The skin has two layers: the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (below the epidermis). Wrinkles occur in the dermis. The dermis is made up of collagen and other proteins. As a person ages, his body produces less collagen. The collagen is what makes the skin elastic and smooth. Less collagen results in saggy skin with wrinkles. Here are some factors that contribute to this process:
- Sun damage
- Smoking
- Dehydration
- Poor nutrition
- Facial expressions (laughing, squinting, etc.)
- Pollution and toxins
- Natural aging
- Sleeping on your side (with your cheek pushed against your pillow)
10. Don’t Smoke
There are a million reasons not to smoke, and wrinkled skin is as good a reason to quit as any. However, quitting smoking is the best antidote for it.
9.Stay Hydrated
Good skin starts from within. Stay hydrated with water, coconut water, and green tea (which is full of anti-oxidants). Not only is moisturizing from within important, but water rids your body of toxins.
8. Eat Lots of Anti-oxidants
Free radicals (unstable molecules that damage our skin – i.e. pollution & toxins) hate antioxidants. Vitamins A, C, & E, and beta carotene are all antioxidants. Here are some sources of antioxidants:
Blueberries
Spinach
Kale (I put kale in this smoothie every morning)
Walnuts
Artichokes
Cranberries
Beans (red, kidney, pinto)
Prunes
Kiwis
Well….pretty much every fruit & vegetable. So eat your fruits & veggies!
7. Use a Non-toxic Moisturizer
Have many different bottles of “miracle” moisturizers in your bathroom. Start using oils instead of lotions and creams and your skin will get better!
Coconut oil – Coconut oil is an amazing oil. It is moisturizing when you use it topically and reduces age spots, wrinkles and cellulite. Vitamin E is a topical antioxidant.
Argan oil – It moisturize face with argan oil. Argan oil is a drier oil than coconut oil. Argan oil is also very moisturizing, full of antioxidants, and a natural anti-inflammatory.
Other oils great for moisturizing are jojoba, grapeseed, and olive oil. 6. Eat Lots of saturated fat
Good saturated fats are an essential part of a healthy diet and healthy skin. Saturated fat makes your skin more elastic and more resistant to the oxidative damage from the sun. Sources of saturated fat include grass-fed butter (homemade is best, but when it’s not available, buy this one), avocados and coconut oil.
6. Eat Lots of Saturated Fat
I eat a high fat diet and am thinner than ever. Good saturated fats are an essential part of a healthy diet and healthy skin. Saturated fat makes your skin more elastic and more resistant to the oxidative damage from the sun. Sources of saturated fat include grass-fed butter (homemade is best, but when it’s not available, buy this one), avocados and coconut oi
5. Use a Non-toxic Sunscreen
Toxins and free radicals are a big source or wrinkles. And most commercial sunscreens are full of toxins. And there are lots of studies in progress now to determine if they really prevent skin cancer. Check your favorite sunscreen in the EWG database and see how toxic your sunscreen really is.
4. Moisturizing Face Masks
Do a moisturizing and detoxing face mask monthly (which means it happens about every other month…). Here are some favorites:
*Bentonite Clay Mask
*Avocado Honey Mask
*Kefir Face Mask
*Peaches & Cream Mask
*Gelatin & Egg White Mask
3. Fermented Cod Liver Oil
Fermented cod liver oil is the most important supplement my family takes. It keeps you cold and flu free. Not only is it full of vitamins and omega 3, it is the best sun protection around! Yep, a supplement that keeps sun damage far away. A sunburn is inflammation of the skin caused by UV rays. Fermented cod liver oil is anti-inflammatory, thus stopping sun damage before it starts. Keep in mind that not all cod liver oils are made the same. You want fermented, vitamin rich cod liver oil.
2. Get Plenty of Sleep
When you sleep, your body produces HGH (human growth hormone). This hormone is what induces growth and cell reproduction (including skin cells). When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces cortisol, a stress hormone. Cortisol slows growth, tissue maintenance, and results in dry skin. The more sleep you get, the more HGH you produce. As you age, you produce less HGH.
1. Gelatin
Wrinkles form when your body starts to produce less collagen. Gelatin is made from cooked collagen (from pigs and cows). So taking a dietary supplement of natural collagen is a magic fix! The gelatin fills in the fine lines and erases wrinkles. Take a gelatin supplement everyday. Add it to morning juice or smoothie, sprinkle it on yogurt or cereal, add it to anything! Since this is an animal by-product, you want to be sure to get a good quality from grass-fed, responsibly-farmed animals. And even cooler, you can make your own gelatin! Yep, gelatin is in homemade bone broth.
(The crunchymoose)
