Millions of people around the world choose to use essential oils for wrinkles, as they can mitigate the signs of aging, increase skin elasticity, and prevent oxidative stress in the skin that causes wrinkles.
As we age, the skin’s natural elasticity begins to decline, resulting in wrinkles, which are the lines and creases that form in the skin, particularly on the face and neck. A reduction in fat deposits on the face when we get older can also make skin sag and appear loose. The other common causes of wrinkles include smoking, repetitive facial gestures (such as excessive smiling or squinting) and sun damage, as it can reduce connective tissue strength in the skin on your face. Furthermore, genetics, stress, diet, hydration, hormonal imbalance, alcohol consumption, and the level of care you give your skin all have an effect on the development of wrinkles. On a more basic level, wrinkles are caused by increased oxidative stress in the tissues of the skin, which is due to the presence of free radicals, the natural byproducts of cellular metabolism. These are also responsible for a number of chronic diseases. [1]
People attempt to treat wrinkles with any variety of creams, salves, and lotions, as well as certain medical and cosmetic procedures, but there can be unwanted side effects to these approaches. One of the safest strategies is to use essential oils for wrinkles. Many of these concentrated substances contain antioxidants, which can directly slow down the aging process and keep your skin looking youthful and healthy.
List of Best Essential Oils for Wrinkles
The most trusted essential oils for wrinkles include rose, myrrh, carrot seed, neroli, geranium, frankincense, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, lemon, and helichrysum oils.
Neroli Oil
This essential oil is not only overflowing with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which can help improve the health of your skin, but it also contains vitamin C. This can help increase collagen production in the skin and maintain elasticity, thus slowing the onset of wrinkles. [2]
How to Use – You can add 4-5 drops of neroli oil to a skin cream or lotion that you use regularly, as this can increase the moisturizing function and deliver antioxidant support to the facial skin.
Wrinkles are a common appearance with age. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Geranium Oil
This powerful essential oil is able to moisturize the skin while promoting blood flow to the face, which can increase the production of new skin cells. This can counter the thinning of the skin that occurs as we age, and also keep our faces looking full and healthy. [3]
How to Use – Blend 5 drops of this oil with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and gently massage into the face, particularly around the corners of the eyes and the neck. Make this a regular part of your facial health regimen for best results.
Sandalwood Oil
The unique antioxidants in sandalwood oil, sesquiterpenes, help stimulate key growth hormones in skin cells that increase healthy cells and fill in gaps as cells die. This can minimize the appearance of wrinkles, while also making the skin feel younger and smoother. [4]
How to Use – You only need to use a few drops of undiluted oil and regularly apply it to the areas on your face that are beginning to sag or show early signs of wrinkles.
Helichrysum Oil
With notable antioxidants like alpha-pinene, myrcene, limonene, and linalool, helichrysum oil can quickly eliminate oxidative stress from the skin on your face and prevent the breakdown and death of healthy cells. It will also promote faster regrowth of skin cells, preventing the appearance of wrinkles. [5]
How to Use – A popular mix is an even balance between coconut oil and helichrysum oil. Used as a gentle face rub, or mix a few drops of this cosmetic oil with your favorite facial scrubs and creams and use it.
Rose Oil
Famed for its ability to moisturize the skin and retain skin tone and elasticity, rose essential oil has been used for thousands of years in cosmetic applications. When regularly applied, it can help smoothen skin on all parts of the body, while also leaving a very pleasant scent behind! [6]
How to Use – Washing your face with rose oil-infused water is an effective way to improve the health of your skin, but many people prefer to add 10 drops of rose oil to a bath and take a long soak to allow the regenerative benefits of the oil to help their entire body.
Carrot Seed Oil
One of the best essential oils for wrinkles, carrot seed oil can help heal damaged skin, whether it is from sunburn, infection, inflammation or normal aging. It can promote the growth of new cells and reduce oxidative stress, thanks to its high levels of antioxidants, such as lycopene and beta-carotene. [7]
How to Use – This oil should always be diluted in a carrier oil, such as almond oil or jojoba oil, or else it can cause inflammation. It can also increase your photosensitivity, so after applying the oil to your face, don’t immediately go out into the sun.
Ylang Ylang Oil
Regularly found in over-the-counter products and cosmetics, ylang-ylang oil can help speed the regenerative process of the skin as cells die and slough off. The thinning of skin makes it easier for wrinkles to develop and skin to sag. [8]
How to Use – This is a popular oil to add to existing cosmetic creams and lotions. Add 5-10 drops of this powerful oil to your daily face lotion to increase its healing properties.
Lemon Oil
When it comes to strengthening the skin, preventing oxidative stress and reducing the signs of aging, few oils are better than lemon oil. Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and astringent properties, this oil can tighten wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, and keep your skin smooth and youthful. [9]
How to Use – Some people find this oil too abrasive in an undiluted form, in which case, it is advisable to mix it with coconut or jojoba oil before applying directly to the areas of your skin that are beginning to sag, such as your neck or the space around your eyes.
Frankincense Oil
This ancient oil is good for preventing wrinkles and treating them once they appear. Capable of stimulating blood flow to the surface of the skin, frankincense oil works to rapidly replace skin cells and prevent the loss of elasticity that leads to wrinkles. [10]
How to Use – Blending this oil evenly with almond oil before applying to the face or other areas of the body is a popular method for improving symptoms of wrinkles and other ages spots or blemishes, as well as scars.
Word of Caution: The use of essential oils for wrinkles appears to be a simple and reliable way to reduce the signs of aging, but there are a number of potential side effects that you must consider. First of all, essential oils are extremely concentrated substances, packed with volatile compounds and active ingredients, some of which can cause irritation or inflammation on the skin, as well as potential allergic reactions. The topical use of essential oils should be done with caution, and only after speaking to your doctor or allergist about possible side effects.
Furthermore, some essential oils cannot be consumed, and while using essential oils for wrinkles, which typically consists of topical skin application, some people attempt to benefit from the antioxidant content of these oils internally. Always use these oils responsibly and in moderation.
