Top Anti-Aging Essential Oils

As we age, how can essential oils support your skin?

Essential oils are very supportive of our skin in a variety of ways. They can reduce heat and redness, provide anti-inflammatory properties, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and more. Most essential oil users are aware that Lavender essential oil is phenomenal for the skin, but many others are as well. Today we will look at four other choices, and why they are likely to quickly become one of your favorites for supporting the integrity of your skin.

Carrot Seed Daucus carota

Carrot seed essential oil is not one of the more commonly used essential oils, but it is what I would call a hidden gem for your skin. Carrot seed’s unique chemistry makes it antifungal and anti-inflammatory. Carrot seed’s constituent bisabolol gives this essential oil excellent fixative quality as well [1].

The aroma is strong, a little bit of sweet and spice, with a musky undertone. A little bit will go a long way in a facial serum, 1% is sufficient. If you are utilizing this oil in an all over body blend, you can go as high as 3% (for a healthy adult).

Who should not use it?

According to Robert Tisserand, carrot seed essential oil should be avoided entirely if you are pregnant or nursing [2].

Note

Carrot seed essential oil is not the same as carrot seed carrier oil. Both have benefits, but they are different in their chemistry.

Cistus Cistus ladanifer

Cistus essential oil has a memorable aroma that is rich and resinous, with a citrus note that is warm and comforting.

Cistus essential oil is great for mature skin, helping reduce the appearance of fine lines, scars, and other skin imperfections. That is not all that cistus can help with. Cistus is great in supporting emotions, so when applying on or near your face, inhaling cistus will go a long way to help quite and calm during stressful, tumultuous times.

Who should not use it?

Cistus essential oil does not carry any known cautions or contraindications.

Note

If utilizing cistus essential oil as a part of an all over body oil, it can help to support a healthy lymphatic system [3].

Geranium Pelargonium graveolens

Geranium is often an underutilized essential oil, but it has many benefits. For those that love floral scents, this is a welcome essential oil in any blend. For those that are not the floral type, this oil could be more challenging to use. The good news here is when artfully blended, geranium is not overwhelming but quite pleasant, and it is a winner for the skin.

Geranium can encourage balance to many systems of the body, including the Integumentary system. Peter Holmes states that Geranium has antifungal properties making it an ally for any fungal related skin issue such as athlete’s foot, nail fungus and ringworm, for example. He also states that Geranium is a skin regenerator and lessens the appearance of stretch marks and wrinkles [4].

Who should not use it?

There are no known cautions or contraindications for Geranium when applied topically to the skin.

Note

To learn more about uses for geranium essential oil, follow this link.

Helichrysum Helichrysum italicum

Helichrysum, is reminiscent of sweet, warm honey. This oil is one of our favorites for a variety of ills, and it is amazing for the skin. It has a strong history in wound care, but is also indicated for mature skin, scarring, stretch marks, and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Peter Holmes indicates that Helichrysum is an ally for various inflammatory conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis [5].

Who should not use it?

There are no known cautions or contraindications for Helichrysum Helichrysum italicum.

Note

Helichrysum essential oil can also be referred as Immortelle or Everlasting.

What are the best carrier oils to use on your skin?

Did you know? Barefut essential oils carries herbal infused oils. They are all great for the skin as well, such as plantain leaf and rose petals, both in a base of grape seed carrier oil.

Plantain Leaf Plantago major Infused Oil

A weed you say? Although it is true that plantain is a common weed, it has been used for centuries in herbal medicine. Many herbalists recommend utilizing a fresh leaf, crushed up to release its juices on insect bites, bee stings and many other skin rashes and wounds.

“Native Americans have used plantain for years as a miracle plant and its uses and medicinal properties are extensive. Most commonly it is used for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This activity is said to be comparable to that of hydrocortisone” [6].

Therefore, using plantain leaf on irritated, red, or inflamed skin will be very soothing. Utilize this herbal infused oil when applying to areas of irritated skin.

Rose Rosa x damascena Petal Infused Oil

“The rose is, according to fossil evidence, 35 million years old. In nature, the genus Rosa has some 150 species spread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from Alaska to Mexico and including northern Africa” [7].

The scent of the rose has been cherished for centuries to bring comfort to those going through grief and despair. Even with all of this power, it is very gentle and healing to the skin. Rose petals contain vitamin C and are considered natural and soothing astringents. Therefore, they can help to bring balance to skin tone, are a natural antiseptic and in a base of grape seed oil, will not clog your pores [8].

Putting it all together

These oils of course are not the only oils that are great for the skin, but we encourage you to give some of these a try if they are new to you.

Here are a couple ideas for use:

References

[1] Bisabolene. Retrieved from http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1012441.html

[2] Tisserand, R., Young, R., & Williamson, E. M. (2014). Essential oil safety: A guide for health care professionals. (p. 233) Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.

[3] Battagalia S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. 2nd edition, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia, 20032.

[4] [5] Holmes, P., Majoy, G., Pollard, T. C., Lev, C., & Camp, M. (2016). Aromatica: A clinical guide to essential oil therapeutics. (pp 188, 211) London: Singing Dragon.

[6] Plantain: A fantastic herb for skin. Retrieved from https://botanicorganic.com/blogs/news/18372945-plantain-a-fantastic-herb-for-skin

[7] The history of roses. Retrieved from https://extension.illinois.edu/roses/history.cfm

[8] Young, S. (2017) The benefits of using rose infused body products. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/beauty-benefits-rose-products-cosmetics-skincare-rosehip-oil-antioxidant-anti-ageing-a7754406.html

*Aromatherapy is a Complimentary Alternative Medicine (CAM) and is not used by any form to replace medical care if necessary. Do not use essential oils internally or undiluted on the skin. Always test a small amount of the essential oil first for sensitivity or allergic reaction. The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made as to any medicinal value of this oil or any products from Barefūt. The information presented here is for educational purposes of traditional uses and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.