Preventing signs of aging can be expensive. Advertisers spend millions every year to promote creams, ointments, and supplements that promise to make people look younger. There’s often little science behind many of these cosmetic claims. With the volume of counterfeit cosmetics on the rise in the United States, it’s more important than ever for people to know what they’re putting in or on their bodies.
Thankfully there are several organic, ways to fight some of the most common signs of aging at home, without spending an abundance of money on expensive products that may or may not work. Here are some simple tricks to exfoliate skin, moisturize the body, and whiten teeth.
Sugar
Exfoliation is an often-underutilized tool in the fight against aging. Skin’s regeneration lags with time. As the body slows in its shedding of older skin, cells can pile up and leave flesh looking dull, rough, and dry. Not to mention the acne and blemishes caused by blocked pores.
Sugar is the answer! Many people exfoliate the skin of their face and body with plain white sugar. It’s simple: keep a small jar of sugar in the shower and rub a handful over your skin with a washcloth (be gentle when scrubbing your face). Rinse and smile in your freshly exfoliated skin.
Sesame Seed Oil
Have you heard of the parasympathetic nervous system? It’s one of the divisions of your nervous system that some people refer to as the “rest and digest” system. This system slows the heartbeat (conserving energy), and relaxes some muscles and the gastrointestinal tract. Anything that calms your body, benefits the aging process by relieving stress.
Enter sesame seed oil. When you’ve finished up in the shower, massage your skin with sesame seed oil (or almond oil) to activate your parasympathetic nervous system. Not only will this help you to melt away the stresses of your day, but it’s also an excuse to give yourself a massage – and who doesn’t love those?
Fresh Fruit (and Friends)
One of the telltale signs of aging is in the smile: the teeth. Time takes a toll on pearly whites. While it’s important to get regular dental check-ups, there may be something (delicious) you can do to aid in maintaining the whitest color possible…
Fruit can help. Strawberries, apples, oranges, and pineapples can all help your smile bright and white. Strawberries contain malic acid, which can breakdown some of the everyday gunk that collects on your teeth from eating. Apples (as well as celery and carrots) increase saliva, which helps to rinse the mouth naturally. Oranges and pineapples may also help to produce saliva as well. Other foods to consider for your teeth include baking soda, yogurt, milk, and cheese.
The best thing anyone can do as they age is check-in frequently with their health provider. Regular appointments with your physician are impossible to replace. There are, however, a few smaller things, healthy and organic things, within your control that can give a boost here and there.
Keep looking great and enjoying life.