In case you are tired of looking tired all the time and wondering how to get rid of dark circles, then know that you are not alone. Dark circles are commonly faced by both males and females and don’t usually imply any major health concern. However, their appearance can make one feel less confident about their appearance. We suggest you to not lose hope, it is very much possible to get rid of dark circles permanently.

Depending upon what you prefer there are both natural as well as cosmetic ways to heal dark circles. Before opting for expensive cosmetic treatments, we suggest that you go for simple homemade remedies. They are equally effective to get rid of dark circles permanently.

 

What causes dark circles under the eyes?

Below mentioned are some of the key reasons that can lead to dark under-eye circles.

Lack of sleep

Those who like staying up late into the night, way past their bedtime can lack in quality sleep. Such individuals often have a lackluster and pale skin tone due to which the blood vessels under the skin around that area tend to show.

Genetics

In case any of your family members have suffered from dark circles, chances are that you might also have to suffer from it.

Allergies

Individuals who suffer from constant nasal congestion due to allergies can often suffer from dark circles. Allergies from certain foods, outdoor pollution, smoke, pet dander, etc are common among many people.

Watching TV or Computer

Binge-watching your favorite television series or working on your computer can cause strain on your eyes due to which the blood vessels around your eyes can enlarge to cause dark circles.

Lack of Haemoglobin

Lack of iron can adversely affect the flow of oxygen throughout your body. This makes your skin look pale thus make dark circles more prominent.

Stress

Being under constant pressure due to work or personal relationships could also lead to the appearance of dark circles.

Long illness

In case you are suffering from thyroid or recovering from any other serious illness, it can cause dark circles to appear beneath your eyes.

 

How to get rid of dark circles?

There are two ways to get rid of dark circles:

1.Natural Home Remedies

2.Cosmetic treatments

Natural home remedies

Here is a list of remedies that you can do sitting in the comfort of your home and easily get rid of dark circles naturally without spending a dime on any expensive clinic.

Teabags

The caffeine in the tea bags helps reduce the puffiness around the eyes. They also help shrink the blood vessels in the tissue around your eyes. Chamomile, black or green all kinds of tea bags are useful to remove dark circles. They also contain tannins and are loaded with antioxidants, which are beneficial for improving the skin around your eyes and improve circulation around that area.

Ingredients

• 2 tea bags
• 1 cup Hot water

How to prepare

Add both the tea bags to the hot water and let them soak for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags from the water and place them in the fridge. Let it cool for 30 minutes. Now remove it from the fridge and squeeze out the water. Place each tea bag over both your eyes. Let it sit for 15 minutes. You can repeat it 3-4 times a week for best results.

Almond oil + Vit E

Almond oil contains an array of nutrients like Vit A, Vit K & Vit E that help lighten the dark circles, nourishing the skin around your eyes at the same time. It does not irritate and is ideal for the sensitive skin around your eyes.

Ingredients

1 tsp almond oil

1 Vit E capsule

How to prepare

Clean your face and remove all traces of makeup and dirt. Break open the capsule and mix it with the almond oil. Now apply this mix around the eye area. Leave it overnight for the best results.

Cucumber + aloe vera (cool gel) + rose hip oil

Cucumber contains Vit K that helps lighten dark circles. This is the same property that has been known to help with bruising.  Its ability to improve blood clotting aids the dark circles around the eyes. Aloe vera is ideal for the sensitive skin around your eyes. It is well known for its nourishing and skin lightening properties. Rosehip oil is loaded with Vit C and Vit A, both of which help fight pigmentation on your skin.

Ingredients

2 tbsp grated cucumber

1 tsp aloe vera gel

3-4 drops of rosehip oil

How to prepare

In a bowl place the grated cucumber. Add the aloe vera gel and rosehip oil and mix well. Now close your eyes and placed small flat balls of this mixture over your eyes. Wait for 30 minutes and wash off.

Potato juice + honey     

Potato is known to act as natural bleaching agents for your skin. They are excellent to remove skin pigmentation and lighten dark spots. Honey acts as a natural moisturizer and nourishes the skin around your eyes.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp grated potato
• 1 tbsp honey

How to prepare

Place the grated potatoes in a bowl and add the honey. Mix well and make small flat balls. Place these balls over your eyes. Let it stay on for 20 minutes, then rinse with plain water.

Licorice + cold rose water + lemon juice

Licorice is well has a compound called Glabridin which helps reduce pigment formation and is great for both pigmentations as well as dark circles. Lemon has natural bleaching properties. Rosewater helps cool inflamed skin. This is a great eye pack to rid of dark circles naturally.

Ingredients

2 tsp licorice powder

2 tsp rose water

½ tsp lemon juice

How to prepare

Mix everything to make a smooth, thick paste. Make small balls and place them over your eyes. Let it sit for 15 mins and rinse it with water.

Cold Milk + rose water ice cubes

Milk contains lactic acid that helps lighten the skin and nourish it. Rosewater helps soothe tired eyes. It has a cooling effect which helps improve the blood circulation around the eyes thus improving the darkened eye area

Ingredients

1 cup milk

1 cup rose water

How to prepare

Take a bowl and pour both the milk as well as rose water and mix well. Pour this liquid in an ice tray. Freeze for a few hours. Use these ice cubes whenever you want to treat your eyes.

 

Cosmetic treatments

In case you want to know about the cosmetic options available in the market to treat your dark circles, then below listed are a few popular ones. Note that these treatments should be done only after consulting a licensed cosmetologist or dermatologist.

Apply vitamin C lotion

A study observed the effects of 10% vitamin C lotion in the treatment of dark circles, over a period of six months and found it to be quite effective considerably lightening the darkness around the under-eye area.

Chemical peels

Mild glycolic acid peels can be done at home since they are not much harsh and are light on the skin below the eyes. In case you want to opt for medium or deep peels then it is better to avoid doing it yourself and visiting a licensed cosmetologist to get it done. They help tremendously to lighten the pigmentation below the eye area.

Lasers   

Laser therapy can be of great help to remove dark circles. They can be broadly classified into two categories: ablative & nonablative lasers. Both the types are used depending upon the intensity of the problem and are effective in removing excess melanin.

 

Simple day-to-day tips to help prevent them

Alleviate your head

Whenever you sleep, always try to keep an extra pillow below your head. This will help avoid fluid from pooling around your eyes.

Sleep more

In case you are facing frequent insomnia or generally tend to sleep a smaller number of hours then it may result in the appearance of dark circles. Try to get 7-8 hours of deep sleep every day.

Anulom Vilom

Regular practice of yoga especially anulom vilom, which is basically breathing through alternate nostrils can help prevent dark circles from occurring plus it is great to reduce stress.

Proper diet A, K E & C

Eating a diet rich in Vit A, Vit K, Vit E and Vit C are great to prevent dark circles. Most of these vitamins are easily found in green leafy vegetables, fresh salad, fruits, and dry fruits. Also, take special notice of your digestion by eating probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut or curd. Take a high-quality multivitamin daily.

Shield your eyes before stepping out

Always cover your eyes with sunglasses. Too much exposure to the sun can cause excessive melanin production leading to dark circles.

You may also like to read: How to remove acne scars at home naturally

 

Most of the time dark circles mean no serious harm to your health. With a little external care and good sleep, they tend to go away. Plus, now that you are prepared with all the above-mentioned remedies to get rid of dark circles permanently, it should not be any problem. However, in case you have developed dark circles that show no sign of healing with simple remedies then, it’s best to seek medical advice from any good dermatologist or cosmetologist.