12 Of The Best Natural Face Oils for Anti-Ageing

For those looking to diminish or stall the effects of ageing, it can be challenging to sift through the 'latest and 'greatest' skincare products on your social feed or the pages of magazines, all promising miracles.

Luckily, we have other, proven options that have stood the test of time. If you are looking for the best oils to use for wrinkles, look to the following essential and plant oils that deliver proven anti-ageing benefits. Some have been used for centuries by ancient cultures to naturally protect and promote beautiful, luscious skin.

These tried-and-true methods don't hide wrinkles, blemishes and fine lines; they help your body prevent or correct them through promoting natural collagen production, hydration, and more even skin tone. After all, humans are part of nature, so it's only natural for us to have an affinity with plants' power.

If you're searching for natural and lasting effects, without any harsh chemicals (of which you may, rightfully, have questions around long-term use), look no further! 

Here are our twelve of our favourite natural anti-ageing face oils for fighting the premature signs of ageing and bringing back your natural healthy glow.

Rosehip oil, often called rosehip seed oil, produces noticeable anti-ageing effects by boosting your skin's health. Rosehip oil is packed with essential fatty acids and carotenoids that fight dryness and fine lines, delivering a more hydrated, healthy, and youthful glow. It also helps repair scarring and inflammation while smoothing skin, so your skin's texture is soft to the touch. 

Rosehip oil contains high beta-carotene levels (an antioxidant), all-trans retinoic acid (a vitamin A acid that retinol converts to) and has a similar effect to retinol applied topically.

Rosehip oil also boasts high doses of phenolic acid which fights against oxidative stress and inflammation - something you want to combat as it speeds up skin's ageing. 

 Related Article: The Best Skincare Routine for Menopausal Skin

2. Argan 

Argan trees are almost entirely exclusive to Morocco, but that hasn't stopped their oil from becoming famous worldwide. Well known for its anti-ageing magic, argan oil  draws its power from high vitamin E levels, antioxidants, and saponins (a powerful skin-softening agent). The moisture argan oil provides not only helps tighten the skin to fend off future wrinkles, but it also fights the fine lines already in existence by restoring the skin's plump hydro-lipid layer (without leaving behind an oily residue).  

Argan oil is considered even more effective than olive oil in promoting collagen in women who have experienced the postmenopausal collagen production drop. However, this study did have the women applying the oil topically AND consuming it in their diet. 

3. Prickly Pear Seed Oil 

It's no secret we love prickly pear seed oil. It's often hailed as the fountain of youth and is far more effective than the cheaper oil obtained from the prickly pear fruit or the dubious cheaper oils which are often macerated. 

Prickly pear seed oil is packed with vitamin E (three times the amount of any other plant oil used in the beauty industry), which is known to fight free radicals, protecting the skin and promoting regenerative growth. It also boasts high levels of skin-brightening vitamin K, and the two work in tandem to brighten dark under-eye circles, smooth out wrinkles, fight hyperpigmentation, and tighten pores. 

Hands get wrinkles too! Lucky for us, prickly pear seed oil is the perfect fast-absorbing oil to use on the backs of your hands. It keeps skin looking plump and soft … without the greasy fingerprints from hand lotion. 

If your skin is easily irritated, tamanu oil could be your saving grace. It gently soothes and helps minimise scars' appearance with its fatty acids, antioxidants, and antibacterial qualities. It is a very healing oil with several studies finding tamanu oil can help skin wounds improve faster, reduce inflammation, and promote collagen production. 

Pressed from the nut of the laurelwood or 'tamanu' tree (Calophyllum inophyllum), tamanu oil is rich in omega-9 — a fatty acid that powers healthy cell growth and regeneration. For skin that needs a moisturising overhaul, try tamanu!

5. Pomegranate

Pomegranate seed oil is extracted from the pomegranate fruit's seeds (Punica granatum) and contains predominantly (75%) punicic acid, an omega-5 fatty acid. Omega 5 is a rare yet potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, two fantastic tools in your kit when it comes to stalling the signs of premature ageing due to sun exposure. A study done by the University of Michigan found pomegranate seed oil helps accelerate skin rejuvenation, which, in turn, slows down the formation of new wrinkles.  

When it comes to skin rejuvenation, pomegranate is a powerful anti-ageing oil. By stimulating keratinocytes (cells that produce keratin in the epidermis) and boosting the efficacy of firming proteins, pomegranate helps improve the look of your top layer of skin, providing an instant glow. 

