Anti- Ageing
Aging is no
t just how you look – there's a whole aging
process occurring in your body. On the one hand, it's an important process that
everyone is going to undergo. On the other hand, outside factors can
significantly speed the process of aging, especially on your skin.
As the skin ages, the layers of tissue and cells that form
that firm, clear, youthful skin begin to thin. This contributes to the sagging,
wrinkled, more translucent skin of old age. It can also affect healing and
display other kinds of damage, like age spots.
While this process is going to occur to some extent in every
person, there are factors that will speed it up, including:
•Sun damage
•Toxic products
•Dry skin
You may also find that heavy stress levels make you age prematurely,
as well. By changing the way we take care of our skin, we can actually affect
the aging process itself.
4 Essential Oils For
Ageless Skin that Help Reverse Time
While good DIY body care products make a major difference in
nourishing and protecting your skin from the effects of aging, there are a few
very specific essential oils that work well in skin treatments and anti-aging
formulations.
Use these essential oils in your normal body care products
or as specific anti-aging oils to complement efforts to improve skin health and
slow the aging process.
Helichrysum
Though helichrysum is also named immortelle for its
long-lasting blooms, the name bodes well for its ability to combat aging and
turn back time. True to expectations, helichrysum essential oil is widely used
in skincare preparations, usually for anti-aging purposes.
The benefits of helichrysum essential oil are said to occur
at a cellular level, restoring the cell structures that spread and thin with
age. It's a precious and usually pricey oil, but worth it to find and enjoy
genuine helichrysum.
Application: Because of the price, helichrysum is best added
as an ingredient within a cream or formula, usually for small applications like
the face or a small scar.
Rosemary
We know rosemary to be a good choice for skincare and hair
health, but for anti-aging ability we can sneak some extra benefits from
rosemary essential oil.
A study in 2007 took rosemary and lavender oils and tested
its effects via inhalation. After simply breathing in the oil, participants
were found to have lowered cortisol levels and better free radical scavenging
antioxidant levels. (2)
What does that mean for skin? Free radical damage is a big
part of the appearance of aging, and stress – manifested in high cortisol
levels – can exacerbate it.
Application: It seems that simply smelling the oil can have
anti-aging effects! Diffuse, use via personal inhalers, or add to topical
treatments.
Geranium
The delicacy of floral oils can be misleading – they are
strong and effective in so many different situations! Geranium essential oil,
specifically rose geranium, is another of the essential oils for ageless skin
that finds its way into skincare to combat aging.
One good indication of geranium's anti-aging abilities is
that it's anti-inflammatory. Tested in the lab for its efficacy against
swelling, rose geranium was confirmed as a strong enough anti-inflammatory
compound that pharmaceutical companies are digging to be able to exploit.
Keeping inflammation at bay helps to keep skin strong and
resilient even while moving into the golden years.
Application: Include geranium essential oil in daily use DIY
skin care products.
Lavender
Another anti-inflammatory oil, lavender essential oil is a
go-to for safe and restorative skin treatments. In fact, lavender is an
excellent example of whole body health, affecting the aging process from direct
skin treatments to indirect calming benefits that ultimately impact skin
health.
Whether topical for healing and rejuvenation, ingested and
diffused for anxiety and stress (that ultimately damages health and skin), or
inhaled with rosemary for stress and antioxidants, lavender is always a good
choice.
Application: Keep lavender on hand as an addition to most
DIY applications and uses. Its versatility is hardly matched – you'll be glad
you invested in a good lavender oil!
How to Take Care of Aging Skin
Since time can't be avoided entirely, we'll all deal with
aging skin at some point. Caring for our skin well is an important part of
aging gracefully. Remember to:
•Avoid excessive sun exposure
•Use a non-toxic sunscreen
•Use natural body care products
•Stay hydrated
•Moisturize regularly
•Minimize stress
•Minimize external toxin exposure
It's also important to manage other health conditions that
may contribute to problems with the skin. Diabetes, obesity, circulatory
issues, inflammatory illness, and stress are all major contributors to skin
damage and poor aging.
Take care of yourself – mind and body – to make the most of
your DIY skin care products!
Anti-Aging Essential
Oil DIY
You can add skin-healing essential oils to any DIY skincare
product, maximizing the antioxidant and rejuvenating effects. But for a simple
essential oil blend to moisturize the skin, start with a healing carrier oil.
Jojoba is one of the most renowned oils for anti-aging,
restorative effects. In a 2013 review, researchers summarized that “jojoba has
anti-inflammatory effect[s] and it can be used on a variety of skin conditions
including skin infections, skin aging, as well as wound healing.”
Combine about 3-5% essential oil ratio with your carrier oil
of choice. Try any combination of oils like:
•Helichrysum
•Neroli
•Lavender
•Rosemary
•Yarrow
•Ylang Ylang
•Frankincense
•Melissa
•Geranium
Experiment with your favorite fragrances and blends to
create a one of a kind essential oil application with an anti-aging, pampering
result.
