Coconut Oil for my Under Eyes: An Honest Journey

So, Coconut Oil for Skin? 

It'd be safe to say we've all heard of coconut oil's health benefits at one point. Maybe you've considered switching to all natural skincare, but don't know where to start.

Your under eyes might be dark because you don't get enough sleep /because your skin's thinning with age/dehydration/allergies or a vast variety of other factors. However, my dark under eyes exist because of a single factor: highly visible veins under thin skin.

I spent months as a teenager wiping smudged eyeliner, or experimenting with various concealers to lighten that area, but never found a way that stuck. Tired of constantly having to cover up those veins, I decided to go out on a leap and try coconut oil.

As an Indian kid growing up in a very brown household :), coconut oil was a staple always readily available. I've been using it for years. I've never had to go back to makeup to conceal my dark circles.

As a teenager, I didn't use  skincare products like a good toner or cleanser. For years, my "skincare routine" consisted of a daily-use facewash, a moisturizer, lip balm, and coconut oil. It worked just fine.

I also think it's worthwhile mentioning that my skin shade is a 'Medium Beige (M7)' on the chart below.

For this process, I used 100% natural coconut oil from the coconut trees that grew in my family home. I noticed my skin automatically started to conceal the veins I was trying to hide. It was only later that I realized that my under eye skin was evening out with the rest of my skin tone, and that my skin actually wasn't thickening.

Because I saw such insanely good results in the first 2 weeks of using this oil, I took it a step further and made it my nighttime and daytime skin care. So, along with the moisturizing serum, sunscreen and makeup I'd wear during the day, I started adding a pinprick of coconut oil as well. 

It took only about a month for my under eyes to look naturally even-toned, without the need of a concealer.

Things to Remember

• When applying coconut oil to your dark circles, evenly distribute *only a finger-tip's amount of oil* between both eyes. Anymore will create a darkish tint on your skin, and will clog your pores. That's the last thing we need.
• Wait for the oil to dry before you layer any products on top. I made the mistake of topping with foundation, primer and moisturizer when the oil was still absorbing way too many times. If you don't wait long enough, they tend to cancel each other out, and both products cake on your skin.
• If you're going to apply coconut oil, and you wear glasses (Like I did) , try to wait till the oil stops visibly shimmering. The oil works its way up your lens frame and eventually smears on your lens, which got me into several clumsy accidents because I couldn't see.

TIPS & TRICKS

• I applied coconut oil under my makeup to try and mask the scent, but it'd be best for you to apply it on top. Again, in very small amounts.
• My mother applied olive oil to get light under eyes, but it did nothing for me. That's another reminder that everyone's skin is different and that what works for me doesn't have to work for you. Experiment till you find something you're comfortable with.
• If you don't see results immediately, it doesn't mean the product doesn't work. Maybe you'll have to try using it a little bit longer (if you're comfortable with it)* to see where it goes.

*Please make sure your skin isn't allergic to coconut oil, or any other products added to store-bought oil.

All comments and suggestions are welcome. Wishing you  a happy skincare journey❤