Five Ancient Anti-Aging Secrets

Olive Oil

The ancient civilizations that bordered the Mediterranean Sea treasured olive oil as a food, medicine, and an anti-aging product. Like the legendary Cleopatra, you can enjoy the benefits of olive oil for youthful skin and hair. Rich in antioxidants like vitamin E, olive oil promotes a smooth and radiant complexion, helps maintain skin elasticity, heals dry, brittle nails, and softens cuticles. For homemade skin soothing treatments add ¼ cup of olive oil to your bathwater or gently massage a few drops of olive oil on dry skin, especially elbows and heels. Make a moisturizing facial mask by blending olive oil, honey, and an egg. Soak fingernails in a small dish of warm olive oil for 5 to 10 minutes to soften cuticles. Warm several teaspoons of olive oil and rub it into your hair and scalp for a simple hair treatment; cover your head with a shower cap, wait 20 to 30 minutes, shampoo and rinse. Photo: Getty Images

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is derived from the seeds of the jojoba tree, an indigenous plant to the southwestern United States. Native Americans have used jojoba oil for centuries to treat wounds, as a skin conditioner, and as a hair and scalp treatment. Today, it is an active ingredient in soaps and moisturizers. Pure jojoba oil can be purchased in health food store; a few drops added to your favorite moisturizer make a super skin soothing treatment. Add a few drops to your hair conditioner or use it on its own to add shine to your hair, moisturize your scalp, or prevent dandruff. Photo: Getty Images

White Camellia Oil

White camellia oil is the secret ingredient used by Japanese geisha girls to elicit smooth, flawless skin. Used for generations in Japan as a hair and skin care treatment, white camellia oil is available worldwide and recognized as a soothing, anti-aging product for skin, hair and scalp. It is one of the most rapidly absorbed oils and is believed to help eliminate wrinkles, reduce stretch marks, revitalize hair growth, improve skin texture, and strengthen nails. Photo: Getty Images

Coconut Oil

Indian women use warm coconut oil during scalp massages to calm split ends and enhance thick, silky hair. Applying fresh coconut milk to the face and lips is also an ancient Indian anti-aging practice and provides a healthy glow. Coconut oil soothes and moisturizes skin, can protect against damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays, and prevents premature aging. Photo: Getty Images

Honey

Mediterranean women have been using honey for centuries as an anti-aging product. Honey contains antioxidants and when exposed to air, naturally absorbs moisture. For these reasons it is a natural skin moisturizer without leaving behind excess oil. Today, you can find honey as a popular anti-aging ingredient in skin care products like soaps, anti-wrinkle serums and mud masks. Photo: Getty Images