How Can Moringa Oil Help With My Wrinkles?

We all know that wrinkles come with age - and there's nothing wrong with that. Premature aging, however, can be a signal that you aren't taking care of your largest organ - your skin! To better understand how to change up your skincare regimen and habits to combat premature aging, it's important to understand the science behind wrinkles. 

So why exactly do wrinkles form as we get older? When we're younger, we have normal healthy skin that grows new skin cells rapidly each day. Our skin is made up of three main layers. The outermost skin layer, that everyone can see, is called the epidermis. The second layer is called the dermis and the last, innermost layer, is known as the subcutaneous layer. When we are younger, our skin has a healthy epidermis with a smooth outer surface that acts as a good barrier from water and the environment around us.

Ever been pinched before? Why does your skin return to its original shape after being stretched or pinched? The middle layer of the skin, known as the dermis, has elastic properties due to the small protein fibers called elastins that keep the skin looking young and healthy. Elastin is what keeps the skin from being permanently stretched out when it is pinched or pulled. Collagen is another group of proteins found in your skin and is also known as the “fibrous” tissues. In fact, collagen is the most abundant protein we have in our bodies, accounting for about thirty percent of the protein content in the human body. Collagen is responsible for supporting and connecting various tissues and organs in the body. This protein gives the body tissue its shape and keeps it strong, especially in the skin.

As you get older, your body’s ability to produce elastin and collagen decreases significantly. In addition, the extra fat stored in the subcutaneous layer of the skin begins to diminish. As a result, your skin gets thinner and has difficulty keeping its shape and firmness and thus begins to sag. Getting wrinkles is a natural process that happens as we age. However, there are a variety of factors that can cause the skin to start aging at an accelerated rate.

Premature aging of the skin stems from free radical activity of the body. Free radicals are charged oxygen particles that are usually produced by negative environmental exposures like ultraviolet radiation and tobacco smoke. Essentially, free radicals oxidize parts of the skin cell and turn healthy skin cells into damaged skin cells. This can happen due to many environmental factors such as stress, poor dieting, smoking, UV exposure and pollution. When combined with the natural aging process, the skin can become even more wrinkly and unevenly toned. 

So what can you do about it? In addition to adopting these healthy habits, it's important to add an antioxidant-rich oil like moringa oil to your skincare routine to help counteract the work of free radicals. Antioxidants are molecules that slow and prevent the oxidation of other molecules. They remove free radicals and prevent their damage to skin cells. Moringa oil is rich in antioxidants and when applied to the skin, not only nourishes the skin with nutrients and moisture, but also fights the damage of the free radicals and keeps our skin looking healthy and natural.

If you've never used oil as a moisturizer on your face, it can be a bit nerve-wracking to try it for the first time. After cleansing, apply a few drops of moringa oil to the finger tips and smooth over cheeks, forehead, nose and lips. Since moringa oil mimics the skin's natural sebum production, it is ideal for all skin types, balancing oil production in oily and combination skin, and nourishing dry skin. In addition to hydrating skin for the day, moringa oil helps to defend our skin from harmful environmental factors and keeps it wrinkle free.