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Essential oils are concentrated extracts taken from plants. Plants contain potent healing compounds that can benefit our skin.
Plants contain chemical compounds that protect them from the sun and insects, promote growth, create scent and other life-enhancing effects.
The best anti-aging essential oils are going to contain lots of antioxidants and special compounds that target the needs of the skin to prevent wrinkle formation.
10 Best Anti-Aging Essential Oils
- Frankincense
- Rose
- Ylang-ylang
- Jasmine
- Patchouli
- German chamomile
- Sandalwood
- Neroli
- Clary sage
- Myrhh
Wrinkles are a natural result of aging. Collagen and elastin in our skin break down as we age, causing lines to form in our skin. Free radicals from UV rays and environmental pollutants wreak havoc on our skin, destroying collagen and elastin. Antioxidants combat these free radicals, and reduce the damage they cause.
By topically applying potent, antioxidant-heavy oils to our face, we can help our skin retain its healthy and youthful appearance. We can’t stop the clock, we will still age (and that is ok), but we can age more gracefully and keep our skin hydrated, plump and full of life.
Best Essential Oil Brand
There are literally thousands of companies making and selling essential oils. It can be hard to know which brands to trust.
There are Multi-Level-Marketing companies such as Young Living and DoTerra. I prefer to shop from small companies that have a smaller profit margin (keeps them honest).
My favorite brand is Rocky Mountian Oils (RMO). They are committed to bringing you high-quality, therapeutic grade essential oils at affordable prices.
The 10 Best Anti-Aging Essential Oils
These are chosen based on their effectiveness at reducing and preventing fine lines as well as their ability to hydrate and maintain the integrity of the skin. They are in no particular order.
FRANKINCENSE
Best For
Oily and Mature Skin
- Promotes healthy cell regeneration
- Keeps existing skin cells healthy
- It improves skin tone
- Lessens the appearance of scarring
- Can help eliminate sun spots
- Helps with micro-wrinkles
- Tightens the skin
- Has been shown to combat cancer (source)
Aroma
Medium-strength balsamic, rich, warm, slightly spicy, sweet, and woody.
Rose
Best for
Dry and Mature Skin
- Moisturizing to the skin
- Reduces inflammation and redness
- Tones and lifts the skin
- Reduces look of fine lines
- High in antioxidants
- Helps heal broken capillaries
- Minimizes scarring
Buying Tip
Look for Rose Otto if you want a pure rose essential oil (rose absolute is extracted with solvents). It is expensive, but worth it. You can also get rose oil diluted in a carrier oil for a more affordable price.
Aroma
Strong floral, sweet
Ylang-Ylang
Best for
Combination Skin
- Balances sebum production
- High in antioxidants
- Fights skin infections
- Anti-bacterial and anti-septic
- Stimulates and tones the skin
- Excellent addition to a facial toner
Aroma
Medium-strength intensely sweet, floral, and rich
Jasmine
Best for
Dry or Mature Skin
- Increases skin elasticity
- Tones all skin types
- Excellent for stretch marks and scars
- Enhances skin immunity
- Combats bacteria
- Soothing and calming
Buying Tip
Jasmine is a pricey essential oil. Stay away from cheap jasmine oil, as it will not have therapeutic effects.
