How to Fight Wrinkles the Cruelty-Free Way
Vegans tend to eat more fruits and vegetables than their carnivorous counterparts—which is great news for their skin!
Vitamins C and E, which are commonly found in healthy vegan meals, are powerful antioxidants that neutralize skin-damaging free radicals and help fight wrinkles and brown spots, promoting an overall youthful appearance. Nuts and seeds are prime sources of vitamin E, and if you’re looking for a sweeter way to enjoy some antioxidants, eat a handful of berries.
When it comes to skin problems, the prevention and the cure are often one and the same. Here you’ll find the best foods to eat as well as some great skin-care products and DIY moisturizers and scrubs to help your skin feel smoother and prevent future damage to it.
Prevention
In order to prevent dry, wrinkled skin, refrain from smoking cigarettes and avoid prolonged sun exposure. Try our top choices for vegan and cruelty-free sunscreen brands. Also, limit your alcohol intake and drink plenty of water every day.
DIY Moisturizers and Scrubs
Here’s a quick recipe for a DIY facial moisturizer to help keep skin hydrated. It uses jojoba oil, which is effective because it’s similar to the oil that our skin produces.
Aloe vera is a good daytime moisturizer because it’s light and won’t weigh your skin down like viscous products do.
Olive and coconut oils are great for removing makeup—and they also work well as moisturizers. Another great tip is to apply a thin layer over your entire face before bedtime. Cover your pillow with a towel and reap the benefits of these miraculous oils while you’re off in dreamland.
You can also try our DIY Cup o’ Joe Facial Scrub. The coffee grounds help exfoliate, and the olive oil hydrates the skin, leaving a smooth finish—plus, it’s as easy as pie to make!
Diet
A study published by the Nutrition Journal reports that ascorbic acid is a building block of collagen, which is “the principal protein of skin, bones, teeth, cartilage, tendons, blood vessels, heart valves, inter vertebral discs, cornea and eye lens.” It can be found in citrus fruits as well as in watermelons, papayas, strawberries, cantaloupes, mangoes, raspberries, and cherries. Green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, and cabbage also contain this important vitamin.
Flaxseeds contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which helps heal existing skin damage and prevents future damage. Try this kale-based smoothie (made with flaxseed oil, of course) for a sweet way to add this omega-3 fatty acid to your diet!
Protein is important for building healthy skin, too. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health recommends “46 grams per day for women over 19 years of age, and 56 grams per day for men over 19 years of age.” It also recommends that vegetarians and vegans get their protein from a variety of sources in order to get all the amino acids that are required to build new protein—so be sure to mix it up, with legumes, beans, nuts, and dark leafy greens.
Avocado and avocado oil are also great to incorporate into your diet, as they contain vitamins D and E, beta-carotene, protein, lecithin, and fatty acids. Not bad for just one fruit!
Products
The Anti-Aging Super Heroes by Alchimie Forever are perfect for anyone who’s 35 or over (and not pregnant or nursing). The advanced retinol serum combines two types of retinol to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while the pigment-lightening serum targets uneven pigmentation and brown spots.
Farmstead Apothecary’s Face Cream is an excellent moisturizer that clears skin and contains jojoba oil. The cream is made with real fruit ingredients that provide extra antioxidants.
DeVita is a great skin-care line that’s both cruelty-free and vegan. Try any of the products from its Age-Defying line to help keep your skin looking healthy. We especially like the Optimal Rejuvenation serum, which contains the aforementioned ALA.
Secret in-a-Tube’s Anti-Aging Collection contains many cruelty-free, vegan products like facial masks, moisturizers, eye cream, and serums.
Aveda’s Green Science Line Minimizer is great for treating those pesky deep wrinkles.
Hylunia, another vegan brand, carries the powerful Beyond Complex C Anti-Aging Vitamin C Serum, which is packed with vitamin C to reduce fine lines. It also contains green tea, chrysanthemum, and turmeric to aide in repairing sun damage.
For a cruelty-free daytime moisturizer with sunscreen, try Murad’s Anti-Aging Moisturizer, which contains SPF 20 to help prevent sun damage.
Sircuit’s Secret Sauce+ uses ingredients that help moisturize and plump the skin, reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Read more about it here.
And Lush’s Calming Lavender Steam tab is perfect for soothing and moisturizing dry skin, which can cause wrinkles if left untreated. To use it, simply dissolve the tab in a bowl of hot water and hold your face over it—be sure to put a towel over your head to capture all the steam. Its mix of rose, tea tree, lavender, and chamomile oils will soothe and moisturize your skin—and it smells great, too.
I hope this information will help you in your quest for radiant, healthy skin!
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