One of the most beautiful things that comes with age is wisdom. The many memories, beautiful self-discoveries, and for some—the deeper knowing of one's self and understanding of what makes you truly happy. Every year we age is a blessing, but with those years of life come the visible signs of aging to our physical bodies, which feels much less whimsical.
The fine lines on our face, stiff muscles in the morning, the change of skin texture, hair loss, and well—if you're in your mid-thirties or later you know that the list can go on. While aging is a part of life, most of us have the desire to look our best and perhaps closer to how we feel on the inside.
As a woman in my mid-thirties, I first started seeing noticeable changes a few years ago. Maybe it was the childbearing, lack-of-sleep, stress, or all of it, but things really started to take a visible turn. So what did I do? I turned to Botox to free myself from wrinkles in my face so I could appear younger and feel more like myself again.
I did this for a handful of years and for the most part, I loved it. With the exception of the price tag and obvious reasons like injecting myself with toxins, it was fantastic. I was hooked. But every time I went in to get my treatment done, I felt anxious and like I might be making a mistake. I felt misaligned with my desire to be healthy and live a clean & pure life.
I eventually started to get so weirded out that I swear I felt pain where I had been injected and sore for weeks. Whether this was in my mind or reality, it became clear that I was not loving my Botox as much as I once was.
That's when I started to dive deep into alternative ways to reduce fine lines and visible aging through natural & clean remedies. The goal was to have my skincare routine be just as organic as the food that I nourish my body with. Why was I refusing my children ultra-processed foods with dyes in them and shopping at the co-op if I was also injecting myself with neurotoxins? I know they are deemed to be safe, but it simply doesn't feel aligned to me.
If you can relate to any of this, you might enjoy some of these at-home non-tox remedies that I've been practicing daily, weekly, or as often as I can. I believe that food & nature can be medicine, but not every body has the same prescription, so take what works for you and leave what doesn't.
COLD WATER FACE-PLUNGE
Benefits: can improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and tighten pores. The cold water causes blood vessels to constrict and dilate, enhancing blood flow and delivering more oxygen to your cells. This process can result in healthier, more vibrant skin and a sense of rejuvenation.
- Fill a large mixing bowl with a few cups ice and cold water.
- Submerge your face in the water for 10-15 seconds (note: I always try to beat my last time to increase the benefits).
- Rest a few seconds then repeat 3 times.
BANANA PEEL FACE MASK
Benefits: rich in antioxidants, fiber and essential nutrients, banana peel helps brighten skin and reduce wrinkles. It hydrates the skin very well because it contains vitamin B, which delays aging and reduces skin dryness, thus giving it a radiant youthful glow. It helps with problems like wrinkles, acne and pimples.
- Peel a very ripe banana (the riper the better).
- Gently rub the inside of the peel on your clean, dry skin for 1 to 2 minutes, concentrating on areas with wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.
- Leave the banana peel residue on your skin for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing off.
- Apply your regular moisturizer.
GUA SHA
Benefits: Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves scraping your skin with a smooth-edged tool to help improve circulation. It has been said to also promote collagen production, lymphatic drainage, relieve puffiness, decrease inflammation, diminishes dark circles, sculpts facial muscles, reduce tension and pain, and gives you some mindful minutes to help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Follow this video tutorial for how to use your gua sha tool.
Image: © Jasmina81/Getty Images
FACE YOGA
Benefits: face exercises may help improve the structural appearance, strength, and elasticity of your face. Practicing these movements daily can also promote proper nostril breathing, reduce teeth grinding, reprogram muscle memory, improve face symmetry, and reduce sagging and dark circles under the eyes.
- There are so many face yoga exercises to try depending on your areas of focus or concern. We love looking them up on Instagram or Pinterest for quick tutorials but below are a few resources to try as well!
- 10 mins of faceXercise
FROWNIES & FACE TAPING
Frownies are like a cast for facial muscles, holding them flat and smooth to help release tension and lift deep expression lines. Face tape constricts muscles and limits their motion, oftentimes minimizing wrinkles, slimming the jawline and creating a “face-lift” effect.
- Get 10% OFF your first order of Frownies with discount code fiberwild at checkout.
CASTOR OIL
Benefits: while castor oil has many properties that may help reduce wrinkles, there's no direct evidence yet that proves this claim. However, studies have shown that castor oil is an effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory — both of which help fight free radicals and may slow the aging process. Here are 2 recipes for at-home use that I have been loving.
Turmeric & castor oil to treat forehead wrinkles
Antioxidants in turmeric powder help counteract free radicals that cause wrinkles. Turmeric removes impurities and provides the skin with essential nutrients.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of organic castor oil with 1 teaspoon of organic turmeric powder.
- Apply this mask to your clean & dry face.
- Leave on for 15 minutes then rinse with water.
Note: if the turmeric powder leaves yellow spots on your face, don't worry, this will fade after a few hours.
Castor oil & olive oil for hydration
Hello hydration heroes! Get ready to glow with this moisturizing mixture.
- Mix organic olive oil & castor oil in your palms in a 1:1 ratio, I generally used about a pea size of each.
- Apply this mixture to the face before going to sleep and do not rinse it off. I like to add this as a top barrier layer (aka Slugging) to keep other products that I have applied previously locked in.
