Women care about their skin, and the efforts to avoid wrinkles have kept the Botox industry in business in spite of the slumping economy. For those who are looking for both a more economical route as well as something that incorporates more natural treatments, there are a host of alternatives for you. Here’s a few things you can you do to keep your skin in tip top shape.

PREVENTION

Of course if you start taking care of your skin early on you will have the best skin over the long haul. Using sunscreen on a daily basis will prevent sun damage. Many makeup products now include sunscreen as one of the ingredients; when shopping for a good foundation make sure that sunscreen is included.

When using sunscreen, try to locate an organic sunblock product. This will keep chemicals to a minimum that come in contact with your skin. If you think you don’t need sunscreen, then keep in mind that over time, sun damage can cause discoloration, peeling skin and ultimately skin cancer - once of the deadliest cancers there is.

DIET

Drinking water is the simplest way to avoid wrinkles. Your body is composed primarily of water, and by drinking plenty of water you are allowing your skin to stay plumped since it is not losing elasticity from lack of hydration. Drinking plenty of water will also allow your body to naturally flush toxins out of the body which will keep the skin pure.

Drinking water also comes with a host of other health benefits - weight loss, fatigue, and staying hydrated and healthy during exercise and extreme temperatures are others. By drinking water, you will find that your body is healthier overall and you will also be preventing wrinkles.

Research has been showing that diet strongly affects the skin’s aging process. Studies have indicated that those who eat more olive oil, vegetables, beans and multigrain products have more success at controlling wrinkles. Those who eat butter, sugars and red meats have more trouble. Why? It is believed that the vitamins and minerals work by reducing the free radicals in the skin.

Some foods that are beneficial include vegetables, such as dark greens (spinach, leaf lettuce) and orange vegetables (sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots), as well as tomatoes and bell peppers. Fruits that are extraordinarily good choices include papaya, mango and cantaloupe. Also make sure to include whole grains, nuts, salmon, tuna and dried beans to get the most benefits for your skin - not only will these foods decrease the amount of wrinkles, but as an added benefit your skin will keep a youthful glow and you will appear younger.

MOISTURIZE

This is one of the most important elements of beautiful skin. While diet and water will provide the elements your skin needs from the inside out, you still want to give your skin benefits from the outside. Make sure to use a good moisturizer at night to prevent wrinkles. While you can’t erase those wrinkles you already have, you can certainly do your part to prevent new wrinkles from appearing. When selecting your moisturizer, keep sun protection in mind - many moisturizers also include sunscreen.

HOME REMEDIES

There are a host of home remedies you can use to prevent wrinkles. One of the primary treatments for facial wrinkles includes massage. Used in spas, this is one you can do at home as well (for much less money). Massaging the face will increase the blood circulation. Why is this important? Good blood circulation is important for tightened muscles and tissues. This will reduce the “fleshy” appearance of the skin and give an improved appearance to the skin.

One preventative measure that gets good reviews is to clean the face with white vinegar (this is a great astringent), then massage a few drops of 100% extra virgin olive oil to the face and neck. Make sure that since gravity is what pulls your facial muscles down that you massage the oil upwards. Olive oil has been used as a treatment for years, and is a common ingredient in many scrubs and other skin care products. This may be one of the easiest and most economical ways to prevent wrinkles. As an added benefit, the white vinegar may take away discolorations from sun damage.

This is one treatment I have not tried, but several sources report that for puffy eyes, use Preparation H. It is used by celebrities and the general public, and in addition to reducing puffiness has been reported to reduce wrinkles. When applying this, PAT, don’t rub it in. Rubbing will break blood vessels. This one may sting a little, so be extremely careful around the eyes.

For those who want to make their own concoction, try this: 2 TBS of vodka, 1 TBS fennel seeds, and 2 TSP of honey. Let is sit for three days. Strain the fennel seeds out and then apply as a toner.

Other home remedies include mashed bananas, pineapple, frozen spoons applied under the eyes and coconut oil. Research which remedies will work best for you. The most important thing is that the remedy is doable for you. If you pick something that won’t work with your lifestyle you aren’t likely to see results.

The remedy that worked for my great aunt may be the most old fashioned, but at 93 I asked what she did to stay so young looking. Her secret? She applied Vaseline to her forehead every night. This is one I could stand to try!

Keeping a healthy lifestyle and a smile on your face are ultimately the best ways to avoid wrinkles. As we start to age, we still may need to find ways to combat them, but it isn’t an impossible job.