Did you know that many of the “miracle” ingredients in anti-ageing products don’t do any good?
Collagen molecules, for example, are too large to permeate the skin, so their presence in your beauty products doesn’t help you at all. But saying a product has collagen in it sounds like it should help, so skincare companies put it in, charge extra, and hope you don’t know any better.
If you want something that will help reduce cellulite, stretch marks, and wrinkles, start with one or more of these Natural Remedies ingredients. Look for them in store-bought skin care, add them to your DIY beauty products, or try to incorporate them into your diet — whichever way you choose, you’ll be getting anti-ageing benefits that make a difference!
Gelatin
According to a 2008 study, gelatin increases a body’s collagen production. How? Gelatin is one of the building blocks of collagen, which helps prevent sagging skin, stretch marks, and cellulite. So by adding gelatin to your body, you increase its ability to make collagen.
Your skin is your largest organ, so finding beauty products with gelatin may produce some effect. But you’ll be even better off if you incorporate extra gelatin into your diet in bone broth or powdered gelatin supplements.
Lycopene
Lycopene, the nutrient that turns tomatoes red, helps protect skin from sun damage and free radicals, working as a natural SPF and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. However, a lycopene deficiency in your body can cause fine lines and wrinkles to appear more prominent, especially on the delicate skin around your eyes and mouth.
You can get the benefits of lycopene in many ways. Look for it in store-bought anti-ageing products, or make your lycopene-delivering mask out of crushed tomatoes and sea salt. If you don’t want to add any more beauty products to your routine, try incorporating lycopene-rich foods into your diets, such as tomatoes, grapefruit, watermelon, and asparagus.
Caffeine
Cellulite is a common type of fat deposit, but it is aggravated by blockages and buildup in your lymphatic system. So to reduce cellulite it, you need to get things moving again. That’s where caffeine comes in.
Caffeine naturally stimulates the lymphatic system, which will help increase lymph flow and reduce cellulite the appearance of cellulite. Look for cellulite creams that contain caffeine, or make a caffeine scrub at home by mixing wet coffee grounds with olive oil. Use the scrub to exfoliate cellulite-prone areas on your body.
Caffeine also increases blood flow, which will help reduce cellulite puffiness around your eyes and sallowness in your skin. Use your caffeine scrub as a mask, then gently wash it off with warm water to help bring out a youthful glow in your skin.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E (or alpha-tocopherol) heals dry, cracked, or damaged skin, help your skin retain moisture, and protects against sun damage. It’s also a strong antioxidant that helps defend your skin from damage by free radicals and oxidation.
Using a vitamin E oil or a beauty product that contains vitamin E can help reduce cellulite the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks by naturally repairing the damage done to your skin.
You can also incorporate vitamin E into your diet, either through supplements or eating tocopherol-rich foods. These include nuts like almonds and hazelnuts or leafy greens such as swiss chard, turnip greens, and kale.
Selenium
Of all the anti-ageing minerals, selenium is one of the most powerful. It works as an antioxidant, protecting your skin and organs from damage by free radicals and the sun, and helps restore elasticity to sagging skin, wrinkles, and areas with stretch marks.
Selenium works in combination with vitamin E, and the two nutrients make each other’s anti-ageing effects even stronger. So if you’re looking for a beauty product with selenium, make sure it contains vitamin E to get the full effects of the mineral.
Selenium is found in many women’s multi-vitamins and supplements. You can also add selenium-rich food to your diet, including Brazil nuts, tuna, whole wheat bread, lean meats, and unrefined grains.
