A couple of days ago, I was listening to a friend of mine (who is in her 30s, by the way), semi-rant about how she doesn’t understand why it seems like she has a slight appearance of a double chin emerging when she hasn’t gained any weight and works out on the regular. When I asked her what her skincare routine was like, it took her a minute to connect the dots. That is until I shared with her that I once read that we actually start to lose our skin’s elasticity as early as our 20s and we can end up with as much as 30 percent less of it within the first five years of menopause.
What that means is the skin that once looked so firm, plump, and full can end up sagging, having fine lines and wrinkles and not appearing as youthful as it once did.
Damn Shellie, what a grim way to start an article. Yeah, I hear you. Really though, it all depends on how you look at it because, when you accept that aging is a (blessed) part of life and taking proactive measures can make easing into the aging process so much easier to handle, take it from me — it’s not so bad. And when it comes to your skin, specifically, you can actually hang on to its “bounce back” (the ability for your skin to maintain its natural elasticity) for much longer than you might think.
For starters, by following these eight proven (and all-natural) beauty hacks…
8 Natural Ways To Keep Your Skin Firm and Youthful
1. DIY a Witch Hazel Spritz
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I’m not exaggerating when I say that there isn’t one good reason why every household in this country shouldn’t have a bottle of witch hazel somewhere. It’s inexpensive. It works well for all skin types. And it comes with a myriad of skin benefits including containing properties thatreduce inflammation and irritation, decrease the appearance of pores, speed up the healing process of acne, protect skin from free radicals, and even help to soothe scalp discomfort (if your scalp happens to be particularly sensitive).
As far as your skin’s elasticity is concerned, witch hazel is “that one” because it has the ability to correct elastosis; elastosis is what happens when your skin starts to thicken and degenerate which makes it more difficult for your skin to maintain its elasticity.
That’s why it’s a good idea to create a skin-toning spritz out of one part distilled water and one part witch hazel. Spray your skin with it in the morning and whenever you need a skin refresher in order to maintain a subtle “tightness” and natural glow.
2. Do Some Chemical Peels
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I’ve mentioned before that I am absolutely sold on chemical peels (check out “I've Been Doing At-Home Chemical Peels. Here Are The Pros And Cons.”). Although I’ve had to do a little bit of trial and error (as far as the strength level of the peel and how long I should leave it on my skin before thoroughly rinsing it the peel off), once I got the groove of things (which roughly took me a couple of months), I have appreciated everything that chemical peels have done for the quality of my skin.
That’s because they help to resurface skin, even skin tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, make skin look and feel much smoother, and boost the production of collagen and elastin in it. Like I said, I prefer to go the at-home route. However, if you want quicker and more drastic effects, book an appointment with a professional (and reputable) dermatologist or esthetician. I say that because to say that all chemical peels are created equal — that is a flat-out lie. Some are so potent that you shouldn’t even want to attempt them without an expert’s assistance. Trust me.
3. Moisturize with Aloe Vera Gel
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Even though Aloe vera gel is made up of 99 percent water, it also has vitamins A, C, E, zinc, magnesium, copper, potassium, enzymes, and a wealth of other nutrients in it. That alone makes it an ultimate skincare go-to; especially when it comes to hydrating your skin, healing the effects of psoriasis and eczema, and treating inflammatory acne. Know what else Aloe vera gel is good for? Keeping your skin firm. That’s because the properties in the gel help to produce collagen production — and the more collagen that your skin has, the more elasticity it will too.
4. Apply Vitamin C Extract
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Something else that your skin loses over time is its amount of hyaluronic acid. If you’re curious about what hyaluronic acid is, it’s a natural substance within your system that helps to keep your skin hydrated as well as flexible. Personally, I’m such a fan of the stuff that I wrote an article on it a couple of years ago (check out “Why Your Skin, Hair, And Nails Need Hyaluronic Acid Like...Yesterday”).
And listen, if you’re super serious about keeping elasticity in your skin, pair the acid up with some vitamin C extract. While a bottle of hyaluronic acid alone will help your skin to maintain its texture, vitamin C extract (serum) will help to brighten your skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, soften the appearance of dark circles underneath your eyes, boost collagen production and yes, help to prevent skin sagging as well.
5. Eat (More) Antioxidants
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Antioxidants are chemicals that help to fight off free radicals. That’s necessary because free radicals are linked to things like impaired vision, autoimmune disorders, cancer, diabetes, gray hair, and yes, skin aging. When you consume foods that are high in antioxidants, it helps your skin by reducing inflammation, improving its texture, softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, increasing hydration, and stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. Foods that are high in antioxidants include berries, dark leafy greens, pecans, apples, cabbage, mushrooms, potatoes, olive oil, cloves, and red wine.
