Using Essential Oils for Anti-Aging - A Beginner’s Guide To The Phenomenal Powers Of Essential Oils: Essential Oil Recipes For Weight Loss, Aromatherapy, Stress Relief And Anti-Aging (2016)

A Beginner’s Guide To The Phenomenal Powers Of Essential Oils: Essential Oil Recipes For Weight Loss, Aromatherapy, Stress Relief And Anti-Aging (2016)

Chapter 4. Using Essential Oils for Anti-Aging

Aging can be slowed down with the use of essential oils. Certain oils can bring back the youthful glow of the skin and make it feel softer and smoother. These oils are even more powerful than the ultra-expensive anti-aging serums available commercially. It may be DIY but its effect rivals those expensive serums.

Apricot kernel oil

This is among the top carrier oils used for blends meant for healing and rejuvenating the skin. Apricot kernel oil contains an abundant amount of omega-6 gamma linolenic acid. This promotes lots of desirable things when applied to the skin. It has a rejuvenating effect. It nourishes the skin and hydrates it. The vitamin A and E in this carrier oil promote regeneration of the skin cells, replacing old and dry ones. These also promote collagen production that keeps the skin elastic. Collagen reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

The skin readily absorbs apricot kernel oil. It leaves a non-greasy feel, making it perfect to use on all skin types. It is safe and works great from oily skin to dry or sensitive skin type. This oil is also one of the most recommended natural oils to hydrate and heal very dry skin.


Sweet almond oil

This oil is rich in vitamins K and E. These vitamins promote skin cell regeneration and maintain elasticity. It also enhances better blood circulation to the skin. Blood brings oxygen and more nutrients to keep the skin healthy and younger looking. Blood also gives the necessary hydration to keep skin supple. Proper blood circulation also means waste from the skin cells are removed and brought to the proper organs for excretion.

Sweet almond oil has natural UV-blocking abilities. This can protect the skin from accelerated aging due to UV radiation (photoaging). This is the highly recommended oil for people who spend lots of times under the sun.

This oil has no odor. This makes it perfect as the carrier oil because it will not interfere with the scent of added essential oils. This is also perfect for people who do not like to wear essential oils with strong scents.

Sweet almond oil is lightly oil. It does not leave a very heavy greasy feel to the skin after application. Its consistency is almost the same as that of olive oil. It is easily and quickly absorbed by the skin.


Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

This oil is full of vitamin E, which is a very potent antioxidant. It protects the skin from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Oxidative damage is among the major factors that cause premature or accelerated aging. It makes the skin dry, wrinkly and prone to more damage. The vitamin E in organic virgin coconut oil is excellent in preventing these. Because of this capability, this oil is among the leading carrier oils used for anti-aging serum.

Aside from the antioxidant vitamin E, coconut oil also contains a great amount of medium-chain triglycerides called lauric acid. This is a very healthy compound that can help delay the signs of skin aging. It also has potent anti-bacterial properties that are mild on the skin but tough against bacteria. Both vitamin E and lauric acid work together to promote skin healing while treating or preventing skin infections.

Anti-aging is not the only benefit from using coconut oil on the skin. It also helps in preventing or reducing the formation of cellulites. Coconut oil strengthens the skin’s outer layer, the epidermis. This benefit also leads to fading of stretch marks and in eliminating a condition called keratosis pilaris.

Coconut oil has natural sunscreen properties. It protects the skin from damage when exposed to the harmful UV rays. It’s all natural and 100% free from artificial compounds that can be damaging to the skin.


Avocado Oil

This oil is very thick compared to the previously discussed ones but is one of the healthiest. Avocado oil is rich in plant sterolins, compounds that boost the skin’s collagen production. Collagen improves skin elasticity and makes it look supple and younger looking. Vitamin A and E are also abundant in avocado oil. These vitamins are among the best ones that promote better skin health and delay the appearance of signs of skin aging.

Avocado oil might prove too thick for sensitive or thin skin areas such as over the face. Use this oil only at night or when planning to spend the entire day at home. Applying it on the skin may leave a shiny, oily look.

Argan Oil

This oil is composed of about 80% fatty acids. Argan oil is wonderful to use to promote better skin hydration. These fatty acids also help in restoring the skin’s elasticity and prevents the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Rosehip seed Oil

This can be used as the carrier oil or as an auxiliary ingredient. Rosehip seed oil is best known for the highest concentration of natural vitamin A in any botanical oil. Vitamin A in rosehip seed oil is in the form of ATRA or all-trans retinoic acid.

ATRA is very effective in reducing how deep the wrinkles are and in fading fine lines. It is also among the top oils that promote recovery of damaged skin. ATRA boosts the rate of new skin cell growth to replace dry, damaged and old skin cells. It also boosts the production of collagen deep beneath the surface of the skin.

Essential fatty acids found in large quantities in rosehip seed oil include omega-6 linolenic acid and omega-6 linoleic acid. These essential fatty acids support and improve the skin’s appearance, texture and elasticity.

