Vegetable oils are nature's heavy artillery when it comes to slowing down the skin ageing process. Composed of essential fatty acids, they easily penetrate the epidermis and protect skin that's lacking in lipids. Their softening, toning and regenerating properties prevent premature skin ageing, making them an efficient anti-ageing ingredient. If you massage them in, they'll smoothe away wrinkles and reduce fine lines. If you have mature skin, you'll love rose hip oil, thanks to it's impressive regenerative action. Being packed with vitamins A and E, plant-based oils boost cell renewal and prevent oxidation. These two turbo-powered antioxidants combat free radicals, the molecules responsible for ageing skin. Argan oil in particular is bursting with vitamin E and is undoubtedly the crème de la crème when it comes to age-busting oils.
Moisturising is THE best helping hand we can give our skin. But over time, our skin loses its ability to naturally hydrate itself, meaning it becomes dry and feels tight. This can make us look old and haggard. The good news is that there are plant-based oils that can help with each seasonal change to give our tired skin a revitalising boost. Applied regularly, they nourish and protect our skin from drying out, leaving it increasingly supple. You can add few drops of sweet almond oil or shea butter to your day cream for a lipid-rich treatment or massage them directly on to your face with your fingertips. They'll nourish your skin, balance out your epidermis and strengthen fragile mature skin.
The epidermis on older skin is thinner, finer and more fragile. This can leave us with a dull complexion. By applying certain vegetable oils, we can get back our glow. Go for oils that contain vitamin A (or beta-carotene), a powerful anti-ageing antioxidant that's known to brighten dull skin. So if you're looking sallow, treat yourself to some apricot or carrot oil for a radiant boost. You can also get a natural sun-kissed look if you add a few drops of carrot oil to your day cream - it'll give you a healthy golden glow and help your skin to tan!