6. Indulge in Dark Chocolate
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Dark chocolate brings me so much joy — and I’m not just talking about men either. LOL. I’ve seen what dark chocolate has done for my system to the point where I was inspired to once write “12 Ways Dark Chocolate Can Benefit Your Body From Head To Toe.” And, well, when it comes to your skin, dark chocolate is awesome because it contains organic compounds that increase blood circulation, protect your skin from damaging UV rays, improve hydration, slow down aging signs, and also, because dark chocolate has manganese in it, this means that it’s a food that helps with collagen production (which as you already know, leads to skin that has more elasticity).
So yeah, when it comes to dark chocolate (that is made up of around 65-70 percent cacao) — eat up! Your skin needs you to.
7. Sip on Some Ginger Tea
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Last fall, when I wrote the article, “10 Different Ways Herbal Teas Can Fit Into Your Beauty Regimen” for the platform, I didn’t include ginger tea — oh, but I probably should have. While, health-wise, ginger is great when it comes to reducing nausea and morning sickness, making menstrual cramps more tolerable, and decreasing your cholesterol levels, ginger is good for your skin because it reduces the amount of oil that your skin produces, softens the appearance of scars and it improves your skin’s elasticity and tone.
So, if sipping on tea is totally your thing, the sweet-meets-spicy flavor of ginger tea can do you and your skin some good on a ton of different levels.
8. Get Plenty of Rest
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Sleep is a time of rejuvenation which is why your skin needs you to get no less than 6-8 hours of sound rest on a nightly basis. What science has proven is your skin will most definitely benefit from consistent zzz’s because sleep can help to strengthen your immunity which can decrease inflammation and breakouts; it decreases stress and anxiety levels which can keep your hormone levels stabilized; it can help to keep your skin cells healthy; it can slow down aging signs (check out “Women In Their 40s Share The Beauty-Related Things They Wish They Did In Their 20s”), and sleep can even help to keep your skin from becoming dehydrated.
And since collagen is also produced while you sleep — perhaps now it makes all of the sense in the world that the saying “beauty sleep” is actually a very real thing. Sweet dreams (to you as well as your skin), sis!
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RELATED
From Rihanna pairing her caviar with chicken nuggets (I wonder if our Fenty queen shares with RZA and Riot Rose or if this is just for mama) to Bethenny Frankel educating us on caviar with her series "Caviar University," there’s just no escaping it.
And let’s not forget the elite king himself, DeAndre Brown, indulging in fried chicken and caviar! From videos with caviar-topped burgers, potato latkes, deviled eggs, and pasta dishes—folks are topping everything with caviar. Yet, I had not come across any Black-owned caviar brands until I discovered Caviar Dream.
My Introduction Into Caviar
I started off eating caviar in undergrad on top of sushi, exploring with a variety of roe and tobiko but as an adult, I knew I was ready to try something a little more refined. The first time I fell in love with caviar was in grad school at a southern Italian restaurant in Flatiron.
I tried an appetizer that featured caviar on bruschetta, served with thick garlic bread and burrata cheese, and from that moment, I was hooked. That has become my favorite way to enjoy caviar next to this filet mignon crostini appetizer that I served recently at a dinner party.
Everything You Need To Know About Caviar Dream
Caviar Dream
Courtesy of Yasmine Jameelah
Caviar Dream is the first nationally distributed Black- and woman-owned caviar business, redefining how people experience caviar. Founded by Kendra Anderson, a Chicago-based chef and sommelier, the company’s mission is to make caviar more accessible and inclusive, breaking down barriers and demystifying this delicacy.
What Caviar I Tried
Caviar Dream Kaluga Hybrid ($105-$420 depending on the ounce)
How I Experienced The Caviar:
For this review, I opted for a more traditional approach by pairing Caviar Dream's Kaluga Hybrid with crème fraîche, blinis, and my favorite Black-owned champagne, Le KOOL Champagne by Robert Kool Bell.
My Caviar Dream spread
Courtesy of Yasmine Jameelah
My Honest Review:
I do not say this lightly - this was by far the best caviar I’ve ever had in my life. It was buttery, had no aftertaste, and truly felt as luxurious as it looked.
Prior to this, my favorite caviar was Imperial Caviar. I’ve tried many brands, from well-known to affordable, while recreating my favorite decadent appetizers at home or enjoying caviar bumps at parties with my friends and they were my favorite until now.
Caviar Dream boasts that chefs are obsessed with this versatile hybrid, which tastes more expensive than it actually is—and they were right. This buttery caviar would pair well with any recipe, especially if you’re looking to impress someone or even treat yourself.
As a Black woman, a business owner, and someone who understands that an extension of financial wellness is circulating our dollars, I recognize the importance of incorporating Black-owned businesses throughout every aspect of my life. From my skincare to my favorite sustainable wine, my bank, and even indulgent experiences like caviar, it matters.
As we celebrate culinary innovation and expand our palates, let’s also take the extra step to support Black-owned businesses while doing it. So the next time you’re tempted by the allure of caviar, order from Caviar Dream—it just might become your new favorite.
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