Natural essential oils not only provide a pleasant aroma but also can effectively fight skin aging and reduce wrinkles. With antioxidant, moisturizing, and skin-regenerating properties, essential oils have become a popular choice in beauty care, helping to prevent the appearance of wrinkles, regenerate collagen, and protect the skin from aging agents. If you are wondering which one to choose, scroll down and see the best essential oils for wrinkles, how to use them, and why you should include them in your skincare routine.
How do essential oils reduce wrinkles?
For thousands of years, people have used natural essential oils for their anti-aging and moisturizing properties in skin care. When it comes to reducing wrinkles, essential oils work based on different mechanisms to improve skin conditions and prevent the formation of new wrinkles. Here are some of the main mechanisms by which essential oils help reduce wrinkles:
Antioxidants: Antioxidants help protect the skin from free radicals, the main cause of collagen and elastin destruction, leading to the formation of wrinkles. Using essential oils containing antioxidants helps to increase the skin’s protection against environmental and sun damage.
Stimulate collagen production: Some essential oils help stimulate collagen production, an important protein that helps the skin maintain elasticity and firmness. When collagen levels increase, the skin can maintain its structure and firmness, thereby reducing the formation of wrinkles.
Skin cell regeneration: Essential oils help stimulate the regeneration of new skin cells, replacing old and damaged skin cells. Rose, carrot seed, and sandalwood essential oils promote this regeneration process, helping the skin become bright and smooth and reducing wrinkles.
Deeply moisturize: Providing moisture to the skin is an important factor in preventing wrinkles because dry skin is prone to cracking and premature wrinkles. Essential oils provide moisture, making your skin softer, more supple, and firmer, thereby reducing wrinkles.
Note: Essential oils or any home remedies for wrinkles will not make them disappear completely, but they can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin with regular use.
Now, let’s go through the list of essential oils that can help reduce wrinkles and crow’s feet with yourhealthbeauty.
15 Best Essential Oils for Wrinkles
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean region but now widely grown in France, Spain, and Bulgaria. Its flowers yield lavender essential oil, which has powerful antioxidant properties that help prevent wrinkle formation. It also helps soothe the skin, reduce inflammation, and support skin cell regeneration.
How to use:Add 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil to a tablespoon of carrier oil (such as coconut oil or jojoba oil) and gently massage it onto your face before bed.
2. Rose Essential Oil
The petals of the Damask rose (Rosa damascena), primarily grown in Turkey, Bulgaria, and Iran, yield essential rose oil. This rose is known for its intense fragrance and is a source of high-quality rose essential oil.
Rose essential oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which help stimulate collagen production, reduce wrinkles, and brighten the skin.
How to use: Add 3-4 drops of rose essential oil to your daily moisturizer or oil, or massage directly after diluting it with a carrier oil.
3. Sweet Orange Essential Oil
Sweet orange essential oil is extracted from the peel of the sweet orange tree (Citrus sinensis), which is now commonly grown in Southeast Asia and countries such as Brazil, the United States, and the Mediterranean.
Sweet orange essential oil helps increase blood circulation, stimulate collagen production, and assist in firming the skin by reducing wrinkles.
How to use: Dilute 2-3 drops of sweet orange essential oil with 1 tablespoon of base oil, apply to the skin, and massage gently.
4. Frankincense Essential Oil
The resin of the frankincense tree yields frankincense essential oil. This oil improves your skin’s natural defense mechanism against harmful bacteria. It also tightens the skin, maintains skin elasticity, and reduces wrinkles. It also has skin-regenerating properties, helping to fade scars and dark spots.
How to use: Dilute 3-4 drops of frankincense essential oil with 1 tablespoon of almond oil and apply to wrinkled areas before sleeping.
5. Geranium Essential Oil
The geranium plant Pelargonium graveolens yields geranium essential oil from its leaves and stems.
This essential oil has many benefits for your skin. It has strong antiseptic and wound-healing properties. Geranium essential oil does not cause irritation or side effects. Moreover, it can heal dermatological problems, such as eczema and dermatitis, and reduce excessive oiliness. The antioxidant properties of Geranium essential oil help your skin stay healthy and youthful.
How to use: Dilute 3-4 drops of geranium essential oil with coconut oil and apply to the skin every day before sleeping.
