Herbs and Graceful Aging

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There are always better and more natural ways to keep us looking young. Yes, I know there are a lot of claims out there for all these anti-aging creams you can apply to have younger-looking skin. I have no proof that those products advertised don’t do as they claim, my gosh I have tried some myself. However, we should know what kind of chemicals are added to these creams as some of them could be toxic. Please read, “Toxic Chemicals In Cosmetics”. 

We all want to age gracefully and I strongly believe we can do this in natural healthy ways without any fears of the toxins that are found in some makeup, lipstick, and other facial cosmetics. In this article, we will cover some of the herbs you can use to keep your skin from aging prematurely.

About Aging

Aging is largely a process of genetics, and there are those few blessed with youthful genes. Of course, we rely on the power of rejuvenating herbs and aromatic plants to stave off the aging process. I was not blessed with this youthful DNA, but I do take care of my skin, the natural way.

How Skin Changes With Age

As we get older, there are many aspects of our bodies that progressively change. This happens to everyone but can still surprise you once you notice it in yourself. One of the primary indications of aging that we visibly notice in our bodies is the typical changes in facial skin tone or texture.

The skin is the body’s largest organ and is formed from several layers. The outermost layer is called the epidermis. This is the layer that you can see, feel, and touch. It contains skin cells, pigments, and proteins. The middle layer is the dermis.

If you penetrate or injure your skin and draw blood, this is often an honest indication that you simply have reached the dermis layer. The innermost layer of skin is called the subcutaneous layer or hypodermis. This is where you discover sweat glands, some hair follicles, blood vessels, and fat.

Each of the layers is often weakened even further into more detailed layers of skin. Each of those layers also contains collagen fibers to offer support and allow flexibility. With aging, the epidermis begins to thin but the amount of cell layers remains unchanged.

You may be low in melanin, the pigment that provides human skin, hair, and eyes their color. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes. They provide some protection against skin damage from the sun, and they increase melanin production in response to prolonged sun exposure. The melanocytes that remain increase in size. The connective tissues which may be found in many layers of the skin are responsible for keeping the skin strong and elastic.

As we age, we lose a type of animal tissue, reducing the strength and elasticity of our skin everywhere in the body. This effect of aging is known as elastosis. This condition is more noticeable in areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, however, it does occur nearly everywhere across the body. Elastosis creates leathery skin that appears worn down and dull. The sebaceous glands produce far less oil as you start to age. Men experience less of a decrease in this than women.

After menopause, women begin to gradually produce fewer skin oils per year. This makes it much harder to allow the skin to stay moisturized. Therefore producing far less insulation and padding everywhere in the body. This is why as you age keeping warm skin also becomes harder. This layer works because of the body’s natural insulation, when it starts to decrease you may start to feel cold more often. This also increases your risk of skin injury

The Aging Process

During our 30s our skin gradually loses its barrier function due to the reduced production of ceramides which are fat molecules that help the skin retain moisture. These essential skin fats hold the top layer of the skin together and protect the skin’s defense mechanism and moisture levels, both key to youthful-looking skin. During our 40’s a decline in DNA repair paves the way for wrinkles to start forming.

Excess sun exposure begins to show itself in the form of pigmentation problems, and a reduction of estrogen plays a large role in diminishing strength and starts to compromise the skin foundation and underlying elastin and collagen. By our 50’s we are well on our way to deeper lines, reduced elasticity, and thin dry skin. But this only happens if we do not take care of our skin. We need to take the necessary steps to regenerate our skin by providing the necessary nutrients it needs to repair itself, no matter your current age.

Bringing Your Skin Back To Life

To begin healthy lifestyle practices we need to include a diet rich in poly nutrients found in fruits, vegetables whole grains, beans, unprocessed food, herbs, and spices. Some of the conditions that contribute to aging include inflammation, poor diet, air, and water pollution. Poor circulation caused by a sedentary lifestyle and excessive exfoliation may also lead to inflammation and contribute to aging skin.

Basic Skin Care Regime

A simple routine of cleansing with a pH-balanced liquid soap or cream cleanser. Toning with herb-soaked vinegar or witch hazel rinse and moisturizing with a botanically rich cream or a customized essential oil formulation constitutes the formulation for the basics of good skincare. Weekly exfoliation with a mild blend of oatmeal and lavender flowers, and the use of hydrating nutrient-rich skin masks.

Home Remedies to Treat Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the most effective natural oils that help in lightening wrinkles and fine lines and tightening sagging skin. It is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and natural fatty acids that nourish the skin because it is readily absorbed by the skin pores. Being loaded with vitamins A and E, it functions as a powerful antioxidant and helps in hydrating skin and maintaining its youthful suppleness and elasticity so that it appears younger for longer.

Pour a few drops of virgin olive oil into your palm and apply on a clean face and neck using a soft circular motion. Massage for 5 to 10 minutes before going to bed; wash off with water in the morning.

Aloe vera

The benefits of aloe vera for the skin are numerous. It functions as an effective natural remedy for pimples and acne and reduces excessive oiliness of the skin. Malic acid present in aloe vera gel improves skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles and fine lines- the most evident signs of skin aging. Zinc present in the gel increases the youthfulness of skin by shrinking the pores whereas mucopolysaccharides – long-chain sugar molecules present in the gel help in retaining moisture and improve the formation of collagen – the protein that forms the basis of cell structure and maintains skin elasticity.

