FIVE of THE BEST Essential Oils for Healthy Glowing Skin
So which essential oils are best for your skin, and especially your face? Using essential oils for skincare has gained popularity for many reasons. Having youthful, healthy, glowing skin is something we all desire.
Using essential oils for skincare and skin health has been popular around the world for millennia by many cultures to nourish and protect the skin and for many other benefits. A lot of the most effective skincare ingredients come directly from nature in the form of essential and natural (aka “carrier”) oils and other botanical compounds
Essential oils have many potential benefits for skincare and can help with: skin texture, fine lines, elasticity, stretch marks, the appearance of scars, sun damage (aka photo-aging), rejuvenation, improving skin tone and brightening, and improving overall skin health and vitality. There are many essential oils for skincare, but in this article, I will detail my TOP FIVE essential oils for healthy and beautiful skin.
[A couple of cautions: First, many essential oils are too strong and concentrated to put directly on the skin. This is where the “carrier” part of natural oils comes in. Natural oils can be used to dilute and “carry” the essential oil so it’s safe for direct application to skin and hair. Next, be sure to do a patch test before using any new oil or product to ensure your skin does not have an adverse reaction. Last, some essential oils (such as citrus oils) can cause a photosensitivity reaction which can be quite severe and akin to a chemical burn, so beware, do your research, and use with care!]
Essential oils are concentrated, hydrophobic (repellent to water) and volatile (dissipate or evaporate) extracts from plants/botanicals including flowers, leaves, berries, barks, peels, resins, woods, seeds roots, and rhizomes. They typically evaporate completely if left to the open air. (Natural oils are not volatile; they don’t evaporate like essential oils).
The word “essential” is because the oils contain the essence of the plant/botanical material from which it was extracted, (including its fragrance). Examples include: peppermint, frankincense, myrrh, eucalyptus, lavender, vetiver, clove, tea tree, cedarwood, cinnamon, and many more. Essential oils are generally extracted by a distillation process, such as steam distillation. Other methods include expression and solvent extraction depending on the type of raw botanical material.
And, here we go!
1 Frankincense (boswellia et al.)
Frankincense is one the most powerful natural compounds on Earth. The “King of essential oils” is named after the French phrase “franc encens” (high-quality incense). This legendary compound has been used by many cultures for thousands of years. It has a compelling & pleasant sweet/spicy/woody aroma.
Frankincense oil is extracted from the sap of 5 Boswellia tree species found in Africa & the Middle East. (Boswellia sacra, B. papyrifera, B. cartierii, B. frereana and B. serrata.) Resin from these trees is left to harden on the tree with exposure to air.
The resin is then scraped off the tree after 2 weeks & stored for ~12 weeks to cure. It can then be burned on hot coals as incense. It can also be CO2 or steam distilled to make pure essential oil. It is popular with aromatherapy and naturopathy practitioners.
How about its health benefits? Frankincense is anti-inflammatory, a potent anti-microbial/bacterial, & is being extensively studied as a cancer fighter/suppressor. It also aids/supports: digestive system; respiratory system; lymphatic system; good oral health; and of course, skin health.
Frankincense is now a popular ingredient in skincare products to rejuvenate skin, & maintain elasticity. It helps reduce inflammation & negates harsh effects of free radicals. It also helps reduce appearance of age spots, stretch marks and scars. It’s also effective on fine lines and wrinkles, and sun damage (aka photo-aging).
See the study below, where researchers instructed study subjects to apply frankincense oil to one side of their face for thirty days. The treated side showed significant improvement in sun damage, skin texture and fine lines as well as an increase in skin elasticity.
"Fifteen female volunteers applied the creams with or without BAs [boswellic acids] on the half sides of the face once daily for 30 days. Significant improvements of the Dover's global score for photo-aging, tactile roughness, and fine lines, as well as, with noninvasive diagnostic techniques, an increase of elasticity, a decrease of sebum excretion, and a change of echographic parameters were observed with topical BAs in comparison with placebo. The treatment was always well tolerated without adverse effects."
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20136919/
2 Lavender (lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is a widely spread genus of flowering plants in the mint family, is the most widely-used essential oil in the world today, has been cultivated and used by humans for thousands of years, and has 47 known species, the most common of which is (lavandula angustifolia).
Lavender is extensively cultivated as an ornamental, for garden and landscape uses, for culinary purposes, and commercially for the extraction of essential oils. Lavender essential oil is a complex mixture of over 100 phytochemical compounds, the most common of which are linalool, Linalyl acetate, and eucalyptol.
Lavender essential oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and is also used as a bug and mosquito repellent. It has been used in perfumes for centuries and is very widely used in the cosmetics industry as a fragrance ingredient for nearly every type of cosmetic product on the market. Lavender oil has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) in the Code of Federal Regulations.
The list of lavender’s skincare benefits is long and impressive: It has anti-inflammatory and wound/sore healing benefits; It has powerful anti-bacterial properties and has shown benefits in healing and preventing acne; It has anti-fungal properties and may help heal/prevent eczema; it may reduce the appearance of scars by promoting skin regeneration; lavender is also reputed to be effective on fine lines and wrinkles. (Lavender is also reputed to promote hair growth.)