Compared to most other botanical (essential) oils for skin care, rosehip seed oil is much lighter. This makes it an ideal oil to use without the greasy feel and look on the skin.

Carrot seed Oil

Rich in carotenoids, carrot seed oil has great antioxidant properties. This boosts the body’s natural protective immune response against the harmful UV rays of the sun. This action promotes greater protection against sun damage. Carotenoids stimulate skin cell rejuvenation. These also support the detoxification process that clears the skin of any waste, dirt and toxins. These properties all contribute to the effectiveness of carrot seed oil in promoting skin health. With these properties, carrot seed oil can also help in the treatment of chronic skin problems like psoriasis and eczema.

Geranium Oil

This oil is very effective in reducing inflammatory skin conditions. It can lighten any age spots and helps to even out the skin tone. Geranium oil promotes better blood circulation under the skin surface. Better blood flow supports faster cell regeneration. This is very helpful in fading wrinkles, scars and other skin imperfections.

Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil

This oil is rich in vitamins that can effectively reverse the signs of aging. This oil hydrates and moisturizes dry skin. It is also used in treating acne. Applying sea buckhorn berry oil can reduce the visibility of skin problems such as eczema and hyperpigmentation.

Pomegranate Oil

Antioxidant content of pomegranate oil is very high. This oil is a great choice when fighting oxidative damage from free radicals that brings signs of skin aging such as wrinkles and age spots. The antioxidants can also slow down the process of skin aging. Pomegranate oil has ellagic and punicic acids that further nourishes the skin, enhances its elasticity and accelerates cell regeneration. This oil is also used to soothe damaged, dry, burned or irritated skin, such as those affected by psoriasis or eczema.

Neroli Oil

This oil is rich in compounds that have potent antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Neroli oil has a soothing effect when applied over irritated or damaged skin. It helps with scar healing and improvement in blood circulation to the skin. It is also helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles and in fading stretch marks.

Cypress Oil

This oil has positive effects on blood circulation. This effect helps in reducing the appearance of broken capillaries and varicose veins under the surface of the skin. Cypress oil can also strengthen the skin.

Frankincense Oil

This oil stimulates the skin cells to regenerate faster. It also reduces scar, as well as wrinkles and fine lines. Applying frankincense oil tightens sagging skin, evens the skin tone and balances skin pH.

Lemon Oil

This oil is effective in lightening unsightly dark spots. It prevents and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

Sandalwood Oil

Irritated and damaged experience soothing relief when sandalwood oil is applied. This oil also helps in fading scars, wrinkles and lines to achieve smooth skin.

Myrrh Oil

Younger-looking, healthy skin complexion can be achieved with daily application of myrrh oil. Skin also becomes smoother and stronger with this oil.

Rosemary Oil

Skin tightens when using rosemary oil. Wrinkles and lines are visibly reduced with this oil.

HOW TO USE THESE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR ANTI-AGING BENEFITS

Here are a few recipes to help you get the idea of how to use these essential oils and achieve their anti-aging effects.

Firming anti-aging skin serum

Mix 2 tablespoons each of sweet almond oil and rosehip seed oil. Add 10 drops of geranium oil and cypress oil and 7 drops of frankincense oil. Apply this serum in the morning and then at night to achieve firmer skin and even skin tone.

Super anti-aging skin serum

Mix ½ cup of apricot kernel oil with 10 drops each of rosehip seed oil, sandalwood oil and carrot seed oil. Then add 5 drops each of frankincense oil, rosemary oil, myrrh oil, lemon oil and geranium oil. Apply this blend at night after cleansing routine.

Anti-oxidant skin serum

Combine ½ cup of apricot kernel oil and 20 to 25 drops each of rosehip seed oil and carrot seed oil. Apply after cleansing the skin.

TIPS TO MIXING, STORING AND USING ANTI-AGING OIL BLENDS

Mixing Guidelines

Pour half of the indicated measurement of the carrier oil into a storage container, such as a small bottle. Add the other essential oils before topping off the container with the remainder of the carrier oil.

Always make sure to leave a little space from the top of the bottle. This space will allow the oils room to breathe.

Avoid forceful motions like rapid stirring or vigorous shaking. This will damage the oils’ delicate organic compounds.

Storing guidelines

Use glass or ceramic tools when mixing oils. Plastics are good but never allow the oils and their blends to come in contact with metal. This can interfere with the health benefits of the oils.

Avoid exposing the oils and the blends to direct heat or sunlight. This can cause the oils to oxidize faster and easily spoil. Chemical compositions of the oils may also be altered by exposure to light. It’s best to use amber colored bottles. The darker, the better.

Usage guidelines

A little goes a long way when using essential oil blends. Use only a few drops to get the desired results.

Perform an allergy test before mixing the oil into any blend. Add a few drops of the oil at the back of the hand or behind the ears. Wait a few hours for any negative reactions like irritation, burning, pain, redness or itching.