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: it is a natural process to which all living beings are subject, without exception.
Age-related skin changes cannot be stopped completely. But it is quite possible to slow them down and make the signs of aging less pronounced. And essential oils will help us with this.
Which oil helps best against wrinkles, which essential oils are suitable for facial skin at different ages? How to use them correctly to achieve maximum effect? We will talk about all this in our article.
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What types of wrinkles exist?
Wrinkles on the face are the most obvious and unpleasant sign of old age and skin aging. The first wrinkles can appear at 25-30 years old. Although at this age they are mainly 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 diet, vitamin deficiency, chronic stress, lack of sleep) and natural processes, our skin loses its 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 skin on the face becomes drier and more sensitive to negative external factors.
Collagen and elastin fibers (proteins that perform the structural function) perform less and less of their supporting function over time. Some of them glycate, becoming brittle and hard, and some of them completely degrade. The remaining fibers are not enough to keep the skin as elastic and smooth as before. It literally sags 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 sink 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 causes dehydration, damage to skin structures, activation of oxidative processes and premature 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, which increases oxidative stress. Visually, smokers' skin appears darker and rougher.
- Incorrect or inadequate nutrition.Strict diets that lead to a lack of nutrients. Sudden weight loss, when the skin does not have time to "shrink" and fall off.
- Active facial expressions.Characteristic of emotional people, it causes spasms of small muscles. In this way skin wrinkles are solved.
- Increase or decrease in facial muscle tone.When the facial muscles are constantly relaxed or, on the contrary, tense, for example, during work (the crease between the eyebrows, squinting), this causes a change in the position of the tissues and the appearance of even wrinkles. At an early age.
- Dermatological diseases, allergic reactions.Atopic dermatitis, for example, causes dehydration and decreased elasticity, depleting the skin's resources.
As you can see, we can influence most of the reasons by changing our habits and lifestyle. Delaying the appearance of wrinkles is much easier than eliminating them. Therefore, let's find out what types of wrinkles exist.
types of wrinkles
Wrinkles are divided into groups according to different criteria: depth of appearance, degree of severity, location or mechanism of formation. The following types of wrinkles are distinguished:
- on the forehead;
- Eyebrows;
- "Crow's feet";
- "rabbit wrinkles";
- nasolabial and nasolabial;
- Bag drawstring;
- "puppetry";
- mental fold;
- "Rings of Venus"
If everything is clear with the wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows, nasolabial and nasolacrimal, then below we will briefly talk about the characteristics of other groups.
- "Crow's feet"called wrinkles located around the eyes. These are thin superficial folds that appear to diverge in different directions from one point. Because of this feature, which resembles the legs of a goose, they get 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. These folds are typical of people with active facial expressions, who often laugh, wrinkle their nose, and squint their eyes. Then the facial expression takes on a certain resemblance to that of a chewing rabbit.
- "puppetry", or mourning lines, run in a straight line from the corners of the mouth to the chin. The reason for its appearance is the constant overstrain of the muscles in the mouth (pursed lips). Similar to puppet slots.
- "Handbag wrinkles"go from the nose to the upper lip. They look like a tight bag or bag, hence their name. They usually appear in adulthood.
- "Rings of Venus"- folds in the form of horizontal stripes on the neck. They look like deep grooves and appear due to weakness, lack of elasticity of the neck muscles, which no longer support the skin. In addition, sleeping on high, uncomfortable pillows, constantly tilting your head forward and little by little unattractive wrinkles appear on the neck.
How to combat wrinkles?
Let's move on to the most interesting and important thing: the methods that help against facial wrinkles and other signs of premature aging. There are already quite a few of them in humanity's arsenal. Everyone can choose a method that suits their tastes and budget:
- anti-aging procedures in the office of a professional cosmetologist (plasmolifting, botulinum toxin injections, etc. );
- facelift and plastic surgeon;
- regular use of specialAnti agecosmetics (face creams, masks, serums) at home;
- facial bodybuilding classes, facial fitness (facial gymnastics against wrinkles);
- anti-aging massage;
- taking specialized vitamin and mineral complexes;
- use essential oils.
