We all want to stay young and beautiful as long as possible so that the signs of aging do not bother us. Especially on the face. Of course, no one can hide from time: this is a natural process to which all living things are subject, without exception.
Age-related skin changes cannot be completely stopped. But it is quite possible to slow them down and make the signs of aging less pronounced. And essential oils will help us with that.
Which oil helps best against wrinkles, which essential oils are suitable for facial skin at different ages? How to use them properly for maximum effect? We will talk about all this in our article.
Short audio summary of the article
Your browser does not supportaudioelement.
What types of wrinkles are there?
Wrinkles on the face are the most obvious and unpleasant sign of age and skin aging. The first wrinkles can appear after 25-30 years. Although at this age they are mostly associated with dehydration and dryness. Let's take a closer look at the mechanisms of skin aging.
Wrinkle formation mechanism
Under the influence of external factors (ultraviolet radiation, poor nutrition, lack of vitamins, chronic stress, lack of sleep) and natural processes, our skin loses elasticity and actively loses moisture. Over time, the body produces less and less hyaluronic acid, which retains water in the dermal tissues. As a result, the facial skin becomes dry and more sensitive to negative external factors.
Collagen and elastin fibers (proteins that play the role of a framework) cope less and less with their supporting function over time. They partially glycate, become brittle and hard, and partially decompose completely. The remaining fibers are not enough to keep the skin elastic and smooth as before. It literally falls off and age-related wrinkles appear.
The main reasons for the formation of wrinkles on the face:
- Natural age-related changes.Decreased production of elastin and collagen, hyaluronic acid, gradual thinning of the subcutaneous fat layer.
- Gravity.Elastin and collagen fibers also gradually fall under their own weight due to gravity. The oval of the face becomes less clear and "floats".
- Ultraviolet damage.Exposure to the sun or solarium without protective equipment leads to dehydration, damage to skin structures, activation of oxidative processes and early aging.
- Bad habits.Smoking and lack of walks in the fresh air cause problems with blood circulation and tissue nutrition. When smoking, the skin "burns" and comes into contact with the products of combustion - increasing oxidative stress. Visually, the skin of a smoker looks darker and rougher.
- Improper or inadequate nutrition.Strict diets that lead to nutrient deficiencies. Sudden weight loss, when the skin does not have time to "shrink" and relax.
- Active facial expressions.Characteristic of emotional people, it causes spasms of small muscles. In this way, skin folds are fixed.
- Increased or decreased facial muscle tone.When the facial muscles are constantly relaxed or, on the contrary, tense, for example, during work (creasing between the eyebrows, squinting of the eyes), this leads to a change in the position of the tissue and even the appearance of wrinkles. in youth.
- Dermatological diseases, allergic reactions.Atopic dermatitis, for example, leads to dehydration and reduced elasticity, depleting the skin's resources.
As you can see, most of the reasons can be influenced by changing habits and lifestyle. Delaying the appearance of wrinkles is much easier than removing them. Therefore, let's understand what types of wrinkles there are.
Types of wrinkles
Wrinkles are divided into groups according to different criteria: depth of formation, degree of severity, localization or mechanism of formation. The following types of wrinkles are distinguished:
- at the head;
- eyebrows;
- "crow's feet";
- "rabbit wrinkles";
- nasolabial and nasolabial;
- purse;
- "dolls";
- mental fold;
- "Rings of Venus"
If everything is clear with wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows, nasolabial and nasolacrimal wrinkles, below we will briefly talk about the characteristics of the other groups.
- "crow's feet"the so-calledwrinkles around the eyes. These are surface thin folds that seem to diverge in different directions from a single point. Because of this feature, which resembles the legs of a goose, they got their name.
- "rabbit wrinkles"- small folds that form on the side of the nose. From the back of the nose, they diverge at an angle towards the cheek. Such folds are typical for people with active facial expressions, who often smile, wrinkle their nose and squint. Then the facial expression actually takes on some resemblance to a chewing rabbit.
