Face it. Even the most pampered skin will get wrinkles. As we age our collagen production begins to drop. Even at the young age of 20, a person begins to produce 1% less collagen each year, hence why it is never to early to add in anti-aging products to your regime. As our skin loses collagen and elasticity over the years, sagging or drooping set in while firm, bright skin begins to decline. Encouraging, right?
So while there may be limited options for curbing our natural aging process, there are plenty of habits and environmental causes that we can change to help slow the process down a bit.
Exercising will help by increasing blood flow and circulation to nourish skin cells from the inside while proving to be detoxifying. Eating a balanced diet will provide nutrients and proteins that are essential to skin health and a diet full of fruits and veggies provide antioxidant effects that protect skin from some environmental damage. There’s nothing you can do about the rest of it, so you might as well not worry. Because that will cause wrinkles too.
And using SPF is a must if you’re wanting to protect the firmness of your skin. Sun damage slows down the rate at which new cells are renewed. The accumulated sun damage means that the cells are no longer producing newer, firm skin like they use to, and the effects are visibly aging skin.
Once you’ve addressed lifestyle factors, and you still need a quick skin boost, look no farther than your kitchen counter. Check out these masks that you can easily whip up at home to help tighten your skin.
BANANA FACE PACK: Mashed banana is a very good anti-wrinkle treatment as well as one of the most effective ways to tighten skin at home. It’s filled with vitamin A and C that brightens your skin, along with elastic enhancing amino acids. Your skin should feel soft and supple afterward because of the moisturizing vitamin E and other moisturizing fats.
How-To: Mash a ripe banana, preferably one with too many spots that you now don’t feel like eating, and apply this all over your face and neck area. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash off with cold water.
EGG WHITE MASK: Egg whites are protein-packed and act as a humectant to boosts moisture. The added moisture temporarily helps with anti-aging by creating extra volume in the skin thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Enlarged pores are also tightened temporarily by this method.
How-To: Crack an egg and separate the egg white into a bowl. Add a few drops of lemon juice and whisk the egg white until it is light and frothy. Use a brush to apply the mixture to clean skin and let it dry completely. Wash off with lukewarm water and you will immediately see that your skin looks taut and glowing.
MILK & HONEY MASK: Full of antioxidants and vitamins honey is a great cleanser for acne-prone skin as it reduces inflammation and nourishes the skin. It’s a natural humectant that retains moisture. This sticky, sweet substance has been shown to have potent antimicrobial benefits and wound healing abilities, particularly raw manuka honey. Milk has the added benefit of containing lactic acid to gently exfoliate and tone the skin. Raw or unpasteurized milk is best to apply to the skin as the heating process usually destroys the beneficial enzymes and proteins your skin would otherwise absorb.
How-To: Mix two tablespoons of milk and add a few drops of vitamin E oil and a spoonful of organic honey. Apply the mixture to your face and wash off after 10 minutes.
ALOE VERA MASSAGE: It’s clear inner gel is comprised of 99% water and the rest is vitamins, lipids, and enzymes. These work to soothe inflamed skin which is what has propelled this ingredient to the top of everyone's list for summer skincare. Filled with vitamins A and C this plant can help tighten and moisturize irritated skin.
How-To: Find yourself an aloe vera plant and snip off one of the long stalks. Cut it lengthwise and scoop out 2 tablespoons of the gel. Mash the gel until it is more liquid-like and apply to the skin. Massage in upward circles for a minute. Apply more of the mask and allow to dry for 20 minutes before washing it off.
Tip: You can also use multiple leaves to create a gel to leave in your fridge. You can put the aloe gel into a blender and save in a clean glass jar. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
CUCUMBER MASK: Cucumber is added to many skincare ingredients because of its hydrating and anti-aging benefits. Made of mostly water, this veggie also contains vitamin C to brighten skin and fight free radicals and caffeic acid to protect against sun damage.
How-To: Grate a medium-sized cucumber and use a cheesecloth or paper towel to express the juice into a cup. Toss the cucumber (or make an awesome tzatziki sauce with the leftover cucumber).
Add two tablespoons of rose-hip oil into the cucumber juice and apply this mixture with the help of a cotton ball. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash off with cold water.
AVOCADO FACE PACK: Avocado toast, avocado smoothies, and now avocado face masks. Is there anything this fruit can’t do? Packed with fatty acids, vitamin E, and oleic acid when applied to the skin avocado has skin healing benefits and is mega moisturizing. It’s been shown to help improve collagen synthesis and to reduce bacteria when applied topically to the skin.
How-To: Scoop out the pulp of half an avocado and add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into it. Refrigerate the mixture for half an hour and then apply evenly to the face. Wash the mask off after 20 minutes and rinse with cold water.
References:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-skin-wrinkle-wit/