Almond Oil for Dark Circles: Efficacy and How to Use It

• Almond oil is an effective, safe, natural and noninvasive treatment for dark circles.
• Almond oil can be used to treat dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation, low blood circulation and thinning skin.
• Various alternative treatments to almond oil are also available and are chosen based on the root cause. 
• Some alternative treatments are preventive, others temporary, while permanent ones are more invasive.

Dark circles, or periorbital dark circles, can be treated but the cause must be determined first in order to select the correct method of treatment. 

Almond oil, derived from sweet almond trees, is one possible treatment that is effective in treating dark circles caused by aging skin, sun exposure and hyperpigmentation. 

For dark circles that are a result of physiological and lifestyle factors including heredity, asthma or lack of sleep, almond oil is not an appropriate treatment.

Can Almond Oil Get Rid of Dark Circles?

Due to its anti-inflammatory, emollient properties, almond oil may be a useful noninvasive solution to improve skin tone, lighten dark circles and reduce puffiness around the eye circles.

As a natural source of retinal plus vitamins E, C and K, almond oil has sclerosant properties, causing the blood vessels to contract and not be as visible, which improves the appearance of hyperpigmentation. These natural ingredients also hydrate, smooth and rejuvenate the surface of delicate under-eye skin.

Types of dark circles

One of the two main underlying factors contributing to the appearance of dark circles is poor circulation, which causes deoxygenated blood and is associated with aging skin. As we age, under-eye circulation may decrease and slow blood oxygenation, resulting in a bluish appearance around the eye.

The other main underlying factor contributing to the appearance of dark circles is hyperpigmentation. This skin discoloration is visible because of blood vessel fragility. As blood vessels become fragile, the capillaries tend to break, causing red blood cells to leak out into the surrounding skin. As it breaks down, pigmented degradation forms and results in a dark blue-black discoloration around the eye.

How Effective is it?

Almond oil is very effective as a topical treatment to improve the appearance of dark circles due to sun exposure, aging skin and hyperpigmentation. 

Alternative efficient treatments include other at-home remedies and lifestyle changes. Some options are preventive or temporary, while others are permanent but require more invasive procedures.

Effectiveness of dark circle treatments

	Hyperpig-mentation	Skin thickening and/or lightening	Fluid retention and puffiness
Topical use of almond oil Derived from the sweet almond tree	x	x	x
Natural remedies Other natural oils: castor, avocado, olive and coconut oil; chamomile; cool water, rose water; aloe vera gel, chilled cucumbers and lemon juice			x
Pulsed light therapy and chemical peels	x
Filler injections Such as hyaluronic acid (HA)  injection and fat injection		x
Surgery Eyelid surgery, surgical implants, blepharoplasty or mid-facelift		x	x
Adopting a healthy lifestyle No smoking, reduced alcohol and caffeine consumption, good hydratation, avoiding excessive sun exposure, asthma prevention	x	x	x
Adopting better sleep habits Getting adequate sleep nightly on a regular basis			x

How to Use Almond Oil for Dark Circles

It is advised to apply almond oil in the evening after using a mild facial cleanser. As sebum secretion is lowest in the evening, applying oil before bedtime on clean skin will result in the best absorption.

1. Gently massage a few drops of almond oil onto the eye area in a circular motion.
2. Allow the oil to penetrate overnight.
3. Wash as you normally would in the morning.

For maximum benefits, use a high-quality, pure and cold-pressed almond oil. For best results, almond oil must be used on a daily basis, and it may take several weeks for skin hydration, increased circulation and lightened skin tone to appear.

Safety Concerns

As a topical treatment, almond oil is safe to use for most people, with the exception of those with nut allergies. Individuals with more sensitive skin may be prone to irritation. As a preventative measure, it is advised to treat a small area of the face before using it around the eye area, where the skin in more delicate.

Alternatives to Almond Oil for Dark Circles

As alternatives to using almond oil for dark circles treatment, there are various at-home or over-the-counter (OTC) options that will reduce their appearance.

Makeup and cosmeceuticals such as eye creams formulated with HA, vitamin C, and peptides are very effective OTC options. Sunscreen is also an effective preventative to consider for hyperpigmented under-eye skin.

Other minimally invasive alternatives to almond oil include pulsed laser treatments, chemical bleaching, peels, fillers and fat transfer, as well as more invasive surgical procedures such as facelifts and eyelid surgery.

Lastly, improving certain lifestyle habits is an important step in both prevention and management of dark circles

Takeaway

Almond oil is an effective treatment for dark circles due to its anti-inflammatory and emollient properties. If you do choose to try almond oil as your treatment option, you will achieve optimum results if you apply almond oil daily and allow time to see results.

Because there are many alternative treatments available—some more invasive than others–and because selecting the most effective option depends on the root cause of your dark circles, you may want to discuss all your options with a professional before choosing yours.