How to Get Rid of Dark Under Eye Circles

Having dark circles under your eyes really adds years to your face.  Discoloration of the skin underneath the eye will affect all of us from time to time.  Sometimes this occurs as a result of an illness, but often as a result of allergies, inadequate sleep, and even heredity. Whatever the cause, you can still minimize the appearance of dark under eye circles.  Try out some of the cures offered below, to find your favorite. 

1.  Try a natural remedy.  There are many things that can be found in your kitchen or garden that are very beneficial to your skin.

Slice cucumber into thick slices. Cucumber slices have long been used to reduce puffiness and refresh the appearance of skin around the eyes, providing a fast "pick-me-up" for tired and puffy eyes. Place a slice over each eye, extending over the darkened area. Do this daily, coupled with lying down for 15-20 minutes. Keep your eyes closed.


Apply cool tea bags or an ice cube wrapped in soft cloth to your eyes daily. The tannin in tea bags reduces swelling and discoloration. Lie down, preferably in the morning, and leave the fresh, cool, damp, caffeinated tea bags (you can refrigerate them overnight so they’ll be ready) over your eyes for about 10-15 minutes. Keep your eyes closed. 

Use a potato. Place one uncooked potato into a food processor and liquidize the whole potato. Scoop out and place the pureed potato on your closed eyes.  Keep it there for 30 minutes, lying on your back, then wash it off with warm water.

2. Use a frozen spoon. Put a spoon in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Take it out and cover the circles with it. Hold it there until the spoon is warm again.

3.  Get your beauty sleep.  Get plenty of sleep nightly.  It's not entirely clear why inadequate sleep results in dark circles under the eyes but lack of sleep tends to cause the skin to become paler, thus increasing the appearance of darkness under the eyes.  It also reduces circulation which can cause puffiness and that bluish hue under your eyes.


4.  Eat Well.   Eat a healthy, balanced diet, take vitamins, and drink plenty of water.  The saying is true, you are what you eat.  What you put into your body shows on the outside of your body.  Many cosmetic problems can be attributed to vitamin deficiencies.  Dark circles and puffiness are often due to a lack of vitamin K or inadequate antioxidants.  

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially spinach, cabbage and other leafy green vegetables.  Take a daily vitamin supplement if necessary.  Make sure to drink enough fluids to improve circulation.
Reduce your salt intake.  Excess salt causes the body to retain water in unusual places, and this can result in puffiness under the eyes. Too much salt can also impair your circulation, and cause the blood vessels under the skin to appear bluer.

5.  Quit Smoking.  Examine your smoking habit and decide to quit.

Smoking causes vascular problems that can not only threaten your life but also make your blood vessels appear more prominent and bluer.

6.  Relax more.  Find ways to de-stress. Relaxing might help remove sources of stress and anxiety that are preventing you from sleeping, eating, and resting properly. In turn, relaxing enough will help your eye skin to improve as you feel less stressed and more at ease. Skin tends to reflect a whole host of emotional and physical ailments, so don't dismiss the need to relax lightly.

7.  Wear sunscreen.  Sun exposure increases melanin production which causes the skin to become darker.  If you already have darkness under your eyes adding sun exposure will just make those circles look darker.  Be sure to use a moisturizer and an eye cream with sunscreen every day - even in the winter.

Just remember a lot of what goes on with our skin has  to do with our lifestyle choices.  If we take good care of ourselves it shows on our face.  Poor nutrition, excess alcohol consumption, too much caffeine, cigarette smoking, and lack of exercise can all contribute to under eye discoloration.  On the other hand other factors such as heredity and aging can cause the dark circles.  Hopefully one of these tips will help you find a cure!

 

moreless