Aroma
Strong rich, floral, and tea-like
Patchouli
Best for
Oily or Mature Skin
- Regenerates skin cells
- Prevents scarring
- Excellent for aging skin
- Tightens and tones sagging skin
- Anti-inflammatory
- Useful for eczema, acne and sunburn
- Smooths fine lines and wrinkles
- Regulates sebum production
- Anti-fungal
- Works as a scent-fixative, it will extend the life of your scent blends
Aroma
Medium-strength rich, herbaceous, musky, earthy, and spicy
Sandalwood
Best for
Dry or Mature Skin
- Softens the skin
- Helps skin retain moisture
- Historically used to treat infections
- Helps treat dry or chapped skin conditions
- Relieves itchy skin
- Cools and soothes the skin
- Can reduce age spots
- Fades wrinkles
Aroma
Medium-strength woody, earthy, and slightly balsamic
German Chamomile
Best for
Sensitive Skin
- Healing and calming to the skin
- One of the gentlest essential oils
- Hydrates and protects
- High Chamazulene content gives it soothing and anti-inflammatory poperties
- Reduces redness and the appearance of broken capillaries
- Soothes acne, stings, rashes and burns
- Moisturizes dry skin
- Contains potent antioxidants
Aroma
Strong warm, sweet, and herbaceous
Neroli
Best for
Sensitive or Mature Skin
- Softens scars
- Improves skin elasticity
- Stimulates new cell growth
- Prevents and treats stretch marks and scars
- Promotes wound healing
- Balances skin oils
Aroma
Strong sweet, floral, citrusy, and fresh
Clary Sage
Best for
Oily or Combination Skin
- High antioxidant content
- Helps regulate sebum production
- Reduces inflammation
- Tones the skin
- Cleanses pores
- Stimulates blood circulation to the surface of the skin, helping your skin to fight infections and stay healthy
- Natural deodorizer
Aroma
Medium‐strength musky, herbal, sharp, and warm
Myrhh
Best for
Mature Skin
- Has an extremely powerful antioxidant content (the 2nd highest on the ORAC scale)
- Helps maintain firm and healthy skin
- Soothes, cools and heals
- Works well on dry, chapped skin
- Useful for healing damaged skin
- Boosts the immune system
- Relieves itching and irritation
Aroma
Medium-strength rich, balsamic, warm, and earthy
Tips on Using Essential Oils
- Always dilute EO with a carrier oil or a toner.
- A little goes a long way, only a few drops are needed to see results.
- The following oils can be used in a carrier oil to make your own skin oil, or mixed with your toner.
- The dosage is: 3 – 5 drops to 1 tablespoon carrier oil.
- Use 1 drop of essential oil on a cotton ball with your toner.
CONCLUSION
Essential oils are an excellent addition to your skin care routine. Whether you are adding them to a carrier oil or a ready-made moisturizer, or you are making your own skin care, essential oils can increase the effectiveness of your anti-aging routine.
Essential oils are powerful sources of the antioxidants that keep your skin looking young. They can soothe the skin and calm inflammation. They can fight infections and stimulate new cell growth.
Remember to buy your essential oils from a reputable company. That way, you are guaranteed to be satisfied with your purchase.
Rocky Mountain oils is the Best
What is your favorite essential oil? Mine is in the comments below 🙂
Yours In Beauty,
Andrea
My favorite is definitely Rose, I love its scent and it is so healing to the skin.
Dear Andrea, how do you choose combinations of essential oils? Are they all compatible with each other? For example, could I use a little of each oil that is good for dry, aging and mature skin in my facial oil? Also, is vitamin E oil a good carrier oil, or would you recommend adding a little bit to prevent the carrier oil of choice from going rancid?
Patty
Hi Pat, certain oils go better with each other than others. Here is a good article about blending essential oils 🙂
I like Rose oil, I love its scent and it healing to the skin. Roses smell beautiful, feminine and light. They are as sensual as they are innocent, and are a symbol of so very much–from love to forgiveness to beauty and nature. roses improve your complexion and enhance the beauty of your skin with rose oil and rose water. Thanks for sharing
🙂
What does fco mean please
Hi Eileen, FCO means Fractionated Coconut Oil. It is used as a carrier oil when making blends and recipes. Its deeply moisturizing and blends very well with any Essential oil. Check out this link to get all the details on this awesome carrier oil. Hope that helps Eileen. Thanks for the question!
http://go.rockymountainoils.com/SHcK
Hi Eileen ! For making a diy anti aging serum with sweet almond oil/jojoba as base oil and blending it with essential oils,do geranium,pomegranate eo blend well with each other?
Sounds like a good blend 🙂
I have combination skin, but not like you would think. I often have breakouts (darn hormones!) and also worry about fine lines (darn stress!).
I’ve been using Organic Rose Hip oil (for moisture, reduce scarring, age and sun spots -almost gone!-and reduce wrinkles…Vit C, Vit A, antioxidant to stimulate collagen production) and also Organic Tea Tree oil (to reduce inflammation with breakouts…antiseptic, anti-fungal, antibiotic properties).
I guess my question is: why didn’t you list Rose Hip oil as one of the anti-aging oils listed above?
