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Do you often catch yourself staring in the mirror looking for fine lines and wrinkles on your face?

If so, you are not the only one! We all anxiously wait for the signs of aging to appear on our skin.

Skin is our biggest organ, and its main responsibility is to protect us from environmental threats. As any shield used in furious battles, our skin takes a beating over the years of hard work too. As we grow older, we develop the visible signs of maturity; wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, sagginess, and dryness just to name a few.

These aging signs are inevitable. The faster we accept the reality, the happier we will be. Remember, worrying and stressing over wrinkles causes more wrinkles!

While there is no possible way to dodge the aging process altogether, you can use essential oils to prevent or at least delay the development of some aging signs. Therapeutic effects of essential oils can benefit your skin on a cellular level. So, instead of buying an expensive anti-aging cream, try creating your own reviving remedy out of the below-listed essential oils.

Why Does Our Skin Age?

The natural aging process leaves visible lines on our face. As years go by, our skin becomes thinner, drier and looser. A couple of different factors play role in this type of natural aging, medically known as “intrinsic aging”.

Our skin consists of different layers, each layer having its own role and characteristics. The dermis layer, for instance, consists of very complex proteins that give our skin elasticity and fullness. You have probably heard of collagen and elastin by now. These two proteins give our skin necessary stretchiness and plumpness.

With time, protein networks located in our dermis become fragmented, which leads to visible aging signs. Oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, hormonal changes and damage to DNA may be responsible for these embedded changes.

The degradation of these protein pillars can be worsened by some environmental factors and poor lifestyle choices. Here are some factors that cause premature skin aging:

• Excessive exposure to sun (UV rays)
• Smoking
• Repetitive facial expressions
• Poor diet
• Poor hydration
• Lack of exercise
• Alcohol
• Awkward sleeping positions
• Sleeping with makeup on
• Lack of sleep

8 Best Essential Oils for Aging Skin

Establishing an effective skincare routine is just as important as taking any other preventive action. Essential oils can be a great addition to any beauty regimen. Their enriched essence not only moisturizes and hydrates the skin but also encourages blood flow, healing and cell regeneration. Regular essential oil massages will help you treat age spots and smooth out existing fine lines and wrinkles.

Here are some of the best essential oils for aging skin:

1. Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense essential oil offers a number of different therapeutic effects to our aging skin. First and foremost, frankincense oil is a powerful astringent substance that can tone and tighten any soft tissue. You can use the oil to firm and lift the under eye area which is quite prone to sagging.

Regular use of frankincense oil helps reduce the appearance of age spots and sunspots as well. Its influential chemical composition can correct discoloration of your skin. On top of that, frankincense oil promotes regeneration of new skin cells while preserving the health of older ones. Regular massages will help you heal cracked skin and help you minimize the look of your wrinkles.

2. Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium essential oil is a great natural remedy for treating and preventing visible signs of aging. Therapeutic nature of geranium essence promotes healing and fading of acne scars, stretch marks and age spots. Geranium has the ability to contract and tone skin as well. This quality will help you minimize the appearance of your wrinkles and large pores.

Women who are going through menopause can use geranium aromatherapy for managing their fluctuating hormones. Lowered estrogen levels can cause physical and emotional stress to our body, and we all know that chronic stress is a number one culprit for premature cellular aging.

3. Carrot Seed Essential Oil

Carrot seed essential oil is packed with powerful antioxidants which according to the 2012 study published in Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine can reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress caused by free radicals located in our body and environment slowly but surely ages our skin. Regular topical applications of carrot seed oil will keep your skin protected, well moisturized and looking youthful.

Carrot seed essential oil achieves its therapeutic effects by stimulating blood circulation. Reliable blood flow brings vital oxygen and nutrients to the little cuts and cracks in the skin. In such improved living conditions, cells are able to grow accordingly.

4. Rose Essential Oil

Roses are considered one of the most beautiful flowers of the Earth. Their enticing smell and vibrant colors remind us of youth. There is no wonder why the essence extracted from the fresh Damascus Rose delays skin aging.

