The Natural Anti-Aging Remedies that Really Work!
We all want to glow with natural beauty, whatever our age, but sometimes it can feel like gravity and time are against us. To help you glow, we’ve gathered our best natural anti-aging tips, so you can take care of your skin at every age. We’ve chosen our pick of the best natural anti-aging skin-care products and remedies - all without parabens, chemicals or other nasties (and trust us, they really work).
Living to a ripe age is a privilege, but we can’t be blamed for wanting to get there looking as great as possible. Discover what you can do to prevent signs of aging in any decade…
Those teenage spots and acne have hopefully disappeared (if not – try using Manuka honey, and thank us later!) so bask in the natural glow of your youth, rather than the sun, and take some preventative measures.
During your twenties, you should start investing in your anti-aging skin care routine. Anti-aging oils, serums, moisturisers and natural anti-aging creams should be your best beauty friends, helping ward off any fine lines and wrinkles by hydrating dry skin and keeping your complexion plump. Consider your diet, too: include natural anti-aging foods packed with antioxidants, such as berries, plums, and dark, leafy greens to help soak up free radicals.
This is the decade to really pay attention to collagen: it’s a key protein, and holds the layers of your skin together to give your complexion its natural fullness.
As your body gets older, it loses the ability to produce new collagen, resulting in the loss of your skin’s elasticity. But there’s good news: you can scope out natural anti-aging products for the skin and supplements, such as Skinade’s collagen drink, promising better skin from within. It might be a little more palatable than a bone broth!
Cell turnover is noticeably slower in this decade, so it’s worth investing in skin care featuring naturally-occurring ingredients. These include retinol, vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and peptides, which you can read about later in this article. You’ll start to notice deeper wrinkles in this decade, so keep opting for nourishing natural anti-aging oils and moisturisers to hydrate your skin.
Pay attention to the skin around your eyes: opt for a natural anti-aging eye serum or eye cream like Weleda’s Wild Rose Smoothing Eye Cream. It’s packed with rose oil, which is perfect for sensitive and dry skin types.
During the menopause, a decrease in estrogen levels can lead to much drier skin, so you may find that wrinkles deepen and your skin may feel rougher than you’d like. This is the time to use rich, natural anti-aging night cream, eye cream, serum and oils to hydrate and soothe itchy skin. Increase your use of serums containing vitamin C to combat sun spots and other signs of sun damage – read on to discover more about this wonder vit.
With a plethora of beauty brands promising to erase fine lines, smooth and plump skin, finding the right anti-aging cream is a little like navigating the M25 – you can easily go round and around in circles. Luckily, we’ve found X natural anti-aging products that really work, so get stuck in!
This soothing anti-aging moisturiser from Odylique is high in antioxidants and well-suited to sensitive skin. Rosehip and sea buckthorn extracts will smooth your visage and promote cell renewal whilst the light-textured cocktail of oils, including jojoba and coconut, leaves the skin velvety smooth.
If you’re wondering, ‘do anti-aging creams work?’ – check out this enriching cream from organic skincare brand Mádara. The company has introduced its latest innovative ingredient: birch water. The unique ‘no water’ formula harnesses this new beauty must-have, which is recognised as a pure, potent anti-aging ingredient. Combined with other age-combatting ingredients, this anti-aging face cream leaves skin feeling tighter and visibly lifted almost instantly.
Get ready to hydrate like you’ve never hydrated before. With an oil-free formula, The Ordinary’s anti-aging hyaluronic acid treatment penetrates deep into the skin, delivering long-lasting moisture to plump and smooth your skin.
Natural beauty expert, Sarah Jagger, loves the anti-aging hand cream from Sarah Chapman. “I’m always looking for nothing short of a miracle hand cream, and I’m constantly disappointed that nothing seems to improve the dry skin on my hands. At least that was the case, until I discovered this overnight wonder product.
“Omega and antioxidant carrier oils promise to plump skin, strengthen nails, and even-out pigmentation. I haven’t been using it long enough to see those kind of results yet, but even after the first use I woke up to really soft, smooth hands. I’m already impressed!”
Sarah Jagger cites this luxury oil as one of the best face oils for anti-aging. “Dehydrated complexions (like mine) will love this face oil, because unlike many products designed to boost moisture levels, it won’t overload the skin and make it feel greasy. So, it’s ideal for oily, dry and combination skins alike.
“It’s packed with 11 essential oils derived from flowers, and includes uplifting jasmine and cell-strengthening rosehip. The scent alone is utterly divine.”