Further, pomegranate contains a high concentration of ellagic acid, which helps prevent wrinkles and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), an enzyme that signals collagen breakdown.

6. Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn is the ultimate skin-rebuilder. One of its standout properties, omega-7, is key for collagen production (and difficult to find in even the most luxurious products), joining a dream team of ingredients including vitamins C, A, E, K, P, F, B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, and calcium. It's a star line-up known for smoothing damaged skin through regeneration.

Sea buckthorn provides the building blocks we need to stimulate long-lasting collagen production. Because collagen is what gives skin its plumpness and 'lifted' shape, adding this oil to your regimen is the perfect way to reclaim skin's youthful bounce.

7. Immortelle/Helichrysum 

A cousin of the sunflower, this fragrant bloom is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Also called "Immortelle" due to the flower's resistance to wilting, helichrysum prevents dullness and soothes the appearance of lines and wrinkles. The compounds found inside – gamma-curcumene (sometimes confused with curcumin), skin-lightening diketones, and neryl acetate – fight against metabolic cellular ageing and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. 

Immortelle is known for the youthful glow many users report, making it the perfect choice for the face, neck, and decolletage. 

8. Rose 

This soft and vibrant flower can leave your skin looking just as luscious as its petals. Rose oil is known for helping skin cells speed up their turnover and renewal rate, allowing your healthiest and most youthful-looking skin shine through. Additionally, rose oil is a calming anti-inflammatory, soothing away redness and rejuvenating stressed-looking skin. 

Astringent and antibacterial, rose oil's real secret lies in its ability to moisturise. By encouraging increased water content, rose oil helps naturally plump the skin while making it more receptive to other skincare ingredients. 

Related: These award-winning, 100% natural anti-ageing organic face oils have 1000+ five-star user reviews!

9. Jasmine

Derived from fragrant white jasmine blooms, jasmine oil is known for its moisturising  properties and can help fight against ageing and limiting dryness. Old scars and rough patches can make skin appear more aged. Jasmine works to soothe and heal that roughness, hydrating troublesome areas and locking in moisture for long periods, making it ideal for face and neck.

10. Neroli

An effective anti-ageing treatment, neroli oil  (from bitter orange tree flowers) encourages your body to work naturally against wrinkles by promoting renewed elasticity and speedy skin cell generation. 

It's out with the old and in with the new! Neroli oil prepares the skin by clearing away toxins produced by bacteria (which can cause harsh ageing effects) and promotes new skin cells for a youthful and fresh look. 

11. Carrot Seed

Carrot seed oil provides a hefty dose of carotol, which pounces on bacteria and harmful environmental pollutants before they can hurt your skin. Once the harmful substances are removed, carrot seed oil encourages moisture, which can help treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and limiting signs of ageing.

After giving your skin a much-needed detox, carrot seed oil leaves skin nourished and bright over time thanks to its concentration of vitamins A, K, C, and biotin compounds. This combination promotes cell growth speed and protects against some of the effects of ageing UV light.

12. Frankincense

Frankincense oil provides the anti-ageing repair you desire by reducing the appearance of sunspots and age spots. Uneven skin tone does not stand a chance against this powerful oil. Additionally, frankincense is one of the most effective essential oils for tightening skin and fighting wrinkles due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes skin strength and elasticity.

Our favourite duo, the Illumino Youth Serum and the Signature Night Recovery Oil, was created with all of the above — and more — anti-ageing oils, to help slow the signs of time by ensuring skin is healed, nourished and rejuvenated daily. These luxury face oils have enjoyed more than 1000 five-star reviews from women (and men!) using them to fight the signs of ageing!

Formulated to work in synergy to hydrate, brighten, nourish and repair skin daily, this potent yet simple day/night routine delivers that healthy radiance only balanced, happy skin has. 

And while we're all about finding natural ingredients that really work, we're also passionate about our ethical chain of production. Indagare aims to use fresh, ethically sourced ingredients — working with a fair-trade international group of women for our key elements, family farms for others, and reputable Australian wholesalers for anything we can't get direct! This feel-good/fresh-skin approach helps you nourish and glow while taking care of the earth.

Do you love the world of organic beauty and natural skincare & wellness? Get our FREE 40 page e-book designed to help you navigate the beautiful world of green beauty here!