It’s no secret that the beauty industry has huge marketing budgets. They’ve spent fortunes trying to convince women that injections, chemical peels or $300 creams and serums will smooth wrinkles and restore youthful skin.
But harsh treatments and chemicals can actually make things worse.
The beauty industry focuses almost exclusively on external issues. But skin reflects the health of your entire body from the inside out. It tells the story of chronic stress, the toxins in your food, chemicals in your environment, and lifestyle choices. There’s no magic bullet to repair the skin from all that.
1. Stop Smoking
In a 2010 study, a team of dermatologists, psychologists, and nutritionists followed 64 Italian women who smoked. At the beginning of the study, each woman received a score based on the condition of her skin. The researchers took into account the presence of lines, vascular and pigmentation signs, elasticity, brightness and texture.Initial scores found that on average the smokers had a biological age that was nine years older than their actual age.
2. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe is an established topical remedy for the skin. But a 2009 study found taking aloe orally also reduces facial wrinkles. In the study, 30 healthy women over the age of 45 took aloe vera gel as a supplement. One group took a low dose (1,200 milligrams per day) and a second group took a high-dose (3,600 milligrams per day).The researchers measured signs of skin aging at the beginning and end of the study. After just 90 days, the researchers found that facial wrinkles improved significantly in both groups. But in the lower dosed group, facial elasticity also improved.
They also found aloe decreased gene activity that causes collagen to become damaged in the first place.
Aloe gel contains over 200 healing phytonutrients. If you have access to an aloe plant you can get the gel from the leaves. Just make sure to drain the red “latex,” since it can cause diarrhea.
3. Red Ginseng Extract
Red ginseng contains many bioactive compounds including antioxidants, immune boosters, and anti-aging agents.In Korea, 82 healthy women over 40 years of age participated in a double-blind, placebo controlled study. Every day the women received either a placebo or 3 grams of an herbal mixture containing red ginseng extract. The researchers measured facial wrinkles, skin elasticity, water content, erythema (red patches), and pigmentation before and after the trial. Facial skin samples were taken before and after treatment, and wrinkle-related biochemical markers were also measured.
At the end of 6 months, the researchers found facial wrinkles were significantly improved in the women taking the red ginseng extract. In addition, several biochemical markers of wrinkle damage also improved.
How does it work? The researchers found that the red ginseng increased collagen synthesis in the dermis. They called red ginseng an effective “beauty food.”
4. Pine Bark Extract
A 2012 study involving 112 women found pine bark extract is safe and effective in significantly improving skin color and reducing pigmentation of age spots due to mild to moderate photoaging.Japanese researchers divided the women into two groups. One group received 100 mg of pine bark extract every day while the other group received only 40 milligrams. After 12 weeks, both groups had a significant decrease in signs of photoaging.
In the study, women took the standardized pine bark extract marketed as Pycnogenol®. The researchers found the Pycnogenol significantly improved the hydration and elasticity of the women’s skin. It also significantly increased the activity of an enzyme that’s critically involved in the synthesis of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid increases skin moisture and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles.
The Pycnogenol also affected genes involved in the creation of new collagen.
The researchers believe that supplementing with Pycnogenol may help counteract the clinical signs of skin aging. Supplements are available in health food stores and online.
5. Dietary Fat and Vegetables
What you eat can have a big impact on wrinkles.In one Japanese study of 716 women, researchers measured skin hydration, surface oil, and elasticity. They also measured facial wrinkles in the crow’s feet area around the eyes.
The women also reported on their usual dietary habits. The researchers found that women who ate more total fat, saturated fat, and monounsaturated fats had significantly better skin elasticity.
Women who ate more green and yellow vegetables also had significantly fewer wrinkles.
- grass-fed meat and dairy products like butter and yogurt
- wild caught salmon
- pastured poultry and eggs
- coconut oil
- olive oil
- kale, spinach, broccoli, Swiss chard, collards, mustard greens, cabbage, and arugula.
- Yellow bell peppers, winter squash, zucchini, and tomatoes.
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