While there is no dearth of products for anti-ageing but people are turning towards essential oils for this particular concern as they are natural and more than just skin care they have a holistic effect. As people age, the skin begins to break down and lose elasticity. This natural process causes wrinkles and fine lines to appear on the face around the forehead, mouth, and eyes.

Although essential oils will not eliminate wrinkles completely, they may be able to reduce their appearance. They are also a natural alternative to chemical creams and lotions. They may also:

• boost collagen
• even out skin tone
• help your complexion
• reduce inflammation
• promote skin cell turnover
• protect your skin from environmental damage

Now that we spoke so highly of essential oils for anti-ageing let us look at the oils, we can turn to for this –

Sandalwood

Sandalwood essential oil is one of the most fragrant of all oils that have been used widely in the beauty industry. It possesses a unique earthy aroma and holds a significant role in healing skin woes. The strong antioxidant nature of this oil is effective in scavenging free radicals from the skin and reduces oxidative damage. Furthermore, it flushes out the toxins from the skin and uplifts overall skin health and glow.

Lemon

Lemon is well-known for its vitamin C content and potential health benefits for the immune system. However, lemon oils are also used in a variety of commercial skin care products to help reduce the signs of aging, such as wrinkles. All citrus essential oils, including lemon and grapefruit, make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. It is essential to avoid sun exposure for several hours after using citrus essential oils, so it is wise to apply them before bed.

Rosemary

The potent antimicrobial and antioxidant traits of rosemary essential oil help to cure skin problems like dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea. It is beneficial in maintaining the overall health and beauty of the skin. Rosemary essential oil is known to avert the alteration of the natural lipids of the skin surface and slow down signs of ageing.

Frankincense

Frankincense oil is well known for their potential to promote cell regeneration, fade away fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin elasticity.

Smoking has been long recognized as one of the worst habits a person can have, and Dr Jeremy London agrees with this statement. Dr. London, a cardiovascular surgeon, in a recent interview with Mel Robbins revealed that his number one advice as a heart doctor is to avoid smoking.

“I cannot come up with one single thing that does as much damage to every organ in the body as smoking cigarettes. And look, it's incredibly addictive and I know that and I pass no judgment because I know how difficult it is.”

He explained that in his practice he has dealt with chronic smokers for years and still believed that it is the single most dangerous thing one can do to themselves.

Also Read: Why Is It Harder For Women To Quit Smoking?

How Does Smoking Affect Other Organs?

Emphasizing how this one habit affects all organs in our body, Dr London mentioned the well-known link between lung cancer and smoking.

However, there are many more chronic diseases associated with the rest of the body that can develop due to smoking apart from lung conditions, according to the American Lung Association.

Here is what you should keep an eye out for:

Heart Disease

Also Read: 3 Science-Backed Methods To Quit Smoking For Good

Asthma

Reproductive Health

Vision Loss

Lung Cancer

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for nearly 90 percent of all cases. Although medical treatments have improved, the five-year survival rate remains low. Quitting is the most effective way to lower your risk of this deadly disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Other Cancers

Fasting for three hours before bed can significantly improve heart health and reduce the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as other chronic conditions, an Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology study suggests.

While many believe that diet plans such as intermittent fasting or time-restricted eating can help reduce their weight, researchers at Northwestern University have found that not eating three hours before going to sleep can reduce overnight blood pressure by nearly four percent, heart rate by five percent and strengthen overall heart rhythms.

This can help reduce overall strain on the heart which lowers risks for conditions like hypertension and CAD. Additionally, the scientists also discovered a drop in blood sugar levels, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.

Participants who underwent glucose tests also showed better insulin release which tend to stabilize during the day. Additionally, an improved heart rate also lowered nighttime cortisol, which helped in metabolic balance.

Dr. Phyllis Zee, director of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine and chief of sleep medicine in the department of neurology at Feinberg and corresponding author said of the results: "It's not only how much and what you eat, but also when you eat relative to sleep that is important for the physiological benefits of time-restricted eating."

The study authors also noted: "Extending overnight fasting duration by three hours in alignment with sleep improved cardiometabolic health in middle-aged/older adults by strengthening coordination between circadian- and sleep-regulated autonomic and metabolic activity.

"This sleep-aligned time-restricted eating approach represents a novel, accessible lifestyle intervention with promising potential for improving cardiometabolic function."