See the studies below regarding these many benefits.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9828867/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27769632/
“…The treatment with lavender ointment was noted to significantly enhance wound contraction rate (98%) and protein synthesis. Overall, the results provided strong support for the effective wound healing activity of lavender ointment…”
3 Myrrh (commiphora myrrha)
Myrrh essential oil is derived from the resin of the Myrrh tree (commiphora myrrha), which is native to African regions and the Arabian Peninsula. It has been used for thousands of years in many cultures, including ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman for its medicinal and cosmetic benefits. Myrrh has a pleasant woody, resinous, aromatic, smoky, spicy aroma. It can sometimes be bitter or sweet (even medicinal) depending on its source region.
In skincare, myrrh oil is used for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and powerful antioxidant properties. (Its antioxidant properties protect against damage from free radicals.) It is known to promote overall skin health and can be used to treat various skin conditions, including dry skin, wounds, and infections. It can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and to promote skin rejuvenation and improve skin elasticity.
Myrrh oil is also used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation and mental clarity. It is said to have a calming and grounding effect, making it a popular addition to massage blends and bath oils.
Myrrh is now being extensively studied for its anti-cancer, inflammatory disease, and wound healing benefits. See the study below.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36015092/
4 Ylang Ylang (cananga odorata)
Ylang ylang essential oil is extracted from the beautiful yellow flower petals of a large tropical tree (cananga odorata) endemic to Asia including the Philippines, Polynesia, and Indonesia. It has been used for many centuries and is nicknamed the “flower of flowers.” Ylang ylang boasts an exotic, erotic, sweet/floral, spicy olfactory experience making it popular in the perfumery and cosmetics arenas. It’s a featured note in the iconic Chanel No.5 perfume.
In addition to perfumery and cosmetics, ylang ylang is popular in beauty and wellness, aromatherapy and massages, and to improve mood and for relaxation. It is also used to ease muscle pain, as a libido enhancer, an insect repellent, and is being studied for many other medicinal and agricultural uses.
In skincare, ylang ylang Essential Oil is renowned for its soothing and moisturizing properties and its ability to balance sebum production in the skin. It can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, promote a glowing complexion, and help with skin barrier repair and regeneration. Truly an amazing natural compound.
See the interesting studies below on the benefits of ylang ylang.
As a mosquito repellent:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25438256/
For many possible uses in medicine and agriculture:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26294929/
As a therapeutic agent for treatment of various skin disorders:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24601675/
5 Cedarwood (multiple variants)
Cedarwood essential oil is sourced from the wood of multiple species of cedar trees. It has been used for thousands of years as a building material and for its prized oil. There are references to is use dating back to ancient civilizations near Egypt and the Middle East. Cedarwood is mentioned in the Bible many times regarding its reputation as a source of abundance and wisdom.
The different types of cedarwood, each with its own unique chemical makeup and uses include:
Cedarwood Atlas (cedrus atlantica) is known for its grounding and calming aroma, making it a popular choice for aromatherapy and stress relief.
Eastern Red Cedar (juniperus virginiana) has a sharper, more medicinal scent and is commonly used for its insect-repelling properties.
Cedar of Lebanon (cedrus libani) has a woodsy, warm aroma and is used for its skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Himalayan Cedarwood (cedrus deodara) is a species is native to the Himalayan regions of India and Pakistan. As an essential oil, Himalayan cedarwood is known for its warm, woodsy, sweet, spicy, pleasant aroma and its numerous benefits for both physical and emotional well-being. (This is the species used in the Noble Body face oil formulas.)
In skincare, Cedarwood essential oil is known for its astringent and antiseptic properties, making it a popular choice for addressing skin conditions such as acne and eczema. It also has a soothing and moisturizing effect on the skin, making it a great option for dry or irritated skin. Himalayan cedarwood essential oil is used for its moisturizing and soothing properties, as well as its ability to help balance oil production in the skin.
Himalayan cedarwood essential oil is high in cedrol, a compound that is believed to contribute to its soothing and calming effects. It is also rich in sesquiterpenes, which have antiseptic and antifungal properties.
In addition to its benefits for skincare and wellness, Himalayan cedarwood essential oil is also used in perfumes, soaps, and other personal care products due to its warm, woodsy aroma.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25343299/
"Cedrol, β-cedrene, and thujopsene are bioactive sesquiterpenes found in cedar essential oil and exert antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, tonic, astringent, diuretic, sedative, insecticidal, and antifungal activities. These compounds are used globally in traditional medicine and cosmetics..."
***************************************************************************
Although all of the above amazing essential oils can be used by themselves (regarding safety and dilution restrictions, of course) Noble Body® has removed the guesswork for you by painstakingly creating balanced oil-and essential oil-based formulas that feature all of the above essential oil superstars in our products.
First, check out the premier Noble Body® face oil formulas (with full ingredient lists of course) for Men and Women HERE:
The Original. Face Oil for Men®
Also, check out the new product from Noble Body® for damaged or mature skin, HERE:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Regards and many thanks for reading.
Peace and Love to everyone.
Johnny Noble, February 2023
support@noble-body.com
