemon boosts collagen production. Just spread on your skin, wait ten minutes and rinse.
Another at-home mask can be made using egg whites. This one is identical to the honey-lemon mask but with beaten egg whites added to the mix. Egg whites tone your face and shrink pores.
They can also prevent dry, cracked skin as well as reduce sebum, which makes your skin more oily and your pores more noticeable. Egg whites contain many beneficial nutrients for the skin: riboflavin, which prevents damage from free radicals; magnesium, which prevents premature aging; lysozyme, which destroys the cell walls of acne-causing bacteria; potassium, which helps your skin retain moisture; and plenty of protein, which helps promote tissue repair and growth.
Aloe vera gel is another powerful anti-inflammatory agent that works when ingested or applied topically.
Aloe vera can heal damaged skin and soothe sunburns, which cause premature aging. Aloe vera contains vitamins A, B, C and E. It kills bacteria and promotes skin repair by encouraging the generation of new skin cells. It can also remove dead skin cells and allow for new, fresh skin to shine through.
Skin discoloration
As we age, skin damage becomes more noticeable in a number of ways, one of which is skin discoloration. Aloe vera gel can also be used to reduce redness and inflammation below the surface.
Over time, damage from the sun can cause the skin’s pigmentation to alter and the skin to become more dull and dry. Aloe vera lightens skin pigmentation, naturally moisturizes, and balances the pH of your skin.
Washing your face with other anti-inflammatory, moisturizing agents can also help with dry skin and discoloration. Oatmeal is often found in skincare products because it fights inflammation.
Press oats in the palm of your hand with some water so that the oats release their milk. Smear the milk over your face and gently rub the oats into your face as an exfoliator. Rinse off with water and feel the immediate difference.
Honey is a powerful healing agent that can polish dull, red skin. Smooth honey onto your face, wait ten minutes and rinse. Making an avocado face mask is another really good way to reduce redness and encourage moisture retention. Mash an avocado and apply as a mask.
Skin inelasticity
As we age, our skin continues to change and becomes more and more inelastic as the production of collagen and elastin slows. This causes our skin to droop and eventually sag, not just on our faces but all over our bodies.
Don’t fret, we can combat this sign of aging both internally and externally.
Most over-the-counter creams that contain collagen and elastin contain such dense concentrations that they don’t actually allow the skin to absorb and use these powerful ingredients.
However, lemon juice, which contains high levels of vitamin C, can help boost collagen production and firm the skin naturally. In fact, the most effective way to increase collagen and elastin production is to consume foods that will help your skin repair from the inside out.
Consuming produce high in vitamins A and C can help your body produce collagen. Dark leafy greens contain antioxidants, vitamin C and proteins to firm the skin. Red fruits and vegetables are high in lycopene, an antioxidant that can help repair skin and prevent further UV damage from the sun.
Blueberries, prunes, strawberries and oranges are fruits that can help repair damaged skin. Oranges, strawberries, blueberries and prunes are all rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Beans are another collagen producer that contain proteins and hyaluronic acid, a vital antiaging component. Sulphur in foods like green and black olives, as well as the natural oils found in both, can help boost collagen.
Any variety of cabbage ranging from napa cabbage to bok choy can help produce collagen. Cabbage also contains phytonutrients and antioxidants that help boost skin elasticity and hydrate the skin naturally.
In women, estrogen production slows dramatically during menopause. You can replenish your body with natural estrogens by eating foods that promote estrogen production. When your body produces estrogen, it improves collagen and elastin production as well.
This is a natural, whole-body solution to aging. Organic, fermented soy products can boost collagen and estrogen production, as can omega fatty acids found in flaxseeds. Beta-carotene in carrots can produce vitamin A and promote estrogen, collagen and elastin production.
Dark under-eye circles
Some people have always had dark under-eye circles, but over time our skin loses elasticity, becomes thinner and transparent, and the blood cells under our eyes become more and more apparent.
Applying aloe vera to the skin under the eye can firm and reduce inflammation. Another way to reduce inflammation and firm the skin under the eyes is to place a wet, folded rag in the freezer for an hour and dab it on your face, especially under the eyes.
This helps boost circulation, reduce inflammation, soothe irritation, tighten pores and constrict blood vessels. Do not apply ice directly on the face as it can be too harsh for your skin and might exacerbate the problem.
Applying cold tea bags or cold coffee on your face can also work, and has the added benefit of caffeine, which further tightens your skin and awakens a dull complexion.
Another way to heal under-eye circles is by eating more whole foods, drinking less caffeine, drinking less alcohol and quitting smoking. Some foods are more powerful at reducing darkness under the eyes than others.
Foods high in vitamins A and C, as well as B vitamins, can all help repair the skin. Foods rich in minerals such as iron, zinc and sulphur are also powerful healing agents for your skin, nails and hair.
Gray hair
As we age, our hair pigmentation also changes. If you want to retain your youthful appearance, you can dye your hair with natural dyes, or you can work on improving your hair permanently.
To repair your hair naturally, you should consume more vitamin B-rich foods and omega-3 fatty acids. These can be found in lean meats, oysters, mushrooms, fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts.
Dark leafy greens are high in minerals and antioxidants and can also repair your hair from the inside out. Beans are high in iron as well, and can help improve hair quality. Blueberries are also high in B vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that can reduce the production of gray hair.
Natural hair dyes include henna herbal dye mixes, cranberry juice, lemon juice, cocoa powder or activated charcoal, which can be used to conceal noticeable roots or hair loss.
Hair loss
Hair loss is a concern for many people both young and old. You can begin losing your hair as early as your twenties.
You can prevent further hair loss or stop it from happening in the first place by changing your diet. B vitamins and biotin are powerful hair-growth stimulators. Vitamin C is also really good for your scalp. When applied directly on the scalp, aloe vera and coconut oil can stimulate hair growth and reduce scalp inflammation.
It is also vital that you eat enough calories and that those calories are high in nutrients. Consuming a well-balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds and oils can help provide your scalp with the vitamins it needs to replenish itself.
Also, vegetables like carrots, spinach and sweet potatoes are high in vitamins A and C, which can help promote hair production. Lean meats like chicken and turkey are good for your hair. Beans, eggs and natural dairy products can also stimulate hair growth.
Although we will all age over time, these tips and tricks can help us retain our youthful appearance by ensuring that we are using nontoxic ingredients and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. What remedies have worked for you? Let us know what you’ve tried and what you’ve discovered is effective.
