What are essential oils and can they really prevent damage?
An essential oil is a liquid that comes from the leaves, bark, stems, flowers, or roots of a plant. Essential oils are highly concentrated and contain a distinctive scent or “essence” of the plant from which it was derived. There are a wide variety of essential oils, and the composition and scent of each individual oil provides different physiological and physical benefits. In general, the benefits of essential oils are obtained either by inhaling the oil or by applying diluted oil to the skin. The essential oils are diluted using a carrier oil like almond oil, grapeseed oil, or other similar oils before being applied to the skin. It is important to remember that the quality and price of a particular essential oil can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including how rare the plant is, the country of origin of the oil, and quality control of the oil supplier.
While there are many essential oils available for you to purchase, if you’re looking to have more youthful looking skin and shinier, healthier looking hair, there are a few tops oils that you should consider investing in.
Related: The Healthy Truth: Essential Oils for Healing
For your aging skin
Carrot seed oil – This oil helps to rejuvenate your skin, providing a smoother complexion and helping to soften wrinkles caused by aging skin. The high level of carotol present in this oil is responsible for the anti-aging benefits of the oil. In addition to its anti-aging effects, carrot seed oil can also be used to help treat other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and other skin irritations.
Neroli oil – It has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-septic properties that help to heal scar damage. It also helps to reduce wrinkles that are often seen with aging skin.
Geranium oil –It has natural astringent characteristics to help tighten and firm skin while reducing the appearance of pores, helping to give you a flawless complexion. Geranium oil is also loaded with antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, aiding in keeping your skin clear and damage free.
Frankincense oil – Amazing for preventing the premature aging of skin. Frankincense oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial characteristics that help to firm and tighten skin, reduce the appearance of damage like scars and age spots, and balances your skin’s pH levels.
Lavender oil – An anti-inflammatory that can be used as a topical skin treatment, as well as ingested and diffused to treat stress and anxiety (issues that can cause pre-mature aging and skin damage). Use lavender oil to help relax and tighten skin all over by adding a few drops to your bath water.
Rosemary oil – Inhalation of rosemary oil is proven to help lower cortisone levels, meaning that even the scent of this herb can help relieve stress and fight wrinkles. Reap the benefits by using a personal inhaler, or add a few drops to your favorite cream and enjoy the scent and relaxation all day long.
Myrrh oil – Loaded with antioxidants, myrrh essential oil has been known to help heal wounds and even reverse the damage caused to skin by harmful free radicals.
For aging skin and damaged hair
Tea Tree oil – Has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties that help to moisturize and protect the scalp from damage. Tea tree oil can also be used as a preventative measure for acne prone skin, as well as for the occasional acne flare-up.
Sage – Encourages hair growth as well as cleansing and purifying the scalp. Additionally, it can help to balance oils in the scalp and normalize hormone levels. In addition to the benefits that sage has for healthy hair, it can also be used to reduce the look of scars and help with the regeneration of skin cells. It’s important to remember that sage oil should not be used by children or pregnant women.
Rosehip seed oil – Used as carrier oil and contains anti-oxidants, including vitamin C, which acts in a preventative or reversible way to repair damage to the skin that is caused by scarring. The anti-oxidants in the rosehip seed oil work by correcting the damage that is caused to the superficial layers of the skin. Rosehip seed oil also contains a high level of essential fatty acids, which help to improve the elasticity of aging skin and repair skin damage after injury. Another valuable feature of the essential fatty acids is that it helps to keep aging skin moisturized by creating an outer barrier of emollients that doesn’t allow moisture to escape. Rosehip seed oil may also provide regeneration to the scalp and hair, although this has not been seen in laboratory studies as of yet.
Related: What your hair (and scalp) say about your health
For your dull hair – Try to avoid damage
Lavender oil – Helps to encourage hair growth and is also beneficial for treating dandruff and psoriasis of the scalp. Lavender oil has balancing, regenerative, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and is found in many different types of hair formulas.
Rosemary oil – Also encourages hair growth and has been used to treat hair loss (alopecia) when it is mixed with lavender, cedarwood, and thyme, in a base of jojoba and grapeseed oil. Additionally, rosemary oil helps treat dandruff and psoriasis of the scalp.
Skincare: Anti-aging tips
Some of the best ways to prevent the premature aging of your skin are very simple to do. Be sure to avoid too much sun exposure, and when you are out in the sun’s rays, always use a non-toxic brand of sunscreen. Moisturize your skin regularly with natural body care products free of any harmful chemicals that may cause future skin damage. Be sure to hydrate as well, as drinking lots of water aids in skin retaining its elasticity and keeping your pores clear. Also try to reduce stress wherever you can, as stress is linked to higher cortisol levels which can add to skin damage.
Related: 5 Natural Remedies for Age Spots
Infographic: Essential Oils for Aging Skin