Botox: the natural alternative

We all long for soft and radiant skin, but in practice, we often don't take optimal care of it. Smoking, one too many glasses of wine, late nights, fast food, insufficient hydration, and the wrong skincare products put our skin to the test. The result? Your skin ages faster, becomes drier, and wrinkles appear sooner. Many people try to mask this with Botox, but fortunately, there are also natural ways to help your skin. Since we're not big fans of Botox, we've created a blog post about how you can naturally improve your skin and regain that healthy glow.

what is botox?

Botox is the brand name for botulinum toxin type A, a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This neurotoxin is used in very small doses to temporarily block nerve signals. This relaxes the muscles, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and reducing symptoms such as excessive sweating.

Botox has been used for years, not only in cosmetics but also in medicine. It's used for migraines, muscle spasms, and teeth grinding, for example. It's known to be relatively safe, provided it's administered by an experienced practitioner.

However, there are also drawbacks. The effect is temporary (usually 3 to 6 months), requiring repeated treatments. Furthermore, the face can sometimes take on an unnatural appearance. For this reason, interest in alternatives that naturally keep skin healthy and radiant is growing.

What can you do yourself to naturally improve your skin?

Of course, these practical tips don't work like Botox, as it prevents the nerves under the skin from sending signals to the muscles. But these are some of our favorite natural tools to help your skin.

• Red light & infrared light therapy

Red light and near-infrared light can penetrate relatively deeply into the skin and influence cellular processes. The idea is that light stimulation activates mitochondria (the cell's energy factories) within cells, increases ATP (energy) production, reduces oxidative stress, and stimulates growth factors. This supposedly increases the activity of fibroblasts (cells that produce collagen and elastin), which can lead to increased collagen production, improved skin texture, firming, and potentially reduced wrinkles. In addition, increased blood flow, enhanced tissue repair, and inhibited inflammatory responses can contribute to skin improvement [1, 2]. The lamp we use is from Loptimize (use the code ELVOU for a 10% discount).

• Bone broth

You lose a lot of fluid and salts during the night. You want to replenish these as quickly as possible in the morning. One way to give your skin a boost is by drinking bone broth. It's packed with collagen and gelatin, which your body breaks down into amino acids. Your body uses these amino acids as building blocks to create new skin tissue. Bone broth also contains important minerals that contribute to healthier skin, such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Another great example is that bone broth strengthens the intestinal wall. A healthy gut is the foundation for clear skin. When your gut is in balance, you often see this immediately in fewer inflammations and blemishes. Here's a recipe from Joep for making your own bone broth ( LINK ).

• Zinc & omega-3

Zinc supports the production of new skin cells and aids in wound healing. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can thus contribute to calmer skin with fewer blemishes. Zinc is mainly found in grass-fed meat and shellfish. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids strengthen the skin barrier and keep your skin supple and hydrated. They have anti-inflammatory properties and help with redness and sensitivity. Good sources include small, oily fish such as anchovies, sardines, herring, and mackerel.

• Face dunking

Immersing your face in a bowl of (ice) cold water for a few seconds, also known as face dunking, is a trend you've probably seen on social media. But it's more than just a fad; it can actually benefit your skin. Cold water activates the vagus nerve, putting your body in a relaxed state and lowering your stress levels. Less stress also means a lower risk of skin problems. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can temporarily reduce redness and swelling. Your pores tighten, making your skin look smoother. As soon as you warm up again, the increased blood flow will give you a healthy glow.

• Natural cream

With a natural cream, you give your skin exactly what it needs: nourishment and protection, without unnecessary additives. Elvou's 24h cream is our favorite. This nourishing cream is suitable for daily skincare.

• Gua sha & jade roller

You see these beauty tools everywhere, and that's no wonder. A jade roller or gua sha massage stimulates blood circulation, instantly making your skin look fresher and more radiant. It also helps massage away fluid retention, such as bags under the eyes, and reduces facial tension. It also has a relaxing effect. Use both after applying a natural cream to avoid pulling on your skin and causing lines. It also allows the cream's active ingredients to penetrate your skin more effectively.

• Collagen supplementation

Supplementing with extra collagen also supports the skin. Type 1 collagen is found in your skin. Until about ^age 25, collagen production occurs naturally. After that, your production gradually declines each year. This is reflected in your skin. Fortunately, you can support collagen by supplementing. You can also ensure you get enough collagen through diet. Your body produces it from amino acids, but it needs building blocks for this, such as protein-rich food, bone broth, sufficient vitamin C, and minerals like copper and zinc.

Book tips

• “The Ultimate Guide To Red Light Therapy” by Ari Whitten
• The comsetica conspiracy by Dr. Barbara Geusens

References

[1] Wunsch, A., & Matuschka, K. (2014). A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomedicine and laser surgery , 32 (2), 93-100.

[2] Couturaud, V., Le Fur, M., Pelletier, M., & Granotier, F. (2023). Reverse skin aging signs by red light photobiomodulation. Skin Research and Technology , 29 (7), e13391.