Do people constantly ask you if you’re getting enough sleep?
It’s probably because you have those unsightly dark circles around your eyes. These dark circles don’t only make you look exhausted all the time, they also make you look older than you really are. That’s why you need to get rid of it as soon as possible.
Natural ingredients like almond oil can be a great remedy for dark circles, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Adults are not the only ones who suffer from this problem, so do children and teenagers.
It’s also important to know that lack of sleep is not the only reason for this condition. Dark circles can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
In this article you’ll learn about the efficacy and uses of almond oil for lightening under eye dark circles, plus the causes of this condition.
Why Use Almond Oil for Dark Circles Removal
Almonds have long been considered as “nutritional powerhouse”.
This is because they’re loaded with healthy fats, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that benefit the health in more ways than one.
Most of us think of almonds as nuts, but these are actually fruits of a tree that originate in the Middle East and North Africa [6].
Right now, almonds are being grown in many parts of the world.
It’s in California where the most number of almonds are being produced each year [7].
The oil extracted from the almond nut is just as beneficial.
Almond oil is made by pressing ripe almonds and exposing them to minimal heat [7].
There are two kinds of almond oil: refined and unrefined.
Unrefined almond oil is usually the better choice, as it has more nutrients and flavor [7].
The refined version, meanwhile, though more tolerant to heat, does not have as much nutrients [7].
Like the nuts where it comes from, almond oil is also packed with vitamin E, copper, phosphorus, magnesium and antioxidants [7].
A hundred grams of almond oil can supply you with 200 percent of the daily recommended allowance for vitamin E [8].
It’s also an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids, which protect the heart and body from disease [7].
Playing an important role in complementary medicine, almond oil has long been recognized as an immunity booster, anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatotoxicity and so on [9].
It has also been found to have profound benefits for the skin, improving skin tone, rejuvenating tired skin, and keeping skin moisturized [9].
With its nourishing vitamins and minerals, almond oil can be applied on the skin to relieve a number of skin issues.
Here are the primary ways almond oil can help get rid of dark circles:
- Almond oil can lighten dark skin [10]
- It can keep the skin moisturized and hydrated [11]
- It reduces inflammation and puffiness around the eyes [12]
- It is rich in antioxidants that can keep the skin healthy and fresh [13]
- It is also gentle enough to use in sensitive skin areas such as those around the eyes
It also contains three nutrients that are essential for combating this problem:
- Vitamin K – Promotes blood clotting to reduce skin hyperpigmentation
- Palmitic acid – Softens the areas around the eyes
- Retinol – Improves blood circulation
Unlike other oils, almond oil can also penetrate more easily into the skin so the results are more immediate [14].
Almond Oil for Dark Circles Remedies
Use the following remedies to get rid of dark circles so you’d look younger and more well-rested.
1. Apply Combination of Honey and Almond Oil
Honey nourishes the skin with its vitamins, minerals and beneficial enzymes. It also stimulates skin renewal to reduce appearance of dark circles.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 teaspoons of honey
- 2 teaspoons of almond oil
Recommended Directions:
- Put these two ingredients in a bowl.
- Spread a thin layer of the mixture on dark circles around the eyes each night before going to bed.
- Repeat every night until dark circles are gone.
2. Mix Almond Oil with Milk
An age-old beauty secret, milk can effectively moisturize the skin and help lighten dark circles.
What You’ll Need:
- Mild facial cleanser
- 1 teaspoon of milk
- 1 teaspoon of almond oil
Recommended Directions:
- Wash your face with mild cleanser before sleeping.
- After patting it dry with a towel, apply a combination of almond oil and milk.
- Spread this around the areas of your eyes using a cotton pad.
- Repeat remedy each night for up to one month.
3. Use a Mixture of Almond Oil and Chamomile Oil
One of the essential oils that you can use to minimize dark circles under the eyes is chamomile oil.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of almond oil
- 5 drops of chamomile oil
Recommended Directions:
- Add chamomile oil to almond oil.
- Mix well.
- Use a cotton ball to apply mixture on the areas around the eyes.
- Wait for 15 to 20 minutes before wiping it off.
- Repeat remedy every day for one to two months.
4. Blend Almond Oil, Rose Oil and Sandalwood Oil
Both rose oil and sandalwood oil have soothing effects on the skin which can help in this problem.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of almond oil
- 5 drops of rose oil
- 5 drops of sandalwood oil
Recommended Directions:
- Put all the oils in a glass with a lid.
- Shake to blend well.
- Spread a thin layer of the oil blend around the eyes.
- Repeat procedure every other day for up to two months.
5. Pair Almond Oil with Lavender Oil
Topical application of lavender oil can effectively tone down hyper-pigmentation around the eyes.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 teaspoon of almond oil
- 5 drops of lavender oil
Recommended Directions:
- Combine almond oil and lavender oil.
- Mix well.
- Soak a cotton ball into the oil blend.
- Spread this around the eyes.
- Wipe it off after 30 minutes.
