When people talk of skin tightening, the first thing that comes to mind is Botox. However, the truth is that this isn’t the only way you can keep your skin tight and firm. Nature provides for so many other natural remedies with healthy Botox-like results. Here are some natural suggestions on keeping your skin looking young.
Carrot Face Cream
Using only three basic ingredients, you can create a face cream that tightens the skin, freshens the surface, and cleans the pores. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of sour cream, and 5 tablespoons of fresh carrot juice together to form a thick paste. Start by dissolving the cornstarch in ½ glass of water and then add 100 ml of boiling water. Mix the other two ingredients and cook at low heat until you get a thick consistency. Let it cool and apply on your face for half an hour before washing it away with lukewarm water.Results include wrinkle removal, softening of the face, tightening the skin, and rehydration.
Spinach-Kale Face Cream
Another natural Botox alternative is a spinach-kale face cream. Combine ½ pound organic spinach and ½ pound organic green kale together with 1 tablespoon of water and put them in the microwave for 2 minutes without any cover. Add cover and let sit for 3 minutes. Once cooled, puree the mix in a blender with ¼ cup olive oil and ¼ heavy cream until you get a smooth, slightly heavy consistency. Apply this on your face and let it sit for 10 minutes or so before removing. For best results, try using this face mask at least 2 times per week.
Lemon Juice or Pineapple
Although they’re not exactly Botox-like in results, you’ll find that lemon juice or pineapple juice manages to replicate another expensive procedure for skin health: chemical peels. They contain natural enzymes that peel off the outer layer of the skin so that the smoother, younger skin manages to come out. Application is far from complicated — just squeeze out the juice and apply it on your face using cotton balls. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse with warm water. Do it once a day for a week and then once per week for maintenance purposes.
Cucumber Face Cream
Cucumber is often used to treat dark circles under the eyes — but applying it to the entire face actually works better overall. The best way to apply it is as a mask — pureed through a blender after being taken out of the fridge or freezer. This way, the cucumber would be cool — therefore refreshing your skin AND removing dark circles at the same time. Leave it there for 30 minutes and chill. You might want to munch on sliced cucumbers too to get their benefits from the inside out!
Gelatin
Most people seem to think natural Botox application means plastering the material all over your face — which isn’t always the case. As with gelatin, you don’t have to put it on your face — you just have to eat it in larger quantities.
Researchers from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology found that eating gelatin increases collagen production by up to 17 percent — even with sun exposure! As you know, sun exposure is the biggest age-accelerating factor so with gelatin, which is considered a natural Botox alternative, you’ll actually have a fighting chance against the elements.
Of course, don’t forget the basics of maintaining youthful skin: keeping yourself hydrated, wearing sunscreen every time you go out, and eating healthy. All these, combined with some of the techniques mentioned above, will guarantee that you’ll never have to consider Botox injections.
Sources: Healthy Food team, How Stuff Works, Natural Home Remedies for Life, and NCBI.
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