Natural and organic beauty products are quite a hit among female consumers, says the American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD. The prospect of reducing wrinkles naturally without cosmetic treatments or harsh, irritating ingredients may be appealing; however, the AAD stresses the “all natural” products may not be as natural as you think. Moreover, the best way to naturally avoid fine lines and wrinkles is to take steps to prevent them.
All About Wrinkles
Dry skin is often blamed for wrinkles, but wrinkles are a part of the natural aging process as the skin’s collagen and elastin production slow down. Dry skin may make wrinkles look more prominent, says the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, but it doesn’t in itself cause wrinkles. When it comes to extrinsic factors, 80 percent of wrinkles are caused by sun exposure; the remainder are largely the result of years of making repeated facial expressions.
Natural Wrinkle Creams
Moisturizers won’t eliminate wrinkles, but they do reduce the appearance of fine lines by adding moisture back into the skin, making it look more supple. The effectiveness of natural and organic “cosmeceuticals” — skin care products that claim to reduce the appearance of aging skin — is extremely hit and miss, according to the AAD. Green tea and feverfew are two natural antioxidant ingredients that may have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. Others, such as sea kelp and mushroom extracts, have no scientific evidence to support their efficacy.
Cautions
No evidence suggests natural anti-wrinkle creams are more effective than those that use synthetic ingredients or pharmaceuticals. In fact, natural products often go through less rigorous testing, according to the AAD. Moreover, most natural compounds used in wrinkle creams must be chemically altered — this makes your product more stable, last longer and work better, but it also defeats of the products “all natural” claim. However, cosmeceuticals and other natural skin-care products are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You have no guarantee that the product will live up to its marketing claims.
The Best Wrinkle Reducer
The best anti-aging product in your skin-care collection is still sunscreen, according to the AAD. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or greater, and make sure it offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. To receive the best benefits from your sunscreen, smooth it on 20 minutes before going outdoors — even on cloudy days.
Natural Wrinkle Prevention
Take care of aging skin by eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein and other healthy selections. Avoid facial exercises — because wrinkles are caused by repeated muscle movement, this only makes fine lines more prominent. If you smoke, stop. The AAD indicates that many former smokers have noticed an improvement in their skin after they quit.
