Essential Oils for Aging Skin

You can use essential oils for aging skin to help maintain and possibly improve your skin’s elasticity and appearance as you get older.

Mature and aging skin often lacks oils and moisture, making it prone to dryness and dehydration and to wrinkles and lines. The skin loses underlying fat deposits, which can cause sagging and dullness. Growths, pigmentation spots, and small broken capillaries often appear as a result of sun damage and other factors.

The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness suggests the following essential oils for aging skin:

• Amyris
• Carrot seed
• Cistus
• Fennel
• Frankincense
• Galbanum
• Geranium
• Mandarin
• Myrrh
• Neroli
• Palmarosa
• Rose
• Rosewood
• Spikenard

Aromatherapy, A Holistic Guide to Natural Healing with Essential Oils adds to that list clary sage, jasmine, lavender, patchouli, sandalwood, and ylang ylang. The book suggests the following carrier oils to nourish aging skin:

• Evening primrose
• Hazelnut
• Kukui nut
• Macadamia nut
• Rosehip seed
• St. John’s wort
• Vitamin E
• Wheatgerm

Also see Essential Oils for Face Wrinkles.

Cleansers With Essential Oils for Aging Skin

Cleansing Cream

• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 10 drops palmarosa or sandalwood essential oil
• 10 drops rosewood essential oil

1. In a small, glass bowl over a pan of hot water, melt the coconut oil.
2. Stir in the olive oil. Remove from heat. Let cool to room temperature.
3. Stir in the essential oils.
4. Pour the blend into a 4-ounce glass jar. Store in a cool, dark location for up to 2 weeks. (Do not refrigerate.)
5. Use a small amount of the cream to wash your face.

Source: The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

Aging Dry Skin Cleanser

This recipe makes 4 ounces and has a shelf life of 6 months. This cleanser is gentle enough to remove eye makeup without burning.

• 1 tablespoon castor oil
• 1 tablespoon camelina oil
• 1 tablespoon safflower oil
• 1 tablespoon rosehip seed oil
• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 1 tablespoon shea butter
• 3 teaspoons rhassoul clay
• 3 drops carrot seed essential oil
• 8 drops geranium essential oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

1. Using a double boiler over medium heat, combine the castor, camelina, safflower, and rosehip oils, along with the beeswax, shea butter, and clay.
2. Stir until everything is melted and blended.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in the essential oils.
5. Pour the cleanser into a 4-ounce glass jar.
6. As the cleanser starts to become firm, stir it so the clay does not settle to the bottom.

To use:

1. Apply a quarter-size amount of the cleanser to your face and massage for at least one minute.
2. Apply a hot washcloth over your face and let sit until lukewarm.
3. Wipe your face.
4. Rinse cloth with hot water and place on face. Let cool.
5. Use a toner and moisturizer, if needed.

Source: Jenni Raincloud, former esthetician

Facial Oils for Mature Skin

Neroli Face Oil for Mature Skin

• 5 tablespoons carrier oil
• 8 drops neroli essential oil
• 6 drops frankincense essential oil
• 6 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Rose Facial Oil for Mature Skin

• 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
• 2 teaspoons carrot root infused oil
• 2 teaspoons evening primrose oil
• 2 teaspoons rosehip oil
• 6 drops rose essential oil
• 3 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops patchouli essential oil

Source: Feeding Your Skin

Aging Skin Care Formula

This stock blend harmonizes and balances mature skin cells. Combine the following essential oils in a dark-color 5-ml dropper bottle:

• 20 drops frankincense
• 20 drops rose
• 20 drops ylang ylang
• 10 drops carrot seed
• 10 drops helichrysum
• 10 drops geranium
• 10 drops rose geranium

To use: Mix 12 to 15 drops with 2 tablespoons carrier oil in a 1-ounce bottle. Apply 1 to 3 drops of the blend to your face once a day after cleansing.

Source: The Essential Oils Complete Reference Guide

Mature Skin Renewal Lotion

• 4 tablespoons unscented lotion
• 10 drops carrot seed essential oil
• 8 drops frankincense essential oil
• 3 drops neroli essential oil

Blend ingredients in a two-ounce glass jar. Gently rub lotion on your face and neck morning and night.

Source: Aromatic Wisdom

Toners With Essential Oils for Aging Skin

Gentle Rose Toner

• 3/4 cup rose hydrosol
• 1/4 cup filtered or distilled water
• 3 drops rosewood or rose essential oil
• 3 drops palmrosa essential oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

Combine all ingredients in an 8-ounce glass bottle. Shake well. Store in a cool, dark place for up to one year. Use as desired, shaking before each use.

Source: The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

Essential Oil Toner for Mature Skin

• 800 IU vitamin E oil
• 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) orange blossom water
• 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) aloe vera juice
• 1 teaspoon calendula-infused vinegar
• 5 drops helichrysum essential oil

Blend the ingredients in a dark bottle. Shake well before use.

Source: Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art

Facial Mask for Aging Skin

• 1 teaspoon plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoons honey
• Vitamin E capsule
• 1 teaspoon oat flour or finely ground oatmeal
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops geranium essential oil
• 1 drop myrrh essential oil

1. Combine yogurt and honey.
2. Pierce vitamin E capsule and squeeze its contents into mixture.
3. Stir in oat flour.
4. Add the essential oils and mix well.
5. Apply the mask to face and neck. Leave on for 20 minutes.
6. Rinse with warm water.
7. Follow with floral water or facial mist.

Source: Aromatherapy, A Holistic Guide to Natural Healing with Essential Oils

Photo Credit: 123RF Stock Photo