The eyes are said to be the seat of the soul. Certainly, we spend enough on making them look attractive: at the time of writing, in the United States alone, millions of dollars are spent each year on eye makeup. But no amount of mascara or eyeliner can hide the problems that afflict the very delicate skin that surrounds the eye, and crow’s feet wrinkles, creased skin, bags under the eyes, and darkening around the whole area can depress even the brightest of souls!

With regular use, essential oils applied around the eyes can diminish the creasing and smooth out the tiny cracks and crevices. The skin around the eyes, however, is extremely fragile and it is important only to use the lightest of base oils and the minimum of essential oils. Please note that if any oil gets into the eye, flush it out immediately with water.

Use the oil relevant to your age group.

OILS FOR AROUND THE EYES

EIGHTEEN TO TWENTY-FIVE YEARS

• Hazelnut oil 2 teaspoons
• Borage seed oil 2 drops
• Chamomile erman 1 drop
• Carrot oil 1 drops

TWENTY-FIVE TO FORTY YEARS

• Hazelnut oil 2 teaspoons
• Borage seed 2 drops
• Evening primrose  3 drops
• Lavender 2 drops
• Lemon 1 drop
• Vitamin E  1 capsule*
• Carrot 2 drops

(*) 1 capsule – 250 IUs 

FORTY TO FORTY-FIVE YEARS

• Hazelnut oil 2 teaspoons
• Evening primrose 6 drops
• Borage seed  3 drops
• Palma rosa  2 drops
• Lavender  2 drops
• Vitamin E  1 capsule*
• Carrot  3 drops

(*) 1 capsule – 250 lUs

MATURE YEARS

• Hazelnut oil 2 teaspoons
• Jojoba oil 5 drops
• Vitamin E  2 capsules*
• Lavender  1 drop
• Lemon 1 drop
• Bois de rose  1 drop
• Carrot 3 drops

(*) 1 capsule = 250 IUs

Mix the ingredients together well and use the lightest amount around the eye area. Weight around the eye area causes it to sag–and that applies to all oils and creams. Leave the oil for a few minutes and then very gently wipe off the excess. Apply the oil every night.

To treat puffy eyes and dark shadows around the eyes, these are the ingredients you need:

• Hazelnut oil 2 teaspoons
• Witch hazel  1 tablespoon
• Fennel  2 drops
• Chamomile German 2 drops

First, dissolve the essential oils as far as possible in ice cold witch hazel, and place it in the fridge. Wrap an ice cube in a cotton-wool ball (the shape and weight of an ice cube made in the plastic bags which you can now buy for the purpose is ideal, although “cube” is a misnomer here), dip it in the essential oil and witch hazel mixture and place it over your closed eye and the puffy area. Leave it in place for a few seconds and then, while the skin is still wet, apply a small quantity of hazelnut oil to the area.

Tired eyes benefit from dabbing with a cold rosehip or green tea. Make up the tea and keep it in the fridge and just dab it around the eyes when they feel that they need it.

You can make up your own eye oil, bearing in mind the information that has gone before, using the following oils. It would be ideal to use this while you are giving yourself a face mask treatment, for your eyes will be closed and relaxing, and you can lie down and take it completely easy for five minutes or so. Apply the oil only around the eye area, not on the eyelids.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR AROUND THE EYE AREA

• Source: THE COMPLETE BOOK OF ESSENTIAL OILS & AROMATHERAPY – Valerie Ann Worwood

• This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment.