Which essential oils are best for firming the face?
Essential oils to firm the face
While it’s perfectly natural for the skin to sag over time, there are things you can do to help slow down the effects. Essential oils are one of the most effective natural solutions, as long as you choose them carefully! By including them in your pro-aging beauty routine, they’ll help to firm up the skin of your face.
What is an essential oil?
Essential oils are natural substances, and are most often obtained by steam distillation of an aromatic plant. These liquid extracts contain a high concentration of all the active ingredients and volatile molecules in the plant: phenols, terpineols, terpenes, esters, ketones, etc. Essential oils are incredibly rich in active substances and can be extracted from different parts of plants, such as the leaves, roots, flowers, bark or stems. At the end of the extraction process, the resulting essential oil is not actually “oily.” It’s hydrophobic, so it isn’t soluble in water, but it is soluble in oil or alcohol. These “oils” can be used for their cosmetic benefits – and this includes incorporating them into the formulas of targeted skincare products to firm facial skin.
Damask Rose essential oil
Damask Rose has long been a staple beauty ingredient, and is much loved and valued for its captivating scent and countless properties. Rich in active ingredients, Damask Rose essential oil has a regenerating effect, which is why it is used in many skincare products designed to firm the skin of the face. It also has a natural toning effect, and helps to prevent and reduce the appearance of signs of aging by stimulating collagen production and promoting tissue regeneration.
Did you know? It takes four tons of Damask Rose petals to obtain one kilogram of essential oil!
Cistus essential oil
Steam distilled from the leaves and twigs of the Cistus ladaniferus plant, Cistus essential oil is mostly produced in Spain and Morocco. This essential oil is particularly popular for its effectiveness on mature skin. It has astringent, hemostatic and firming properties, all of which are essential for an effective pro-aging routine. Considered a pro-aging active ingredient, it’s an extremely powerful skin regenerator that’s highly sought after for firming the face!
Rosewood essential oil
Rosewood essence boasts regenerating properties, and is frequently used in pro-aging skincare products to firm the skin of the face. This essential oil has astringent (pore-tightening) and invigorating benefits, which enable it to restore radiance and vitality to dull and tired skin. What’s more, its subtle aroma can have a wonderful soothing and calming effect!
What precautions should be taken when using essential oils?
Care should always be taken when applying essential oils on the skin, as they can penetrate the skin and quickly go into the bloodstream. These oils are essences that naturally contain a very high concentration of active ingredients, so it’s crucial that you always follow the recommendations for using them. This explains why the majority of essential oils are not recommended for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or children under the age of six. Medical advice should also be sought if you plan to use essential oils over a prolonged period of time.
Tip: To limit the risk of an allergic reaction, test the essential oil on your skin by applying a drop on the inside of your elbow to see whether your skin reacts.
