Are you on a crusade to eliminate age signs? The bad news is, once the wrinkle is formed and settled there is no way to remove it without more invasive procedures. On the positive side, though, you can take several strategies to attenuate and to prevent them. One of such strategies is the use of essential oils for wrinkles.
5 Essential oils for wrinkles
Wrinkles are caused by the decrease of some of its components – collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans – with age. As the time goes by, the skin loses its power to rebound back to its original state after a twitch or a movement, and creases begin to show up proving this inability.
Unfortunately, there are no essential oils for wrinkles that will restore the skin its plump looks and smooth surface. You can, however, use the following ones to prevent new creases from showing up and old ones from deepening.
Lemon
The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of lemons and lemon essential oil have already been well documented. These properties are valuable to fight and prevent wrinkles. They help to keep the skin healthy and free from irritations or other problems that waste its resources.
However, a 1999 study concluded that this oil can also inhibit oxidative damage to the skin. This effect is achieved through the oil’s antioxidants that prevent the destruction of healthy cells by free radicals.
Its efficiency to help with already formed wrinkles has not been evaluated, but as far as prevention goes, this essential oil stands out.
Pomegranate
Pomegranates are a great addition to your diet. They are packed with important nutrients and their juice has an established anti-inflammatory effect.
To add to this, its oil can also help to reduce and prevent wrinkles due to its antioxidants that fight off oxidative stress. There are also some indications that pomegranate oil can even reduce sunspots, according to a 2004 study.
Frankincense
This is one of the most used essential oils for wrinkles worldwide and with good reason.
According to a 2010 study, this oil can lessen small and fresh wrinkles and expression lines, but it is particularly good to help reduce and eliminate age spots. Significant results were attained in just two months and this oil seems to be well-tolerated by different types of skin.
Ylang-ylang
Ylang- Ylang is not very popular, but you might know the name of this plant by its frequent presence in moisturizing creams or in products with fragrances. And yet, it is one of the best essential oils for wrinkles.
According to a complete research evaluating the benefits and properties of this plant, ylang-ylang oil works as an anti-inflammatory and as an antibacterial that keeps blemishes and irritations at bay. Furthermore, it is packed with antioxidants that fight the free radicals that can increase and quicken skin aging.
Lastly, this oil can prevent photoaging (age spots/sun spots) and help restore a more uniform skin tone.
Damask rose / Rosa Damascena
Like many other essential oils for wrinkles, this oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that keep the skin healthy, plumped and away from any infections or blemishes.
However, due to its high content of antioxidants, this oil can also prevent further aging signs by fighting off the free radicals that increase the cell turnover by damaging healthy ones.
How to use these oils
Do never apply essential oils directly to your skin. These oils are so beneficial because they contain high concentrations of nutrients, which can result too strong and burn or irritate the skin through direct contact.
You must always dilute them with a carrier oil of your preference. Olive, jojoba and coconut oil are the most popular choices. The basic rule to dilute the essential oils is 10 drops per 1oz of the carrier.
Try the mixture in a hidden but sensitive area of your skin first, before applying it to your face. If you don’t notice any reaction in the next 24h, you’re good to go. If the skin gets only mildly irritated it could be a case of too much essential oil for the amount of carrier oil used. You can try to reduce the quantities and try again.
If you continue getting a reaction, even if barely noticeable, don’t proceed.
Other natural solutions for wrinkles
There are other home remedies you can also use to reinforce the effect of these essential oils in preventing wrinkles. An egg mask won’t, for instance, won’t do much to fight the creases but it can leave your face looking temporarily tighter if you want to look great for a date.
Having a good and balanced diet is also very important, as it is exfoliating and having an overall healthy lifestyle.
Since Korean beauty care is by now widely popular and their skin seems to be a million times better than Caucasians’, find out from a native which strategies and tricks they use to achieve that flawless wrinkle-free looks.