Cut off a leaf from the plant and scrape out the gel, apply it on a clean face, and massage for 5 to 10 minutes in a soft circular motion. Let it stay for 20 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is an extremely common kitchen spice that has immense medicinal value and has been used for ages as a home remedy for treating various ailments. Fenugreek seeds are a rich source of vitamin B3 and niacin that helps in recovering damaged skin cells and promotes the regeneration of new cells and tissues that help in lightening age spots,  high pigmentation wrinkles, fine lines, and crow’s feet that form on the forehead, at the corner of eyes and lips.

Grind a handful of fenugreek seeds to form a thick paste, add a teaspoon of honey to it, mix well, and apply on the face and neck. Let it stay for 1 hour and wash off with water.

Egg Whites

Applying an egg-white mask is an easy and effective way of lightening wrinkles and fine lines. Spreading egg white on the wrinkled areas helps in stretching the skin and shrinking the open pores to give it a smoother, younger, and youthful appearance. Being a rich source of proteins, potassium, magnesium, and riboflavin it aids tissue repair, hydrates and moisturizes skin, and neutralizes the damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress- two of the chief reasons for premature skin aging.

Break an egg and separate the yolk carefully. Apply the egg white evenly on the face, let it dry for 15 minutes, and wash off with water.

Bananas

Bananas are a readily available and cheap natural anti-aging remedy. This fruit is loaded with skin-benefiting nutrients such as potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E which makes it a complete remedy for all skin problems. It helps in hydrating and moisturizing dry skin, improving collagen production, skin elasticity, and suppleness, and fighting the damage-causing free radicals and oxidative stress to provide flawless and younger-looking skin and add a healthy glow to it.

Mash 2 ripe bananas to form a smooth paste, apply it evenly on a clean face, and let it stay for 30 minutes. Wash off thoroughly with water and apply moisturizer.

Honey

Honey is nature’s answer to all skin problems. It is the best nourishment for dry skin that helps in keeping skin hydrated by preventing moisture loss. It exfoliates skin to remove dead cells and promotes the regeneration of new cells which in turn lightens age spots, high pigmentation, and scars. Vitamin B and potassium present in honey also help in improving skin elasticity and suppleness.

Take a teaspoon of pure honey on your palm and apply it on your clean face using a soft circular motion, let it stay for 20 minutes, and wash off with lukewarm water.

Lemon Juice

The natural bleaching property of lemon juice makes it a perfect natural remedy for removing tan and sunburn. Being a rich source of citric acid, it helps in exfoliating skin, removing dead skin cells and impurities, and shrinking open pores to provide a smooth and younger appearance to the skin. It tightens the tissues and increases skin elasticity to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It also helps in improving complexion and adding a healthy glow to the skin.

Squeeze out the juice from one lemon and dab it on the clean face with the help of a cotton ball, let it stay for 30 minutes, and wash it off with water.

Pineapples

Pineapple acts as an amazing natural remedy for improving digestion and treating digestive disorders. Pineapple juice is also effective in preventing premature aging. Being loaded with antioxidants such as potassium and vitamin C, pineapple juice helps neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals and oxidative stress of cells thus preventing premature aging of the skin. It also helps in improving skin tone and correcting uneven skin tone, dark patches, age spots, and hyperpigmentation.

Crush 1/2 cup of pineapple pulp in the blender to form a smooth paste, apply it on the face and neck and let it stay for 20 minutes, wash off with lukewarm water.

Avocados

The benefits of avocados for weight loss and improving health are well known. The rich creamy flesh of this fruit also helps in increasing the suppleness and youthfulness of skin by increasing elasticity. It is loaded with nutrients such as vitamin B, C, E, and K, selenium, potassium, zinc, folate, and beta-carotene that has amazing benefits for the skin. It acts as a nourishing moisturizer for excessively dry skin that also helps in repairing damaged cells and promotes the regeneration of new cells. The antioxidants and amino acids present in this exotic fruit flush out toxins from the skin and prevent premature skin aging.

Scrap out the pulp from one fruit and mash it to form a smooth paste. Apply it on a clean face and let it stay for 30 minutes,  wash it off with water.

Almonds

The health benefits of almonds and almond oil need no emphasis. It acts as a multipurpose skin treatment that makes it an active ingredient in beauty, skincare, and baby care products. Almonds are loaded with nutrients such as vitamin E, iron, zinc, folic acid, and oleic acid which function as powerful antioxidants that prevent the degeneration of collagen fibers of the skin and delay the aging process by treating wrinkles and fine lines.

Soak 8 to 10 almonds in milk overnight, grind the nuts, and turn it into a thick paste, apply on a clean face and massage for 5 minutes using soft circular motions, leave for 30 minutes, and wash off thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Anti-Aging Herbs. Skin Care Video

In Conclusion:

Using these natural remedies and following these simple tips can go a long way in slowing down the process of aging and preserving the youthfulness of skin.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and have a balanced diet that includes all nutrients.
• Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily so that your skin remains well hydrated.
• Give up unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking.
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep daily.
• Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
• Reduce stress and anxiety and try to relax your mind.

Thank you for reading

Michael

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