- Do this daily for one to two months.
6. Add Aloe Gel to Sweet Almond Oil
The cooling aloe vera gel is a natural skin moisturizer. The succulent aloe leaves contain a number of vitamins and minerals beneficial for a healthy skin.
The two active nutrients Auxin and Gibberellins are responsible for wound healing and anti-inflammatory qualities of aloe vera. Therapeutic aloe gel is extensively used in Ayurvedic medicinal practice.
Aloe vera is a potent home remedy for skin disorders such as acne, sunburn, eczema, dark circles, scars, etc. You can combine aloe gel with sweet almond oil for lightening dark circles under the eyes.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
- 1 teaspoon of almond oil
- Cotton ball
Recommended Directions:
- Mix aloe gel with almond oil and make your own natural night moisturizer.
- Dab a cotton ball on the mixer and apply it on your dark circles.
- Repeat the treatment every night before going to sleep to get rid of under eye dark circles fast.
7. Mix Almond Oil And Turmeric
Turmeric, the traditional Asian spice has a long history of healing. The extraordinary therapeutic benefits of turmeric powder cannot be overstated. Turmeric is a potent remedy for stomach disorders, skin problems, UTI, and kidney infections, etc.
Turmeric powder contains anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve swellings, and puffiness of the eyes. Turmeric is a great ingredient to lighten up your skin complexion. You can combine turmeric powder with almond oil to treat dark circles.
What You’ll Need:
- ½ a teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoon of almond oil
- Warm damp cloth
Recommended Directions:
- Combine turmeric powder with almond oil and form an eye mask.
- Apply the paste liberally under the eyes on dark circles.
- Soak a cloth on warm water, wring out, and lay it over the eyes for 15 minutes.
- Use cool water to wash off the mixer.
- Repeat the treatment several days to get rid of dark circles quickly.
Other Best Natural Oils for Dark Circles Under Eyes
Apart from sweet some essential and carrier oils may help you remove dark circles under the eyes. Essential oils have potent therapeutic properties for the skin. These herbal oils can nourish and tone the skin complexion, boost blood circulation, and eliminate bacterial and inflammatory skin disorders. Moreover the soothing qualities of the oils may improve your sleep and reduce anxiety to minimize the chance of developing dark circles under eyes.
Here are some of the best essential oils for dark circles under eyes:
- Frankincense oil
- Helichrysum essential oil
- Roman chamomile oil
- Clove oil
- Lavender oil
The following carrier oils may also help lightening dark circles:
- Argan oil
- Castor oil
- Rosehip oil
Dark Circles Under Eyes – What’s Causing this Problem?
Dark circles around the eyes imply that there’s hyperpigmentation in these areas, which is different from that caused by bruising or trauma [1].
Also called periorbital dark circles, these are defined as “bilateral, round, homogeneous pigment macules on the infraorbital regions”, according to a study done in Brazil [2].
Simply put, these are dark blemishes in the areas around the eyes that can be caused by numerous factors [3].
Dark circles appear when there’s an excess production of the pigment melanin around the eyes [3].
The most well-known causes of this are fatigue and sleep deprivation [3].
When you don’t get enough sleep, the skin becomes more pale than usual, making the blood underneath appear visibly in blue or darker shades [3].
Of course, these are not the only reasons you have dark circles.
Some of the other factors that can contribute to this problem include:
- Allergies – Allergies and other similar conditions that make the eyes itchy and prone to scratching can make the areas around the eyes appear darker than normal.
- Medications – Certain medications have been found to make the blood vessels around the eyes to dilate and increase in blood flow.
- Anemia – Experts also say that deficiency in iron can also cause dark circles to appear around the eyes, as this means that the tissue in these areas are not receiving enough oxygen.
- Aging – As people age, the skin collagen becomes thinner, making some parts of the skin appear such as under the eyes appear more pigmented [3].
- Heredity – It’s also possible for this problem to run in the family. Some children whose parents suffer from dark circles also have this condition.
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits – Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can also trigger this problem. When people drink too much coffee or use illegal drugs and have difficulty in sleeping, under-eye circles are the most common result.
- Sun exposure – The sun’s ultraviolet rays stimulates the production of melanin in the skin.
- Certain conditions – Mononucleosis and periorbital cellulitis are two examples of conditions that can make the areas around the eyes appear tired, swollen and darker.
- Excessive intake of salt – If you consume more salt than recommended, it can result in fluid retention, including in the areas around the eyes, prompting dark circles to develop [4].
It’s also interesting to know that oversleeping can also cause for dark circles to appear around the eyes.
When to See a Doctor About this Problem
It’s quite rare for dark circles around the eyes to be caused by a serious medical condition.
However, it’s important that you see a doctor when you experience any of the following:
- Condition does not improve even after you’ve gotten enough rest and sleep
- The area around one of the eyes appears darker and more swollen than the other
- Discoloration gets worse over time
- Dark circles are painful to touch
- Sudden appearance of dark circles without any possible explanation [5]
