Essential oils and wrinkles are connected only by a misunderstanding. Fish oil and wrinkles, on the other hand, may seem to have nothing to do with each other: but properly purified fish oil is a wonderful addition to good skincare.

Here's the misunderstanding:

"Essential oils" are used for their aroma. They are called "essential oils" because they carry the distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. These oils are used in perfume and aromatherapy. Examples are oil of cloves, frankincense, lavender, sandalwood and chamomile.

They smell great, but that's it. Essential oils and wrinkles have nothing to do with each other. In fact, the best skincare products avoid fragrances altogether, because they have no value in skincare, can cause allergic reactions and too often contain chemicals that shouldn't be applied to the kin.

Fish oils and wrinkles are a different story. Fish oils contain nutrients called "essential fatty acids."

Essential fatty acidsareessential to the body: they are vital nutrients your own body can't produce on its own. They must be obtained by your nutrition, either foods or food supplements.

The essential fatty acids most often missing in modern diets are the Omega 3 oils, found in highest concentrations in deep ocean cold water fish like sardines, anchovies, salmon and hoki, a deep sea fish found off New Zealand.

The benefits of fish oil are primarily due to the Omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid).

DHA is the most important fatty acid in the human brain, and for that reason has been studied recently for possible benefits with Alzheimer's disease and for depression. EPA has important anti-inflammatory qualities.

Fish with the most powerful Omega 3 oil benefits are generally not the most popular eating fish, one reason why fish oil supplements are booming. Omega 3 fish oils are wonderful anti wrinkle supplements.

Skincare products for wrinkles also should contain natural vegetable oils. They aren't called "essential oils" -- they don't carry the "essential" aromas of any plant -- they arenotperfume oils.

They're just terrific for skincare!

Some especially valuable natural oils:

-- Avocado oil has naturally high levels of Vitamin E and Omega 3 and 9 fatty acids; stimulates collagen production to rebuild healthy skin.

-- Maracuja, a passion fruit extract, is rich in linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid.

-- Grapeseed oil creates an invisible film on your skin, to keep moisture in. It is especially effective for repairing the skin around the eyes.

-- Macadamia nut oil contains a high concentration of Palmitoleic acid, making it an effective antioxidant.

Also look for these other natural oils: shea butter, the wonderful emollient from the nut of a native African tree; jojoba oil, from the seed of a shrub that grows in California and Mexico, and natural vegetable glycerin.

All these natural oils are available in the best anti wrinkle skin care products -- and at least one company produces both skin care products and food supplements that include purified fish oil packed with Omega 3s.

For more information on the connection between oils and wrinkles or fish oil and wrinkles, you can check my website recommendations for anti wrinkle products