Are you tired of looking tired? Do dark circles and puffy eyes make you feel self-conscious? Fear not! Here are some simple tips to help you wake up looking refreshed and rejuvenated.
Before taking a look at what might work — and what will definitely make the issue worse — it’s helpful to know why those dark patches, as well as puffiness, exist in the first place.
What causes dark circles?
1. Fatique
Zzz’s Zapped: A lack of sleep is a common culprit for dark circles and puffy eyes. Make sure you’re getting enough shuteye to keep those circles at bay.
2. Aging
Aging Gracefully, But Not So Much for Your Eyes: As you get older, the skin around your eyes becomes thinner and loses elasticity, making it more prone to puffiness and dark circles.
3. Eyestrain
Staring at your television or computer screen may cause strain on your eyes. This strain can enlarge the blood vessels around your eyes. As a result, the skin surrounding your eyes can darken.
4. Allergies
Sneezing, itching, and watery eyes can all be signs of allergies. And, when your eyes become inflamed, it can cause puffiness and dark circles.
5. Thirsty Eyes
Staying hydrated is crucial to keeping the skin around your eyes looking healthy. If you’re dehydrated, it can show up as puffiness and dark circles.
6. Sun overexposure
Sun exposure can cause your body to produce an excess of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin color. Too much sun — particularly for your eyes — can cause pigmentation in the surrounding skin to darken.
7. Eye Rubbing
Rubbing your eyes can cause the skin to stretch and weaken, leading to puffiness and dark circles. So, try to resist the urge!
7 Home Treatments: Best Routines for Getting Rid of Dark Circles and Puffy Eyes
1. Apply Cold Compresses
Use a cold compress, Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean washcloth or use a bag of frozen peas or a chilled gel eye mask, and apply it over your eyes for 10-15 minutes. In the morning or evening – or better yet, in the morning AND the evening.
A cold compress may reduce swelling and shrink dilated blood vessels to lessen the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. Incorporating a cold compress into your daily routine can be a game changer for banishing dark circles and puffiness.
Give it a try and see the difference for yourself! So, next time you wake up with raccoon eyes, reach for a cold compress and give your eyes the chill they need.
2. Cucumbers to the Rescue
We’ve all seen cucumbers used as cold compresses on television and in films – but do they really work?
Cucumber has skin-energising and mild astringent properties, which are helpful in tackling dark circles. Place slices of chilled cucumber over your eyes for 15-20 minutes. The cool temperature and natural astringents in the cucumber can help reduce puffiness and dark circles.
Antioxidant All-Star: Cucumbers contain antioxidants like vitamin C and caffeic acid, which can help protect skin from damage and keep it looking youthful.
3. Reduce Salt Intake
Think of salt as a thirsty little monster, who loves to hold onto water wherever it can find it.
When we eat too much salt, this monster grabs onto water in our body, making our skin appear puffy and swollen, especially around the delicate skin under our eyes. This can cause the blood vessels under our eyes to become more noticeable, creating those dreaded dark circles.
Try to limit your salt intake to reduce puffiness and dark circles, reach for a glass of water instead of that bag of chips! Your eyes (and your body!) will thank you.
4. Go Green with Tea Bags
Tea bags as mini magic makers! These little wonders are packed with amazing ingredients that can help soothe and refresh tired, puffy eyes.
The caffeine and antioxidants found in tea can help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow, helping to reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Soak two black or green tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes, then chill them in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes. Once they’re cold, apply the tea bags to your closed eyes for 10 to 20 minutes, then remove them and rinse your eyes with cool water.
5. Stay hydrated
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! Staying hydrated is crucial to keeping the skin around your eyes looking healthy.
Water makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Given this, it may not be surprising that dehydration can contribute to under-eye bags. Upping your water intake should help.
How much is enough? Experts recommend drinking around 13 cups of fluids a day for men, and about 9 cups of fluids for women, per day.
6. Stay elevated while you sleep
Elevating your head helps reduce the pooling of fluids in the eye area, reducing puffiness and swelling.
Better Blood Flow: When you elevate your head, it can improve blood circulation, giving the skin around your eyes a revitalizing boost.
Using two or more pillows should do the trick and you can snooze and lose dark circles. It might sound too obvious but getting a good night’s sleep is key to reducing dark circles and puffiness under your eyes.
7. Eat more collagen-rich foods
As you get older, the muscles and tissues that support your eyelids weaken. This means that your skin may begin to sag, including the fat that’s usually around your eyes.
Collagen is a key structural protein in the skin and helps keep it firm and youthful-looking. By adding more collagen-rich foods to your diet, you can help support the skin around your eyes.
Foods rich in vitamin C and amino acids can also help with collagen production through boosting your levels of hyaluronic acid, creating healthier skin.
Good sources of vitamin C include:
- oranges
- red peppers
- kale
- strawberries
Important note! Dark circles and puffiness can also be a symptom of an underlying health issue, so it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional if you’re concerned.