Janet J
Dark circles are common in both men and women. If you are also facing the same problem, don’t worry, you are not the only one who is facing this problem.
There are many popular celebrities in this world who had dark circles at some point and they had to rely on makeup to hide them.
As the skin around the eyes is susceptible, it is better to opt for home remedies for dark circles instead of using chemical-based products. Here is a list of home remedies for dark circles and under-eye bags that have been used for ages.
How are Dark Circles Caused?
There are plenty of factors that cause dark circles. Some of them are:
- Fatigue
Extreme fatigue or oversleeping can cause dark circles. Sleep deprivation causes your skin to become pale, which in turn shows off the blood vessels and dark tissues under the skin.
Lack of sleep causes fluid to build under the eyes, making them look puffy. As a result, the dark circles that you notice may be actually shadows of your puffy eyelids.
2. Growing age
Aging is another common cause behind dark circles under your eyes. As you grow older, your skin starts becoming thin. You also lose the collagen and fat that are important for maintaining your skin’s elasticity.
As this takes place, the dark blood vessels under your skin start becoming visible which in turn makes the eyes appear dark.
3. Eyestrain
Staring at your computer screen or television can cause strain on your eyes. The strain can enlarge the blood vessels around the eyes.
As a result, the area surrounding the eyes becomes dark.
4. Allergies
Eye dryness and allergic reactions can cause dark circles. When you suffer from an allergic reaction, your body starts releasing histamines as a response to harmful bacteria.
Other than causing some uncomfortable symptoms, like redness, itching, and puffy eyes- histamines also cause blood vessels to dilate and become more visible under the skin.
When you suffer from allergies, you will be urged to scratch and rub the skin around the eyes.
Be careful, as these can worsen your symptoms, which in turn can cause swelling, inflammation, and damaged blood vessels. This causes dark shadows under the eyes.
5. Dehydration
It is a common cause behind dark circles under the eyes. When your body does not receive the right amount of water, the skin under your eyes starts looking swollen and dull.
This is because of the close proximity to the underlying bone.
6. Overexposure to sun rays
Many do not know that overexposure to sun rays can also cause dark circles. However, overexposure to the sun can cause your body to generate melanin, a pigment that offers the skin the color.
Sun rays, especially for the eyes can cause pigmentation which in turn can darken the skin around the eyes.
7. Genetics
This is another cause behind dark circles. Family history also plays an important part in developing dark circles under the eyes.
It can be a trait seen early in childhood and may worsen once you grow old or may start disappearing slowly.
Predispositions to several medical conditions- like thyroid disease can also cause dark circles under the eyes.
Home Remedies for Dark Circles
Treatment for dark circles depends on the causes behind it. However, there are a few home remedies for dark circles that can help you manage this condition. Some of the common methods are:
A. Cucumbers- It is one of the easiest home remedies for dark circles. All of you must have seen cucumbers being used as cold compresses on TV and in movies- but do they actually work?
In fact, cucumbers are known for their skin-lightening and astringent properties, so you can use cucumber slices to fix the dark circles and puffy eyes naturally.
To try this home remedy twice regularly, chop a fresh cucumber into thick pieces and then refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
Next, keep the slices on your eyes for at least 10 minutes. Wash your eye area using warm water.
B. Apply a cold compress- A cold compress is one of the simplest home remedies for dark circles. It can reduce swelling and shrink the dilated blood vessels.
It can reduce puffiness around the eyes and also eliminates dark circles. It is considered one of the simplest home remedies for dark circles because, in this, you don’t need anything much.
Cover a few ice cubes in a clean cloth and apply them to the eyes. You can even dampen a washcloth with cold water and then keep it on the eyes for at least 20 minutes.
You must repeat this process if you find that the cloth has become warm or if the ice starts melting.
C. Get enough sleep- If you want to know how to get rid of dark circles naturally, then it is important to get enough quality sleep.
Getting quality sleep can help in reducing the appearance of dark circles.
Sleep deprivation can cause the skin around the eyes to turn pale, making the dark circles clearly visible.
So, along with trying home remedies for dark circles, you must ensure that you get quality sleep for at least 8 hours.
D. Less exposure to the sun- A list of home remedies for dark circles is incomplete without mentioning this. If you want to get rid of dark circles, then you must protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun.
The ultraviolet rays coming from the sun can worsen dark circles. So, it is important to protect your eyes with the right moisturizers, sunglasses, and yes, sunscreens.
Most of us think that applying sunscreen is necessary only when we got out, but it is a myth. One of the home remedies for dark circles is even if you are inside your house, apply sunscreen.
