Aging and Anti Aging

Anti-aging products and treatments are big business. Everywhere you look, millions of dollars woth of advertising inundate us with anti-aging products, treatments and miracle cures. Mostly focused toward women, almost every major female cosmetics brands have put out their own line of anti-aging products. But do these products work?  Are there alternative ways to help reduce aging signs in the skin?

Retail Anti-Aging Products

Up until the end of the 1980’s, anti-aging products primarily used chemicals and synthetics as their active ingredients. In many cases, the products were used to ‘cover up’ aging signs, and not necessarily slow or reverse them. With the resurgence of natural medicines and holistic treatments, many cosmetic companies have reverted back to using natural ingredients in their products. However, in many cases, these natural ingredients are only the active ingredients, where perfumes, coagulants, dyes and other synthetic ingredients are still being used for the texture, fragrance and appearance of the product.

Natural Anti-Aging Treatments

The number one way to keep your skin looking younger is to keep your skin as healthy as possible. Your skin loses elasticity as you grow older due to exposure, chemicals and of course natural breakdown of the collagen in your skin. Therefore, treating your skin naturally means keeping your skin healthy not only by applying natural ingredients on the skin, but also by keeping your skin healthy through diet and avoiding situations that may harm your skin or your skin’s health. The best natural treatment for anti-aging is to use skin cleansing and treatment, proper diet and avoidance as a three step routine.

Natural Skin Care Topical Remedies

Anyone who has performed some research on anti-aging has probably heard that Vitamin E is good for the skin. If fact, Vitamin E is the single best vitamin or mineral for your skin’s health, and should always be used in an anti-aging skin care routine. Certain oils contain Vitamin E, including apricot oil, almond oil, wheat germ oil and olive oil. These oils can be applied directly to the face daily to help replenish the skin’s elasticity. If you have (or had) issues with acne, start with a small part of the face to see if your skin reacts negatively. If your skin tends to stay oily after applying AND RINSING these oils, you can try a light 1:5 mixture of organic apple cider vinegar and water to restore your pH balance. Exfoliating techniques or micro dermabrasion can help with skin health, but don’t perform too often.

Natural Anti Aging Diets

Along with treating your skin to direct applications of vitamin E, intake of Vitamin E and other nutrients is important for skin care. Make sure you are eating lots of fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens and collard greens which contain natural anti-oxidants, selenium, vitamin E and other nutrients important for your skin’s health.

One item that is usually forgotten when talking anti-aging diets is regular old H2O. Water is so important to skin and body health, and keeps your skin fully hydrated which not only makes it look and feel younger, but helps the skin repair itself properly and keeps the level of collagen at optimum level.