Wrinkle-fighting foods that really work

Next time you're at the supermarket, fill your cart up with wrinkle-fighting foods!

The old saying, ‘we are what we eat’ is so true! There isn’t just one food that can instantly erase wrinkles but a healthy diet of anti-aging foods that you can eat, AND apply to your skin, can really make you look more youthful, trust and believe!

The next time you’re at the supermarket, fill your shopping cart up with wrinkle-fighting foods that really work.

Almonds. Researchers at the University of California (UC), Davis found that a daily snack of almonds in place of other nut-free snacks actually decreased wrinkle width by 10 percent while wrinkle severity reduced by nine percent in a study done with postmenopausal women.

Sesame seeds and oil.  Sesame seeds reduce hypertension, enhance digestive health, and their anti-aging properties delay the greying of hair.

Sesame oil contains Vitamin E, which is a natural antioxidant. It helps with scar reduction, rashes, and aging by strengthening the tone of the skin and protecting it from free radicals. Sesame oil is a natural free-radical blocker that prevents UV rays from damaging the skin, thus helping fight wrinkles and pigmentation. Rashes can also be combatted with sesame oil because it penetrates deep into the skin to help the body eliminate impurities. This makes it an excellent solution for acne, psoriasis, and eczema.

Pineapple. Pineapple juice is simply amazing. It synthesizes collagen, which creates firm, flexible skin. Vitamin C aids in cell and tissue repair to keep you looking young. You can also directly rub pineapples over your face to reduce the sight of wrinkles. Just rinse afterward to get rid of the acidic juices. Repeat this treatment every three days so that you don’t overkill your skin. The juice of this tasty fruit can also ward off moles, warts, and blemishes to boot.

Dark chocolate. Eating dark chocolate can increase circulation in the skin and improve its ability to retain moisture, which can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and help you look younger. “Dark chocolate is loaded with flavanols, which are believed to benefit your appearance by increasing blood flow to the skin,” says Mitzi Dulan, R.D., author of The Pinterest Diet.

Lemons. Collagen is a known skin tightener. Vitamin C in lemons helps boost collagen production in your body reducing wrinkles and subsequently tightening your skin. It’s as simple as applying lemon juice to your body and rubbing it in affected areas. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with water. Follow up with a good moisturizer.

Honey. A great antioxidant, honey has anti-aging properties which help tighten saggy skin. Mix two tablespoons of honey with a few drops of lemon juice and olive oil. Stir until it reaches a smooth consistency. Apply, let it dry and then rinse off with warm water.

Olive oil. Due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds, olive oil helps reduce the oxidative stress in the body that is caused due to aging and wrinkles. With regular olive oil massage, you can improve elasticity, reduce wrinkles and dark spots, and make your skin look younger.

Blueberries. Eating blueberries helps maintain the healthy structure of your skin for a youthful look. Blueberries are especially rich in a powerful type of antioxidants called anthocyanins. In addition to giving them their deep blue pigment, anthocyanins inhibit the breakdown of collagen, the protein that keeps skin plump and elastic.

Putting blueberries straight onto your skin isn’t a bad idea, according to Boston dermatologist Dr. Ranella Hirsch. “Realistically, there are benefits to both. Applying topically gives a dollop of protection exactly where you need it, whereas ingesting also gives other benefits to your system.”

Try mashing about 15 blueberries in a small bowl with a heaping tablespoon of plain yogurt and a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Spread the mixture on your face and neck with your fingers. Allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Discard anything that is leftover because you don’t want to end up applying any bacteria growth from an old mask onto your face. We should also mention that blueberries can stain skin but it is temporary.

Watermelon: The pink fruit is rich in vitamin A and C, and anti-aging agents such as lycopene. The presence of these antioxidants decreases the occurrence of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Apply watermelon pulp on your skin as a mask, or rub some watermelon juice on your face regularly.

Those who get enough watermelon to eat in their diet can experience the hydrating effects needed to keep the skin moisturized. Watermelon contains a high percentage of water, which is why the fruit works so well at this task.