E. Tomatoes- When we talk about the home remedies for dark circles, tomatoes will definitely be on the list. Tomatoes are high in lycopene, a substance that is great for cardiovascular health, skin, and vision.
Lycopene is responsible for creating soft and supple skin. It is also a great ingredient for reducing the appearance of dark circles under your eyes.
To attain medical benefits from the lycopene present in tomatoes, combine equal portions of tomato juice and lemon juice. Using a cotton ball apply this mixture under your eyes where you have dark circles.
Make sure lemon juice does not get inside your eyes. Leave the solution for around 10 minutes and wash with warm water at least twice daily.
A tasty combination of lemon juice, tomato juice, and mint leaves to drink regularly will help you enhance your overall health and your skin.
F. Cold Milk- Dairy products like for example, milk is a great source of vitamin A, which consists of retinoids that are best for keeping the skin look young and bright.
To enjoy the benefits of Vitamin A present in milk, take a cotton ball and soak it in a bowl of cold milk for some time.
Use this cotton ball to apply milk under your eyes and leave it for nearly 10 minutes, at least twice regularly. After a few minutes, wash with warm water.
G. Potatoes- Potatoes are one of the best ingredients used in almost all home remedies for skin problems.
Whether you are looking for home remedies for dark circles or how to remove pimple marks at home, potatoes are a must.
Potatoes are a great source of Vitamin C, which is good for the synthesis of collagen to promote healthy and young skin.
To enjoy the power of Vitamin C to treat dark circles and under-eye bags, grate some potatoes.
Now, extract the juice from the potato and soak a cotton ball in the juice. Keep the cotton ball on your eyes for nearly 10 minutes and then wash it off using warm water.
H. Orange Juice- As orange juice is high in both Vitamin C and A, it can help in removing dark circles naturally.
Add a few drops of glycerin to orange juice and then dip a cotton pad and keep it under the eye area. You will enjoy the benefits of the vitamins in orange and glycerin will give a natural glow to your skin.
I. Saffron- Saffron is used as an Ayurvedic treatment for all types of skin problems. It is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Saffron is best for lightening the complexion of the skin.
It is even great for treating fine lines and dark circles that are caused due to aging.
For using saffron as one of the home remedies for dark circles you need to take a spoon of raw milk, add a few strands of saffron, and let it soak for a few minutes.
Now with the help of your fingertips, apply this mixture around your eyes. Leave it overnight and after waking up in the morning, wash it off.
If you are not comfortable keeping the mixture under your eye overnight, then you can wash it after 15 minutes of application.
Continue this process for a few weeks for the best results.
Also, you can use Ayurvedic night creams that have Saffron in them.
J. Apply scrub of honey and coffee- Coffee has antioxidants in large quantities, thus, it is generally regarded as one of the best remedies for treating puffy eyes, dark circles, and swollen eyes.
Coffee contains caffeine which acts as a natural skin toner that enhances blood circulation and also reduces dark circles.
Take a tablespoon of organic coffee powder. To it, add a teaspoon of honey and mix well till it forms a paste.
Honey is a natural moisturizer that is great for absorbing caffeine in the skin for reducing puffy eyes and dark circles.
Take a spoon of coffee powder, preferably organic coffee powder. To it, add a tablespoon of honey and mix well till it forms a paste.
Honey is one of the best moisturizers that absorb caffeine in the skin for eliminating dark circles.
Apply this mixture around your eyes mainly on the dark circles. Leave it overnight and then wash it after you get up in the morning.
K. Wash your face properly- Wash your face with warm, and not hot water as hot water acts as an inflammatory agent which will make your eyes puffier and redder.
L. Apply ice cubes under the eyes- If we enhance the blood circulation under the eyes, dark circles can be reduced.
The ice cubes help in reducing stress in the blood vessels under your eyes by improving the blood flow.
Apply ice cubes under your eyes. Take around 2 to 3 ice cubes and apply them to the affected area.
M. Laser Treatment- If you are not getting any effective results after following any of these home remedies for dark circles, then, it’s time for undergoing laser treatment.
A doctor can use lasers to lessen bluish and discoloration under the eyes.
Vascular lasers, as they are popularly known, work by constricting the blood vessels, therefore, reducing the dark circles under the eyes.
Conclusion
Dark circles are one of the common reasons why people consult a dermatologist.
Some people believe that dark circles are a sign of low self-esteem. So, if you too are among them, then you must try these home remedies for dark circles as soon as possible.