Wrinkles that radiate from the outer corners of the eyes are aptly called crow’s feet. They are most prominent when you laugh or frown, but become increasingly noticeable as you age. Don’t write it off as the price you pay for an expressive countenance or consider it the natural result of graceful aging. The truth is that many other factors such as environmental pollutants and solar radiation cause crow’s feet, robbing you of youthful looks.
Wrinkles develop on the skin when there’s a decline in the production of connective tissue protein collagen. It normally forms a cushioning layer under the skin, keeping it smooth and plump. Elastin is another structural protein that helps maintain the elasticity of the skin, allowing it to expand and contract with normal muscular movements.
Skin tissue is perpetually renewed as older cells die and fall off, making way for new ones. Skin regeneration rate is at the highest in infancy and childhood but slows down as we age. That’s why cuts and scrapes quickly heal in our growing years, and that too with minimum scar formation. But natural aging is just one of the reasons for losing the healthy texture of the skin.
4 Top Causes Of Crow’s Feet:
Environmental pollution
Skin is the most exposed part of the body, especially facial skin that is rarely covered. Not surprisingly, it takes the brunt of constant exposure to heat, cold, dust, radiation, and chemical substances. That includes the chemicals in face washes and other cosmetics we use to clean and beautify the skin.
Dehydration
Sufficient hydration is essential for the normal functioning of all the tissues and organs, and that’s true in the case of skin, which happens to be the largest organ in our body. Not consuming enough fluids can cause skin dehydration. Combined with the drying effects of the wind as well as dry indoor air in air-conditioned rooms, it takes a heavy toll on skin health. The regeneration process of skin suffers when it is dehydrated.
Nutritional deficiencies
The process of skin regeneration is expensive with regards to raw materials that go into the making of cells, namely, amino acids, lipoproteins, vitamins, and minerals. Our diet consisting of highly processed food products is devoid of many of the essential nutrients we could easily get from fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, pulses and unprocessed grains. From a nutritional point of view, we are, in fact, starving in the middle of plenty. Alcohol and sugar accelerate skin wrinkling.
Solar radiation
We naturally squint when we step out into the sun, but that’s the least of the ill effects of sun exposure. The ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause tissue damage since it not only affect the top-most layer of the skin but easily penetrates into the dermal layer.
Depending on the intensity of the sun’s rays and the duration of the exposure, the damage is inflicted even when you don’t see any signs of sunburn. Loss of skin elasticity and fine wrinkles are common symptoms of UV damage. It is referred to as photoaging since it makes the skin look aged.
Top 10 Home Remedies To Remove & Reduce Crow’s Feet:
1. Whole milk compress for your face
Apply a washcloth dipped in whole milk over the eyes and sides of the face. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and wash off with plain water. You can add a tablespoon of honey or a teaspoon of almond oil to the milk for added benefits. Do this as part of your morning and evening skincare routine.
What it does: Milk is full of skin-friendly substances such as amino acids, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. It contains nine essential amino acids and six semi-essential ones, including arginine, glycine, and proline important for collagen formation. Hydroxylation of proline results in hydroxyproline, which constitutes about 13% of all collagen in our body. Together with proline, it plays a key role in maintaining collagen stability.
Milk also contains all the fat soluble vitamins, of which Vitamins A and E are particularly useful in the cellular renewal of skin. Their high antioxidant power helps reduce tissue damage from UV radiation and chemical pollutants. Milk fats help keep the skin soft and moisturized. If you can get your hands on raw milk, it is the best for this facial treatment.
2. Egg white face mask
Beat an egg white until slightly frothy and apply on face after washing with cold water. Allow it to dry on the face until you feel the skin tightening. Apply a second coat and let it dry. Keep the mask on for 10-20 minutes, making sure your facial muscles remain relaxed the whole time. Wash the mask off with soap and water and apply a moisturizer. Do it twice a week to see a reduction in wrinkles.
What it does: Egg white pulls together the skin tissue as it dries, effectively tightening the skin, making it smoother and wrinkle-free. It also acts as a deep cleanser, drawing out all the grime and chemical pollutants from the skin pores.
Most of the vitamins, fats, calcium and other minerals in the egg are concentrated in the yolk, but the white is superior when it comes to proteins and magnesium. This mineral is essential for skin health; it helps detoxify and cleanse the skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. When egg white is applied on the skin, the mineral quickly reaches the target tissue, bypassing the gut and the circulatory route. In fact, transdermal absorption of magnesium is more efficient than oral intake.
