10 Expert-Approved Home Remedies to Treat Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Aging is inevitable and it’s something everyone experiences. However, there are tons of ways to improve longevity for your life. Small lifestyle changes, if done consistently, can make a huge difference in your skin.
When it comes to our skin—which is the largest organ we have, so we better take care of it—diligent sunscreen protection is your best defense against premature aging, wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots. Typically, wrinkles are the most common sign of aging and one that we notice the most over the years. Aside from wearing sunscreen, we went straight to the experts to tell us all the effective home remedies we can be doing to prevent and soften the look of wrinkles to keep looking glowy and youthful.
Meet the Expert
Bryan Cortes is an NYC based licensed esthetician and skin care content creator.
1. Wear SPF Every Single Day
Bryan shares his expertise: “If nothing else, sunscreen. “Ninety percent of visible signs of aging are caused by sun damage. SPF helps us prevent that damage from happening.”
Sun protection is your greatest defense from visible signs of aging when facing sun exposure. Wearing it every single day (yes, even on the days you’re inside!) makes a huge impact on your skin overtime. Plus, there are tons of SPFs that offer benefits other than skin protection like antioxidants, hydration, and priming for makeup. Read here for our top list of SPFs to be added to your routine.
2. Check in With a Nutritionist
We only have one body for the rest of our lives, so taking care of it as best as we can should be a top priority. Plus, taking care of your body is another great defense against aging. “Give your body the attention it needs. Don’t forget to check it up routinely,” Cortes says. The best way to do that? “Work with a nutritionist to ensure you’re consuming all the nourishing nutrients needed to support your skin and body,” says Cortes.
Cortes also recommends getting bloodwork done every six months to a year and to discuss the results with an MD or Naturopathic doctor. Bloodwork is the most accurate way to tell if you’re experiencing any vitamin deficiencies that could impact your skin and overall health.
3. Add a Retinol to Your Routine
Time and time again, we hear the top three products to have in your skincare routine are vitamin C, a good SPF, and a retinol product. “Retinoids help prevent and reduce the existing signs of aging, such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles,” says Cortes. You can literally reverse signs of aging by being consistent with a retinol product. Within just a few weeks, you’ll notice plumper and firmer skin. Wrinkles and fine lines will also be reduced overtime, and your overall complexion will appear healthier and hydrated.
As a reminder, retinoids can make your skin extra sensitive to the sun because they remove the top layer of dead skin. Make sure you start your retinol usage with a low dose, only two to three times a week, within your nightly routine. During your morning skincare routine, make sure you’re thoroughly protecting your face and neck with sun protection. If you find you need a stronger treatment, talk to your dermatologist about enzyme or chemical peels to help renew skin.
4. Hydrate Inside and Outside
Ever notice when you wake up that a wrinkle may look more defined than the night before? That’s because you’re properly dehydrated, which means your skin is also dehydrated and not as plump as it could be. “Hydration is very important when it comes to fending off wrinkles,” says Cortes. Good thing he knows the holy trinity for anti-aging: “SPF + retinoids/exfoliation + hydration.”
Cortes mentions how hydration is often overlooked as a preventative aging measure. He tells his clients to picture what a dehydrated fruit looks like. Wrinkly, shriveled, and its color looks dull and sallow. “We do not want to be a dehydrated fruit. We want to be a plump, glowy, healthy fruit! Water and moisture help keep skin plump and smooth, that's why it’s important to keep skin hydrated from the inside and out,” says Cortes.
Using hydrating serums, face mists, and a moisturizer suitable for your skin's needs will be sure to have you covered. Also, drinking the recommended six to eight glasses of water everyday will help you maintain healthy skin and can help diminish blemishes, dark circles, and wrinkles caused by dehydration.
5. Use an Red LED Therapy Device
Of course, there are devices to help soften wrinkles and improve their appearance. But before you spend all your money on a device promising to be an amazing wrinkle treatment, listen to what our expert has to say first.
“There’s only one type of device I recommend for anti-aging. It isn’t a micro-current device or a face roller but rather, LED THERAPY! Specifically red LED therapy. It has the science to back it. Red LED helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the skin. It’s also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory,” says Cortes. We love DERMALACTIVES Light Therapy LED Mask 7 in 1 for a hands-free treatment.
6. Drink Anti-Inflammatory Tea
Many make drinking tea a morning or nightly ritual to improve skin health. Creator Ava Lee even launched her own line of skin teas inspired by her Asian heritage and mom’s anti-aging tips and tricks.
“We often think of aging as a process that occurs from the outside-in. However, we shouldn’t neglect that there is an “inside-out” component to skin. There are a variety of teas, many of which can help reduce inflammation in the body and help us rest better,” say Cortes. His favorites are green tea, turmeric, or ginger.
7. Beauty Sleep Matters
It’s a saying for a reason: Making sure you get your full eight hours of beauty sleep can make a real difference in your skin and how your body feels. “Sleep and rest are also important, because when we sleep is the time when we repair cells and tissues in the body,” says Cortes.
8. Avoid Sleeping in Makeup
Speaking of sleeping, you better be taking off your makeup and cleansing your skin thoroughlybefore a good night’s rest! Because skin cells turn over and repair overnight, sleeping in makeup is a major skincare no-no. By not taking the day off your skin, you’re denying your skin the chance to renew in its natural cycle.
9. Gua Sha Facial Massaging
Many have had success eliminating wrinkles, creases, and improving skin elasticity with at home gua sha treatments. Rooted in Ancient Chinese Medicine, gua sha tools have been used for centuries to inspire circulation and blood flow to the skin. We love watching tutorials from Wildling Beauty on how to gua sha for anti-aging benefits. Use a facial oil rich in omega fatty acids, vitamin A, or vitamin E for added skin benefits while using your gua sha tool.
10. Use a Moisturizer to Improve Appearance of Wrinkles
Moisturizers aren’t just for curing your dry skin woes. If you’re concerned about your skin aging, choose a moisturizer that will work harder for you and your skin by picking one formulated to treat wrinkles or fight free radical damage. One of our favorite moisturizers to remove wrinkles is the DR. DENNIS GROSS Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream.
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