Coronary Artery Disease: The Silent Killer

Despite being as a common heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD) develops over years and has no clear signs and symptoms apart from a heart attack. The illness begins due to a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances known as plaque in and on the artery walls.

Over time, this can cause narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries and block the supply of oxygen-rich blood to heart which can lead chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and ultimately, heart attacks.

Typically, those above the age of 45, having a biological family member with heart disease, lack of sleep, smoking, consuming saturated fats along with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of developing CAD.

Treatment options may include medicines and surgery. Eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise and not smoking can help also prevent CAD and the conditions that can cause it.

Nearly one in 10 Indian adults suffer from CAD and about two million people die from the disease annually. Apart from this, about 18 to 20 million American adults aged 20 and older are also affected about the disease.

Strokes: A Rising Crisis In India

One in seven stroke patients in India are young adults aged below 45 years, with hypertension leading as the major risk factor, according to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 identified hypertension, air pollution, tobacco smoking, high cholesterol, increased salt intake, and diabetes as the leading risk factors of stroke.

Incidence of stroke is increasing significantly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in India, due to population growth, aging, and greater exposure to risk factors.

Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps a person can take to improve their health. But research suggests that women face unique challenges that make it harder to stop smoking and remain nicotine-free as compared with men.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 percent of women in the US currently smoke cigarettes. Each year, while many attempt to quit, maintaining long term abstinence remains difficult for a large number of smokers.

Scientists say these differences are not about motivation and women are usually just as willing to quit smoking as men. In many cases they are even more likely to seek help through smoking cessation programs, counseling or medical treatment.

However, the challenge lies in a combination of biological, psychological and social factors that can make nicotine addiction behave differently in women.

Nicotine Works Differently in Women’s Bodies

One of the biggest reasons for the difference is biological as women process nicotine differently than men.

Research shows that women tend to metabolize nicotine faster. This means nicotine leaves the body more quickly, which can lead to stronger withdrawal symptoms and more frequent cravings. Jean Perriot, MD, an addiction specialist at the Émile Roux Dispensary in France, says this biological difference can affect treatment.

Even though doctors sometimes worry about giving women too much nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches or gum, biological measurements often show that many women actually receive too little nicotine replacement, which can make treatment less effective.

Hormones also play a role in smoking behavior. Studies suggest that cravings may increase when estrogen levels are high and decrease when progesterone levels rise. These hormonal shifts occur naturally during the menstrual cycle and may influence when quitting attempts are most successful.

Stress And Emotions Can Trigger Smoking

Dr Nancy Rigotti, director of the Tobacco Research and Treatment Center at Massachusetts General Hospital who specializes in smoking cessation for many years notes that emotional triggers such as stress or depression can strongly influence smoking behavior among women.

Social and economic pressures may also increase vulnerability to tobacco use. Historically, the tobacco industry has targeted women with marketing campaigns that connect smoking with weight control, independence or attractiveness. Public health experts say these messages can shape attitudes about smoking and reinforce addictive behaviors.

Smoking Habits And Weight Concerns

Behavioral research suggests these cues may have a stronger influence for some women, which can make quitting harder even when nicotine dependence is treated.

Furthermore, nicotine can suppress appetite, leading may to pick up smoking to manage body weight. Studies show that women are more likely than men to experience increased cravings for high sugar or high fat foods after quitting smoking. They also tend to gain slightly more weight on average which can make some women hesitant to quit or more likely to relapse.

Treatments Work Differently for Women

Research suggests nicotine replacement therapy may need to be carefully adjusted because of faster nicotine metabolism in women. Some medications used to help people quit smoking may also have different effects.

For example, studies suggest the medication varenicline may cause more side effects in women, while the drug bupropion may be somewhat less effective for female smokers.

On the other hand, behavioral treatments appear to work well for many women. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people understand and change unhealthy habits, may be slightly more effective for women than men. Women are also more likely to try complementary approaches such as meditation, yoga or hypnosis when attempting to quit smoking.

Toward More Personalized Quit Strategies

Exposure to secondhand smoke is another concern. Studies show women are often more likely to be exposed to tobacco smoke at home or in shared environments. Some research also suggests women may face higher risks of certain tobacco related diseases even at lower levels of smoking.

Understanding these differences can help doctors design better quitting strategies. Scientists say the goal is not simply to encourage people to quit smoking, but to provide the right tools so that quitting becomes more achievable for everyone.