- "dolls", or mourning lines, run in a straight line from the corners of the lips to the chin. The reason for their appearance is constant overstrain of the mouth muscles (pouty lips). Similar to the slots on marionettes.
- "Purse Wrinkles"go from the nose to the upper lip. They look like a narrow bag or purse, which is why they got their name. They usually appear in adulthood.
- "Rings of Venus"- folds in the form of horizontal stripes on the neck. They look like deep furrows and appear due to weakness, lack of elasticity of the neck muscles, which no longer support the skin. Plus sleeping on high, uncomfortable pillows, constantly tilting the head forward - and unattractive folds gradually appear on the neck.
How to fight wrinkles?
Let's move on to the most interesting and important - methods that help against wrinkles on the face and other signs of early aging. There are already plenty of them in humanity's arsenal. Everyone can choose a method according to their taste and budget:
- anti-aging procedures in the office of a professional cosmetologist (plasmolifting, botulinum toxin injections, etc. );
- facelift and plastic surgeon;
- regular use special
anti-aging cosmetics (face creams, masks, serums) at home; - facebuilding classes, face fitness (gymnastics for the face against wrinkles);
- anti-aging massage;
- taking specialized vitamin and mineral complexes;
- use essential oils.
All these methods are effective in the fight against age changes. To make it sustainable, you need to rethink your entire lifestyle: eat right, cut out sweets, exercise regularly and take walks in the fresh air, give up bad habits, sleep 7-8 hours a day, learn to cope with stress.
Later in the article, we will take a closer look at which essential oils are best for preventing and removing wrinkles depending on age. The potential of this product in the fight against age-related changes in cosmetology is very high, but not everyone knows about it.
The best essential oils for facial wrinkles
What are the benefits of essential oils in combating age-related changes on the skin of the face? First, they have a beneficial effect on the limbic system of our brain, which is responsible for emotions. Second, the advantage of essential oils is that they affect the skin at the cellular level. This is because the molecules of the active substances in the oils are very small and lipophilic, they easily penetrate the skin structures and have a modulating effect on the processes.
Table of the best carriers and essential oils for fighting wrinkles
| Base/essential oil | Basic properties | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Primrose | It protects against the first wrinkles, helps normalize hormone levels and has an anti-inflammatory effect. | 30+ |
| borage | Necessary for problematic skin and atopic dermatitis (allergic reactions). It reduces irritation, dryness and flaking, restores the protective function of the epidermis, stops moisture loss. It slows down aging, has a strong regenerative and anti-inflammatory effect. | 30+ |
| Currants | Effectively restores, removes peeling and inflammation, suitable for dry skin. It helps fight pigmentation and has a brightening effect. | 30+ |
| Macadamia | Ideal oil for dry, chapped, dehydrated skin. Indispensable for the care of the face, knees and elbows in autumn and winter, it can be applied to the eyelids. It has a pronounced regenerative and deeply nourishing effect, slows down aging and fading. | 30+ |
| Avocado | Protects from UV rays, prevents the appearance of the first wrinkles, deeply nourishes the tissues, prevents dehydration, accelerates the healing of small wounds. Suitable for oily, mixed and dry skin, it normalizes the work of the sebaceous glands. | 30+ |
| Jasmine | Evens the complexion, removes flaking and dryness. Suitable for problem skin prone to inflammation and oily skin. | 40+ |
| Himalayan cedar | Strong antioxidant effect and proven anti-allergic effect. It makes the texture of the skin smoother and activates regeneration processes. | 40+ |
| Lavender | Effectively fights photoaging and helps with sunburn. Soothes irritated skin and accelerates healing. | 40+ |
| Incense | It increases elasticity, removes inflammation and is actively used for anti-aging care. Accelerates healing. | 40+ |
| Miro | It smooths fine wrinkles, slows down degenerative processes and effectively restores cracked skin. | 40+ |
| Jojoba | Excellent as the base of the mixture, it is very stable, regulates both the excess and the lack of sebum. | 50+ |
| Neroli | Increases elasticity and fights tissue relaxation. | 50+ |
| Rose | It helps to saturate with moisture, stimulates renewal, relieves inflammation and swelling, protects against negative external factors. | 50+ |
| Lemon | Brightens, removes age spots, tones, evens the complexion. | 50+ |
| Sandalwood | It fights well against sagging and dry skin, making wrinkles around the eyes less noticeable. | 50+ |
| Smilje | Increases collagen synthesis, improves the condition of the vascular wall. | 50+ |
The division by oil age is more than arbitrary. They are selected according to their tasks. It can be used even in youth. Essential oils are not hormones. They normalize skin function without causing addiction and affect various processes. Therefore, these oils can be used at any age.
