Wrinkles are a sign of aging that many of us dread. Though aging is, of course, a natural thing, there are methods we can use to prevent certain signs of aging, including wrinkles.
The anti-aging market for skin is booming - and prices for skincare products can be sky-high. However, there's no need to spend a significant chunk of your wages on reducing your wrinkles. There are many different remedies to prevent wrinkles from appearing and, steps you can take to reduce their appearance. When treating wrinkles, you should avoid high sun exposure and work on establishing an anti-aging skincare routine.
In this guide, you'll learn some of the causes of wrinkles, and the best essential oils to treat wrinkles.
Causes of Wrinkles
We'll all end up with wrinkles eventually - but some people get them sooner than others, and we don't all get wrinkles in the same place. Some of the most common causes of wrinkles are listed below.
Aging
Aging is the primary cause of wrinkles. As we age, our skin becomes thinner, loses its moisture, and is less elastic. This is due to the lack of natural oil being produced for the skin. Aging also causes the fat in our faces to diminish, reducing the elasticity of the skin and causing it to sag slightly, making fine lines and wrinkles more pronounced.
Facial Expressions
We might not think much about it, but the expressions we make on a day-by-day basis can cause wrinkles. Small muscle contractions in the face are the cause of smile lines and crow's feet. This is mainly when we're smiling, frowning, or squinting. Over time, these expressions cause fine lines and wrinkles, which become more pronounced as our skin ages and sags slightly.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle factors can cause wrinkles in the skin. Damage from the sun is one of the main contributors to wrinkles. Exposure to ultraviolet rays (which can come from the sun or tanning beds) can cause the collagen in the skin to break down and may reduce skin elasticity.
Smoking can cause the blood vessels to narrow, which reduces the number of nutrients that can reach the epidermis of our skin. The way we hold a cigarette in our mouths for long periods can also promote wrinkles to form.
Stress increases your cortisol levels, which are directly linked to how the skin retains moisture. The higher our cortisol, higher the likelihood of premature wrinkles forming.
Eating too much sugar can cause the collagen and elastin in the skin to weaken, due to a process known as glycation. Glycation occurs when excess sugar in the body binds with collagen fibers, and can accelerate the aging process.
Oils For Wrinkles
We can use essential oils to help prevent and treat the appearance of wrinkles in the skin. Though no oil can reverse time or even put a stop to aging, there are some that can help reduce wrinkles and keep your skin young-looking and supple.
Carrier Oils
When you're using an essential oil, it's important to dilute the oil with another, less potent, oil, known as a carrier oil. Carrier oils like olive oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oils are safe to use directly on the skin, and can prevent you from having a poor reaction to essential oils, which are too potent to apply directly.
Let's look at some of the best oils for treating wrinkles:
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a common kitchen staple that has a fast-growing following in the beauty world. Coconut oil is an effective remedy for dry skin, and has been found to help promote collagen levels. Coconut oil also contains antioxidants that can help fight free radicals caused by pollution. As free radicals and dry skin are causes of wrinkles, coconut oil is a good treatment to use to combat the issue.
To try this remedy, apply a small amount of coconut oil to your skin and massage it into your face gently. Leave this on overnight and rinse in the morning.
Lavender Oil
The antioxidants in lavender oil can help reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress impairs our body's ability to detox and repair. Some studies show that reducing oxidative stress can help prevent and treat wrinkles.
Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory properties that may be able to help with the appearance of acne and wrinkles. It's suitable for oily skin, as this type of oil won't clog the pores.
To use lavender essential oil for wrinkles, add two drops to a carrier oil and gently massage it into the skin, avoiding your eyes. Some people are allergic to lavender, so make sure you do a patch test on your arm before using lavender oil as a treatment.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is another effective oil to use on the skin, as it closely resembles our natural sebum. This can help promote elasticity and moisture for the skin. Jojoba oil also contains vitamin E, which is effective in targeting free radicals. Jojoba oil also doesn't clog the pores, making it a good choice if you suffer from acne.
To use jojoba oil to help treat wrinkles, add two to three drops to your hands and gently massage it into clean skin. Leave the oil on overnight and wash it off in the morning.
Frankincense Oil
Research has found that frankincense oil may be able to reduce scarring, stretch marks, and fine lines on the skin. This can also benefit wrinkles. Frankincense essential oil may promote new cell growth and help with damaged skin.
To use frankincense oil for wrinkles, add two to three drops to a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil. Apply this to clean skin and leave overnight. You should wash your face once more in the morning to rid your skin of excess oil.
Lemon Oil
Lemon essential oil is commonly used in commercial anti-aging products - so you know it's one of the best oils for reducing wrinkles. It's rich in vitamin C, which boosts collagen production, firming and brightening the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Citrus essential oils can make skin sensitive to sun damage, so it's important to use a good carrier oil and SPF if you choose to use lemon oil to reduce wrinkles. You can add lemon oil to your favorite face cream, or add it to a carrier oil in the evening and massage it into your face.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil contains fatty acids, vitamin E, lecithin, and oleic acid, all of which are beneficial for moisturizing dry skin, helping treat sunburn, and promoting the production of collagen in the skin. Avocado oil also boasts anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent acne and signs of aging. The essential fatty acids and oleic acid promote skin elasticity and can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
You can add avocado oil to your moisturizer, or used as a carrier oil. You can blend other essential oils with avocado oil to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Olive Oil
Olive oil contains antioxidants that can help prevent the appearance of wrinkles, as well as a whole host of vitamins, including A, D, K, and E. This can help moisturize the skin, promote elasticity, and reduce wrinkles. The vitamins in olive oil also help reduce damage from free radicals and pollution. Additionally, olive oil can help with skin cell renewal, which is important for young, fresh-looking skin.