All of these methods are effective in combating age-related changes. To make it sustainable, you need to reconsider your entire lifestyle: eat right, eliminate sweets, exercise and walk regularly in the fresh air, give up bad habits, sleep 7-8 hours a day and learn to cope with stress.
Later in the article we will take a closer look at which essential oils are best for preventing and eliminating wrinkles depending on age. The potential of this product in the fight against age-related cosmetic changes is very great, but not everyone knows about it.
The best essential oils for facial wrinkles.
What are the benefits of essential oils to counteract age-related changes in facial skin? First of all, they have a beneficial effect on the limbic system of our brain, responsible for emotions. Secondly, 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 carrier and essential oils to combat wrinkles.
| Base/essential oil | Basic properties | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | It protects against the first wrinkles, helps normalize hormonal levels and has an anti-inflammatory effect. | 30+ |
| Borago (borage) | Essential for problem skin and atopic dermatitis (allergic reactions). Reduces irritation, dryness and peeling, restores the barrier function of the epidermis, stopping moisture loss. Slows down age-related changes, has a powerful regenerating and anti-inflammatory effect. | 30+ |
| Currant | Restores, effectively eliminates peeling and inflammation, suitable for dry skin. It helps fight pigmentation and has a brightening effect. | 30+ |
| macadamia | Ideal oil for dry, cracked and dehydrated skin. Essential for the care of the face, knees and elbows in autumn and winter, it can be applied to the eyelids. It has a pronounced repairing and deeply nourishing effect, slows down aging and discoloration. | 30+ |
| Avocado | Protects against UV rays, prevents the first wrinkles, deeply nourishes tissues, preventing dehydration, and accelerates the healing of small wounds. Indicated for oily, combination and dry skin, it normalizes the sebaceous glands. | 30+ |
| Jasmine | Evens out the complexion, eliminates flaking and dryness. Indicated for problematic skin, prone to inflammation and oil. | 40+ |
| himalayan cedar | Powerful antioxidant effect and proven anti-allergy effect. Softens the skin texture and activates regeneration processes. | 40+ |
| Lavender | Effectively combats photoaging and helps with sunburn. Soothes irritated skin and accelerates healing. | 40+ |
| Incense | It increases elasticity, eliminates inflammation and is actively used for anti-aging care. Accelerates healing. | 40+ |
| Myrrh | Smoothes fine wrinkles, slows down degenerative processes and effectively restores cracked skin. | 40+ |
| jojoba | Excellent as a mixing base, it is very stable, regulating both excess and deficiency of sebum. | 50+ |
| neroli | Increases elasticity and combats sagging tissues. | 50+ |
| Pink | It helps to saturate with moisture, stimulates renewal, relieves inflammation and swelling, protects against negative external factors. | 50+ |
| Lemon | Clarifies, eliminates age spots, tones and evens the complexion. | 50+ |
| Sandalwood | It fights well against sagging and dry skin, making wrinkles around the eyes less noticeable. | 50+ |
| Always alive | Increases collagen synthesis, improves the condition of the vascular wall. | 50+ |
The division by age of oils is more than arbitrary. They are selected according to their tasks. It can also be used at a young age. Essential oils are not hormones. They normalize the function of the skin without causing addiction and influence various processes. Therefore, these oils can be used at any age.
after 30 years
At this age, the skin copes with its barrier 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 delicate area around the eyes. This is the time when the formation of folds and wrinkles on the skin can be successfully prevented by choosing the right care, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle.
To prevent the appearance of facial wrinkles, we recommend including the best essential oils for people over 30 in your individual care program:
- currant;
- primrose (evening primrose);
- borago (borage, borage);
- avocado;
- macadamia.
The first 3 oils on 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 peeling, relieve inflammation and accelerate tissue restoration.
Avocado and macadamia oils are very useful for dry skin care. They nourish it deeply, soften it, make it smooth and elastic, smoothing out small wrinkles caused by dehydration and metabolic disorders. Avocado and macadamia oils are considered carrier oils. They can be used in pure form, in the form of an oily serum under a cream, or by making creams and masks with them yourself.
