Essential Oils for Anti-Aging
It is an inescapable fact that we are all going to age. Some people age more gracefully than others and men age a little better than women. But no matter who you are, you are going to have to deal with aging at some point. Luckily, there are lots of essential oils that can help with the signs of aging and if you use them correctly you can not only take years off of your skin, but benefit from the other effects of the essential oil as well. Before getting into the anti-aging essential oils, first you must understand what aging is and why it happens.
Why Does Aging Happen
So, why does aging happen? Although scientists have been studying this for decades or more, they still don’t have a definitive answer as to what exactly causes the body to age. At some point, the body begins to switch directions and age instead of mature. Think of it like a car going up a steep hill. When you get to the top, you have reached your prime physiological condition and you begin age.
There are numerous theories of aging and scientists are divided on many aspects of the subject. For example, some scientists believe that the aging trigger exists in the brain while others believe that it exists in every cell of the body. Unfortunately, until scientists can understand the aging process fully, there is no way to reverse it completely and extend the human lifespan to immortality. However, there are ways to deal with the symptoms of aging.
What are the Symptoms of Aging?
Most people are familiar already with the symptoms of aging. Nearly everyone knows someone who is aging – such as their parents, grandparents or other relatives. When you age, your skin loses its elasticity and you start to develop wrinkles as well as fine lines. In addition, blemishes appear on the skin, such as age spots. Your hair begins to thin (see here for essential oils for hair health) and even fall out as you age and you may develop aches and pains and become susceptible to a variety of age-related illnesses. Mental acuity may be compromised as well as motor reflexes.
Other Factors That Contribute to Signs of Aging
Besides actual aging itself, many other factors can cause you to experience signs of aging. Smokers are much more likely to develop fine lines and wrinkles (as well as suffer from dental problems and breathing problems). Not getting enough sleep also contributes to these cosmetic problems as does being under constant stress (see essentials to eliminate stress). You also have to be careful about the skincare products that you use because some of them can actually cause signs of aging rather than prevent them
Essential Oils for Anti-Aging & Wrinkles
There are a number of essential oils that help with signs of aging. The way that you use these essential oils varies depending upon your personal preference, the form of the essential oil that you have and the particular sign of aging that you are trying to heal. These essential oil alternatives to cosmetic products are perfectly safe and often extremely effective with signs of aging.
Apricot Kernel
Apricot kernel oil can be found in all sorts of soaps, creams, lotions and other personal care products. It has the distinction of not leaving a greasy residue behind when used on the skin. Apricot kernel oil both hydrates and nourishes the skin, and it contains omega six fatty acids and vitamins E and E, which can help to stimulate the production of collagen.
Argan Oil
One of the substances that returns the skin to its former elasticity state are fatty acids; they also hydrate the skin, remove fine lines and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Like apricot kernel oil, argan oil is a carrier oil and you can use it with other anti-aging concoctions.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is great for the skin but probably not the face. The reason is that avocado oil is particularly thick and a little sticky. However, when it comes to the nutrients that it contains, it is one of the best essential oils for the skin, containing vitamins A and D and sterolins which stimulate the production of collagen.
Carrot Seed
Another anti-aging oil that has a number of other benefits is carrot seed oil. Carrot seed oil has antioxidant carotenoids that help protect against UV rays by increasing immune system activity. This helps to keep your skin from being damaged by the sun, protecting you against skin cancer and also rejuvenating skin cells and removing toxins.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil smells amazing and it is the perfect addition to anti-aging serums as well as massage oils and other combinations. Coconut oil contains triglycerides like lauric acid and is packed with vitamin E. Coconut oil is great as an anti-aging product but it can also be used for other types of skin care such as development of cellulite or to treat stretch marks.
Cypress Oil
Cypress essential oil help with anti-aging but not in the way that you would expect. Instead of treating the skin itself, Cypress oil improves circulation and it also helps to minimize the appearance of burst capillaries, which lead to bruising and varicose veins that often appear in aging, as well as help to strengthen skin.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense oil stimulates the production of several skin cells and that means that fine lines, wrinkles and scars can all benefit from this great smelling essential oil. Frankincense also balances the pH of the skin and helps to tighten up the saggy places that come with aging.
Geranium Oil
Geranium oil reduces the inflammation of the skin and it helps even the skin tone. It also helps with one of the most common signs of aging – skin spots. Geranium oil improves skin circulation and stimulates cell growth.
Lavender Oil
Massage lavender essential oil in your skin to benefit from its amazing anti-aging properties. Lavender essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-aging properties, which helps delay fine lines, age spots and wrinkles, as well as sunspots. It also has skin regenerative properties.
Lemon Oil
Lemon oil can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps to lighten the dark spots on your skin.
Neroli
Neroli oil is antibacterial, antiseptic oil that helps to treat damaged skin and reduce the inflammation that comes with irritated skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of the Neroli oil help to improve circulation, reduce the appearance of stretch marks and treat fine lines and wrinkles on the face.
Pomegranate
One of the reasons that pomegranate seed oil is so effective on the skin is the concentration of antioxidants that it contains. Not only does it help to treat the signs of aging but it actually helps to slow the aging process. Pomegranate oil prevents damage from free radicals and has all sorts of benefits, like enhancing the elasticity of skin, increasing the production of cells and nourishing skin.
Rosemary
Rosemary oil is a great skin tightening oil and it reduces fine lines and wrinkles and helps to preserve any other oils that you mix with, making it perfect for anti-aging mixtures.
Rose Hip Seed Oil
Rose hip seed oil is packed with the fatty acids that your skin needs to stay tight and heal itself. Rose hip seed oil has the highest concentration of vitamin A among all of the pure botanical oils and is one of the best tools that you can use to fill in wrinkles and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Rose hip seed oil also helps with dark age spots and heals damaged skin. It is also stimulant for the production of new skin cells and has omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood oil is extremely useful when you have irritated skin or skin that is damaged and it helps to reduce the appearance of all three signs of aging: fine lines, wrinkles and age spots, as well as helps to reduce the appearance of scars.
Sea Buckthorne Berry
Seabrook Thornberry is full of vitamins and actually helps to reverse the signs of aging as well as treats dry skin and other conditions.
Sweet Almond
Finally, Sweet almond oil has a lot of vitamins E and K which helps skin to regenerate and hold its elasticity. Also you can use sweet almond oil to block UV rays and it has the added benefit of being fragrance free, which is useful for people who cannot use oils with strong fragrances.