6. Rosemary Essential Oil
The leaves of the rosemary plant (Rosmarinus officinalis) yield rosemary essential oil. Rosemary oil has antibacterial properties that can heal skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea. Furthermore, this essential oil helps stimulate blood circulation, increase skin elasticity, and reduce the formation of wrinkles.
How to use: Dilute 2-3 drops of rosemary essential oil with a carrier oil and gently massage into the skin for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
Avoid using this medication during pregnancy or if you have a history of blood pressure problems.
7. Sandalwood Essential Oil
Perfume makers have long used the sandalwood tree’s wood (Santalum album) to extract sandalwood essential oil.
Sandalwood has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-wrinkle properties. It has free radical-scavenging properties that can reduce oxidative stress and improve skin firmness. Clinical trials have found sandalwood oil effective in healing warts, psoriasis, acne, and eczema.
How to use: Dilute 3 drops of sandalwood essential oil with 1 tablespoon of argan oil and apply to the skin every night.
8. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
The Roman chamomile plant (Chamaemelum nobile), native to Western Europe and North Africa, yields Roman chamomile essential oil from its flowers. It is one of the oldest essential oils used in traditional medicine.
Roman chamomile essential oil has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and stimulate skin cell regeneration.
How to use: Dilute 2-3 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil with a carrier oil and apply evenly to the face at night.
If you are allergic to chamomile or other chamomile species, avoid using it.
9. Lemon Essential Oil.
The peel of the lemon tree yields lemon essential oil.
Lemon essential oil is high in vitamin C and is rich in antioxidants that help protect the skin from oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals. It contains ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol (an anti-aging ingredient), and glutathione, which help boost the cells’ defenses against sun damage. Applying lemon essential oil to the skin helps boost the skin’s defenses and prevent premature aging, wrinkle formation, and skin tone.
How to use: Dilute 2-3 drops of lemon essential oil with 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil and apply to the skin at night.
10. Tea Tree Essential Oil.
The leaves of the tea tree yield tea tree essential oil. Australian Aborigines have used the tea tree for centuries to treat wounds and skin diseases.
Tea tree essential oil has cleansing and antibacterial properties, helping to clean pores, prevent acne, and reduce wrinkles.
How to use: Dilute 1-2 drops of tea tree essential oil with a carrier oil and apply gently to the skin, especially the wrinkled skin areas.
11. Carrot Seed Essential Oil
Since ancient times, people have used carrot-seed essential oil in healing and beauty treatments.
Carrot seed essential oil contains many antioxidants that help regenerate skin cells and reduce wrinkles. It also helps improve skin elasticity and makes the skin smoother.
How to use:Dilute 3-4 drops of carrot seed essential oil with coconut oil and apply it to the wrinkled skin areas daily.
12. Ylang-ylang Essential Oil
The ylang-ylang tree’s flowers yield ylang-ylang essential oil, which perfumers and aromatherapists frequently use.
Ylang-ylang essential oil has antioxidant and free radical-scavenging properties. This promotes skin regeneration and helps rejuvenate your skin by reducing the effects of harmful free radicals. Furthermore, ylang-ylang essential oil balances the skin’s oil, helping soften it and reduce wrinkles. It also helps to improve blood circulation, which enhances the health of the skin.
How to use:Dilute 3 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil with 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil and apply to the skin at night.
13. Calendula Essential Oil
The marigold plant’s flowers yield calendula essential oil.
Calendula essential oil can heal skin, reduce inflammation, and soothe it. It also helps regenerate cells and effectively reduce wrinkles.
How to use: Dilute 3 drops of calendula essential oil with jojoba oil and apply to the face daily.
14. Pomegranate essential oil
We extract pomegranate seed oil from the seeds. It is known for its high catechin content—an antioxidant found in the seeds and peel—red pomegranate is considered a miracle drug to repel sagging and rapid aging of the skin.
Pomegranate essence helps protect and regenerate the epidermis by stimulating keratinocytes (epidermal cells that produce keratin), increasing circulation, and healing the skin to help regenerate tissue and create new, fresher cells. This helps your skin become plump and full of vitality.
Pomegranate extract helps prevent skin cancer by promoting the production of collagen and elastin, softening the skin, and contributing to smoother and firmer skin.
