When anyone mentions ‘essential oils,’ my mind travels back to when I did a fun skincare products haul. In my ten years of reviewing skincare products and routines, I have tried and tested every method to reduce puffy under-eye bags. I was never a true fan of essential oils. But a bit of research and testing got me rediscovering their amazing benefits. So, I chucked out the 'cold spoons' and 'tea bags' methods from my routine for puffy eyes and embraced DIY recipes using essential oils. It became a hit in my circle of friends. 

Since I love finding solutions to various skin issues for my readers, I will share everything here and guide you - from choosing an essential oil for your skin type to choosing a good carrier oil + some additional tips. So, here is the story of how essential oils for bags under eyes became my go-to solution. 

Table of Contents:

• Why do we get under-eye bags (puffy eyes)?
• What are the best essential oils for under-eye bags?
• Some carrier oils you can use to dilute the essential oils
• How do I choose essential oils for puffy eyes
• How not to use essential oils

Why do we get under-eye bags (puffy eyes)?

Our body leaves behind tell-tale signs of our health in many ways. Under-eye bags are one such visible manifestation. I remember getting my first signs of under-eye bags before my exams. It was out of control, even though I tried to maintain a healthy diet. My graduation years followed by work-life owes to the worst under-eye bags I have ever had, worsened by a (by then) poor diet, dehydration, and lack of sleep. By the time I reached my mid-twenties, I had fixed my diet, sleeping schedule and upgraded my skincare routine with the help of essential oils. While doing my research, I also came across some other causes for puffy eyes:

• Fluid retention in eye tissue.
• Sinusitis.
• Allergy (It is, today, my number-one reason for under-eye puffiness.)
• Crying (we’ve all been through it.)
• Stress.
• Imbalance in salt levels.
• High alcohol intake. 

What are the best essential oils for under-eye bags?

After testing a few of the essential oils from the haul, I saw a rapid change in my appearance. My face was no longer as swollen as it used to be, and that because essential oils are rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Some oils like geranium, eucalyptus, peppermint, etc., also act as an astringent and/or a diuretic, tightening the skin by reducing fluid retention. The basic essential oil formula for reducing under-eye puffiness is to mix one to two drops of essential oil with one tablespoon of carrier oil. There are many kinds of carrier oils available in the market, but I typically use sweet almond oil. I cannot help but mention that the Lavender Essential Oil from WOW Skin Science is my favorite. Thus, from the vast list of essential oils for bags under eyes, I have listed out the best essential oils for puffy eyes, with reasons:

Lavender Essential Oil

I got the lavender essential oil from WOW Skin Science, and I was surprised with how effectively it reduced my under-eye bags. Bonus points: not only is it a vegan product, but it is also cruelty-free. It works as a diuretic, i.e., it flushes out toxins that cause fluid retention under eyes giving rise to puffy eyes. 

Tea tree Essential Oil

I have acute urticaria (hives) and have always benefited from using tea tree oil in moderation to soothe the hives with its anti-inflammatory properties. It is also effective for acne. Add just 1-2 drops to a tablespoon of carrier oil.  

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus is a powerful natural astringent and has anti-inflammatory properties, making it really effective for reducing under puffy eyes. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint Essential Oil is another essential oil for puffy eyes that I unquestionably love. Its aroma always gets me charged up. It has a cooling effect and helps me improve concentration and reduces headaches. For puffy eyes, use one drop in a tablespoon of 100% pure carrier oil. 

Geranium Essential Oil

If you have a water retention issue, I recommend using one to two drops of pure geranium essential oil diluted in a carrier oil. My mother is in her fifties, and she boasts about the anti-aging benefits of geranium. 

Frankincense Essential Oil

This oil helps eliminate toxins from your skin, it stimulates cell regeneration, prevents dark circles and helps improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 

Some carrier oils you can use to dilute essential oils

• Rosehip seed oil
• Jojoba oil
• Argan oil
  
  
• Apricot kernel oil
• Coconut oil
• Olive oil
• Cocoa/Shea butter

How do I choose essential oils for puffy eyes

I started with identifying the root cause for my skin issues and then chose an appropriate essential oil. Here are my recommendations: 

• If you have dry skin, avoid essential oils that are astringents. Instead, choose essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties, such as Frankincense. 
  
  
• If your skin is oily, astringents are your best options. 
• If you have combination type skin, you’ll need to use at least two types of oil – one for the greasy areas of your face and one for the dry areas of your face.  

How not to use essential oils

• When using citrus essential oils, which can cause photosensitivity, do not go out in the sun for at least 24 hours. This applies to oils like bergamot, sweet orange lime, mandarin, grapefruit, wild orange, etc. 
• Never apply essential oils neat on your skin. 
• Avoid applying the essential oils very close to your eyes. 
• If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, do not apply essential oils topically before consulting with your doctor first.
• Do not apply essential oils without conducting a patch test first to make sure that you’re not allergic to any component. 

Explore the WOW website for more natural essential oils.