My Fair Lady : How To Use Essential Oils To Combat Wrinkles Naturally,Plus Other Best Oils that are Beneficial for your Skin beauty.

The appearance of wrinkles represents the most obvious sign that we are aging. It happens to all human beings at some point, but the longer we can avoid it, the happier we are.

 Before discussing the essential oils you can use to naturally combat wrinkles, it is important to remind you that sunlight is the main cause of skin aging because it damages skin cells much faster than normal physical aging does. Other causes include smoking, unhealthy diet, genetics and more (you can read more about them in my article about the top 10 causes for premature aging of your face).

Why Does Skin Wrinkle With Age

As we age, our skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. This means that the skin is more fragile, can be injured very easily, and its ability to protect itself from damage is reduced.

The skin also tends to sag as components such as collagen and elastin (which provide skin firmness and elasticity) are reduces. In addition, our oil-secreting glands shrink, which leaves our skin with less oil than it needs to stay moisturized. Moisture means flexibility to shrink and stretch, as it is supposed to do when we smile, frown, and so on.

Essential oils can help by keeping your skin moisturized, and can thereby prevent some of the damage resulting from a lack of elasticity.

The Best Essential Oils for Wrinkles

The following essential oils are healthy for your skin and may protect you from wrinkles:

Lemon, neroli, and all other citrus oils are packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant.

Antioxidants directly protect your skin from aging by repairing the free radicals that break your skin cells. Most of their skin protective properties are found in citral, the chemical that gives all citrus oils their distinctive fragrance. Lemon oil is very versatile and you can read my article about 10 amazing uses for lemon essential oil.

Sandalwood is high in sesquiterpene compounds, which stimulate the pituitary and hypothalamus glands to secrete more growth hormone.

Growth hormone secretion declines as we get older, and it supports the skin by promoting cell growth. Read more about this oil in my article about the best uses for sandalwood essential oil.

Clary sage makes the skin look firmer and smoother by tightening open pores.

This partly hides the wrinkles by making your skin appear to be smoother, but it also prevents new wrinkles from forming by closing the gaps into which the skin can start collapsing.

Frankincense oil protects existing cells and promotes the growth of new cells. Since new cell growth is crucial for slow skin aging, it thereby helps to reduce wrinkles, sagging, and even scarring. It is also one of the best oils for treating eczema.

Carrot seed oil, similarly, promotes new cell growth, which makes it a good oil to lighten blemishes and combat puckering.

Lavender oil is one of the best essential oils for a healthy skin. Is is a  great moisturizer, and increases blood flow to the skin tissues. This increases the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin and improves its appearance. Lavender oil is one of the most versatile essential oils and you can read more about it in my article about the top 10 uses for lavender essential oil. 

Geranium oil protects old cells from damage and stimulates new cell growth by facilitating blood flow to the area where it is applied. It also pulls water from your body into your skin, which moisturizes it even further.

Patchouli oil protects skin cells against bacteria, fungi, yeast, and inflammation. It also helps new cells form to keep your skin dense for as long as possible.

Myrrh oil is also an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, and can therefore prevent your skin cells from dying prematurely. This will keep your skin strong and thick through your middle ages.

Ylang ylang oil helps regenerate skin cells, improving skin elasticity and smooth fine lines.

Rose oil keeps skin moisturized and firm, renews cell membranes and regenerates the skin. It’s good for rejuvenating aging skin and smoothing wrinkles.

Best Carrier Oils for Wrinkles

Grapeseed oil – This oil contains a high amount of lipids that are essential for cell membrane, is rich in phenol and many essential fatty acids that strengthen and nourish the cells and maintain moisture. Grapeseed oil is an excellent cosmetic ingredient to control moisture of the skin. It is rich in vitamin E and proanthocyanidins, both potent antioxidants to save your skin from premature aging.

Apricot kernel oil – This carrier oil has great skin benefits. It is rich in omega-6 and vitamin A that give it great moisturizing and antioxidant properties.  It is used in cosmetics to soften the skin, especially those suitable for baby skin, dry and irritated skin and body and hand creams and lotions.

