The aging process begins at the ripe age of 20. After 20 years of age, the skin will lose 1% of collagen each year. The skin will gradually become thinner, more delicate, and less protected. The first signs of aging you’ll see are crow’s feet and sagging of the upper eyelids. You may also notice dark spots and dark circles under the eyes. During your 30’s, you may begin to notice your upper lip drawing in and you’ll also notice thin vertical lines. These vertical lines are often called laugh or frown lines and are located on the face in areas such as between the eyebrows, around the nose and mouth, and on the forehead. With the loss of collagen in combination with less cell renewal and gravity, these lines will continue to define as you continue to age. Now, I know that’s a bitter pill to swallow, but don’t take off running to the supermarket shelves looking for anti-aging creams or serums just yet! You could be using a much better remedy that’s natural and has been right under your nose- aromatherapy!
Did you know while you’re inhaling certain aromatic essential oils through aromatherapy and enjoying their soothing vapors that calm the throat and relax the lungs, you could also be improving your skin’s health and preventing premature aging at the same time? What a simple way to improve your skin! Essential oils have been used to achieve optimum skin health for over 5000 years. Ancient Egyptians used to apply essential oils daily to help moisturize and protect their skin. Ancient Egyptian culture held skin care and cleanliness to such a high standard that it transcended economic status. While aging is a natural process, there are ways you can slow down this process and make the best of your prime years or even help make your golden years a little better. Taking essential oils into the body through percutaneous absorption, like aromatherapy, is one of the most effective ways of receiving essential oils and utilizing their miraculous skin benefits because they penetrate completely through all of the skin’s layers unlike many creams and serums. Here’s some useful ways aromatherapy can save the day- or in this case, your youth- when it comes to premature aging:
Protection From Sun Damage
Approximately 30 million people use indoor tanning beds and many lay out during Summer months to achieve a desirable tan. However, this popular trend comes with its pitfalls as persistent exposure to high UVA beams or sunlight can also easily damage the skin and cause premature aging. Premature aging from sun damage, often called Photoaging, is caused by the harmful UV rays breaking down your skin’s collagen and elastin fibers. This causes healthy skin to become more leathery and creates wrinkles and age spots. With the increasing rate of tanning bed usage, it’s more important than ever for younger women and men to keep their skin’s health in mind and take extra precautions to prevent premature aging. That’s where essential oils come in handy. Vitamin C is amazing for building collagen while the essential oil, Lavender, soothes and restores sun damaged skin and works to diminish age spots. Containing the powerful antioxidants Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, and Glutathione, Lavender oil works to promote healing and is an excellent choice when it comes to improving the communication within skin cells.
Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Women and men alike dread these lines making an appearance. As we age, it’s sure to happen and is only natural, but far too often these lines show up far before they’re welcomed! A great way to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles naturally is with essential oils. Carrot Seed essential oil is used to promote collagen production and Lavender essential oil is great for moisturizing and balancing the skin. Evening Primrose essential oil provides the building blocks for essential Vitamins, like Vitamin C, that are great for rebuilding collagen. Jasmine essential oil is also excellent for combating wrinkles and fine lines as it rejuvenates the skin by hydrating and repairing dry damaged skin.
Heals and Prevents Acne
Did you know acne is a common cause of premature aging? Acne damages the skin and can cause scarring on the skin and the skin to become thinner, losing its elasticity and making it more susceptible to premature aging. Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Frankincense essential oils are the perfect essential oils for combating acne. Lavender and Eucalyptus essential oils are well known antibacterials and can help prevent and heal breakouts by penetrating the pores and killing any bacteria. Frankincense essential oil protects the skin’s cells and helps to reduce the appearance of large pores and blemishes. Just as Frankincense strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and fights against bacteria, Frankincense is also highly known and renowned for its ability to lift and tone the skin and even gradually fade scars and stretch marks.
Hopefully knowing how this gift of nature can improve your skin and prevent premature aging will help you live a healthier, more enjoyable life. A clean environment, clean air, and clean water also affects how quickly we age. So this is also something to keep in mind when trying to improve skin health and diminish years from your appearance.