Skin care is one of the most beneficial areas of essential oils use. You can support your skin with all-natural ingredients that are easy to absorb. Plus, you can avoid chemicals and synthetics that are traditionally found in commercial creams and lotions.
Using essential oils for age spots lets you customize your formula to your exact skin type and severity of condition.
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Combined with even more benefits of a fatty carrier oil, essential oils can work wonders for age spots.
Age spots are grey, dark, and brown flat patches on the skin appearing in various sizes and shapes. They can affect any part of the body but are most visible on the forearms, hands, faces, shoulders, and neck. Age spots are also known as brown spots, liver spots, or sun spots. Medical terms are senile lentigo or solar lentiginosis. (1)
This article will explain the best essential oils for age spots and how to use them in a simple DIY age spot formula.
Contents
Why Age Spots Develop
Age spots occur due to various factors that affect the skin’s pigmentation. Examples are the sun’s UV rays, poor diet, pregnancy, and natural ageing. These signs of our natural ageing process can affect young people; but it is most common on persons ages 40 and above. (2)
- The Sun’s UV Rays: Age spots occur when you expose your body excessively to harsh ultraviolet rays of sunlight every day, especially between the hours of 10 am to 2 pm. It usually appears as dark or brown spots on the affected areas. The body produces melanin to protect the skin from the sun’s UV rays. It is the pigment that gives the body its coloration. Excess melanin production results in dark patches or spots on the skin. (2) When you notice darker and flat stripes or marks on your body, they could be age spots. Cover your body with clothes bearing UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of over 40 while in the sun. You can also use a sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor) of 30+. With these methods, you can prevent UVA and UVB rays from harming your skin and work to prevent age spots (3).
- Poor Diet: A diet lacking enough selenium can trigger the appearance of age spots. Selenium is in Brazil nuts, seafood, and meat. It helps in boosting the immune system, promoting the functions of antioxidants in our body, and supports the metabolic processes of thyroid hormones. Dark spots could also result from a lack of potassium in the body. This essential mineral is available in fruits and vegetables, chicken, and red meat. It is vital for maintaining the functions of your heart, metabolizing carbohydrates, using proteins, and proper growth and development of body tissues. Hence, consuming balanced diets can help in reducing the appearance of age spots on the body.
- Genetic Factors: According to experts, age spots, wrinkles, skin sagging, and other skin issues are closely linked to genetic factors (3). These challenges are predominant in northern Europe and among fair-skinned individuals. Some persons have a family or personal history of skin conditions and should undergo medical checkups to diagnose.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy is one of the causes of the appearance of age spots. Dark spots, moles, and freckles may develop due to increased hormone production in mothers. (4)
- Ageing (Old Age): Age spots occur as a normal ageing process in old people. Although it is often called liver spots, it does not affect the liver in any way. As a body grows older, certain biochemical changes will begin to happen, such as dark spots on the skin.
Age Spots Are Totally Normal
Age spots form more predominantly on people with fair skin complexion. It is a normal skin condition posing no health risk and requires no treatment. Still, the appearance of these spots on visible parts of the body can make a person uncomfortable.
Experts have affirmed that essential oils could be applied to handle age spots.
Discover how using essential oils in treating age spots can help you look younger.
Top 5 Essential Oils for Age Spots
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil from Plant Therapy
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Lavender essential oil is used as a commercial bath item and an aromatherapy product for the treatment of skin infections. Research conducted in 2013 stressed that the oil has antioxidant properties capable of handling symptoms of age spots, wrinkles, and even oxidative stress in the brain (5).
2. Sandalwood Essential Oil
Australian Sandalwood Essential Oil
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Rehydrate wrinkled, crusty, and spotty skin with Sandalwood essential oil. Sandalwood has anti-inflammatory properties and can help in treating dark spots by making your skin appear fresh and fine (6).
3. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense Serrata
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Liver spots, stretch marks, and scarring on the body can be treated with Frankincense oil. Frankincense essential oil promotes the regrowth of skin cells, handles fine lines and wrinkles, and tones your skin (7).
4. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary Essential Oil from Plant Therapy
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Rosemary essential oil has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties capable of inhibiting the effects of free radicals. According to research published in 2014, it can eliminate dark spots and wrinkles (8).
5. Lemon Essential Oil
Organic Lemon Essential Oil
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With its natural bleaching effects, lemon essential oil helps even out the skin tone. Do not expose your body to sunlight after application to avoid getting darker and worsening the issue. Most citrus oils are phototoxic. You may experience irritations and soreness if you have sensitive skin.
Carrier Oil Recommendation: Pomegranate Oil
When making your own essential oils remedy, you need to use a fatty oil (carrier oil) as a base dilution agent. Essential oils on their own are too strong and potent to be directly applied to the skin. Diluting your recipe is recommended to prevent adverse reactions.
One of the best carrier oils for age spot treatments is Pomegranate seed oil. Pomegranate oil can help in treating age spots by curbing the effects of oxidative stress. It can even stop the formation of cancer cells, wrinkles, and new sunspots on the body as published in 2014 by the US National Library of Medicine. (9)
Natural Formula for Age Spots
H-Age Spots formula from Healing Natural Oils
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Healing Natural Oils offers a natural formula for age spots prepared with homoeopathic ingredients.
Homoeopathic remedies are extracts derived from plants, animals, minerals, and other chemical substances.
Some of these plants include belladonna, stinging nettle, red onions, poison ivy, and arnica or mountain herb.
