5 Natural Non-Toxic Alternatives to Botox

Botox and fillers are all the rage these days. They can allow people to achieve a younger, more vibrant look with little effort or cost. But like any medical procedure or drug, they come with their own set of risks. If you want to use a natural approach to restore your skin without injecting toxins and fillers, there are some natural, non-toxic alternatives to Botox you can try.

The Source of Botox

Botox’s official name is botulinum toxin from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin is one of the most potent neurotoxin biological substances known today. Every year, foodborne cases caused by Clostridium botulinum pop-up in the news. These cases are typically traced back to home-canned foods (a concentration of 10% salt can prevent the growth of botulism spores in canning) or commercially processed vegetables.

Botulism attacks nerves in the body and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death. The treatment for botulism is the drug antitoxin. Antitoxin cannot reverse the damage caused by the toxin, but it can prevent it from doing any further harm to the body.  

Botox Injections

Botox is a protein made from the Botulinum toxin, which comes from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. While the vast majority of the beauty and medical community have adopted Botox as a safe treatment, there are many known short-term adverse effects like blurred vision, urinary retention, breathing difficulties, itching, dizziness, and anaphylaxis. A drug review suggested that serious adverse events may appear after the 10th or 11th injection, indicating more research is needed to understand the potential long-term effects of Botox use.

In addition to the possible adverse effects from the toxin, there is still practitioner error. Some people end up with eyelids drooping, uneven smiles, drooling, and other signs that their facial muscles are not quite working right for weeks to months. Some experts believe Botox can make your muscles more vulnerable (than natural aging) to sagging skin. This may be attributed to Botox freezing and weakening your muscles.

Holistic Approach Without Botox

Enjoying healthy, glowing, youthful-looking skin starts from the inside out. From the foods we eat to the liquids we drink and the skincare we use – our exposure to various levels of toxins directly correlates to our level of health and the youthfulness of our skin. If you want to age gracefully, then take care of your whole body from the inside out.

Choose a natural approach to care for your overall health and vitality. The choice is up to you, but in the two weeks it takes for Botox to kick in, you could instead be on your way to smoother, more youthful-looking skin without the toxins. Here are 5 natural alternatives to Botox that can help you keep your skin looking smooth and youthful for years to come.

Natural Alternatives to Botox

Here are some alternatives to Botox you can try to keep skin youthful and radiant.

1. Protect with Sunscreen

Many people use Botox to smooth wrinkles on their faces. So, be diligent about protecting your skin from sun damage. Always wear sun protection when you are out in the sun. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, non-toxic mineral sunscreen, and stay out of direct sunlight. UV rays are the strongest between 10am and 4pm, so take extra care during these hours. Participating in outdoor activities is good for your body and soul, so enjoy those activities – just be sure to play safe with good sun protection!

2. Hydrate with Water

Because our bodies are composed of mostly water, it’s essential to keep our cells and skin hydrated to maintain optimal function and detoxification. Just be sure you’re hydrating with the best liquid – water! No sugary sodas or juices that are full of sugar and chemicals. Drinking plenty of water keeps your body and skin hydrated so your skin stays both smooth and clean. The Spa Dr.® True Hydration Drops is a highly concentrated electrolyte blend to support rapid nutrient replenishment to optimize your hydration.  

3. Avoid Age Accelerators

Stay away from age-accelerating habits. Avoid smoking, excessive alcohol, drug use, processed foods, sugar, and carcinogens. Instead, start to make age-defying lifestyle choices to slow the signs of aging. Eat nutrient-rich foods, exercise regularly, get some beauty sleep, manage your stress levels, and have a good skincare routine. Healthy habits will directly impact your physical and emotional health, which will positively affect your skin’s appearance. 

4. Anti-Aging Foods and Nutrients

The beauty industry wants you to believe that glowing skin is only skin deep. All you need is their product or injection to look young and beautiful. But the truth is that the foods you eat have a tremendous impact on the health of your skin. Here are some of my favorite foods and nutrients to slow the signs of aging:

AHA’s: Almost every skin care product boasts that it contains AHAs. Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) is an umbrella term for a variety of fruit acids including glycolic, citric, lactic, malic, and tartaric acids. One of the BEST and EASIEST ways to get these hyaluronic acids to work is from the inside out, when you eat organic produce. A fruit mask is one ideal way to benefit from AHA with no side effects.

