Many people face a dilemma when it comes to rejuvenating their skin. Topical treatments take a long time to have an effect, while the treatments that show the fastest results are often invasive or involve the use of harsh chemicals. Fortunately, there is a third option: natural rejuvenation methods that work with your body’s innate healing processes. These tend to offer long-lasting benefits and a reduced risk of inflammation and irritation. Here are 8 of the best.
1. Hydrate from the Inside Out
Moisturising is not the only way to hydrate your skin. Just drinking enough water can actually make a huge difference to how supple and bright your skin looks. In fact, it would be more accurate to say “getting enough water,” as you can also hydrate by drinking tea or eating foods like cucumbers, watermelons, and celery. Most experts recommend that you aim to consume eight cups of water daily, with more if you do a lot of exercise.
While upping your fluid intake will not produce overnight results, it has proven results if you can make it a consistent daily habit. Soon, you should see fewer fine lines and a brighter complexion.
2. Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet
Generally, vitamins and minerals are a lot more effective when they are inside your body rather than your face creams. Eating foods rich in antioxidants, omega-3, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E can help your body produce collagen, which stops skin from sagging, and it reduces oxidative stress, which can cause inflammation. Foods which are rich in these include colourful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fatty fish like salmon.
This is another natural method where consistency is key. Also, be mindful about limiting sugar and refined carbohydrates, as these can spike insulin levels, causing inflammation in the body and quicker skin ageing.
3. Get a Facial Massage
A simple facial massage works wonders for your skin, having both direct and indirect effects. Directly, it boosts circulation and drains the lymph nodes, reducing puffiness and helping more oxygen reach the skin.
It can also help promote collagen production and enhance your skin’s natural tissue repair process. Indirectly, a facial massage helps reduce stress levels, which can affect the rate of skin ageing in the long term. Using oils like rosehip or jojoba can provide added nourishment.
For the best results, you should massage your face for 5-10 minutes a few times per week. However, this does not mean that you need to see a professional. You can easily massage your own face at home, either by hand or with a tool like a gua sha. Apply gentle pressure and focus on upward strokes.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Anytime we want to look or feel healthier, we should first get our diet, exercise regimen, and sleep in order. The latter is especially important for our skin because it increases our growth hormone production, and this plays a role in replacing old skin cells with new ones and making collagen. You likely already know you should be getting 7-9 hours per night. As with the other methods on this list, the key is to do so consistently.
To better understand the benefits of sleep for your skin, look at the effects of sleep deprivation: dark circles, puffiness, and a dull complexion. To enhance your results, you could try using a silk pillowcase, as the lack of friction is gentler on your skin and prevents moisture loss.
5. Use LED Light Therapy
LED light therapy may be a more technical skin treatment, but it is no less natural. It is completely non-invasive, using only specific wavelengths of light to promote cellular processes in your skin.
For example, red light can help stimulate collagen production, while blue light can help neutralise the bacteria that causes acne. When light therapy is used consistently for several months, it has been shown to reduce fine lines and improve skin tone.
There are many LED devices available for at-home use, but we recommend choosing one that has the approval of a relevant regulator in your country and only using it in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
6. Exfoliate Gently and Regularly
It is important to regularly remove the dead skin cells and grime that accumulates on the surface of your skin. This helps reveal brighter and smoother skin underneath, and it is one of the natural methods of rejuvenating your skin that works very quickly. However, the results do not last long, so you will need to exfoliate at least once per week, and possibly up to three times depending on how oily your skin is.
However, exfoliation usually works through abrasion, and this can damage your skin if you are not careful. Oats, sugar, and finely ground almonds are effective natural exfoliants that are gentle on the skin.
7. Use Herbal Skincare Remedies
Rejuvenating your skin to give it a fresher, younger look is not a new concept. People have been trying to do it for centuries, leading to quite a few effective natural remedies being discovered.
Aloe vera, green tea, and chamomile have long been used to soothe inflamed and irritated skin, with aloe vera also providing hydration and green tea improving skin elasticity. All of these ingredients are also antioxidant-rich and contain nutrients that support skin healing.
While natural remedies are usually kinder to your skin, this may not always be the case. Be sure to patch test any new ingredients that you want to try.
8. Supplement with Skin-Friendly Nutrients
Although it is more important to make sure that you are eating a balanced and healthy diet, you can also use supplements to support your skin in specific ways. Collagen peptides, biotin, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid are all naturally occurring compounds that can be consumed as supplements. They help support skin hydration and elasticity. When consumed daily for eight weeks, collagen supplements have been reported to lead to firmer and better hydrated skin.
Conclusion
Natural methods of rejuvenation tend to be kinder to your skin in the long run and better for your health overall, and there are plenty to choose from. However, it is important to use them as a regular part of your routine and not look for quick fixes.
