9 Best Essential Oils for Puffy Eyes in 2022
If you’ve ever had a long night, or dealt with a lot of stress, you might have woken up the next morning with puffy eyes. If you’re like me, you want them to go away!
Puffy eyes can be caused by many things, such as allergies, lack of sleep, stress, or excessive salt intake. While there are many commercial remedies for puffy eyes available, many of them contain harsh chemicals and can be expensive.
Luckily, there are some natural remedies that can help reduce puffiness, including essential oils.
Read on to learn more about what causes puffy eyes and the best essential oils for puffy eyes.
What are puffy eyes?
Puffy eyes manifest as a swelling (typically a buildup of fluid) in the tissues surrounding one or both eyes. It may sometimes be referred to as “baggy eyes.” It can come on suddenly or be the result of a gradual onset, depending on the underlying cause. Most cases can be resolved in the matter of a few days.
What Causes Puffy Eyes?
For the purposes of this article, I will not refer to using essential oils for puffy eyes if it’s from an infection or an underlying medical condition. I highly recommend discussing any serious issues with your doctor. However, if any of the below apply to you, this article is for you!
Lack of Sleep
Most people know that a lack of sleep can lead to fatigue and drowsiness. But what many people don’t realize is that it can also lead to puffy eyes. This is because when we are tired, our bodies produce more of the hormone cortisol. And one of the side effects of cortisol is that it causes fluid retention, which can lead to puffiness around the eyes.
Allergies
Another common cause of puffy eyes is allergies. Allergies can cause the body to produce histamines, which in turn can lead to fluid retention and swelling. This is why people who have seasonal allergies often have puffy eyes during certain times of the year.
Too much sleep
Just like a lack of sleep can contribute to puffy eyes, so can sleeping too much. Regularly sleeping more than 9 hours a night has been linked to headaches, increased inflammation, and puffy or strained eyes and face, according to Medical News Today.
Alcohol Consumption
Puffy eyes are a common side effect of alcohol consumption. Alcohol dehydrates the body, which can lead to water retention and swelling in the tissues around the eyes. This makes them look puffy and tired. It usually goes away in 12 to 24 hours through water consumption.
Smoking
Nicotine breaks down collagen, the main component that helps keep skin tight. Nicotine also causes small veins to constrict and not get enough blood flow.
Aging
Puffy eyes are a common problem as people age. This is because the skin around the eyes becomes thinner and less elastic, which can lead to fluid accumulation and puffiness. This is due to several factors, including decreased production of collagen and elastin, slow circulation, and gravity.
Crying
Ever spent an evening ugly crying and woken up to find your eyes all puffy? I have! That’s because when we cry there is an increase in blood flow to the area surrounding the eyes. And a big volume of tears coming out of the eyes. The body tries to reabsorb the excess liquid however, retains quite a bit in the tissue under the eyes. Thus, we have puffy eyes.
How Do You Get Rid of Puffy Eyes Naturally?
We call them natural remedies today, but they used to be medicine that people actually practiced. And for good reason. Natural remedies focus on healing the body, mind, and spirit, and use natural sources that were designed to heal the human body. From herbs to essential oils for puffy eyes, there are many things you can do to naturally help!
- One of my favorites is putting cucumber slices on my eyes for about 20 minutes! Cucumbers easily decrease swelling and inflammation!
- You can also tackle inflammation by using a cold compress for 5 minutes.
What Essential Oils are Good for Puffy Eyes?
These essential oils are extremely potent anti-inflammatories and can be used to reduce the actual swelling and puffiness. If your puffy eyes are due to allergies, these will be most beneficial. They block the enzymes that cause swelling and pain.
- Eucalyptus
- Thyme
- Bergamot
- Clove
These essential oils are natural astringents. They can help with skin toning and tightening, especially under the eye. If your puffy eyes are due to a build up of fluid, such as from lack of sleep, smoking, or water retention, these essential oils will help constrict the blood vessel under the skin.
