Aging is a natural part of life, but seeing the physical results of this process is never exciting. The “damage” that results from aging comes in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, and loose skin. What can be done about this unsightly, yet natural process? While there are foods that encourage optimal collagen production and scrubs or masks that tighten skin, sometimes you just need a few powerful essential oils.
Essential oils are extremely concentrated plant extracts that exhibit therapeutic benefits. Many essential oils offer antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. They can help improve complexion, give life to dull hair, reduce the appearance of stretch marks, or even tighten loose skin. As long as you dilute essential oils in carrier oils, you can safely use them on your skin. To figure out the best carrier oil for your skin type, click here. Keep in mind that it’s always wise to do a patch test on a small area of skin to make sure you don’t negatively react to the oil.
Bergamot Essential Oil
If you drink Earl Grey tea, you are familiar with bergamot’s aroma. It comes from the rinds of the citrus fruit that the bergamot tree produces. Aromatherapists commonly use bergamot essential oil to promote calm and relaxation. The oil contains limonene, which is a potent antioxidant that is essential for optimal skin health. It also offers nerol, myrcene, and geraniol, all of which work to tighten skin and improve complexion.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil is held in high regard, as it offers many benefits for overall health. The molecular structure helps it penetrate the deep layers of the skin, working to encourage the health of existing skin cells. By oxygenating these cells, frankincense helps to improve elasticity, which ultimately tightens the skin. Frankincense essential oil also helps to encourage the growth of new skin cells. It has been most effective around the eye area.
Neroli Essential Oil
The more common name of this oil is orange blossom essential oil. It’s a common ingredient in many fragrances or fragrance blends, as the aroma is inviting and floral. The anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties, along with the diverse antioxidant profile, makes neroli essential oil an excellent choice to tighten and firm up loose skin. According to several studies, it exhibits the most regenerative properties to make the skin supple and taught.
Geranium Essential Oil
Working to repair collagen and improve the skin’s elasticity, geranium essential oil is an excellent choice for skin tightening. By boosting elastin fibers, this essential oil can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In fact, many people use geranium essential oil to help get rid of stretch marks. It nourishes the skin and gives it a youthful glow, while making skin more taught in the process.
Jasmine Essential Oil
Jasmine essential oil helps to encourage blood circulation, which promotes the regeneration of skin cells. As new skin cells produce, the body can hydrate the skin and provide it with more elasticity. This process can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and scars by tightening the skin. Jasmine essential oil pairs best with sweet almond oil as a carrier oil.
Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh essential oil has historical and religious importance, being one of the gifts that the three wise men brought to the baby Jesus. Religious history aside, myrrh essential oil has proven to oxygenate skin tissues, which improves toughness. Many people incorporate myrrh oil into their skin care routine to moisturize and prevent skin from cracking. Lastly, this oil can help give the skin a more youthful glow, which makes the skin’s new flexibility look even better.