How to use:
Apply a few drops of pomegranate extract to your face and gently massage in circular motions to allow the essence to deeply penetrate the skin. Use every morning or evening for increased effectiveness.
Mix a few drops of pomegranate extract into your daily moisturizer to enhance anti-aging and skin hydration
15. Cypress essential oil
The young branches and trunk of the cypress tree typically yield cypress oil. People highly value cypress oil for its medicinal properties.
Its main aromatic component, cedrol, helps stimulate collagen production by increasing the activity of fibroblasts. In turn, this helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Cypress essential oil also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which are important for maintaining healthy, radiant skin.
How to use:
Combine 2-3 drops of cypress essential oil with a carrier oil, like jojoba or grapeseed oil, and apply this mixture to your face, gently massaging it in. Use 2-3 times a week.
Astringent toner: Mix a few drops of cypress essential oil with rose water or an alcohol-free toner. Use a cotton pad to soak the mixture and gently wipe it over your skin after washing your face. This helps to clean pores and control sebum.
Facial steaming: Add a few drops of cypress essential oil to hot water and steam your face for about 5-10 minutes. Steaming helps to deeply clean pores and improve blood circulation, making your skin look younger and firmer.
Risks of using Essential Oils
While essential oils are the purest form of plant-based oils and offer many benefits for skin care and wrinkle reduction, they may not be completely safe and can cause reactions if you are allergic to them.
1. Skin irritation: Using essential oils poses a significant risk of skin irritation, particularly for those with sensitive skin. Some essential oils can cause redness, itching, or dermatitis. To avoid irritation, dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil or jojoba oil) before applying directly to the skin, and always apply a drop of the oil mixture to a small area of skin on the inside of the elbow and wait 24 hours. If no reaction occurs, apply the oil mixture to your face.
2. Allegy: Some people may be allergic to the ingredients in essential oils, leading to reactions such as swelling, rashes, or difficulty breathing. If you have a history of allergies to certain natural ingredients, you should use essential oils with caution and consult your doctor.
3. Increased sensitivity to sunlight:Some essential oils, especially lemon and orange essential oils, can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, make sure to apply sunscreen before going out and avoid direct exposure to sunlight for at least 12 hours.
4. Interact with medications: Some essential oils can interact with medications you are taking, reducing their effectiveness or causing unwanted side effects. For example, rosemary essential oil can affect blood pressure, while frankincense essential oil can affect anticoagulants.
5. Dangers for pregnant women and young children: Improper use of many essential oils can pose a significant risk to pregnant women, fetuses, or young children. For instance, pregnant women should avoid using frankincense and rosemary essential oils, as they may trigger uterine contractions. Essential oils, while effective in reducing wrinkles and enhancing skin health, require careful and correct application to prevent unwanted risks.
6 Best Carrier Oils To Use With Essential Oils
When combining essential oils for skin care, it is necessary to use a carrier oil to dilute the essential oil and increase the effectiveness of skin care. Here are some of the best carrier oils when combined with the above essential oils:
1. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, which help moisturize and soothe the skin and support the skin’s ability to regenerate and protect.
2. Grape Seed Oil
Grape seed oil is very light, quickly absorbed into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling. It is rich in vitamin E and linoleic acid, which helps soften, and moisturize the skin.
3. Sweet Almond Oil
Almond oil is rich in vitamins A, and E, and fatty acids, which can deeply moisturize, soothe, and brighten the skin. It is suitable for dry or sensitive skin, helping to increase moisture and nourish the skin from within, optimizing the skin’s ability to regenerate.
4. Argan Oil
Argan oil is known as “liquid gold” because it contains a lot of vitamin E, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants, which help restore and nourish the skin. It not only moisturizes well but also helps improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, and protect the skin from damage.
5. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil contains many fatty acids and vitamins E and A, which deeply moisturize and regenerate the skin. This is particularly beneficial for dry or damaged skin, as it reduces inflammation and regenerates skin cells.
6. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is light and rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, which helps protect and nourish the skin, providing moisture, preventing water loss on the skin, and supporting anti-aging.
Each base oil has its characteristics, so when combined with essential oils, you should choose the base oil that suits your needs and skin type to achieve the best skincare effect.