Essential oils are certainly effective, health benefiting and most of us have them around the house already.
What you may not be using essential oils for is for their skin anti-oxidant properties, their collagen growth and collagen production abilities.
Science on Essential Oils and Skin
The US National Library of Medicine – National Institutes of Health article Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases states: “At least 90 essential oils can be identified as being recommended for dermatological use, with at least 1500 combinations.”
Additionally, essentials oils help with collagen production.
Why Essential Oils Help with Collagen Production in General
Essential oils help with collagen production by reducing free-radical damage.
Free radicals, which cause oxidative stress, are our skin’s number one enemy.
Toxins such as air pollution, pesticides, VOCs and cigarette smoke assault our skin.
The damage and inflammation from these toxins cause collagen fibers in our skin to become fragmented and weak.
The result is weakened and destroyed skin cells.
Related Articles – Air Pollution and Skin and What is Collagen for Skin?
Free radicals attack skin cells causing oxidative stress breaking down the cells.
Collagen and Elastin, both skin proteins, are very vulnerable to free radical damage.
The breakdown of these proteins create a chain reaction that leads to fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.
6 Essential Oils for Collagen Growth
Be sure to use a carrier with all of these oils, use sparingly – especially at first – and use at night to avoid sun exposure.
1. Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil is extracted from lemon peels, and contains powerful compounds like limonene.
Limonene has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Article by Healthline on Limeonline
Lemon E.O. is great for:
- skin brightening
- premature aging – due to its strong antioxidant properties
- building collagen cells with Vitamin C
Using lemon essential oil on your face (diluted with a carrier oil or your face cream), helps your skin look and feel supple and soft!
Related Article – Benefits of Vitamin C Serum
2. Carrot Seed Essential Oil
Carrot seed essential oil is another collagen-boosting promoter.
Due to its high antioxidant properties (beta-carotene), carrot seed essential oil is ideal for mature and sun-damaged skin types.
Carrot E.O. is also great at nourishing skin and repairing tissue.
The antioxidants in carrot seed oil ward off pro-aging free radicals and help rebuild the collagen layer under the skin.
If you do not like the rich, earthy scent of carrot seed essential oil, mix it with another essential oil. Such as a citrus oil, lavender, or geranium before diluting in a carrier oil.
3. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil is incredible at naturally enhancing the skin’s collagen production.
The cytophylactic properties of Frankincense encourages new cell growth.
Frankincense essential oil works in two ways:
- Generates new cells and
- Protects the existing cells from damage.
Further, frankincense also has been shown to tighten and tone sagging skin while improving your complexion.
It’s a great oil for improving discoloration of the skin naturally.
4. Geranium Essential Oil
Another great contender for collagen production is Geranium essential oil with its beautiful, feminine scent.
Topically, Geranium E.O.:
- increases collagen production;
- promotes cell turnover and cell regeneration;
- is anti-inflammatory and an antiseptic
5. Rosehip Essential Oil
Rosehip essential oil has a lovely combination of fatty acids, anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, including lycopene.
These properties make Rosehip Essential Oil an effective option for preventing skin aging.
Further, Vitamin C and beta-carotene (anti-oxidant) in rosehip oil encourages the production of new collagen cells.
6. Neroli Essential Oil
My personal favorite for scent.
Neroli essential oil is a heavenly smelling essential oil with high Vitamin C content to boost collagen production and regenerate skin cells.
Neroli oil is produced from the blossom of the bitter orange tree. Sweet, honey scented with some spicy notes. yum!
One of my everyday use products for skin care with Neroli Essential Oil is this Repair Luxury Treatment from Pure Anada.
Using Essential Oils for Skin
- Dilute essential oils before use (3 drops in 2 tsps + of carrier oil)
- Always use 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils
The Best Carrier Oil Ingredient for Skin Care
It is always best practice to use a carrier oil when using essential oils, especially on the facial skin.
I believe the best carrier oil has jojoba. Jojoba is not technically an oil itself but a liquid extracted from the jojoba seed.
Jojoba is very moisturizing, hydrating, antibacterial and oil controlling. It contains high levels of Vitamin E and B, it is very nutritious.
Jojoba is also very similar to the skin’s natural texture, absorbs easily and won’t clog pores.
Using a Carrier Oil
Mix three drops of your favorite essential oil with two teaspoons of your favorite carrier. 3:2 ratio is best practice especially to begin.
If you want to experiment with scent and efficacy, you can use several different essential oils. Keep the overall ratio of 3:2.
Have fun learning which essential oils and carrier oils are best for your skin type.
Summary for Essential Oils for Collagen Growth
Essential oils help collagen growth by reducing free radicals, their antioxidant properties and increasing collagen cell growth and production.
The 6 essential oils for collagen growth are Lemon, Carrot Seed, Frankincense, Geranium, Rosehip and Neroli.
Each having their own special benefits for skin.
Be certain to use a carrier oil of a 3:2 ratio.
Try a carrier oil with jojoba for great skin care results.