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Essential oils are concentrated extracts taken from plants. Plants contain chemical compounds that protect them from the sun and insects, promote growth, create aroma, and other life-enhancing effects.
Essential oils contain a plant's most healing compounds. These compounds, when applied topically, can have anti-aging benefits to our skin.
The best essential oils for anti-aging are those that contain lots of antioxidants and unique compounds that target the needs of the skin to prevent wrinkle formation.
Where to Source Essential Oils
You want high-quality oils, especially when it comes to combating aging. You also want a brand with transparency and excellent customer service.
My favorite brand is Rocky Mountain Oils (RMO). They are committed to bringing you high-quality, therapeutic grade essential oils at affordable prices.
How do Essential Oils Work for Aging Skin?
Wrinkles are a natural result of aging.
Collagen and elastin in our skin break down as we age, causing lines to form. Free radicals produced by UV rays and environmental pollutants wreak havoc on our skin, destroying collagen and elastin.
This is where antioxidants come in, they 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, our skin will still age (and that is ok), but we can age more gracefully and keep our skin hydrated, plump, and full of life.
Now let's talk about each of these anti-aging essential oils.
The 10 Best Anti-Aging Essential Oils
The best anti-aging essential oils have been 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.
Frankincense
- Best for oily and mature skin.
- Aroma is medium-strength balsamic, rich, warm, slightly spicy, sweet, and woody.
Frankincense EO Skin Benefits
- 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)
Rose
- Best for dry and mature skin.
- Aroma is strong floral and sweet.
Rose EO Skin Benefits
- 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.
Ylang-Ylang
- Best for combination skin.
- Aroma is medium-strength intensely sweet, floral, and rich.
Ylang-Ylang EO Skin Benefits
- 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
Jasmine
- Best for dry or mature skin.
- Aroma is strong rich, floral, and tea-like.
Jasmine EO Skin Benefits
- 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.
Patchouli
- Best for oily or mature skin.
- Aroma is medium-strength rich, herbaceous, musky, earthy, and spicy.
Patchouli EO Skin Benefits
- 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
Sandalwood
- Best for dry or mature skin.
- Aroma is medium-strength woody, earthy, and slightly balsamic.
Sandalwood EO Skin Benefits
- 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
German Chamomile
- Best for sensitive skin.
- Aroma is strong warm, sweet, and herbaceous.
German Chamomile EO Skin Benefits
- 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
Neroli
- Best for sensitive or mature skin.
- Aroma is strong sweet, floral, citrusy, and fresh.
Neroli EO Skin Benefits
- Softens scars
- Improves skin elasticity
- Stimulates new cell growth
- Prevents and treats stretch marks and scars
- Promotes wound healing
- Balances skin oils
Clary Sage
- Best for oily or combination skin.
- Aroma is medium‐strength musky, herbal, sharp, and warm.
Clary Sage EO Skin Benefits
- 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
Myrrh
- Best for mature skin.
- Aroma is medium-strength rich, balsamic, warm, and earthy.
Myrrh EO Skin Benefits
- Has a compelling 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
Tips on Using Essential Oils for Anti-Aging
- Always dilute EO with a carrier oil or a toner.
- A good dilution rate for facial applications is 1% - To achieve this, mix 1 drop of EO to 1 tsp carrier oil or toner.
- A little goes a long way, only a few drops are needed to see results.
- Add a couple of drops to your moisturizer, mix together and apply.
- Apply a drop of essential oil to a cotton ball, along with a toner. Use as you normally would.
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.
What is your favorite essential oil? Mine is in the comments below 🙂
Andrea says
My favorite is definitely Rose, I love its scent and it is so healing to the skin.
Pat Hutchinson says
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
Andrea says
Hi Pat, certain oils go better with each other than others. Here is a good article about blending essential oils 🙂
vitamin c serums says
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
Andrea says
🙂
Eileen says
What does fco mean please
Maria says
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
Rashmi says
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?
Andrea says
Sounds like a good blend 🙂
NikkiVino says
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!
Andrea says
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.
Ogz says
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
Andrea says
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.
Ogz says
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:)
Andrea says
They should help if you use them consistently 🙂