If at this age you are already bothered by dark circles and puffiness, you can use anti-wrinkle essential oils with lymphatic drainage and vascular strengthening effects (geranium, fennel, immortelle, etc. ).
after 40 years
At this age, the skin accumulates more and more age-related changes. The amount of collagen and elastin fibers decreases by approximately 1% per year. The dermis's ability 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 it is much more difficult to treat them than wrinkles at an earlier age that arise from insufficient hydration. Not many substances manage to penetrate tissues located far from the surface of the skin.
The list of essential oils for wrinkles 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 highly 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 including anise and fennel oils in homemade mixtures and creams in short dishes. But with caution.
Due to estrogen deficiency, the amount of collagen and elastin fibers decreases even faster (2% per year instead of 1% over the same period from the age of 40). The skin becomes thinner, the volume and density of the facial bones decreases, which also causes sagging of the epidermis and the appearance of folds.
If you took good care of your face, protected it from the destructive effects of ultraviolet radiation, ate right and led a healthy lifestyle, at the age of 50 the condition of your skin will be much better than that of those who did not take care of quality care.
Measures aimed at maintaining normal blood flow in the tissues of the epidermis, strengthening blood vessels, as well as active moisturizing, protection against ultraviolet rays and the use of oils help maintain the skin at this age. The most effective broadcasts for people over 50:
- always alive;
- neroli;
- roses;
- sandalwood;
- lemon (as an additional, to improve the complexion).
The table above details how each of these oils works. Oils from previous ages are also used, especially resin esters (myrrh, frankincense).
Use essential oils for wrinkles
Now let's talk about how to correctly use essential oils to effectively combat 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's remember that essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. Therefore, it is necessary to use them carefully, observing basic rules and precautions.
- Esters may cause skin irritation. Therefore, it is prohibited to use a new oil for facial care without first performing a sensitivity test. 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, then 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, please read the instructions carefully before purchasing.
- Do not apply undiluted essential oils to your face. In the worst case, oil intolerance can develop over many years.
- Only natural essential oils are suitable to combat wrinkles. The use of synthetic substitutes can worsen the skin condition.
- For the skin around the eyes, esters can be used exclusively together with base oils or as part of other homemade cosmetic products (creams, masks) and only in a small percentage (1 drop per 10 ml of base oil). During application, care should be taken so that the oil does not come into contact with the mucous membrane.
- You must choose the type of essential oil for wrinkles and a specific recipe, taking into account not only your age, but also your skin type.
- You should not use combinations that include more than 4 types of essential oils. Complicate the mixture gradually, using a mixture with an ester for one week, adding another oil the next week, etc. And not 4 guys at once. Otherwise, it will be difficult to find the culprit in case of a negative reaction.
- It is preferable to change the set used every month. This way the effect will be brighter and more diverse.
Application methods
Essential oils can be used for anti-aging care in different ways. You can use a specific type of ether, but the best effect can be achieved by combining several. Combinations of esters must be done correctly, then the beneficial properties of each oil will be enhanced and will not conflict.
To combat wrinkles, essential oils can:
Adds organic matter to special cosmetic bases (night creams, lotions, nourishing masks, etc. ). Literally a few drops of ether are enough to significantly improve the caring 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 preventing and fighting wrinkles. Apply cream on top of the mixture or alternate in care: day mixture, day cream. Store the mixture in a brown glass bottle.
- You can overcome expression lines 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 at night.
- 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 primrose, add 1 drop of lemongrass, 1 drop of fennel, 1 drop of sage.
- The area around the eyes, and the entire face, will enjoy an exquisite recipe: macadamia 8 ml, wheat germ 1 ml, black currant 1 ml, 1 drop of rose oil and 1 drop of incense. This is one of the simplest and most effective eyelid formulations at home.
Conclusion
There is a sufficient variety of essential oils that are useful in the fight against wrinkles and slow down skin aging. It is important to choose the right esters and their combinations to obtain the best results from your daily facial care. Essential oils, which we describe 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 drinking alcohol;
- exercise;
- drink enough water;
- Get enough sleep;
- avoid stress.
We wish you to always remain young, beautiful and choose your ideal combination of essential oils to effectively combat wrinkles.