Lemons: Try adding fresh lemon to water or herbal teas. Lemons are low in sugar and full of collagen-enhancing vitamin C.

Apples: They are great for people on the go. You can store them just about anywhere without having to worry about temperature. These are full of fiber and vitamin C.

Papaya: They are one of the best fruits for the skin. Papaya acts as a natural, plant-based alternative to chemical exfoliants. The AHAs (alpha hydroxyl acids) act to break down proteins and dissolve the dead skin cells.

Berries: Berries are full of antioxidants these tasty treats help reverse age-enhancing oxidative damage.

Greens: The next time you are prepping your leafy greens, especially kale and spinach, save the juice! You can create a concoction that can have a smoothing effect on your skin. Spinach and kale are specifically rich in chlorophyll, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that will leave your skin glowing. 

Bone Broth and/or Gelatin: If you’re vegetarian, you’ll want to skip this one, but these are full of collagen, which helps keep the skin soft, subtle, and more resilient to the aging process. This is a great alternative to botox.

5. Age-defying Natural Skincare Ingredients

Be sure to look for natural skin care products that contain natural, safe, and effective ingredients. Ingredients that are free from hormone-disrupting chemicals or toxins, and will be pH balancing to promote a healthy skin microbiome. Here are some age-defying ingredients to look for in good skin care or DIY recipes: 

Cranberry Seed: What’s exciting about cranberry seed oil is that it has the perfect ratio to omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which means that this oil will absorb amazingly into your skin, giving your skin greater hydration. Your skin will benefit from the flurry of antioxidants contained in this oil, including vitamin E.

Raspberry Seed: This oil is jam-packed with skin-loving goodies. It is one of nature’s natural SPFs. Raspberry seed is rich in antioxidants and superior anti-inflammatory properties.

Virgin Sea Buckthorn: Encourage cell turnover and increase your skin’s collagen levels with this amazing oil. The high concentration of the “rare” omega 7 concentration in this oil intensely moisturizes and improves and helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

Manuka Honey Extract: It’s not just good to eat! This well-documented extract makes it one of the most biologically active and beneficial honey for the skin. It’s perfect for enhancing your skin’s renewal process.

Camelina Oil: The nourishing and protective properties of this skin oil reduce the signs of skin aging and improve skin elasticity. This light ingredient contains vitamin E and omega 3 to effectively improve fine lines and wrinkles without the need for needles!

If you’re really looking to replace Botox, here’s the natural skincare ingredient that creates immediate results:

Pullulan – This polysaccharide is produced by the fungus Aureobasidium pullulan. Pullulan is an ingredient specifically in anti-aging products because of its ability to provide an instant skin-tightening effect as it adheres to the skin. It can quickly form a sheer film that improves skin’s texture and appearance. It is temporary and will wash off when you cleanse your skin, but it is a great, natural, non-toxic alternative to Botox. (Botox doesn’t even work that quickly!)

Are you excited about these natural skincare ingredients and non-toxic botox alternatives? I know I am! These ingredients, along with a plethora of other amazing ingredients, are featured in The Spa Dr.® natural, non-toxic skincare line, available here.

The Spa Dr.® Approach

At The Spa Dr.®, our approach is to help shine the light on skin care information and offer guidance to nurture your skin care journey. We believe the information we provide will help support your self-care and healing, and we want you to feel safe and cared for within our community!

The Spa Dr.® offers natural skin care products that are safe and free from chemicals and toxins, which disrupt hormones. Our products are formulated to contain key nutrients in their pure and active form to provide optimal results. In addition, our products are pH-balanced towards mild acidity to promote a healthy skin microbiome.

If you are not already part of The Spa Dr. community, please join us at TheSpaDr.com and on social media.

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