Many factors can result in puffy eyes, including lack of sleep, a high-sodium diet, or overconsumption of alcohol. The essential oil is on the top among the possible options for treating puffy eyes.
It is a natural way of treating puffy eyes. Essential oil is usually linked with aromatherapy because it is nutrient-rich. While many essential oils are believed to have similar characteristics, they are not usually the same.
Scroll down to know the benefits of essential oil and which one is the best for treating puffy eyes.
Benefits of Essential Oils For Puffy Eyes
Essential oils have been used for years to treat numerous skin issues, including puffy eyes. Many essential oils share common features, while many have distinguished properties that set them apart from their counterparts.
One thing that essential oils are known for is their anti-inflammatory properties. That means they can help in reducing swelling. In contrast, some essential oils are known to have astringent properties, which also help with puffiness.
If you have dry skin, you must pick essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties, like eucalyptus. In contrast, an essential oil with astringent properties, like peppermint oil, seems to work well for oily skin. Lastly, you need two essential oils with anti-inflammatory and astringent properties for combination skin.
Essential Oil for Puffy Eyes
#1 Lavender Oil
Lavender is a commonly used essential oil. It is known for having smoothing effects, which can eliminate fluid present under the eyes, causing puffiness. Mix lavender oil with carrier oil, say coconut oil. Then massage the mixture gently under your eyes.
#2 Eucalyptus Oil
You can also use eucalyptus oil because it protects the skin’s health. By regularly applying eucalyptus oil under your eyes, you can stop puffiness under your eyes.
#3 Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood oil is known to have an effective moisturizing effect. It can effectively reduce darkness and puffiness present under the eyes. You can mix this essential oil with rose oil to hydrate your skin.
#4 Chamomile Oil
Next is chamomile oil, which is loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. Regular application of chamomile oil can promote deep sleep. To reduce eye puffiness, you can mix it with almond oil and apply it gently under your eyes.
#5 Peppermint Oil
Another great essential oil to treat eye puffiness is peppermint oil. It is loaded with astringent properties that offer a cooling effect. It also helps in reducing headaches and improving concentration.
#6 Geranium Oil
The geranium essential oil is the best option if you have a water retention issue. It has astringent properties that help with skin tightening and eye puffiness. Combine it with carrier oil to see the best result.
#7 Frankincense Oil
Lastly, you can apply frankincense oil to reduce eye puffiness. Mixing it with carrier oil can stimulate cell regeneration, prevent dark circles, and improve fine line appearance.
How to Use Puffy Eyes Essential Oil?
Before you apply an essential oil, you need to find the cause of your eye puffiness. Then you must choose the right essential oil that suits your symptoms. After choosing an essential oil, dilute it with a carrier oil.
Before you include essential oil in your daily skincare routine, conduct a patch test to know whether or not you are experiencing irritation. This patch test can be performed on your wrist.
The essential oil is safe for application within 24 hours if you don’t notice any irritation or reaction. You must never apply essential oil directly under your eyes as it can lead to scarring or even blindness.
Remember to use the minimal drop of essential oil and maintain a safe distance to avoid accidental dripping into your eyes.
Here’s how you should apply essential oil:
- Properly cleanse the area.
- Take a moistened cotton ball, dip it into the oil mix, and gently apply it around your eyes. Do not go too close to your eyes.
- Give the oil some time to penetrate the skin.
- Wipe around your eyes and then rinse your face. Wipe your face and continue your regular skincare routine.
How to Not Use Essential Oil?
Before applying essential oil, remember these things:
- Avoid stepping outside in the sun if you apply a citrus-based essential oil, as it can cause photosensitivity.
- Never apply essential oil directly on the skin without mixing it with carrier oil.
- Do not apply essential oil too close to your eyes, as accidental dripping into the eyes can lead to severe complications.
- Always conduct a patch test on your wrist to understand your sensitivity toward a particular essential oil.
Side Effects
Essential oils are mostly safe for the skin, but each one is different. That means their direction of penetration and dilution are different.
No matter what essential oil you are choosing, always apply it by diluting it in carrier oil. An undiluted essential oil can cause serious skin damage. Before applying essential oil, age should be considered because certain diluted essential oil is good for adults but can be life-threatening for children.
Essential oils that contain phototoxic properties can cause skin damage in sunlight. If you are using such an essential oil, thoroughly remove it before stepping out.
Essential Oil Alternatives
If you don’t want to use essential oil to treat eye puffiness, you can consider using the below-mentioned alternatives. These options can treat allergies or tighten skin. These have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, which can treat puffy eyes.
Scroll down to check the alternatives:
#1 Eye Cream
Many OTC products are known to effectively treat eye puffiness. One such product is eye creams loaded with vitamin C. Regular application of these products can alleviate puffy eyes and offer an energized appearance.
Eye creams with vitamin C can improve collagen production. It can help with the weakening under-eye muscle that results from lack of sleep. You can eliminate the fluid that causes eye puffiness by applying eye cream with vitamin C.
Similarly, eye cream with green tea and caffeine is also useful. These ingredients can effectively move excess fluids from under the eyes, evening out the skin. Lastly, you can also use aloe-rich eye cream.
#2 Eye Drops
Eye drops with antihistamines are known to reduce eye puffiness. But before you use such an eye drop for puffy eyes, you must consult a doctor, so the puffiness doesn’t get worse.
#3 Witch Hazel
Witch hazel can also help with eye puffiness because it has two properties of essential oils. It is a natural astringent with anti-inflammatory properties known to effectively treat eye puffiness.
#4 Cold Compress
If you don’t want to apply any cream, you can do a cold compress. Take an ice cube, wrap it in a thin cloth, and apply it to the puffy area. For a few minutes, you can also use cold cucumbers or a refrigerated spoon on puffy eyes.
#5 Massage Tool
You can use a facial roller over the puffy eye area. Regular circulation can help with decreasing puffiness. But if you feel irritation, stop using the massage tool.
#6 Fillers
You can consult a doctor to get under-eye fillers if you have severe eye puffiness. The results usually last for up to a year.
Conclusion
It is seen that certain essential oils can help with eye puffiness because they have anti-inflammatory properties.
Always mix the essential oil with a carrier oil. Also, consider your skin type while choosing an essential oil.
Essential oil with anti-inflammatory properties is best suited for dry skin. In contrast, an astringent-based essential oil is great for oily skin. And people with combination skin must use both types of essential oil.