Black don’t crack is a snappy quip that many have given more than its fair share of credence to over the years. Well, we’re all prone to wrinkles and the manner in which we live from day to day determines how our skin will show its age.
Even if you never gave your skin a second thought, it is never too late to start showing it some TLC. You can help ward off wrinkles and lines longer than you think and you don’t have to break the bank with pricey creams that are chock-full of chemicals.
Try these natural home remedies for both men and women and repeat as needed to help combat those problem skin areas that show the signs of aging:
Olive Oil—a great source of antioxidants like Vitamin A and E; mix just a few drops of honey, olive oil, and glycerin, then massage the mixture into problem areas twice a day to eliminate dead cells and to help tighten sagging skin
Bananas—rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals this fruity fave will rejuvenate and remove dead/flaky skin; mash a ripe banana and a teaspoon of honey into a paste, apply to your face, leave on until it dries, then rinse
Lemons and Yogurt—rich in Vitamin C, lemons are a perfect and natural bleaching agent for dark facial spots which is a common problem for Black skin; squeeze the juice of one lemon then add 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt, using a cotton ball apply the mixed solution to your face, leave it on for 30 minutes, rinse
Potatoes—loaded with potassium, Vitamin C, B6, and zinc, a facial made of raw potatoes may help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, firm sagging skin, and create a healthy, youthful glow. Peel a potato, grate with a fine cheese grater. Place the grated potato in a small mixing bowl. Blend in 2 Tbsp. of apple cider vinegar, 2 Tbsp. glycerin, and 1 Tbsp. of rose water. Wash your face with a mild cleanser, and then smooth the potato facial over your skin. Allow the mixture to remain on your face for about an hour, and then rinse.
Chickpeas—helps remove those annoying age spots; boil ½ cup of chickpeas until softened, once they’ve cooled, mash the chickpeas along with ½ cup water to form a paste, apply all over the face or on the backs of hands and leave on for 30 minutes, rinse
Castor Oil–deep cleans all the dirt, oil, and dead skin cells, increases blood circulation, and helps get rid of dark spots and acne scars; pour 4 to 5 drops of the oil onto a cotton ball and apply to face, leave on for 60 minutes, rinse
Onion Juice—kind of smelly but so full of vitamins A, C, E that will help to even out your complexion; place an onion in a blender to extract its juice, mix 1 tablespoon of onion juice and 2 tablespoons of honey, use cotton balls to apply the mixture to your face, leave on 30 minutes, rinse
Fenugreek leaves—vitamin and mineral-rich fenugreek leaves, seeds, and even oil work to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines; grind a handful of fresh fenugreek leaves with a few drops of water to make a thick paste, apply it to your face, neck, leave it on overnight, rinse it off in the morning
Papaya–this fruit with its powerful reserve of vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene helps keep aging at bay and is great for getting rid of wrinkles from the upper lip; apply mashed papaya with some honey on the lips as a lip mask, leave on for about 30 minutes, rinse
Tomatoes—packed with vitamin E, thiamin, niacin, and B6, they possess powerful bleaching properties that can brighten skin; lighten under-eye dark circles by mixing one teaspoon of tomato juice, ½ a teaspoon of lemon juice, gently apply the mixture to dark circles with a cotton ball, let it sit for 10 minutes, rinse