After 30 years
At this age, the skin copes with its protective function and does not retain moisture as well. The stratum corneum becomes thicker, and the layer of living cells decreases. The first wrinkles appear, including "crow's feet" in the sensitive area around the eyes. This is the time when the formation of folds and wrinkles on the skin can be successfully prevented if you choose the right care, eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle.
In order to prevent the appearance of wrinkles on the face, we recommend that you include the best essential oils for people over 30 in your individual care program:
- currants;
- primrose (evening primrose);
- borago (borage, borage);
- avocado;
- macadamia nuts.
The first 3 oils from this list are especially important. Due to the presence of gamma-linolenic and other fatty acids in these oils, they effectively eliminate moisture loss, fight dandruff, relieve inflammation and accelerate tissue regeneration.
Avocado and macadamia oils are very useful for dry skin care. They nourish it deeply, soften it, make it smooth and elastic, smooth out fine lines caused by dehydration and metabolic disorders. Avocado and macadamia oils are considered base oils. They can be used either in their pure form, in the form of an oil serum under a cream or by making your own creams and masks from them.
If at this age you are already suffering from under-eye circles and swelling, you can use anti-wrinkle essential oils with lymphatic drainage and blood vessel strengthening effects (geranium, fennel, immortelle, etc. ).
After 40 years
At this age, more and more age-related changes accumulate on the skin. The number of collagen and elastin fibers decreases by approximately 1% per year. The ability of the dermis to retain moisture continues to decline, and less and less hyaluronic acid and other glycosaminoglycans are produced.
These processes take place in the deep layers of the dermis, so they are much more difficult to deal with than wrinkles at an earlier age, which are caused by insufficient hydration. Few substances can penetrate tissues far from the surface of the skin.
The list of essential oils for wrinkles in people over 40 is quite long. The most popular oils are:
- jasmine;
- lavender;
- Himalayan cedar;
- incense;
- myrrh
Monarda and myrtle facial oils provide a pronounced lifting effect. Traditionally, widely used frankincense and myrrh work more to increase elasticity.
After 50 years
The use of phytoestrogens is recommended in the care of mature skin. Because with the onset of menopause, the female body stops producing estrogen on its own, which protects the skin from aging. You can try to include anise and fennel oils in mixtures and homemade creams in short courses. But with caution.
Due to the lack of estrogen, the number of collagen and elastin fibers decreases even faster (by 2% per year instead of 1% at the same time at the age of 40+). The skin becomes thinner, the volume and density of the facial bones decreases, which also leads to the relaxation of the epidermis and the appearance of wrinkles.
If you took good care of your face, protected it from the destructive effects of ultraviolet radiation, ate properly and led a healthy lifestyle, then by the age of 50, the condition of your skin will be much better than those who did not take it. concern for quality care.
Measures aimed at maintaining normal blood flow in the tissues of the epidermis, strengthening blood vessels, as well as active moisturizing, protection from UV rays and the use of oils help maintain the skin at this age. The most effective shows for people over 50 years old:
- immortelle;
- neroli;
- roses;
- sandalwood;
- lemon (as an extra, to improve the complexion).
