Three Simple & Affordable Ways to Reverse Skin-Aging
You’re Never Too Old To Become Younger…..Mae West
‘Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth’ says Baz Luhrmann.
But what happens when your sagging skin and the wrinkles under your eyes alert you to the inescapable aging process happening in your body. Reminding you of the slow decline in your cellular and hormonal functions.
You can dial up your friendly cosmetic surgeon and book a spot of blepharoplasty (eye-lift to the uninitiated) or maybe ask him to do some work on your Periocular Rhytides (your laughter lines which are no longer a laughing matter).
Except that the average cost of a face-lift according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is $8k not including anesthesia, operating room facilities and other expenses.
You could always look for hope in a jar! Most people do.
The global anti-aging market is expected to hit US$ 120 billion by 2030 with the cosmetic market for anti-aging products projected to be worth at least $60 billion.
The trouble is that a lot of these anti-aging products contain synthetic ingredients which can cause side effects and allergic reactions to the skin.
If you want a non-toxic cosmetic product made from ‘natural ingredients’ you’ll be expected to pay a premium.
Three Household Ingredients that pack an anti-aging punch!
But what if you were to take advantage of three simple ingredients that may already be hiding in your cupboard.
Three natural substances that have been in existence for thousands of years but have been found to restore youthfulness, elasticity and health to your skin.
You could start an anti-aging regime after you read this without having to break the bank!
1. ALOE VERA
A 2009 study in women published in the Annals of Dermatology found that daily consumption of aloe gel for 90 days dramatically reduced wrinkles and suppleness in photo-aged skin in healthy women over 45.
By stimulating cell production in your skin, Aloe Vera increases collagen and elastin levels and reverses photo-aging. Famous for healing burns very rapidly, Aloe Vera also protects the skin from sun damage by preventing the activation of free radicals.
It can be taken internally in the form of juice/gel and applied externally as a gel. Use both methods for visible anti-aging effects in a matter of days. Aloe vera gel absorbs easily, making it ideal for oily skin. It can also help to treat dryness as it acts to seal moisture into your skin.
Take 10 ml of pure aloe vera juice once a day, and use a pure gel on your face each evening.
2. CHOCOLATE
A 2006 study in women published in the Journal of Nutrition, found that prolonged ingestion of high flavanol cocoa [high quality Dark Chocolate at least 85% cocoa] improves skin condition and provides protection against UV-induced redness.
Cocoa’s abundance of antioxidants makes it an effective anti-aging skin treatment. Rich in nutrients, high-quality dark chocolate can shield the skin from UV rays while repairing and firming the complexion. Cocoa powder contains the Sirtuin-activating compound ‘Resveratrol’ — one of the most potent Sirtuin activators discovered so far.
A Sirtuin is a protein that regulates your metabolism and your body’s response to aging. Research suggests that adding cocoa powder to your diet helps improve your attention, working memory and general cognition.
Cocoa powder can be taken internally or applied externally to the skin. Apply cocoa powder diluted in warm water to your face for five to ten minutes and rinse. Then apply a mild oil, such as coconut or avocado, to counteract the drying impact.
If you consume one tablespoon of pure, unsweetened cocoa powder every day, it can help clear acne. You can mix it with milk, juice, or yogurt. For a nutrient packed smoothie blend together raspberries, red grape juice, blueberries and two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder.
3. GREEN TEA
A study conducted on women and published in the Dermatologic Surgery Journal in 2005 indicated that a combination of topical and oral green tea improved skin elasticity.
Skin becomes dry with age and this is one of the causes of visible lines and wrinkles, especially ‘crow’s feet’. Anti-oxidants like green tea — when applied directly to your skin — can improve smoothness and moisture.
Just like Cocoa, Green Tea is a powerful Sirtuin activator. Sirtuins control the rate at which we age and the length of our lifespan. They are one of the most researched proteins that have been found to aid in anti-aging.
A green tea component, EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) has been shown to lengthen telomeres in damaged cells. Telomeres protect the genetic code of our cells from damage during replication. However, they themselves become damaged when our cells replicate. Preventing this damage makes every one of our cells, i.e. collagen, significantly younger. The longer your telomeres, the younger you look.
As well as nourishing your skin, drinking green tea is very effective at improving muscle synthesis and reducing fat in your body. To apply externally, make a strong cup of green tea and use it as a firming lotion on your skin.
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine said ‘Let food be thy medicine’. What he meant was that there’s a solution in nature to every problem.
So you don’t have to fork out for a nip-and-tuck or look for hope in an expensive jar or bottle. Discover the natural ingredients that you should be eating or applying externally to plump up and smooth out your skin.
Be living proof that age is just a number.