- Lemon
- Peppermint
- Roman Chamomile
Honorable mention essential oils for puffy eyes
Frankincense
Frankincense is my favorite essential oil. It seems to be able to do a little bit of everything. It’s also a great essential oil for puffy eyes. It’s a great detoxifier and cleanser. You can use it topically on the lymph nodes to help drain and cleanse them, which will indirectly help reduce inflammation under the eyes. It’s also an excellent anti-inflammatory.
Cypress
Cypress essential oil’s winning property is being a natural diuretic. For puffy eyes with fluid retention being the cause, Cypress can help drain the fluid out and balance water level. It also contains astringent properties to help tighten skin.
Carrier Oils for Essential Oils for Puffy Eyes
You don’t want to use undiluted essential oils directly on the skin, so it’s best to dilute them with a carrier oil. Carrier oils are the unscented, natural oils that you can use to dilute your essential oil with. They’re thicker than water and have a more fatty consistency. The most popular carrier oils are coconut, olive, jojoba and almond.
Sweet Almond
Sweet almond oil is a carrier oil that is often used with essential oils. Sweet almond oil has many benefits and can be used as an everyday moisturizer, to help with puffy eyes, soothe dry skin, or promote hair growth. You can buy sweet almond oil at most health food stores or online.
- Sweet almond oil is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and E.
- It can help to soothe dry skin
- Sweet almond oil can also help to reduce the appearance of under-eye circles and puffiness.
How to Use:
To help with puffy eyes, mix a few drops of sweet almond oil with a drop or two of lavender essential oil. Apply the mixture to your clean, dry under eye area using your ring finger. Gently pat the area until the mixture is absorbed.
Fractionated Coconut
Coconut oil is a great carrier oil because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with puffy eyes. It is also light and non-greasy, so it won’t clog pores. Coconut oil can help to moisturize the skin and reduce wrinkles. It is also known for its antibacterial properties, which can help to keep the skin clean and free of infection.
How to Use:
To use coconut oil as a carrier oil, simply add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your skin and massage gently. You can also add a drop or two of coconut oil to your regular moisturizer to boost its benefits.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil is a natural oil obtained from olives, the fruit of the olive tree. It is commonly used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps, and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps.
But, extra virgin olive oil also has many benefits for the skin, including reducing inflammation and puffiness. It also has antioxidant and anti-aging properties. When used as a carrier oil for essential oils, olive oil can help to soothe and protect the skin.
Olive oil is a versatile and natural way to care for your skin. When used as a carrier oil, it can help to soothe and protect the skin. It can also help to reduce puffiness around the eyes.
How to Use:
You can use extra virgin olive oil as a carrier oil for essential oils. To do so, add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix well and apply to your skin. You can also add a few drops of olive oil to your bathtub for a relaxing, moisturizing experience.
Jojoba
Jojoba oil is a liquid wax ester that is extracted from the seed of the jojoba plant. Jojoba oil has many benefits for the skin, hair, and nails. It is a natural moisturizer and helps to balance the skin’s oils. It also helps to reduce wrinkles and scars, and is beneficial for psoriasis and eczema.
Jojoba oil is rich in vitamins and minerals, and contains essential fatty acids that are beneficial for the skin.
Mixing jojoba oil with essential oils can help to reduce puffiness around the eyes, wrinkles, and fine lines.
Favorite Essential Oil Recipes for Puffy Eyes
Blend #1
Ingredients:
- 10 ml carrier oil of choice (coconut, jojoba, extra virgin olive oil)
- 5 drops cypress essential oil
- 2 drops geranium essential oil
- 3 drops frankincense essential oil
- 10 ml roller bottle
Instructions:
- Drip the essential oils into the roller bottle
- Add the carrier oil and shake well
- Apply as needed under the eyes
Blend 2: Make Your Own!
Do you have favorite essential oils already?
Choose 5 oils from the list below. Use 3 drops each for your blend for a total of 15 drops. Add to a 10 ml roller bottle with carrier oil of your choice!
- Frankincense
- Cypress
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
- Thyme
- Bergamot
- Roman Chamomile
- Clove
- Rose
- Tea Tree
If you try any of these, be sure to let me know how it goes in the comments!