How each of these oils works is described in detail in the table above. Oils from previous age groups are also used, especially resin esters (myrrh, frankincense).
Using essential oils for wrinkles
Now let's talk about how to properly use essential oils to effectively fight age-related changes in appearance and prevent wrinkles. Following these simple recommendations will help you get the maximum benefit from natural ingredients.
Key rules
Let us remind you that essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. Therefore, you must use them carefully, observing the basic rules and precautions.
- Esters can cause skin irritation. Therefore, it is forbidden to use a new oil for facial care without first testing it for sensitivity. To do this, dilute 2 drops of ether in a teaspoon of base oil. Apply a drop of the mixture to the crook of your elbow and wait at least 24 hours. If after a day there are no signs of irritation at the application site, you can safely use it.
- Many essential oils have contraindications. Some are prohibited for use by pregnant women, patients with asthma and other serious problems. Therefore, read the instructions carefully before purchasing.
- Do not apply undiluted essential oils to your face. In the worst case, you can develop an intolerance to the oil for many years.
- Only natural essential oils are suitable for fighting wrinkles. The use of synthetic substitutes can worsen the condition of the skin.
- For the skin around the eyes, esters can be used exclusively together with base oils or as part of other domestic cosmetic products (creams, masks) and only in a reduced percentage (1 drop per 10 ml of base oil). When applying, care should be taken that the oil does not get on the mucous membrane.
- You need to choose the type of essential oil for wrinkles and the specific recipe, taking into account not only your age, but also your skin type.
- You should not use combinations that contain more than 4 types of essential oils. Gradually complicate the mixture, using a mixture with one ester one week, adding another oil the next week, and so on. And not 4 types at once. Otherwise, it will be difficult to find the culprit in the event of a negative reaction.
- It is preferable to change the set used every month. In this way, the effect will be brighter and more varied.
Ways of application
Essential oils can be used for anti-aging care in a variety of ways. You can use one specific type of ether, but the best effect can be achieved by combining several of them. Combinations of esters must be made correctly, then the beneficial properties of each oil will be enhanced and will not conflict.
To combat wrinkles, essential oils can:
Add organic ingredients to special cosmetic bases (night creams, lotions, nourishing masks, etc. ). Literally a few drops of ether are enough to significantly improve the nourishing properties and anti-aging effect.
Mix with base oils (macadamia, almond, sesame, rosehip, pomegranate, avocado, wheat germ, grape seed). This is an excellent remedy for the prevention and fight against wrinkles. Apply cream to the mixture or alternate care: day mixture, day cream. Store the mixture in a brown glass bottle.
- You can overcome facial wrinkles by mixing 9 ml of avocado oil, 1 ml of pomegranate seed oil with 1 drop of immortelle, 2 drops of rose or sandalwood and 1 drop of lemon (no lemon in summer). Apply in the evening.
- For deep wrinkles, try another recipe with essential oils. It is necessary to mix 8 ml of jojoba oil, 1 ml of green coffee, 1 ml of parsley, add 1 drop of lemon grass, 1 drop of fennel, 1 drop of clary sage.
- The area around the eyes, but also the whole face, will enjoy the excellent recipe: macadamia nut 8 ml, wheat germ 1 ml, black currant 1 ml, 1 drop each of rose oil and incense. This is one of the simplest and most effective eye lid formulations at home.
Conclusion
There is a sufficient selection of essential oils that are useful in fighting wrinkles and slowing down the aging of the skin. It is important to choose the right esters and their combinations in order to achieve the best results of your daily facial care. Essential oils, which we described in detail in the article, are suitable for any age.
But remember: in the fight against aging, it is important not only to organize proper facial care, but also to change your daily habits:
- Healthy food,
- take regular walks in the fresh air;
- stop smoking and alcohol;
- exercise;
- drink enough water;
- get enough sleep;
- avoid stress.
We wish you to always stay young, beautiful and choose your ideal combination of essential oils for an effective fight against wrinkles.