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Understanding the Anti-Aging Benefits of Essential Oils

January 11, 2022 | By Lee Sutherland
close up photo of essential oil drop

For thousands of years, cultures across the globe have hunted the fabled “fountain of youth.” While we still haven’t uncovered waters that can turn back the clock, we have found more inventive ways of slowing down the visual signs of aging, especially those in our skin.

Essential oils are just one of those ways. It isn’t the fountain of youth, but understanding the anti-aging benefits of essential oils will help you determine how they can help you fight the ravages of time.

What Causes Wrinkles

Our skin comprises three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. The middle layer, the dermis, is a conglomeration of nerves, fats, and two proteins known as collagen and elastin. The first provides skin strength, and the second provides elasticity.

As time goes on, the body produces less collagen and elastin, causing this secondary layer to thin out. This leads to wrinkles in the epidermis and reduces our skin’s ability to retain moisture. It occurs inevitably with time, but other factors can speed up this process, including sun exposure, smoking, or repeated facial expressions—for example, a knit brow may lead to worry lines, and laughter can lead to laugh lines.

How Essential Oils Contribute to Smooth Skin

Antioxidants

As our cells go through their normal functions, they produce a waste product known as free radicals. While they’re relatively harmless in small doses, free radicals can become harmful if the body produces an overabundance of them. In the skin, they contribute to the breakdown of collagen, leading to wrinkles.

Antioxidants, which exist in fruits, vegetables, and other foods, help counteract the effects of free radicals, effectively slowing down the effects of aging. Certain essential oils, such as lavender, are a good source of antioxidants, making them a helpful ingredient for wrinkle reduction.

Reduces Chronic Inflammation

In short bursts, inflammation is good for your skin, helping it to heal. However, chronic inflammation can lead to a breakdown in collagen levels. As mentioned, this causes the dermis to thin out, leading to wrinkles. However, we find anti-inflammatory properties in several essential oil types, such as:

  • Chamomile

  • Clove

  • Sandalwood

  • Rose

  • Bergamot

  • Eucalyptus

Stress Relief

Stress is one of the more common lifestyle factors that contribute to accelerated skin aging. Fortunately, research has shown that aromatherapy with essential oils can help reduce the production of the hormone cortisol.

Along with being behind many of the fight-or-flight responses in the body, cortisol also increases inflammation and breaks down collagen and elastin.

Building An Anti-Aging Beauty Regime

There are several ways to capitalize on the anti-aging benefits of essential oils. First, you can dilute essential oils into carrier oils to use on your skin. You can also diffuse them into your space to help reduce stress and, therefore, cortisol.

We may never find the fountain of youth, but by using our ethanol extraction equipment, you can help create quality essential oils, which is, perhaps, the next best thing.

Contact us at ExtractCraft today to learn more, and get started making your own essential oils!