Sweet almond oil – The oil is a good moisturizer, and has been traditionally used by massage therapists to lubricate the skin during a massage session, and is the most common base oil for skin care among massage oils and bath.

Sweet almond oil is renowned for its rich concentration of oleic and linoleic essential fatty acids, which help to give it unequaled penetrating and restructuring properties.

Avocado oil – Avocado oil is used for lubrication and in cosmetics, where it is valued for its supposed regenerative and moisturizing properties.

The oil is rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids. It is rich in vitamin E which is an antioxidant, and helps to slow aging and protect the skin from sun damage. The oil is absorbed easily and provides deep moisture for dry skin, and helps retain the skin flexibility and slow the appearance of wrinkles.

Rosehip seed oil – This oil has passed some clinical studies for its ability to lighten scarring, age spots and improve wrinkles. It is high in the essential fatty acids and beta carotene.

Evening primrose oil – This oil is rich in is gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which is an omega-6 essential fatty acid. This oil has many skin benefits: it moisturize and rejuvenates dry skin, adds elasticity to the skin making it firmer, reduces signs of aging and fine lines.

Jojoba oil – This oil has anti aging effects and is known for its ability to moisturize the skin and reduce fine lines.

How to Use Essential Oils to Combat Wrinkles

Whatever you decide to do, remember some basic rules:

Dilution – To apply the oils on your face, mix a few drops of essential oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil. A good rule of thumb when making a 2% dilution (which is ideal for most adults in most situations and is a good dilution for daily skin care) is to add 12 drops of essential oil to each fl. ounce (30 ml) of carrier oil.

Skin test – Before applying the diluted oil to your face, first apply it to the back of your forearm to ensure that it does not cause any allergic reaction. This is equally sensitive skin, but you can protect and hide it from other people and from the sun under your clothes.

Apply small amounts – Essential oils are, well, oily, so you can get away with using very small amounts. It does not wash off easily, so use only what fits on your finger. Apply it to a small area of your body, and go back for more if it is not enough.

Protect your eyes – Take special care to protect your eyes from the essential oils which are very concentrated. As the worst wrinkles normally materialize below and beside your eyes, you must keep them tightly closed to prevent the oil reaching your eyes.

A Powerful Essential Oil Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer

If you don’t want to buy an entire collection of oils, pick any one from the above list, mix it with carrier oil, and apply it to your skin as a night time moisturizer. However you can blend several of the essential oils.

An Anti-Wrinkle Essential Oil Blend

Make your own oil blend which you keep in a bottle and apply at night after washing your face. Store in a dark cool place.

Mix the following:

• 30 ml (1 oz) of grapeseed or sweet almond oil as a carrier oil
• 4 drops of carrot seed oil
• 4 drops of sandalwood oil
• 4 drops of neroli oil

Pour it into a bottle and then apply few drops to your face by patting, not rubbing.

A Hydrating Anti-Wrinkle Essential Oil Mist for Wrinkles

Adjust this recipe and make a moisturizing spray to keep your skin moist throughout the day.

Instead of using the carrier oil as you did above:

• mix 12 drops of essential oil (or essential oils) to 1 oz (30 ml) of water and put it in a small spray bottle that you can carry in your handbag.
• Shake well before each application and spray this hydrating mist on your face several times a day while keeping your eyes tightly closed, of course.

Other Oils That are Beneficial for your Skin

Coconut oil – Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer not only for the hair, but also for the skin. It helps to soften the skin and is especially good for dry skin. It may also help to treat eczema due to its anti inflammatory properties. You can find more information on how to use it in my post: Coconut Oil Secrets for Beautiful Glowing Skin and Shiny Hair.

Argan oil – Argan oil is extracted from the kernels of the Argan tree, which is endemic to Morocco and is especially common in the southwest of the country. The oil is particularly rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6 and 9) and has many cosmetic qualities. It serves as an important component in luxury spa treatments worldwide. You can get more information about this oil in my post on how to use argan oil for great looking skin and hair.

Oil cleansing – Oil cleansing uses specific combinations of natural oils to clean and balance your skin. It is usually used for your face and can be combined with gentle steaming. You can find more information in my post on how to rejuvenate your skin using oil cleansing.