Essential & Emollient Oils for Anti-Aging

The internet is overwhelmed with ads for expensive anti-aging products. As we baby-boomers mature, it is no surprise that the products that are aimed at us would mature right along with us. It has really gotten out of hand, though. People are going to outrageous extremes to avoid looking their age. Wouldn't it be more graceful and easier to simply find ways to look our best at any age?

No matter what age you are, your skin will need unique treatment because it is your unique skin. What you will need to look your best will depend on many factors, such as your fitness level, the amount of rest you give yourself, how you have cared for your skin and how you care for it now, the amount of sun exposure you receive, nutrition, hydration, and much more.

In addition to simply taking good care of your insides so that your outside will look it's best, you will probably want to find a way to nourish your skin directly. Botanical oils are often an excellent source of moisture and nourishment for mature skin. In fact, many of the expensive anti-aging products on the market today utilize botanical oils.

By understanding exactly what the various botanical oils do, you can make some educated choices as to which ones might be helpful for your situation, age, and skin type. You can also save money by buying the pure oils at your health food market and creating your own simple skin care products. Each type of botanical oil provides a different benefit for the skin. Here are a few botanical oils that may be beneficial to your skin.

Sesame oil is a very nourishing oil that can be used anywhere you need moisturizing and rejuvenation. This is a very hydrating oil that is especially good as an overnight oil around the eyes. Walnut oil is also very good for this purpose.

To reduce oiliness and refine pores, camphor oil is a good choice. Use it for gentle cleansing, just a few (2-6) drops mixed with a cup of warm water applied to the face with a soft cloth. Avoid the eye area. Follow up with a cool water rinse.

Rosemary oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, bay oil and tea tree oil have astringent and antibacterial properties. They are very good used in concentrated form directly on blemishes or a drop or two in squeeze of aloe vera gel can be applied overall for general conditioning. I usually just put a drop or two of the essential oil in the palm of my hand, add the aloe vera gel, rub my hands together and apply the mixture to my face. To avoid irritation, be very careful not to use more than a drop or two of these concentrated essential oils.

Matricaria and Evening Primrose essential oils are good for treating irritation and inflammation. Thirty to sixty drops (½ to a whole teaspoon) stirred into a cup of boiled (still hot) water and then poured into a tepid bath can be helpful for sunburn or itching caused by an allergic reaction.

Used in this manner, matricaria also acts as an aromatherapy agent. As you soak in your tepid bath, your irritated skin and your senses will be simultaneously soothed as you breathe in the aromatic vapor.

Additionally, Evening Primrose is an excellent skin conditioner. The fatty acids you will find in this oil will smooth the skin, both in the bath and when used a few drops at a time combined with pure aloe vera gel as described above for the face or with a carrier oil for an all-over treatment.

Other conditioning and emollient oils include sweet almond, wheat germ, olive oil, safflower oil, walnut oil, sunflower, grape seed, hazelnut, apricot, avocado, camellia, coconut, jojoba, and macadamia nut oils. These oils can be used as carrier oils to disperse essential oils for an all-over treatment. They soothe, smooth and soften the skin because they prevent moisture loss. For this reason, they are especially good added to the bath or applied to the skin directly after a bath or shower. Organic versions of these oils are fairly inexpensive and will keep your skin smooth and moisturized without clogging your pores.

This is just a brief overview of oils. Generally speaking, essential oils used sparingly are safe and effective. They can be used with warm water, witch hazel, aloe vera gel, or a conditioning or emollient oil for even, effective distribution. If you have sensitive skin, it is a good idea to do a patch test before using any oil extensively.

While these simple treatments may not give you the "miraculous" results many of the commercial anti-aging treatments, surgeries, and so on claim they will provide, they will help you look and feel your very best naturally.

For more on natural beauty, you may enjoy:

Natural Menopause Solutions
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1758048/natural_menopause_solutions.html?cat=68

Water: The Most Natural Beauty Treatment
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1739338/water_the_most_natural_beauty_treatment.html?cat=5

Natural, Simple, Inexpensive Beauty Product Alternatives
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1741746/natural_simple_inexpensive_beauty_product.html?cat=69