Egg whites are also a good source of both essential and nonessential amino acids, each 100 grams containing 4.5 grams of arginine, 2.9 grams of glycine, and 2.9 grams of proline that help with collagen synthesis.
3. Green tea face wash
Wash your face several times with cold green tea. Alternatively, place cotton balls dipped in the tea over the eyes and the crow’s feet. This is not only soothing but a great anti-ageing skin therapy. You can add a few drops of lemon juice to the brew to increase the anti-ageing effect because the phytochemicals in tea are more stable in acidic solutions.
What it does: The antioxidant property of green tea is well known. The green tea catechins are mainly responsible for this effect, while the flavonoid myricetin in the tea helps increase the bioactivity of these substances.
When green tea is applied to the skin, the catechins get absorbed, reducing oxidative damage to the skin tissues. The astringency of the catechins helps contract lax skin, making it tighter. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is the most active among them, has poor bioavailability when the tea is consumed. But topical application makes it easily available to the skin tissues.
4. Aloe vera
Aloe vera’s skin benefits need no introduction. Scrape out the pulp from the fleshy leaves and apply it directly on the crow’s feet. Allow it to dry on the skin. You can use it as an overnight mask and wash it off with plain water in the morning.
What it does: This highly moisturizing gel hydrates the skin and firms it up, removing fine lines and wrinkles. The deceptively clear pulp is chock-full of vitamins, minerals and plant enzymes that protect the skin from oxidative damage. Polysaccharides and growth-promoting plant hormones such as glucomannan and gibberellin in the gel accelerate tissue repair and regeneration by increasing collagen synthesis.
5. Coconut oil
Give the skin the benefit of the moisturizing and nourishing effect of coconut oil by gently massaging it in at night. Warm the oil slightly to encourage complete absorption. Wipe the face with tissue paper to remove any excess. You can add a drop or two of Vitamin E oil too.
What it does: The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil have excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It has only small amounts of Vitamin E, but the fatty acids enhance the absorption of this skin-friendly vitamin.
6. Cucumber
Extract the juice from a piece of cucumber by grating or crushing it. Drench cotton balls in the juice and place them on the crow’s feet for 10-15 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day for a few weeks or until the wrinkles are visibly reduced.
What it does: Cucumbers are considered a zero-nutrition food, but it contains the minerals magnesium, iron, and calcium as well as Vitamin C and A in small amounts. They get easily absorbed when applied directly on the target skin tissue, and reduce oxidative damage and increase collagen production.
7. Avocado
Avocado is an age-old remedy for softening the skin and maintaining its youthful appearance. Whip up the flesh of this oil-rich fruit and apply it generously on the skin. You can allow this gentle face mask to stay on for 20-30 minutes to work its magic.
What it does: Avocado is a good source of Vitamins A and C, and the minerals magnesium, iron, and potassium. The fats in the avocado pulp moisturizes the skin facilitates the absorption of the vitamins and minerals.
8. Papaya
Mash up a slice of ripe papaya and apply it all over the face. Wash off after 10-15minutes. Repeat it every 2-3 days to remove crow’s feet as well as fine wrinkles and spots elsewhere on the face.
What it does: The glycolic acid and the enzyme papain in the fruit pulp help remove dead cells and encourage skin regeneration. Papaya is rich in antioxidant carotenes and Vitamin C and contains minerals magnesium, copper, and potassium.
9. Yogurt
Mix one tablespoon yogurt and a tablespoon of honey. Spread it all over the face and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water to get skin that looks and feels incredibly smooth.
What it does: The lactic acid in the yogurt exfoliates the skin, helping remove dirt and germs. It helps remove blemishes and irons out fine wrinkles. Honey is a natural humectant, helping skin retain moisture, besides deep cleansing it.
10. Lemon juice
When there’s not much time for an elaborate skincare session, just cut a lemon into two and rub the cut end on the outer sides of the eyes. Wash off after 10 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times a day to get smoother skin. When you’re not in a hurry, you can mix a teaspoon of honey in the juice of a lemon and apply it all over the face.
What it does: The citric acid in the lemon juice exfoliates the skin, encouraging skin regeneration. It contains plenty of Vitamin C, which is excellent as antioxidant and exfoliant. This vitamin promotes collagen development and skin regeneration.