The mouth and the area around the mouth are common places for facial wrinkles. Aging, smoking, alcohol and even smiling a lot can contribute to these wrinkles. Expensive treatments are available to treat wrinkles. However, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, research shows that substances like antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acids, which are readily available in your kitchen cupboard, work on reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Antioxidants
According to an article in the New York Times, antioxidants such as selenium, coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid protect against sun damage and reduce facial wrinkles. Antioxidants are the substances that hunt free radicals, the unstable particles that can cause sun damage and skin cancer and damage skin cells. Antioxidants are found in many foods we eat, including berries, grape seeds and grape seed oil and beans. A special antioxidant called lingan, present in pumpkin seeds, flax-seed oil and sesame seed oil, may be helpful against wrinkles. According to Total Health Care, mashing pumpkin seeds in olive oil and applying this mixture to the face is a good home remedy for wrinkles.
Vitamin A
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, vitamin A has been shown to be effective in protecting the skin against sun damage and future wrinkles. Either in the form of retinol or tretinoin, vitamin A creams can be effective against wrinkles. Until recently, however, retinol was not able to be used in skin care because it breaks down so easily. In over-the-counter creams, it is still unregulated, so you may not know how much retinol is actually in the creams. Carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches and apricots are all readily available foods that are high in vitamin A.
Vitamin C
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, taking both vitamins C and E together may reduce sunburn. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, and may even promote collagen production. It is readily available in over-the-counter skin creams such as Avon Anew, and in foods like citrus fruits, green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, black currants, strawberries, blueberries, raw cabbage and tomatoes.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Alpha hydroxy acids help in the shedding of dead skin cells and may also encourage collagen and elastin growth. These acids are found naturally in foods like milk (lactic acid), sugar cane (glycolic acid), apples and pears (malic acid), oranges and lemons (citric acid) and grapes (tartaric acid). Most over the counter products containing alpha hydroxy acid contain glycolic acid. Some over-the-counter products contain a high percentage of acid, up to 60 percent in some chemical peels that can be bought over the Internet. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, you only need a 4 to 10 percent concentration for the AHA to be effective.
Recipes
The home remedies for wrinkles usually contain many of the proven ingredients, many of which are readily available in your kitchen cupboard. Because the products in your kitchen are fresh, there is no need to worry that the vitamins, antioxidants and AHAs have broken down. There is no need for preservatives or special delivery methods. Also, because you don't need to advertise your special kitchen cupboard ingredients, you do not need to add inexpensive filler ingredients to your homemade skin-care products. See the resources section for ideas and recipes, but also feel free to experiment.
Ingredients:
Grape seed oil
Powdered green tea (macha)
Honey
Yogurt
Method:
Mix ingredients until a thick paste is formed. Apply to face. Leave on for 20 minutes and gently rinse off.
Facial Exercises
Many people believe that doing facial exercises will help reduce wrinkles, especially around the mouth. Some exercises to try include the following:
Say the vowel sounds in an exaggerated way while stretching your lips as much as possible.
Sit up straight and look up at the ceiling, stretching your neck muscles.
See Resources for more facial exercise ideas.
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