According to the study 2011 study published in Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, damask rose essential oil has high antioxidant activities that are great for treating and preventing a number of different illnesses caused by free radicals.

As we all know, free radicals are responsible for making our skin look dull, dry and wrinkly. The beauty industry has fully embraced rose essential oil and so can you! Adding just a few drops of rose oil to your daily skincare routine will help you significantly improve the look and texture of your skin.

5. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Ylang ylang essential oil is an excellent natural remedy for preserving youthful glow and overall health of the skin. Antioxidants found in the ylang essence protect our skin from oxidative stress, DNA damage, and skin cancer. Excessive exposure to harmful UV rays not only causes wrinkles but also increases the risks of melanoma, which is a common type of skin cancer.

Ylang yang is a great natural remedy for fighting the underlying causes of premature aging. Stress hormone called cortisol plays a major role in the aging process. When cortisol is high the production of an anti-aging hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) drops. You can prevent drastic decline of DHEA by fixing yourself a ylang-ylang aromatherapy whenever you feel tense. Pleasant ylang aroma will help you relax and get rid of anxiety and chronic stress.

6. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is an inexpensive alternative to the pricy and often useless anti-aging creams. In fact, if you look at the ingredients of these skincare products, you will often found lavender on the list. So, if the lavender is so beneficial for our skin, why not use it in its purest form?

Lavender essential oil prevents premature aging by increasing the activity of most powerful antioxidants found in our body, especially glutathione, SOD, and catalase. On top of that, the soothing lavender smell is often used as a natural remedy for insomnia.

A 2015 study published in the Clinical and Experimental Dermatology showed that chronic poor sleep increases signs of intrinsic aging. So, if you are having trouble sleeping, try diffusing some lavender essential oil before going to bed. A good night sleep will help you preserve your beauty and help you stay mentally sharp and productive throughout the day.

7. Neroli Essential Oil

Neroli essential oil is derived from white flowers of neroli citrus tree. As a natural emollient, neroli essential oil hydrates and moisturizes the skin. Dry and cracked skin instantly adds years to our resume. If you want to erase the illusion of having older skin, apply diluted neroli oil onto dry areas regularly. Even if you do not have dry skin, you can still use neroli oil as it is suitable for all skin types.

Regular neroli massages will help you minimize the appearance of acne scars, stretch marks, fine lines, and wrinkles as well. Topical application is not the only way to go about fighting premature aging. Aromatherapy curbs completely different aging factors within our body. This is the exact reason why neroli oil is great for reducing wrinkle-causing stress and heightened cortisol levels in our system.

8. Myrrh Essential Oil

Myrrh essential oil is a great anti-aging remedy that can help you strengthen and tone your loose skin. Gravity takes a great toll on our appearance. With age, our skin becomes thinner and saggier and our muscles lose their mass. A couple of drop of myrrh oil can help you firm and smooth your skin, and if applied to the scalp, they can even prevent hair loss. Just make sure you dilute the essential oil before application!

Myrrh essential oil is well known for its stimulating nature, which can boost blood circulation right underneath the surface of the skin. Proper oxygen supply ensures quick healing and healthy skin regeneration. You can use myrrh oil to prevent and treat cracked and chapped skin caused by pollution and extreme weather conditions.

For more on uses of essential oils, and different things they can be used for, please check out our complete list of essential oils and what they are used for here.

5 Best Carrier Oils for Aging Skin

Essential oils are extremely strong, and for that reason, they should always be diluted with a carrier oil. The skin around the eyes and around the mouth is extremely sensitive; therefore you should apply diluted remedies on these areas gently and precisely.

A 2% dilution should be sufficient for achieving the desired results. Every 2 drops of essential oil should be diluted with one teaspoon of carrier oil. If you are making a bigger batch, simply add 10 to 12 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.