Massage olive oil into your skin for around five minutes, which should help improve skin texture and treat dry skin and uneven skin tone. Olive oil can also be used as a carrier oil for other essential oils.
Almond Oil
According to several studies, almond essential oil may be able to fight the free radicals that cause wrinkles in our skin. Additionally, almond oil delivers the nutrients necessary for the skin to repair itself. It contains retinol, vitamin A, and vitamin K, all of which can help treat the delicate skin around the eyes without causing irritation.
Almond oil can also help the skin retain moisture, preventing the skin from drying out and highlighting the appearance of wrinkles. Almond oil is suitable for oily skin as it is non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog the pores and will help draw out impurities in the skin.
To use almond oil to help treat your wrinkles, rub almond oil in your hands to warm the oil, and gently pat it into your skin. Be gentle and don't aggressively rub. Leave the oil on overnight and wash your face in the morning.
Argan Oil
Argan oil contains fatty acids, which can strengthen the skin, preventing and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Because it contains oleic acid, which helps with skin permeability, organ oil can help treat dry skin and encourage other products to absorb into the skin.
To use argan oil as an anti-aging skincare oil, add one to two drops to your palms and massage it into the skin after you have moisturized.
Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood essential oil can help the skin look plump and moisturized, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Sandalwood oil helps the skin retain water and moisture, and works as an anti-inflammatory. It has also been found to help with fighting oxidative stress.
You should use sandalwood essential oil with a carrier oil and apply it to your skin, massaging gently for five to ten minutes. Rinse the oil off and pat your skin dry.
Apricot Oil
Apricot oil contains both vitamin E and vitamin C, two vitamins that work together to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by promoting elasticity and brightening the skin. Apricot oil softens and hydrates the skin, and is bursting with antioxidants that fight free radicals, making it one of the best anti-aging oils available today.
To use apricot oil to prevent and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, add the oil to a carrier oil and massage it gently into your skin. Leave the mixture on overnight before rinsing in the morning.
You can also use apricot oil to make a facial scrub. Mix apricot oil, olive oil, and sugar and gently scrub your skin. It's important to patch test, especially if you have sensitive skin, as scrubs may cause a bad reaction.
Rosehip Oil
Rose essential oil is a common ingredient in many skincare products - so again, you know this oil will work well for anti-aging. The molecules in rosehip oil and rose oil are small enough to penetrate the skin and help boost collagen levels, which helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and moisturize the skin.
Rosehip oil contains antioxidants that encourage skin cells to regenerate at a faster rate. Rose oil also contains vitamin C, which can brighten the skin and promote skin elasticity. Research has shown that rose oil can also help with hyperpigmentation and sun damage, making it a great essential oil to use for overall skin health.
Add a few drops of rose oil to a carrier oil or to your favorite moisturizer and massage it into your skin using upward motions. This is another oil that requires a patch test before you use it on a big area of your skin.
Pomegranate Oil
Pomegranate essential oil is packed with antioxidants and vitamins that fight free radicals and the appearance of wrinkles. Pomegranate oil has been found to help boost moisture levels in the skin and promote cell growth. The vitamin C in pomegranate brightens and tightens the skin.
The antioxidants found in pomegranate oil also work to fight damage from the sun and pollutants. However, you'll still need to include SPF in your skincare routine daily to protect against skin cancer, as the antioxidants in pomegranate oil can't fully protect against UV damage.
You should apply pomegranate oil with a good carrier oil, like olive, coconut, or jojoba oil. Leave the oil on overnight and wash your face in the morning.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is yet another oil that's bursting with antioxidants that can improve skin health. The minerals and vitamins found in grapeseed oil can help fade scars, hydrate the skin, reduce inflammation around the eyes, boost collagen production, and firm the skin.
Grapeseed oil can also fight against UV and free radical damage thanks to its high levels of vitamins and polyphenols.
You can use grapeseed oil without a carrier oil as a serum, or you can introduce it to your skincare routine by adding it to your favorite moisturizer.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary essential oil, not to be confused with rosehip oil, has antioxidant properties that can prevent free radicals from damaging the elasticity of the skin. This sweet-smelling oil can prevent oxidative stress and even help repair damaged skin.
You can use rosemary oil by adding it into a small squeeze bottle of water and using it as a facial mist, or by adding it to a carrier oil and gently massaging it into your skin.
Conclusion
The best essential oils for wrinkles have high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids, and boast anti-inflammatory effects that can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Vitamins and minerals can improve skin hydration, boost collagen levels in the skin, increase cell turnover rates, reduce oxidative stress, and battle free radicals.
As well as using essential oils to treat wrinkles, it's important to wear SPF and maintain a good skincare routine. Washing your face can get rid of pollutants that may collect on the surface, and cutting out practices such as smoking and using straws can prevent wrinkles from forming around your lips.
Remember, always use essential oils with carrier oils. Not only will you reap benefits from both the carrier oil and the essential oil, but it will reduce the likelihood of a bad reaction to the oil. Essential oils are easy to find online and in many health stores, and can be a highly effective natural remedy for your skin. As always, contact your dermatologist if you have any concerns.
