Home Remedy for Wrinkles

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Wrinkles happen to everyone -- but by staying in good health, you can keep your face looking firm and smooth for years. Prevention is the best medicine, but if you've already got a few wrinkles, don't give up hope. You can't get rid of wrinkles with home remedies, but there are several ways to plump up skin and minimize their appearance.

Prevent Wrinkles and Keep Skin Smooth

Your diet has a surprising effect on the smoothness and elasticity of your skin. Sugar does lots of damage, for example, so cut back on the sweet stuff. Your body needs plenty of water, too. Everyone's fluid needs are different, but in general, try to drink about half your body weight in ounces of water per day. Olive oil and fish oils, such as those from tuna, salmon and sardines, may help skin stay plump. Aside from your diet, it's vital to limit sun exposure. Too much UV light can damage skin and spur wrinkles.

Exfoliate and Massage

Exfoliation improves blood flow to your face, gently buffs away dead skin cells and stimulates the production of new skin cells to help minimize the appearance of wrinkles. You don't need a pricey, salon-bought exfoliating treatment to get things done -- a homemade scrub does the job for pennies per application. To make it, combine 1/4 cup of warm water with 1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal. Rub the paste into clean skin with small, circular motions, and then rinse with clean water. For best results, exfoliate every day.

Massage is another quick way to improve blood flow and soothe stressed skin. It also increases skin elasticity, which can make wrinkles look less severe. You can give yourself a daily massage in just a few minutes. Use the index and middle fingers of one hand to rub the skin between your brows in 20 rotating motions. Rub your temples for 10 seconds, then massage the jawbone joint in front of your ears for 10 seconds. Clench your teeth and feel for a protruding muscle, then massage that muscle for five to 10 seconds.

Moisturize

Skin loses moisture as you age, so it's important to find ways to put the hydration back. Moisturizing won't get rid of deep wrinkles, but it plumps up skin and diminishes the appearance of fine lines. It also makes skin look softer and healthier, so wrinkles won't seem as noticeable. To make your own moisturizer, combine equal parts aloe gel and finely ground kelp powder. Gently rub the mixture into your clean skin before bedtime. Leave it on overnight, then rinse with lukewarm water in the morning. If you can't find kelp powder at the grocery store, look for it at a natural-food shop.

For a deeper treatment, make a hydrating mask and apply it once a week. Combine equal parts almond oil and honey, and add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance, if desired. Stir well until a thick paste forms. Smooth the solution over your face, then wash it off after 20 to 40 minutes.

If you prefer a quicker fix, try petroleum jelly. Smooth a thin layer of the jelly over damp skin before bedtime. Rub it in well until your skin stops feeling oily. Don't rinse. The petroleum jelly moisturizes skin and makes it look plumper.

Superfoods and Healthy Drinks

Many foods are packed with the anti-aging nutrients that your skin craves. Collagen keeps your face firm, and if it breaks down too much, wrinkles set in -- so eat a handful of blueberries a day. Blueberries are stuffed with vitamin C and antioxidants for collagen protection. Almonds are another healthy treat. They contain vitamin E, which offsets wrinkle-causing UV damage, and collagen, which gives skin a plumper look. Soy milk contains isoflavones, which also may help prevent collagen breakdown, so swig a glass in the mornings.