Two ways to help prevent facial wrinkles
All day long, gravity is pulling your face to your bellybutton. One way to give your facial muscles and skin a reprieve from the force of gravity is by sleeping on your back. This posture also allows your spine to be straight, keeps the twist out of your neck and gives your body rest without muscular stress.
Of course, sleeping on your back may be difficult. It took me several sleepless nights before I was able to get a good night’s rest on my back. It can also be difficult if you sleep with someone and you snore. You might get a good poke in the ribs along with an insistent turn over! So here’s an alternative if you find it impossible to switch positions and want to continue sleeping on your side as more than 90% of the population does: sleep on a silk pillowcase.
For centuries, Chinese women have known that the way to help prevent wrinkles and facial creases is by sleeping on a silk charmeuse pillowcase. Because we spend about a third of our lives in bed, by the time you’re 50 you’ve slept an average of almost 17 years. Skin makes new cells twice as fast during restful sleep hours as during the time we’re awake, but if we sleep on our side on a cotton pillowcase, the fabric tugs at the delicate parts of our face and neck. Silk, on the other hand, contains natural proteins and 18 essential amino acids which help to counter the effects of aging and provide the slip and softness required to prevent sleep creases.
Ever wake up with a sleep crease on your cheek? Even though they go away the same day, as you get older, they take longer and longer to disappear. Not only that, they are a visible clue to the damage being done to your face when you sleep on your side on a cotton pillowcase. Because your skin gets more fragile as you age, eventually those creases may turn into permanent wrinkles.
Your cotton pillowcase can absorb many times its weight of a liquid, but that’s not what you want it to do if you moisturize your face before going to bed (which I highly recommend.) Your face will stay moisturized longer if you sleep on a silk pillowcase since it absorbs only about 11% of its weight.
Even for those of us who can sleep on our backs, the smooth and silky feeling of a silk pillowcase may increase relaxation and improve sleep. I’ve found that this luxurious fabric also helps my hair glide over the pillowcase, reducing hair breakage as well as helping my complexion.
Whichever way you sleep, keep in mind that your skin is not only a major part of your appearance; it’s also a significant organ supporting your health and wellbeing. Too often we take our skin for granted or only focus on it as a cosmetic feature. Like every other part of your body, your skin will flourish with a little TLC.
Love and Blessings,
Ellen
Ellen; could you please comment on the effects of alcohol on aging, wrinkles, mental acuity? Please specify how much alcohol (eg. glasses of wine/ day or / week) will effect these elements of aging.
Thank you
Sharon, dear. Even the scientists don’t agree on how much alcohol is the right amount for greater longevity. The latest is that a glass of wine a day is good for you. However, if you’re highly sensitive to sugar as I am, even one glass of wine a day can be harmful for your brain (and too much sugar has been shown to step up the pace of wrinkles.)
I don’t think you answered my question that I posted earlier on this subject. What is the use of castor oil on the face? Is there a formula for creating a face cream using it?
So sorry, Sheila. I had some problems with my emails and lost a whole batch. I’ve found something even better than castor oil and I’m going to send it to your email address.
Blessings,
Ellen
Hi Ellen, what is your facial skin care regime? What cleanser do you use and can you let me know about the moisturizer you use. Thanks so much! You are an inspiration!!
LInda :.))
Thanks for your kind comment, Linda. Below is my moisturizer routine. My cleanser? Cold cream to remove my makeup, then water (never soap or any kind.)
Ellen’s home remedy for healthy, young skin
1. At your local health food store or online (my favorite online store is http://www.mountainroseherbs.com), buy an 8 oz. bottle of organic rosehip seed oil. Make sure the bottle has a screw-on cap with a spout that lifts up to pour, or buy a separate bottle with that feature. Also purchase a small bottle of organic carrot seed essential oil.
2. Add 15 to 20 drops of carrot seed oil to the rose hip oil bottle. Shake, lift the spout, pour some into your hands, and gently apply it to your face. Then begin spreading it all over your body.
3. As you rub this yummy oil all over, say ‘thank you’ to each part of your body – for carrying you around, allowing you to touch and hold things, for keepin’ on even when you don’t give it enough attention or rest.
4. Can’t reach your back? Go to the hardware store and get a paint sponge on a stick. Gently pour the oil mixture on the sponge and spread it on your back. Then insert the sponge end into a plastic baggie for use the next day. Or, if your sweetheart is available, ask him or her to apply the oil mixture on your back. You may even get a little massage out of it.
5. To preserve the health benefits, keep this rosehip seed oil and carrot seed essential oil blend out of direct light and in temperatures below 75 degrees.
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