Dark circles under the eyes are often a cosmetic concern for many people, mainly because they can make you look tired, sad, and even old. If you have been struggling to treat this hyperpigmentation (darkness) around your eyes, you may have tried different under eye creams, serums, or even natural remedies to get rid of them. One of the natural remedies that most people have been obsessed with over the past few years is castor oil. But is it really an effective solution for dark circles?
What Causes Dark Circles?
Dark circles can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as:
Skin Aging
Hormonal changes
Skin reactions
Inflammation
Genetics
Thin skin around the eyes
Nutritional deficiencies
Sleep disorders
Medicines like contraceptive pills
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light [1,2]
The Benefits of Castor Oil:
Castor oil has been used in Persian medicine for treating skin diseases, including hyperpigmentation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved castor oil only as a laxative, but its usage has declined over the years. Despite being well-known for its laxative properties, it also exhibits antimicrobial, wound healing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties. [2,3]
Does Castor Oil Help with Dark Circles?
While castor oil offers a wide range of benefits, a lot of research is being done regarding its ability to treat dark circles and skin hyperpigmentation. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology revealed that a castor oil cream may be beneficial in reducing dark circles.
This castor oil topical cream was prepared for this very purpose, and 22 adults applied this cream twice a day for 2 months. It showed a noticeable improvement in treating the hyperpigmentation around the eyes and also reduced the appearance of wrinkles. [2]
Dr. Mamina Turegano, MD, FAAD, Dermatologist, in her Instagram post, shared her opinion regarding the use of castor oil for treating dark circles.
She stated that castor oil has the capability to reduce inflammation and has soothing properties, but there is not a lot of evidence on whether it can be useful for treating dark circles.
Castor oil has some anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. But if you have dark circles that are related to hollowness or really large bags, I don’t think castor oil is going to make a really big difference, but this seems like an interesting hack.Dr. Mamina Turegano, MD, FAAD, Dermatologist
Castor oil contains certain chemicals that could offer skin clearing, skin protection, and wound healing as well as moisturizing properties. Although this natural product showed promising benefits by reducing the appearance of dark circles, the authors of the study stated that there were limitations to their research and that further research in a larger population should be done to confirm their findings. [2] Castor oil may have potential side effects, and it is always better to consult a dermatologist for advice on what may be best for you.
References:
1. Vrcek, Ivan, Omar Ozgur, and Tanuj Nakra. "Infraorbital dark circles: a review of the pathogenesis, evaluation and treatment." Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery 9, no. 2 (2016): 65-72. Accessed on 18 March 2025.
2. Parvizi, Mohammad Mahdi, Nasrin Saki, Soodabeh Samimi, Roya Radanfer, Mohammad Miaad Shahrizi, and Mohammad Mehdi Zarshenas. "Efficacy of castor oil cream in treating infraorbital hyperpigmentation: an exploratory single‐arm clinical trial." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 23, no. 3 (2024): 911-917. Accessed on 18 March 2025.
3. Alookaran, Jeffrey, and Jayson Tripp. "Castor Oil." In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing, 2024. Accessed on 18 March 2025.
SSK