Healthy living: Wrinkle rewind

Here is how you can take charge of your skin health without undergoing an expensive chemical peel.

As you age your skin becomes less elastic, loses moisture and looks dull. It ultimately gives rise to wrinkles which add years to your face. Although you cannot get rid of the wrinkles completely, here are some home remedies to fight aging and wrinkles:

Eggs: Egg white is a good source of protein and helps restore moisture to the skin and maintain elasticity. Separate the yolk from the egg white and rub it evenly on your face. After it dries, wash your face. Repeat this for a few weeks to achieve the desired results.

Vitamin E: Take a few vitamin E capsules and empty them in a bowl. Add honey, yogurt and the juice of one lemon to it and mix well. Apply the mixture on your skin and let it dry. Wash your face thoroughly afterwards and you will notice the glow on your face.

Coconut oil: Massage with coconut oil on wrinkle-prone areas and take a hot bath afterwards. Not only will this help get rid of wrinkles but also stretch marks.

Apple juice: Green apple juice is good for battling wrinkles and it also heals cracked skin.

Milk cleansing: Cleanse your face daily with milk. It makes the skin supple, soft and wrinkle free.

Ginger and honey: Rub honey and grated ginger on your skin for a lasting glow and a more youthful appearance.

Cucumber juice: Dip a cotton ball in cucumber juice and dab it on the wrinkles under your eyes. It has a cool and refreshing effect on the skin.

Castor oil: Apply castor oil on the wrinkle-prone areas and it will prevent them from multiplying.

Flax seed oil: Flax seeds are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Take one tablespoon of it and it will help tighten your skin and stop the wrinkles from multiplying.

Water: Consume at least 8 glasses of water per day. Along with keeping you hydrated water slows down the formation of wrinkles.

Apple cider vinegar: Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink that. It will give your skin a rosy glow.

Lemon juice: Apply lemon juice directly on your face thrice a day. It not only slows down wrinkle formation but also whitens your skin and leaves it blemish-free. However, use a good moisturiser afterwards as lemon juice can leave your skin very dry.

Fruit juices: Indulge in fruit juices on a daily basis. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that reverse or slow down the aging process and keep wrinkles at bay.

Rose water: Rose water is a natural skin toner; it boosts your skin’s youthfulness and vitality. Use it daily to get soft, flawless skin.

Along with these natural remedies, give special attention to breathing. Start your day by taking a few deep breaths and exercise to increase the oxygen supply to the skin. This will leave your skin smooth and vibrant.

For better skincare, diet is also important. Add more fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and sprouts to your daily diet. Along with slowing down the aging process it will boost your metabolism and keep you active.

Skincare from the kitchen shelf

Homemade facial mask:

Things you will need:

• 1 banana

• 1 ½ tbsp honey

• 1/3 cup yogurt

Procedure:

• Take a fully ripe banana and mash it properly with the back of a fork.

• Add 1 ½ tbsp of honey and 1/3 cup yogurt and mix well altogether.

• Apply the mixture on your face and keep it on for 15 minutes.

• Wash it off properly afterwards with cold water as it closes the open pores.

For better results place a warm, moist towel on your face while you wait for 15 minutes. It will help the face mask to really sink in. This mask is guaranteed to give you a youthful look because it contains banana and yogurt and honey which improve the elasticity of your skin, allows it to exfoliate and give it all the moisture it needs.

When giving yourself a facial massage, make sure you proceed in circular motions. It helps in blood circulation and also inhibits the break up of collagen which plays a key role in plumping up the skin to prevent wrinkles from forming.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, January 20^th, 2013.

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