Aging is inevitable. Our skin, as we age, will show signs of aging in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and loss of elasticity. While many factors affect how our skin ages, including our diet, lifestyle and genetics, the right skin care routine can help slow down the process and reduce visible signs of aging.

Lifestyle Tips for Healthy Skin

Eat a clean antioxidant rich diet and avoid processed foods.
Limit alcohol and avoid smoking (as they both cause significant dehydration).
Get plenty of sleep (we call it “beauty sleep” for a reason!).
Protect your skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen (the non-toxic kind, of course)
Massage your face and neck daily to help promote blood flow, increase collagen production and prevent wrinkles from forming. Pro tip: rub an ice cube on your face after the massage to help reduce puffiness and inflammation.

Skin Care Routine to Prevent Signs of Aging

When it comes to skin care, our motto is “what we put on our skin is just as important as what we put in our bodies.” If we’re selective about what groceries we buy and look for natural, organic and local foods, we should also be selective when it comes to skin care products - choose organic, natural and local when you can!

A basic skin care routine consists of 5 steps:

Cleansing
Exfoliating
Toning
Moisturizing
Protecting

The products you use for your skin depend on your skin type and skin condition. A product that might work wonders for one person may not work for you, so experimentation is part of the process. If you’d like to get product recommendations based on your particular skin type, take our Skin Care Quiz.

Why Oils are The Secret To Healthy Skin

Plant-based oils have been used as skin care remedies since the ancient times. For instance, there is evidence that the Ancient Egyptians used castor and sesame oils to fight wrinkles and preserve their youth. The Ancient Greeks used olives and olive oil to exfoliate and moisturize their skin.

These ancient remedies were tested throughout history and are still the most effective skin care ingredients to date. Incorporating oils into our daily skin care routine is essential, especially as we age. Plant based oils are rich in natural antioxidants and vitamins making them a powerful alternative to harsh chemical-laden skin care treatments. Imagine using harsh ingredients on our skin twice a day that strip away at the natural skin oils, remove the protective layer that helps to protect against bacteria and the environment, and dry out our skin to the point of dehydration.

Keeping our skin healthy and youthful requires avoiding harsh ingredients (chemicals, alcohols, preservatives) and incorporating natural ingredients, that are moisturizing, nurturing and gentle, into our daily routine.

The Best Anti-Aging Oils

When using oils for skin care, it’s important to understand the difference between carrier oils and essential oils. Carrier oils, such as olive, coconut, and jojoba, can be applied directly to the skin; while essential oils, which are highly concentrated and too potent to apply directly, must be diluted in a carrier oil prior to application. Both types of oils are highly beneficial for the skin. Below, we focus on 3 super star carrier oils that you should use in your daily anti-aging skin care routine.

Wheat Germ Oil
Wheat germ oil is a miracle oil for anti-aging and is prevalent in many natural anti-aging products. It is nutrient rich and high in vitamins A, E, D and B6, antioxidants and fatty acids. It helps to promote skin cell regeneration (tightening the skin and encouraging elasticity), helps to reduce wrinkles, fine lines and scars, and helps to fight against free radical damage. Because it’s naturally non-comedogenic, it is also ideal for balancing skin oils, reducing excess sebum and treating acne. Wheat germ oil is also extremely hydrating for the skin and promotes a supple and radiant complexion.
Carrot Seed Oil
There are different types of carrot oils. The essential oil, distilled from the seeds of wild carrot plants, cannot be applied directly to the skin as it needs to be diluted. While carrot seed oil, the carrier oil, is made by extracting the oil from the seeds through a cold-pressing process. This is the oil that you can apply directly to your skin and that has powerful anti-aging properties.
Carrot seed oil is rich in color due to its high beta carotene content, and is a powerful antioxidant that helps to repair damaged cells as well as protect the skin from damage, especially sun damage. It is also rich in vitamins A, C and E, helping to boost collagen production, stimulate cell regeneration and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Incorporating carrot seed oil into your daily routine will result is smooth supple skin with a layer of protection.
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip Seed oil has gained a lot of media attention due to celebrities and royalty confessing their love for it in recent years. Kate Middleton, Gwyneth Paltrow and Miranda Kerr have all openly stated that it’s their go-to oil. And we can see why — Rosehip Seed oil is rich in nutrients and has amazing anti-aging benefits. In fact, it deserved its own blog, so learn more about its benefits here.
Rosehip Seed oil is one of the most moisturizing carrier oils there is. Our skin loves it so it happily absorbs it and makes use of all of its nutrients immediately after application, leaving behind a nice subtle glow for a radiant complexion. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, Rosehip Seed oil helps to brighten the skin (reducing the appearance of dark spots and blemishes), tighten the skin (restoring elasticity), and increase collagen production to keep our skin looking and feeling youthful.

When you apply oils to your skin daily, it’s important that you choose oils that are 100% pure and free of preservatives and additives. Buy oils from reputable sources, and make sure they are cold pressed and organic.

To incorporate oils into your daily routine, you can use oils to cleanse your face, to moisturize, to tone and to protect. Add essential oils to your formula to help boost its benefits and rejuvenate your skin. Try some of the blends below or make your own.

Anti-Aging Oils