These natural formulas are prepared in the form of creams, gels, tablets, drops, and ointments. They are applied based on individual needs. Check out this product from Healing Natural Oils here and use it for your well-being.
DIY Age Spots Serum
Now that you know which essential oils help with age spots, mix the following ingredients in a 1 oz (30 mL) amber glass bottle. Massage a small amount into the affected area(s) morning and night.
- 1/2 oz Pomegranate Seed carrier oil
- 1/2 oz Apricot Kernel carrier oil
- 8 drops Frankincense essential oil
- 4 drops Sandalwood essential oil
- 2 drops Lemon essential oil
Superb Home Remedies for Age Spots
Besides using essential oils in treating age spots or opting for a homeopathic oil combination; here are further superb home remedies you can use in tackling age spots:
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Lighten brown spots on your skin by using apple cider vinegar containing alpha-hydroxy acids. Apply this substance on affected areas and leave it overnight for better results. Blending your ACV with some olive oil can help to make your skin smooth and supple.
Besides, it contains skin exfoliating properties to brighten age spots. Apply this therapy every day for at least one month. Consider diluting the substance with water if you have irritation, although, you may notice redness and stinging effects on your body after initial application.
Baking Soda
You can treat age spots and lighten your complexion with baking soda. Apply this substance after mixing with water and allow it to dry before rinsing with water. Use moisturizer to soften the areas for a smooth experience.
Take half teaspoon of water and one teaspoon of baking soda.
Other recipes for using baking soda in treating age spots include:
- Baking soda and sugar – combine an equal proportion of baking soda and sugar. Add some green tea or water and apply on the spots. Rinse off after some minutes and repeat as much as necessary every day for an improved result.
- Baking soda and honey – mix one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of baking soda. Stir and apply on the face or other parts of your body. Allow it for five minutes and rinse off with water. Repeat the process until the condition improves.
- Baking soda blended with lemon juice – use one teaspoon of baking soda and half teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply on affected areas, leave it for five minutes and rinse off with water.
Lemon
Give your skin a beautiful glow by using lemon as a natural home remedy for age spots (solar lentiginosis). It is capable of exposing new layers of skin by removing crusted and dead skin cells, as lemon contains citric acid.
Slice the lemon and apply its juice on affected areas. Rinse the juice from your body after 20 minutes and repeat this therapy daily until symptoms disappear.
Final Thoughts
Age spots are a menacing ailment that plagues both men and women alike. While it is a completely natural part of life and usually nothing to worry about, it still is not comfortable to live with.
Natural solutions to skin care issues give your body the care it needs without added chemicals or synthetics. Essential oils, homeopathic products, and anti-oxidant carrier oils (such as Pomegranate oil) are viable solutions to treat the appearance of age spots.
As you age and these liver spots continue to change shape and evolve, have them checked by your doctor from time to time during a regular physical examination.
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References
(1) https://www.healthline.com/health/age-spots
(2) What to know about age spots (liver spots) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323287.php
(3) Age spots (liver spots) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/age-spots/symptoms-causes/syc-20355859
(4) Skin Changes During Pregnancy: https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/skin-changes-during-pregnancy/
(5) Neuroprotective effects of inhaled lavender oil: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23351960
(6) Chemopreventive effects of sandalwood oil: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9370104
(7) Chemistry and Immunomodulatory Activity of Frankincense Oil: http://www.znaturforsch.com/ac/v58c/s58c0230.pdf
(8) Antioxidant activity of Rosemary Essential Oil: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4227022/
(9) Potent health effects of pomegranate: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4007340/
Recipes:
(2) https://www.belmarrahealth.com/essential-oils-age-spots-liver-spots-usage-recipes/
Judy
I have pretty much gotten rid of my age spots by simply applying coconut oil on my arms and face after bathing. At age 81, my arms have just a few remaining very light spots, and the only spots on my face are the remainders of from medications many years ago. The MD did not mention that the Rx could make my skin very sun sensitive, and I have found nothing to date that will remove these spots!
BTW, I found it very difficult to reply as I could hardly read my comment since it was in a light gray on white. Anyone with macular degeneration will have trouble with this, and this condition is not limited to the elderly, although more elderly do have it.
Trina Hildebrand
I had a question like with the lemon it’s got citric acid can you use like orange essential oil would it help with the same issue.
Brenda Barrs
I am fairly new at using Essential Oils but have definitely been finding great results especially with a couple and just slowly adding different ones but I found the Helichrysum worked wonders on my Age Spots, that’s what my grandmother called them and mine look just like hers did and I will be 73 in a couple weeks so definitely are old age spots I believe.
They appear often overnight and always between my elbows and tops of my hands only and are always black, red and purple like big bruises but don’t hurt at all but looks terrible. Anyway I had been reading about Helichrysum Essential Oils and decided to try it and it could be used “neat” without a Carrier oil. I have been amazed at how fantastic it has worked for me and also for muscle spasms I have had on both sides of my neck for years. The Helichrysum actually stopped them when you massage a little on both sides of my neck.
I’m having a very happy time learning about how wonderful the Essential Oils are, they are working so far and totally natural.
Emma Carter
Hi Brenda, thanks so much for sharing your story. I’m thrilled to hear of the positive benefits you’ve been able to enjoy from the use of essential oils! ?
Tammy G
Going to try this. The pomegranate seed oil is arriving today and I already have the oils. I have steam distilled lemon so I hope there won’t be any photo toxicity issues. Thank you for addressing this and for the recipe. Excited to see how it works! ??