Also, what are your thoughts on adding Lavender, Frankincense and/or Myrrh to my routine? Should I add all or just one to my oils listed above? (I’ve never smelled either, but am more concerned with the healing benefits than smell – tea tree is very medicinal smelling and would love to make it “prettier”.)
Thanks!
Thanks for your questions Nikki. The reason I didn’t list Rosehip oil is because I was focusing on essential oils, and Rosehip seed oil is not an essential oil. If you are wanting to change up your oil combo, I would suggest just trying one essential oil at a time, that way you know if your skin likes it or not. If price doesn’t matter, I would try frankincense, it has a lovely, earthy smell and it is so great for the skin. It is pricey though. If you are on a budget, then I would suggest lavender. It smells much prettier than tea tree.
Hi,
First of all sorry about my english. It is terrible. I have stretch mark problem because of lifting weights. They are quite old(8 years). I have been researching on this problem for months. I have found out which oils are effective and i don’t want to skip any of them. So here my combination that i want to use;”mixture of 9ml rosehip oil,9ml jojoba oil, 9 ml grapeseed oil as base oils and i am gonna put neroli ,lavender , jasmine, frankincense,geranium,patchouli,sage, rose,sandalwood,helichrysum essential oils in it. 4 drops for each one. So it is gonna be 40 drops in 27 ml carrier oil. I know it is a bit much but like i said i don’t wanna skip any of them. And i am gonna use them with dermaroller. 2.5 mm dermaroller once in three weeks and 0.25 mm dermaroller once in two days for good absorbtion. And mixrure of sweet almond oil and castor oil in the mornings. I don’t want to add this two oils into the other mixture. So i am gonna use them separately.Though i have these stretch marks for eight years, they are still purple. So if i can achive make them fade and turn into my skin colour it will be a big success. I know i can’t cure them totally.
My second problem is sunken eyes and dark circles. They are hereditary. Although i am 28 years old and male by the way, i have a serious sunken eyes dark circles and sagging face problem. Again i know i can’t cure them totaly because they are genetics. But i just wanna look a little bit healthier and add some radiance on my skin. And get my face toned and lifted a little bit more of course. So here my combination for this problem;”8ml sweet almond oil,8ml rosehip oil,6ml jojoba oil,6ml grapeseed oil as base oils. I am gonna put neroli,lavender,geranium,frankincense, rose,sandalwood,cypress,patchouli, helichrysum essential oils in it. 2.5 drops for each one. So it will be 22.5 drops in 28ml.I am gonna use 1 mm dermaroller for my face once in two weeks. And 0.5 mm dermaroller for under eyes once in two weeks.And 0.25 ml dermarollers once in two days. For good absorbtion. I know essential oils proportions are excessive a little bit but can be tolerated i think 🙂
Again i know i can’t fix them 100% but i have a hope that these problems can be reduced noticeably.
So what do you think about my combination and hope:)?
Thanks in advance for your answer
Best regards
Hello Ogz, I think it sounds like you have done your research! Your blends sound like they will be good for tightening and lightening your skin. I would suggest a patch test to make sure that you are not going to have a bad reaction to the essential oils in your blend. It looks like your dilution rate is about 3 – 4 % for your essential oils to your carrier oils. This dilution is best used on a small area for a small amount of time. For daily skin care, a dilution rate of 2% is recommended. To preform a patch test: For first time use of an essential oil, a safe practice is to place a drop of diluted essential oil to a small area of skin such as the inside elbow. After application, be aware of adverse reactions for the first 24 hours. Possible reactions include skin irritation, headache, nausea, respiratory complaints or dizziness.
So here my last combinations.
I am gonna skip cypress oil from my facial mixture and drop the proportions of other to 2 drops. So it will be 16 drops in 28ml carriers oils. By the way i am gonna use witch hazel and chamomile hydrosols for under eyes too. Before oil treatments.
And i am gonna skip sandalwood oil from my stretch mark mixture and deop the others proportions to 2.5ml. So it will be 22.5 drops in 28 ml.
I think i can deal with this proportions.
But the big question is that are they gonna be helpful? I am gonna inform you a couple months later:)
They should help if you use them consistently 🙂