Nowadays, it seems like you can’t turn on the television or even walk into a store without being inundated with advertisements for the newest anti-aging fads. Shelf upon shelf of products line the aisles and commercials are rampant with the latest trends of beauty creams promising to eliminate wrinkles and make you look and feel younger.
The problem is that not only are these products expensive, but many of them also contain questionable ingredients. Since the skin is the largest organ of the human body, it’s really important to be mindful of what we’re putting on it. Remember that our bodies are exposed to numerous toxic substances every single day, so why add to that number with body-care products that have toxic and harmful ingredients?
Natural alternatives to promote youthful-looking skin
You don’t have to rely on chemical-laden products to help you achieve a youthful look. Actually, there are many ways that you can help reduce the effects and appearance of aging naturally. Some simple ways you can help your skin look and feel younger include:
- Not smoking
- Exercising regularly
- Drinking plenty of water
- Eating a whole-food diet
- Getting enough quality sleep
- Not using harsh products on your skin
- Keeping your skin hydrated
- Using skin-nourishing carrier oils and essential oils
Essential oils for wrinkles
Essential oils and skin-nourishing carrier oils are a great way to reduce the appearance of aging by helping keep the skin moisturized, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, helping with acne, and helping to promote a youthful, healthy look.
Even so, I would like to point out that scientific research, in many cases, has not proven or even studied the effects of essential oils on wrinkles. However, as you will soon read, there are several essential oils that have a long history of use for wrinkles and mature skin. I’ve included 8 of them for you below.
1. Helichrysum
Helichrysum essential oil is traditionally considered to be one of the best essential oils for wrinkles. While scientific studies are lacking regarding this specific claim, there is no doubt that it contains therapeutic properties that are beneficial for the skin. Studies have found that helichrysum is antifungal and antibacterial, and it’s frequently used for acne, scars, and skin issues.1 Aromatherapists have long believed helichrysum to be beneficial for not only nourishing the skin, but also for reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and stretch marks.
2. Geranium
Geranium is another essential oil that has a long history of use for mature skin and aging. Studies have shown that it’s not only antibacterial, but is antifungal as well, helping to support skin health as well as to aiding with wound healing.2 It is considered useful for a number of skin conditions including acne, oily skin, eczema, bruises, and more. Additionally, the subtle rose-like aroma of geranium is beneficial for reducing feelings of stress, which we all know is beneficial when trying to improve skin (and whole-body) health.
3. Frankincense
Frankincense is a fantastic essential oil to add to your skincare routine. In fact, it’s a favorite among essential oil users, especially for mature or blemished skin. This essential oil has astringent and antimicrobial properties that help support healthy skin, but it’s also frequently used to reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and blemishes as well.3 Additionally, a scientific study conducted in 2017 found that frankincense essential oil shows promise for its potential with tissue remodeling.4
4. Lavender
If your skin is losing its youthful glow due to stress, then lavender is a wise choice. It’s a great essential oil for a number of skin issues and is beneficial for just about any skin type. Lavender also happens to contain antioxidant properties as well.5 This is significant since oxidative stress can have a negative effect on skin and contributes to the appearance of dull, aging skin. Lavender also works really well when combined with other essential oils, so it’s a great one to add to an anti-aging blend.
5. Rosemary
Rosemary is a great essential oil for wrinkles due to its antioxidant activity. It has been studied for its antioxidant and preservative activities, mainly in regards to food preservation. However, it is also frequently added to body-care products to help slow down the oxidation process.6 Additionally, it is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, which, combined with its ability to scavenge free radicals, makes it incredibly beneficial for not only supporting skin health in general, but also for improving the appearance of aging skin.
6. Neroli
Neroli essential oil has a lovely floral aroma and a long history of use in perfumery and body care. Many also find it to help with feelings of stress and anxiety, which is especially helpful if your skin is being affected by your stress levels. It contains numerous therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties as well.7 Neroli is widely believed to be capable of regenerating the skin, which is why it’s such a popular choice for anti-aging and blemish formulations. However, scientific studies have yet to confirm this.
7. Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang is another lovely floral-scented essential oil that is popular for wrinkles and skin care. Like many of the essential oils on this list, ylang ylang can have a calming effect on one’s nerves and boasts a number of therapeutic properties to support skin health. Common practices include using it in facial and body-care formulations since it is believed to have the ability to balance and/or stimulate oil production on the skin and scalp. When using ylang ylang, just keep in mind that it should only be used in very small amounts since the exotic aroma can be quite overpowering.
8. Carrot Seed
Carrot seed essential oil is considered to be beneficial for the skin in a number of ways for issues such as acne, eczema, and aging skin. Although scientific studies are lacking to support this evidence, the oil is believed to contain regenerative properties, which is why it’s often used in formulations for wrinkles, blemishes, and aging skin. Carrot seed essential oil is extracted from the wild carrot plant and has a pleasant earthy, herbaceous aroma that blends nicely with many other essential oils.
Anti-aging essential oil blends
Below, I’ve created 3 essential oil blends to help support healthy skin and a youthful look. The blends can easily be added to one ounce of your favorite facial moisturizer or your favorite carrier oil to be applied to the face. Just remember that it’s always a good idea to do a patch test first to check for any potential sensitivities.
Anti-aging blend #1
- 5-7 drops helichrysum essential oil
- 2 drops rosemary essential oil
- 1 drop ylang ylang essential oil
Anti-aging blend #2
- 4-5 drops neroli essential oil
- 3 drops frankincense essential oil
- 1-2 drops lavender essential oil
Anti-aging blend #3
- 5-6 drops geranium essential oil
- 2-3 drops carrot seed essential oil
- 1 drop lavender essential oil
Use essential oils for natural anti-aging skin care
As you can see, there are several essential oils that may help reduce the appearance of aging. Many of them contain antimicrobial properties that can help keep the skin healthy and balanced, and there are others that can help the skin to regenerate as well. And as an added bonus, they’re incredibly easy to incorporate into your current facial care routine—simply add them to your favorite products or blend them with a skin-nourishing carrier oil.
About Nicole Stine
Nicole Stine is a certified herbalist who has numerous aromatherapy and natural health certifications. She is passionate about using herbs and essential oils safely and thoroughly enjoys researching and writing about natural health, as well as creating her own formulations.
Sources:
1. Djihane, B., N. Wafa, et al. “Chemical constituents of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don essential oil and their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, filamentous fungi and Candida albicans.” Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal 25, no. 5 (2017): 780–87.
2. Pattnaik, S., V. R. Subramanyam, & C. Kole. “Antibacterial and antifungal activity of ten essential oils in vitro.” Microbios 86, no. 346 (1996): 237–46.
3. Mikhaeil, B. R., G. T. Maatooq, et al. “Chemistry and Immunomodulatory Activity of Frankincense Oil.” Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C 58, no. 3-4 (2003): 230–38.
4. Han, X., D. Rodriguez, & T. L. Parker. “Biological activities of frankincense essential oil in human dermal fibroblasts.” Biochimie Open 4 (2017): 31–35.
5. Kıvrak, Ş. “Essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of eight cultivars of Lavender and Lavandin from western Anatolia.” Industrial Crops and Products 117 (2018): 88–96.
6. Nieto, G., G. Ros, & J. Castillo. “Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis, L.): A Review.” Medicines 5, no. 3 (2018): 98.
7. Ammar, A.H., J. Bouajila, et al. “Chemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Citrus aurantium l. flowers essential oil (Neroli oil).” Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences 15, no. 21 (2012): 1034–40.