As we age, we start to understand what people mean when they say they’re searching for that youthful glow. We notice our skin becoming drier and looking duller. Key areas; around the eyes, on either side of our mouths, and on our foreheads begin to display the wear and tear of many years of facial expressions – smiling, frowning, laughing, squinting.
And while we wouldn’t swap our lived experience for the world, it is common to begin to wish there was some way to turn back the clock, without resorting to chemical and invasive treatments.
Thankfully there are some incredibly powerful natural skincare ingredients available courtesy if mother nature. These gentle yet effective ingredients will moisturise, nourish and protect your skin, reducing the dullness and lines which appear as we age.
Scientifically proven anti-aging ingredients
Opening Pandora’s box to the world of wrinkle-free skin leads you to lasers, botox parties and shelves full of chemical-laden products.
The alternative is powerful natural skincare which has been proven effective for its ability to smooth out those lines without the unpleasant side-effects or running your bank account to the ground. Mother Nature has provided us with some hard-hitting ingredients to look out for in your skincare products to regain that glow. In particular, they can be effective at getting rid of wrinkles.
What causes wrinkles?
Wrinkles are caused by lack of moisture and elasticity of the skin. In addition to our passing years (chronological aging), environmental factors affect our skin condition. Exposure to the sun (photoaging), pollution, stress, genetics and lack of sleep are all factors in developing wrinkles.
Increasing hydration is therefore key to smoothing the appearance of lines – but which natural products are best for this action?
There are several ingredients for aging skin which are touted as ‘must-haves’, all with powerful, anti-aging properties.
Our Top 4 Anti-Aging Ingredients Are:
- Hemp seed oil
- Coenzyme Q10
- Squalene (plant derived)
- Baobab Oil.
Let’s take a deep dive into why these four made our short list.
Hemp seed oil: hemp seeds have a rich profile of nutrients, fatty acids, and useful bioactive compounds. These vitamins and fatty acids keep the skin healthy, making the oil an excellent choice for nourishing the skin and protecting it from inflammation, oxidation, and other causes of aging.
Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 (or Coenzyme Q10) is a powerful antioxidant which occurs naturally in our body working hard to neutralise free radicals, those unstable atoms which can damage cells, causing illness and aging. Topping up our depleting levels keeps the skin firmer and nourished. It boosts hydration, stimulates the production of collagen and elastin and reduces collagen breakdown.
Squalene (plant derived): this powerful antioxidant makes up over 10% of our skin and is incredibly important for keeping our skin hydrated, but our levels reduce over time. It protects the skin from free-radicals and helps to boost blood circulation which promotes the production of collagen for firmer, plumper and glowing skin.
Baobab Oil: the oil from “the tree of life” is incredibly hydrating, and great for moisturising and soothing skin. It’s full of vitamins B and C, plus Omega 3, 6 and 9, and can help with dry, aging and dull skin. It is incredibly high in antioxidants, so helps it fight the free radicals that cause aging.
How to apply to the skin
Hemp seed oil, Coenzyme Q10, Squalene (plant derived) and Baobab Oil are all gentle on the skin and can be used by all skin-types. Leading Australian natural skincare provider, Cannabella, produces the Cannabella Renewal Serum which combines these must-have ingredients into a ultra-hydrating oil-based serum to boost collagen, balance hydration and brighten the skin naturally.
Alternatively, you can source these ingredients in seperate, essential oil format and apply to your skin through gentle massage daily. Please always consult a dermatologist before using any non-commercial products, however, and exercise caution by patch-testing products firstly, not on your facial skin.