how to get rid of xanthelasma around eyes naturally
Key Takeaways
You can’t get rid of xanthelasma around the eyes naturally. Diet, exercise and stopping smoking help your cholesterol and may slow new patches, but no natural remedy removes patches that are already there. For those, you need an at-home cosmetic product or a clinic procedure.
- Natural changes support healthy cholesterol. They rarely shrink existing patches.
- Eyelid skin is the thinnest on your body, so it burns and scars easily.
- Garlic may help cholesterol a little, but it won’t remove patches. See garlic and xanthelasma.
- Castor oil and similar oils can irritate eyelid skin. See castor oil and xanthelasma.
- About half of people with xanthelasma have normal cholesterol, but it’s still worth a cholesterol check with your doctor.
- Xanthel® is an at-home cosmetic gel made up for your skin type. See the before and after photos.
Can you get rid of xanthelasma naturally?
It’s the question almost everyone asks first, and the honest answer is no. Once those soft yellow patches have formed around your eyes, no diet, oil or supplement will make them disappear. That’s not what you want to hear, but it saves you months of trying remedies that won’t work.
What natural changes can do is look after your cholesterol, and that matters. Xanthelasma is often linked to raised cholesterol, although about half of people who have it show normal levels when tested (StatPearls, NIH). Family history and genetics play a part too. Either way, it’s worth asking your doctor for a simple cholesterol check.
If you want to know more about why the patches appear in the first place, see what causes xanthelasma and our guide to xanthelasma around the eyes.
What natural changes help?
These won’t remove patches you already have, but they support healthy cholesterol and may make new ones less likely:
- Eat more fibre. Oats, beans, lentils, fruit and vegetables help lower LDL cholesterol.
- Cut back on saturated fat. Swap fatty red meat, butter and full-fat dairy for fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds.
- Move more. Regular exercise helps raise “good” HDL cholesterol.
- Keep to a healthy weight. Even a small loss can improve your numbers.
- Stop smoking and go easy on alcohol. Both affect your cholesterol and your heart.
- Keep other conditions in check. Diabetes and an underactive thyroid can push cholesterol up, so keep up with your check-ups.
For meal ideas, see our xanthelasma diet guide.
Which natural remedies actually help?
| Remedy | Helps cholesterol? | Removes patches? |
|---|---|---|
| More fibre (oats, beans, lentils) | Yes, modestly | No |
| Less saturated fat | Yes | No |
| Regular exercise | Yes | No |
| Stopping smoking | Yes, and good for your heart | No |
| Plant sterols | Yes, modestly | No |
| Garlic | A small effect at most | No |
| Castor oil, apple cider vinegar, onion juice | No | No, and they can irritate the eyelid |
Want to see what does change the look of existing patches? Compare the removal options.
What about garlic, castor oil and supplements?
You’ll find plenty of claims online, so here’s where each one stands.
Garlic may lower cholesterol slightly when eaten regularly, but it won’t touch an existing patch, and raw garlic on the eyelid can burn. More in garlic and xanthelasma.
Castor oil is often recommended for xanthelasma, but there’s no good evidence it removes patches, and oils near the eye can cause irritation. More in castor oil and xanthelasma.
Supplements such as plant sterols can help cholesterol a little. Speak to your doctor first if you take any medication, especially statins.
Why be careful with home remedies around the eyes?
The skin on your eyelids is the thinnest on your body. Acidic or harsh things like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, onion juice or raw garlic can burn it, leave dark marks or scar, and that’s much harder to fix than the original patch. Keep anything you wouldn’t put in your eye well away from it.
If you’d like to treat your patches at home, use a product made for the job. Our guide to xanthelasma removal at home explains what’s safe and what isn’t.
Xanthelasma around the eyes: which route is right for you?
| Route | What it does | Existing patches | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changes | Supports healthy cholesterol | Rarely shrinks them | Everyone, alongside any other option |
| At-home cosmetic gel | Improves the look of existing patches | The main aim, with results that vary from person to person | Small to medium patches, at home |
| Clinic procedures | Surgery, laser, peels or freezing | Removes them, with a risk of scarring or pigment change | Large or deep patches |
How do I improve the look of patches already there?
If natural changes haven’t shifted your patches, you have two routes. Clinic treatments such as surgery, laser and freezing can remove them, but they cost more and carry a risk of scarring or skin colour change on such delicate skin. You can compare them in our xanthelasma removal guide.
The other route is an at-home cosmetic product. Xanthel® is a gel made up for your skin type, applied at home and designed to improve the look of xanthelasma without a clinic visit. Results vary from person to person, so take a look at our before and after photos to see what real customers have achieved.
How do I get Xanthel®?
Every Xanthel® kit is made up for your skin type and posted within 8 days, with free tracked delivery. Inside you’ll find your Xanthel® cream or gel, clear instructions, and everything you need to apply it at home. It’s covered by our 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Not sure if it’s right for you? Send us a clear, well-lit photo of your eyelids and we’ll tell you honestly.
Simple to use
Applied at home, usually just once, following the instructions in your kit. No clinic and no appointment.
Made for your skin
Made up for your skin tone, from very fair to very dark, and supplied as a cream or gel depending on where your patches are.