A loss of collagen and elastin is inevitable as we age – this can result in dull, lacklustre skin that has less suppleness and elasticity. Crow’s feet also make an appearance, while puffiness can occur around the eye area from the downward movement of fat to the lower eyelids. You can combat this by using a natural anti-aging eye cream, such as Tropic’s hydrating serum.
Sheet masks are all-the-rage, and for good reason. These anti-aging face masks are ideal for giving your skin a deep cleanse, as Zane Piese, founder of natural beauty brand Atlantis Skincare, explains. “Opt for a natural clay face mask, or sheet mask, in order to remove impurities, toxins and dead skin cells, as well as brightening your complexion.” We love the organic, hydrating sheet mask from Orgaid – you’ll notice softer, smoother skin in no time.
Dr Barbara Kubicka from ClinicBe offers a range of treatments that deliver deep anti-aging results. For a hydrating eye treatment, she suggests the following: “For patients struggling with signs of tiredness, improving dark circles and opening up the eye area is far more beneficial than targeting frown lines on the forehead. The Eyedealise treatment at ClinicBe is an exclusive combination of treatments to revitalise the eyes.”
For an anti-aging facial treatment, Dr Kubicka recommends a dermal roller treatment. “A professional Dermaroller micro-needling treatment in the clinic is a fantastic way to stimulate the skin and kick-start collagen production. However, where costs and time are prohibitive, home dermal rollers are a good investment, as they can be used more regularly.
“Ensure that you get one from a reputable supplier that has been designed for DIY use.” Facial massage is another key treatment: “A proper facial by a qualified cosmetologist is a perfect fix for improving the skin. Taking out 30 minutes for a treat is invaluable.”
Light therapy is another treatment which promises radiant results… but be warned, these treatments are rather pricey. For example, a Collagen Boost Facial at Primrose Hill’s Aesthetics Lab will set you back £400. It combines a blueberry smoothie peel to dissolve old skin cells, micro-needling to plump up skin, and LED light therapy to increase cellular activity and boost collagen production. It’s expensive, but you might decide that the instant results are worth it.
Make-up routines should change and adapt as you age. Simon Hall, a make-up artist at Karine Jackson’s salon says: “the make-up mantra for older skin is ‘too much is too much’. Lighter shades with a light touch work best.
“Reflective particles in cosmetics are very flattering to older skins, so choose glimmering shades, but make sure it’s glimmer, not glitter. Nothing looks worse than glitter settled into fine lines. The same goes for heavy foundations – the best anti-aging foundation would be a mineral powder, as they are more natural and sit more lightly on the skin.
“Bronzer is more flattering than blusher, and paler lipsticks also look good, as they give the illusion of fuller lips. Just remember that when you use texture or colour, you’re highlighting that feature, so you have to be comfortable with it.”
There’s no beauty product that is as versatile as concealer. Natural beauty expert, Sarah Jagger, recommends that “a strategically-placed anti-age concealer can eradicate the look of eye bags. You’ll need an eraser eye concealer that’s richly-pigmented, like Nvey Eco Certified Organic Erase Corrector, £18, to really make a difference.
“Use a concealer brush to place a small amount of concealer only along the tear trough (the semi-circular line beneath the puffiness). Use the warmth of your fingertip to gently pat the concealer into the skin, being careful not to smear too much concealer onto the puffy area itself, as this can highlight a bag even more.”
So, now that you know the signs of aging, which natural anti-aging face products should you look out for? Our top five natural anti-aging remedies are right here, along with the best natural anti-aging ingredients…
“According to the World Health Organisation, up to 90 percent of visible aging may be caused by the sun. So, it’s important to use sun protection for younger-looking skin,” says Susie Ma, founder of Tropic Skincare. “While UVB rays cause burning, UVA rays cause premature aging, as they penetrate deeper into the skin. Instead of using chemical sunscreens, choose a mineral sunscreen.”
At Natural Health, we love Green People’s ocean-friendly Scent Free Sun Lotion, which uses non-toxic filters that meet Euopean UVA protection standards. Eco-warriors, rejoice, as the packaging is plant-based and fully recyclable!
It’s been drummed into all of us from an early age: wear sunscreen to avoid sun damage, premature skin aging and dark spots. However, you can’t deny the allure of a sunkissed glow, so for a truly safe sun tan, opt for nourishing fake tan formulas. A firm favourite of the Natural Health team is Eco By Sonya’s HEMPITAN Body Tan Water: a winner in our 2019 International Beauty Awards!
Aromatherapy could hold the secret to a youthful glow, according to Joannah Metcalfe, consultant aromatherapist at Base Formula. “Essential oils and base oils can be particularly powerful in helping to keep your skin soft, smooth and younger-looking. Some of the most important oils for aging skin are frankincense, rose, neroli, avocado, evening primrose, jojoba and wheat germ.
For a nourishing homemade face mask, Joannah suggests using hydrating oils. “Mix 50ml apricot kernel oil with 5ml jojoba, 5ml evening primrose, five drops of rose essential oil, five drops of neroli, three drops of frankincense and three drops of benzoin. Massage this gently into your face and neck two to three times a week – this will increase oxygen supply to the layers of skin where new cells are formed. Let the oil soak in for 20 minutes, then remove any excess with a cotton pad soaked in rose hydrolat.”
Vitamin B3, or niacinamide, is currently a hot topic in beauty, and for good reason. This water-soluble vitamin helps to minimise enlarged pores, improve rosacea, soften fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin tone. Plus, it can create a powerful effect when used with retinol and vitamin C. For a potent natural anti-aging serum, try The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum – it’s cruelty-free and vegan, too!
Vitamin C has had quite the moment in skin care: look for this skin-brightening agent in products such as primers and moisturisers to help fade dark spots and revive a dull, tired-looking complexion. At Natural Health, we love The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Skin Reviver – it’s also great as a make-up primer.
Perhaps consider upping your intake of vitamin C-rich foods to help boost collagen production, amongst a whole host of other health benefits. Pomegranates are high in anti-aging vitamins like vitamin C; plus, they’re antioxidant powerhouses, fighting free radicals and oxidative stress like fruity ninjas. So, why not bejewel your salad with their sparkling pink seeds?
Charlotte Ferguson-Quilter, founder of Disciple Skincare, is a firm fan of this popular ingredient. “Derived from vitamin A, retinol treats lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, dullness and firmness. It’s known as a cure-all in anti-aging skin care, owing to its ability to increase cell turnover and remove dead skin cells, revealing a brighter skin tone,” she says.
One chemical-free, paraben-free product that has really caught our attention this year is 100% Pure’s Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm: it’s packed with vegan retinol for anti-aging, avocado butter, and plant oils.
Another star ingredient is hyaluronic acid; a natural substance already found in skin. It has the ability to hold 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it fantastic for plumping fine lines, smoothing skin and replenishing lost moisture. For a luxurious, intense treatment, look no further than OSKIA’s Renaissance BrightLight serum: it’s clinically proven to combat hyper-pigmentation, fade dark spots, and repair sun damage.
Feed your skin with healthy fats, antioxidant-rich fruits, and natural anti-aging supplements to really keep the wrinkles at bay! Here are our foodie favourites to keep your complexion plump and perky.
Omegas 3 and 6 are the real beauty heroes to scope out for nourished skin: choose produce packed with healthy fats, such as oily fish, flax seeds, avocados, and walnuts. A high dose of essential fatty acids found in omegas plumps the skin to diminish the signs of aging. It can also prove beneficial to sufferers of chronic skin conditions such as eczema, acne and psoriasis.
Remember vitamin-C packed pomegranates? Well, they contain plenty of other health-boosting minerals: vitamin K, fibre, protein and potassium to name just a few. And when it comes to anti-aging, the ruby fruits are great at keeping skin supple, owing to its antioxidant levels (three times that of red wine and green tea!). Plus, pomegranates are great for keeping your gums in check, with plenty of antibacterial and antiviral properties to keep gum disease at bay, so you can carry on flashing those pearly whites!
This bright carotenoid pigment is found mainly in sea creatures such as salmon, trout, shrimp and microalgae, and is full of free-radical-fighting antioxidant to keep you looking fresh. In fact, a 2012 study from Japan found promising results using astaxanthin. After eight weeks of supplementing their diet daily with 6mg of astaxanthin derived from microalgae, and receiving 2ml of topical astaxanthin treatment, test subjects showed improvements in wrinkles and fine lines, age spots, elasticity and skin texture. Try it for yourself with capsules from Higher Nature.
If you want to continue feeling youthful while boosting your immune system, consider your intake of zinc. It’s especially important for maintaining behavioural and mental function, and regulating bone metabolism as we age, keeping your body ship-shape. Meat, shellfish, nuts, seeds and legumes are all brilliant sources of zinc, but if you fancy easily upping your intake, look no further than Wholefood Zinc capsules from Cytoplan.
Over the past couple of decades, CoQ10 has been cast aside in favour of new kids on the block, like retinol and vitamin C. However, your natural production of CoQ10 slopes off as you age, leaving skin less able to fend off oxidative stress and damage from free radicals. Luckily, there are plenty of supplements on the market, such as Golden Greens’ natural fermented CoQ10.
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