These botanical wonders can help minimize wrinkles, sun spots, and acne, and lock in major moisture, for skin that glows.
11 Essential Oils That Will Take Years Off Your Skin
Updated on May 20, 2021
Pomegranate seed oil
The essential oil extracted from pomegranate seeds has well known anti-aging properties: It promotes cell regeneration and helps maintain skin elasticity. An omega-5 fatty acid in pomegranate seed oil called punicic acid is a powerful anti-inflammatory, delaying aging caused by damage from ultraviolet radiation. Apply the oil to skin before sun exposure to amp up the protective powers of your sunscreen. Pomegranate seed oil is also rich in ellagic acid, a natural antioxidant that’s known to be cancer-protective.
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Rosemary oil
Rosemary essential oil can improve blood and lymph circulation and help reduce the dimpled appearance of skin commonly known as cellulite. It also helps flush out environmental toxins absorbed into the skin. Massage rosemary oil, which has anti-bacterial properties, into skin to help treat acne, and combine it with coconut oil to tighten skin, minimizing stretch marks and wrinkles. Here are the 10 anti-aging myths dermatologists need you to stop believing.
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Lavender oil
Lavender essential oil is gentle, yet powerful, not to mention fragrant. Because it promotes production of antioxidants and helps skin heal faster, it’s been widely used as a skin-protective agent for conditions ranging from minor cuts and scrapes to superficial burns. Antimicrobial action also protects the skin from scarring.
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Neroli oil
Neroli oil, extracted from bitter orange flowers, is known to improve blood circulation and skin elasticity when applied topically. It’s commonly used to help minimize a number of skin blemishes such as crow’s feet, acne scars, and stretch marks. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it helpful for preventing and treating acne. Mix neroli oil with a mild organic skin cream and apply it to skin directly, or dilute it with water to make a refreshing face wash.
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Frankincense oil
Frankincense has a long history of being used as incense in sacred ceremonies. Extracted from the gum of a type of Boswellia tree, the essential oil is excellent for helping to fade age spots, uneven coloration and blemishes. The strong astringent tightens skin, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and sagging. Add a few drops to any emollient carrier oil such as coconut oil. Check out these 15 other anti-aging supplements worth buying.
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Sandalwood oil
Sandalwood oil is a relatively expensive oil extracted from the heart of sandalwood trees, which grow in only a few places in the world. At one time it was reserved as a beauty treatment of royalty because of its anti-aging and skin restorative properties. Sandalwood oil helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps heal damaged skin without less scarring.
Apricot kernel oil
Apricot kernel oil, produced from the seed inside apricot pits, is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, a fatty acid that encourages regeneration of skin cells. It’s also chock-full of vitamins A and E, making this light, non-greasy oil a great skin hydrator and an excellent source of antioxidants, helping to prevent free radical damage and promoting collagen synthesis.
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Geranium oil
Think of the essential oil of geranium for spot correction of skin blemishes, especially the sunspots that accompany aging. It improves subcutaneous circulation, which, in turn, helps skin tissue regeneration and smoothing of wrinkles. Geranium oil anti-inflammatory and also has a skin lightening effect. These 22 habits are making you age faster.
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Cypress oil
Cypress oil, extracted from evergreen cypress trees, is a powerful astringent, so it helps tighten skin. It also improves subcutaneous blood and lymph circulation, helping to ease conditions such as varicose veins, spider veins, and cellulite that arise from poor circulation. Its strong anti-inflammatory effect helps reduces fluid retention that causes edema, or swelling, of the face and extremities. Cypress oil is also antimicrobial and can help prevent skin infections, including sores and acne.
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Lemon oil
Essential oil extracted from the rind of lemons is antiseptic and antimicrobial, so it deep cleans skin, helping to remove dirt, grime, and dead tissue, and leaving skin soft and supple. It can also lighten the skin, so it’s ideal for treating dark spots. Lemon oil makes a refreshing face wash when mixed with plain water. Blend it with moisturizing oils when applying to the skin to counteract its potential drying effect.
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Rosehip seed oil
Rosehip seed oil has anti-aging powers thanks to its high content of retinoic acid, a type of retinoid. This workhorse ingredient is known to help reduce wrinkles, scars, and age spots. The light oil, which is quickly absorbed into the skin, also promotes collagen production, restoring skin texture and elasticity. Note: Before using oils on your skin, it is always best to test a bit on the inside of your arm to be sure that you are not allergic. (Here’s how to do a patch test to see if you have an allergy.)
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