Anti-Age Naturally

Aging naturally or gracefully is great, but I want to talk about natural ways to fight and prevent signs of aging. Aside from a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, not-smoking and getting plenty of sleep and water, choosing the right skincare is incredibly important for keeping a youthful glow. There are several key anti-aging ingredients to look for in skincare, from modern nutriceuticals (nutrients for your skin) to herbal extracts.

Rosemary: strengthens the capillaries and fights age damage, has a rejuvenating effect

Green tea: fights free radicals and inflammation, prevents skin cancer, rejuvenates old skin cells, calms acne

Aloe vera: a cellular regenerator that has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties

Seaweed: contains phytonutrients that help blood circulation and maintain collagen

Horsetail: an herb used as an epithelial regenerator, it improves circulation and rejuvenates connective tissue

Vitamin C Ester - treats fine lines and wrinkles on sun-damaged skin, helps sagging due to lost or damaged collagen

Alpha Lipoic Acid – a natural antioxidant that fights cellular free radicals. Improves overall appearance of the skin, is best for treating lines and wrinkles, under eye bags and puffiness, enlarged pores, acne scars, sallow or dull skin

CoenzymeQ10 – a powerful antioxidant, it is fat soluble and can reach the cell plasma membrane where free radical damage often takes place. Used to treat fine lines on the face

DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) – is an antioxidant membrane stabilizer. This nutrient complex is a food grade substance and boosts the effects of other antioxidants. Used to firm the skin on the face and body

Tocotrienol (d-alpha-tocotrienol) - very potent form of vitamin E. Effective for repairing damaged skin

Methylsulfonymethane (MSM) – an organic sulfur compound that has been deemed a ‘super nutrient’. Promotes collagen development and prevents oxidation of cell membranes

Calcium ascorbate – neutralized Vitamin C that is essential for the maintenance of connective tissue and collagen. Defends against free radicals and recycles the body’s Vitamin E

When looking for skincare, always read product labels, and I don’t mean the front labels, I meant the FULL ingredient list. The skincare industry is not very regulated and a label can say ‘all-natural’ even if there is only 1% natural ingredients. Also, most companies know what people are looking for in skincare and use ingredients from the list above, which are most likely listed on the front label. Unfortunately, what you find next to all the wonderful botanicals and extracts are dangerous, toxic chemicals. A prime example is Creme de la Mer, which does contain some beneficial ingredients, but is primarily made up of mineral oil (a cheap filler that prevents your skin from breathing) and contains a slew of other chemicals. Your skin, like the rest of your body, responds better to naturally occurring things. Using only natural, anti-aging ingredients will result in happy, healthy, glowing skin.

by Sabrina Posillico
Cosmetics Expert and author
Healing Anthropology

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