Dark Circles: The effectiveness of Immortelle essential oil on the eye contour.

Most commonly, dark circles are characterised by a slightly bluish or brownish discolouration of the skin located at the level of the lower eyelid. They are usually accompanied by swelling of the eyelid, which weighs down the gaze and gives a sad and tired appearance. Depending on their type, the dark circles result from different factors. Thus, vascular dark circles form due to a slowdown in blood and lymphatic circulation, pigmented dark circles are due to a high concentration of melanin in the skin around the eyes, and hollow dark circles are the consequence of the progressive decrease in subcutaneous fatty tissue located under the eyes. Also known as essential oil of everlasting helichrysum, does the essential oil of immortelle have an effect on the different types of dark circles?

Can Immortelle essential oil alleviate bluish dark circles?

According to certain scientific studies, Italian Helichrysum essential oil appears to stimulate microcirculation of the blood, a property that is beneficial in combating the stagnation of blood pigments that lead to the formation of vascular dark circles. It seems that this ingredient works by inhibiting the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which is produced under the influence of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS). However, nitric oxide promotes vasodilation, that is, the widening of blood vessels. Consequently, blood pressure and blood flow decrease, which contributes to the stagnation of fluids.

According to a study in vitro, it appears that the addition of 250 μg/mL of immortelle essential oil significantly reduces the nitric oxide content in BV-2 cells. By inhibiting the synthesis of nitric oxide, this essential oil could potentially help to fade vascular dark circles. However, without clinical trials, it is impossible to definitively confirm this.

Does immortelle essential oil have an effect on brown under-eye circles?

Commonly found in individuals with darker skin tones, brown under-eye circles are often the result of genetics. In order to address this type of under-eye circles, it is generally recommended to use active ingredients with anti-melanin properties, such as niacinamide or ferulic acid. As for the essential oil of immortelle, there is currently no evidence of its effectiveness in combating brown under-eye circles, nor that it possesses any potential inhibitory effect on melanogenesis. Therefore, at this time, it is not possible to say that Italian helichrysum essential oil can reduce pigmented under-eye circles.

Immortelle essential oil to diminish hollow dark circles?

Hollow dark circles are a specific type of dark circles that do not alter the colouration of the eye contour. They often gradually develop over time. Indeed, as we age, the fatty pockets of the face, located between the skin and the orbital bone, empty out and the skin sags. Apart from resorting to injections, it is almost impossible to combat hollow dark circles. Faced with this skin issue, the cosmetics have little effect and immortelle essential oil is no exception.

Nevertheless, it is plausible that the regular use of Italian Helichrysum essential oil may help to maintain skin structures for a longer period, thereby somewhat preventing the onset of hollow dark circles. Indeed, according to some in vitro studies, this botanical extract could potentially inhibit the activities of collagenase and elastase, enzymes respectively responsible for the degradation of collagen and elastin. As a reminder, these are protein fibres in the dermis that ensure the flexibility, elasticity, and resistance of skin tissues, which helps to maintain the overall structure of the skin. Thus, it can be hypothesised that the essential oil of Immortelle could slow down the development of hollow dark circles, although clinical studies are necessary to prove this.