Essential oils for aging skin show the best potential when diluted with carrier oils that offer similar anti-aging effects. Here are some of the best carrier oils you can choose from:

1. Jojoba oil tackles wrinkles and fine lines by stimulating collagen and by keeping skin well moisturized. The presence of vitamin E and vitamin B complex helps reduce inflammation and free radical damage.
2. Rosehip seed oil reduces the appearance of acne scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, and age spots with the help of beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C and anti-inflammatory fatty acids.
3. Argan oil is packed with antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin A, also known as retinol. According to the 2007 study published in JAMA and Archives Journals “Topical retinol improves fine wrinkles associated with natural aging.”
4. Grapeseed oil is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin D, C and E and linoleic, stearic and palmitic fatty acids. These ingredients are great for preserving the health of cell membranes. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition studied the effects of linoleic acid and vitamin C on over 30,000 participants. Results showed improvements in skin dryness and skin thinness.
5. Pomegranate seed oil is has a natural SPF that protects the skin from harmful UV rays. 70% of pomegranate seed oil belongs to punicic acid which has high antioxidant and anticancer activity.

5 Best Anti-Aging Remedies

Note: Know that following essential oil recipes are not recommendation or substitute for the treatment provided by your medical specialist. If you are having any concerns consult with your doctor beforehand.

1. Eye wrinkle serum

Ingredients:

• 1 drop of lavender essential oil
• 1 drops of neroli essential oil
• 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil
• 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil

Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients in a small glass bottle.
• Shake well to blend all ingredients.
• Using your pinky finger, gently apply few drops of serum around the eye area. Make sure the serum does not get into your eyes!

2. Moisturizing cream

Ingredients:

• 12 drops of rose essential oil
• 2 teaspoons of argan oil
• ¼ cup of softened shea butter

Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients together using a whisk.
• Store the cream in a small container.
• Apply a little bit of cream on your skin when needed.

3. Reviving face mask

Ingredients:

• 1 drops of carrot seed essential oil
• 1 drop of lavender essential oil
• 1 drop of frankincense essential oil
• 3 tablespoons of natural green clay
• Water

Instructions:

• Prepare a face mask by mixing all ingredients together. Add just enough water to get a paste-like consistency.
• Apply the mask on the areas of the face where signs of aging are starting to show up.
• Let the mask sit on your face for 30 minutes.
• Rinse off the mask with water.
• Feel free to use this remedy up to three times per week.

4. Anti-aging serum

Ingredients:

• 6 drops of frankincense essential oil
• 9 drops of geranium essential oil
• 9 drops of cypress essential oil
• 3 tablespoons of rosehip seed oil
• 3 tablespoons of sweet almond oil

Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients in a 2 oz. glass bottle.
• Gently massage few drops of serum on your wrinkles, preferably every night before going to bed.

5. Ylang-ylang face steam

Ingredients:

• 7 to 10 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil
• Water

Instructions:

• Boil some water in a pot, take it off the heat and add 7 to 10 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil to it.
• Lean over the pot and let the steam hit your face.
• You can place a towel on your head to create a sauna effect.
• Make sure you do not steam burn your face.

Conclusion

We all have our insecurities. Some people could care less about their wrinkles while other dread to see their reflection in the mirror. Worrying and stressing over those fine lines on your face will do you more harm than good. Remember, the first step to graceful aging is accepting the fact that maturing is inevitable.

This does not mean that you should throw in the towel. Quite the opposite, you should try your best to preserve the health and beauty of your skin. Therapeutic effects of essential oils can help you achieve the desired look.

Essential oils will not only keep your skin hydrated and moisturized but also free of premature aging signs. Fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots can be easily prevented and corrected with frequent essence enriched massages.

Here are some last tips that will help you establish a successful anti-aging skincare routine:

1. Do a skin patch test every time you introduce a new essential oil to your therapy.
2. Always dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil of your choice (olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil etc.) Diluting 2 drops of essential oil with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil should be sufficient.
3. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, make sure that essential oils you are using are not harmful in any way.
4. Never ingest essential oils.
5. Protect your skin with sunscreen.

References (medical studies):

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609303/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3586833/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25266053
• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070521162324.htm
• https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2007/10/08/Vitamin-C-and-linoleic-acid-may-slow-skin-ageing#