Essential Oils for the Eyes

Essential Oils for the Eyes
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The skin around the eyes is among the most fine and delicate skin on the entire body. Because it is thin and lacking in subcutaneous fat, it is prone to sagging and is generally one of the first areas to develop wrinkles and show other signs of aging. Pure essential oils, in certain cases, may be exceptionally beneficial to the skin around the eyes, but they should never be dropped into the eyes. Although there isn't adequate scientific evidence to prove that essential oils can definitely improve a variety of skin conditions, they are widely used in skin care.

Neroli

Neroli essential oil is made from the white, waxy, five-petaled blossoms of the bitter orange tree. It has come to be called neroli because a princess of Nerola, a village in Italy, was fond of wearing perfume made from these blossoms. These highly fragrant orange blossoms produce an oil that is purportedly nourishing to mature, dry and aging skin, making it a good choice for the delicate area around the eyes. According to an article on the anti-aging benefits of neroli on TheGloss.com, neroli essential oil contains a natural chemical called citral, which promotes the growth of healthy new skin cells.

Rose

Rose essential oil is made from the petals of rose flowers. Many types of roses, including Bulgarian, Egyptian and Russian, are used to make rose essential oil, and while they differ subtly in their scents and colors, all possess skin-nourishing properties. According to an article on the therapeutic benefits of roses on Rosemagazine.com, rose essential oil is anti-inflammatory, calming, soothing and rejuvenating to the skin. It is suitable for sensitive, mature and aging skin, including the delicate skin around the eyes.

Chamomile

Chamomile essential oil comes from the tiny, daisy-like flowers of the chamomile herb. These petite white and yellow blooms produce an oil that is anti-inflammatory and highly soothing to sensitive and delicate skin, as well as nourishing to dry or aging skin. The most effective type of chamomile essential oil for use around the eyes is German chamomile oil, which contains the most anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for puffy or irritated skin around the eyes.

Ylang Ylang

Ylang ylang is a rain-forest tree that produces highly fragrant star-shaped flowers. The yellow blooms possess a heady, almost narcotic fragrance. Like the rose, the odor of the ylang ylang flower is a favorite in perfumery. Also like the rose, the essential oil of ylang ylang is highly nourishing and soothing to the skin. Ylang ylang essential oil benefits dry skin around the eyes because it balances the skin's sebum levels, according to Harvestsoaps.com, hydrating the skin.

Lavender

Lavender is an herb with light green foliage and delightfully fragrant spike-like flowers in shades of purple and blue. The essential oil of lavender retains the calming, fresh fragrance of the herb and flowers and possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It has a soothing, calming effect on the skin and benefits skin around the eyes that is irritated by a rash or inflamed.

References

Article reviewed by Christine Brncik Last updated on: Jun 30, 2010

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