NO MORE DARK CIRCLE

 

The Best Routines for Getting Rid of Dark Circles and Under Eye Bags

1. Cold Compress

In the morning or evening – or better yet, in the morning AND the evening – apply a cold compress for about 10 minutes. If you have a mask you can keep in your fridge and pull out twice a day, that’s the easiest way to try this dark circle reducing method. Just make sure to keep it clean and give it a good soapy scrub a few times a week!

2. Cucumbers

We’ve all seen cucumbers used as cold compresses on television and in films – but do they really work?

In fact, cucumbers have skin-lightening and mild astringent properties, so you can use cucumber slices to fix raccoon eyes naturally.

To try this method twice a day, chop a fresh cucumber into thick slices and then refrigerate for 30 minutes. Then, leave the slices on your eyes for 10 minutes. Rinse your eye area with warm (but not hot) water after using.

3. Cucumber Juice + Lemon Juice

If cucumber slices don’t work for you, try mixing equal parts cucumber and lemon juice and then use a cotton ball to apply to your under-eye circles. (DO NOT get lemon juice in your eye!) Leave the solution on your skin for 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

4. Rose Water

Rose water doesn’t just smell fantastic – it can also soothe and rejuvenate tired skin. Like cucumber, it’s a mild astringent, so it can work as a skin toner. Just soak cotton makeup remover pads in rose water for a few minutes, and then let the soaked makeup pads sit on your CLOSED eyelids. Leave them for about 15 minutes twice daily.

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are high in lycopene, a substance that’s excellent for your cardiovascular health, vision and your skin. Lycopene can help create softer, more supple skin, as well as decrease the appearance of dark under eye circles.

To gain the medical benefits of the lycopene found in tomatoes, mix equal parts tomato juice with lemon juice and then use a cotton ball or makeup remover pad to apply it to your under eye area. (Again, PLEASE do not get lemon juice in your eyes.) Leave the solution for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water, twice daily.

A tasty concoction of tomato juice, lemon juice and mint leaves to drink daily will also help improve your overall health as well as your skin.

6. Cold tea bags

If you don’t have a cold compress or mask to use, substitute with tea bags. Many teas like green tea have the added benefit of antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe strained capillaries in your under eye area.

To use cold tea bags as a compress, soak a tea bag in clean water and then place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Then, place the tea bags on your eyes. Leave for 10 minutes or so twice daily before removing and rinsing the area with warm water.

7. Potatoes

Potatoes are a surprising source of lots of vitamin C, which among other things is great for the synthesis of collagen to promote healthier, younger-looking skin.

To harness the power of vitamin C to treat your under eye bags, grate some potatoes. Extract the juice from the potato and soak some cotton makeup remover pads in the juice. Place the pads on your eyes for about 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

8. Cold Milk

Dairy products like milk are a great source of vitamin A, which contains retinoids that are great for keeping skin looking bright and young.

To gain the benefits of milk’s vitamin A, soak a cotton makeup remover pad in a bowl of cold milk for a while. Use the pad to apply the milk to your under eye bags and let it sit for about 10 minutes, twice daily. Rinse with warm water.

9. Orange Juice

Since orange juice is high in both vitamin A and C content, it can help remove dark circles from under your eyes. Add a few drops of glycerin to orange juice and then soak a cotton makeup remover pad to apply to your under-eye skin. You’ll reap the benefits of orange’s vitamins as well as the natural glow glycerin gives to your skin.

10. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E helps fight the effect of free radicals that cause signs of aging like wrinkles. Before bed at night, apply a drop of oil (a little goes a long way) to your dark under eye circles, gently massaging it into the skin. Leave this on your skin overnight and in the morning, rinse with warm water.

11. Coconut Oil

As a powerful natural and gentle anti-inflammatory, coconut oil is an effective method for lightening dark under eye circles.

It also moisturizes while it lightens to help prevent wrinkles and fine lines under the eyes. Use coconut oil like vitamin E oil: rub it into your under eye area, leave it on overnight and then rinse it off in the morning.

12. Turmeric

As yet another powerful, natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, turmeric minimizes dark circles. Mix some turmeric powder with pineapple juice to create a thick paste. Apply this mixture to your under eye circles and leave for about 10 minutes before using a soft, warm and damp cloth to gently remove the paste. Practice this routine once a day.

13.Eat More Salmon

Omega 3’s can be found in foods like salmon and walnuts. These fatty acids improve blood flow to the skin, moving blood out and away from your eyes instead of allowing it to pool there and cause dark under eye circles.

14. Curb Salt Consumption + Drink More Water

If you remember studying osmosis in high school biology, then you’ll recall that water in your body moves from places with the most water to those with the least. The parts of your body that are low in sodium (salt) contain more water, while the parts of your body with more sodium contain less water.

When your body doesn’t have enough water but too much salt, you can look and feel puffy and bloated. The skin around your eyes is especially thin and vulnerable to dehydration. When you eat a salty meal but don’t drink enough water, your body will literally “look” dehydrated –  i.e., red, puffy eyes. So if you plan to enjoy a salty meal, counter the effects with plenty of water.

15. Curb Your Alcohol Consumption

Salt is bad but nothing dehydrates you like alcohol. Remember your last hangover? That’s why your eyes look red and puffy the morning after. Whenever possible, keep yourself to a two-drink maximum, drink plenty of water before you go to bed, and apply a night cream or heavy moisturizer around your eyes after a night out.

17. Get 8 hours of sleep

Nothing keeps under eye bags away like a full 8 hours’ of sleep. Get a good night’s rest – every night – and enjoy reduced under eye circles.

18. Sleep on your back

Since sleeping on your side or stomach allows gravity to work its magic, meaning fluid can collect under your eyes, try sleeping on your back with an extra pillow under your head.

19. Exercise + Meditation

Regular exercise enhances circulation, bringing blood flow to the skin to transform an aging, dull complexion into brighter, younger-looking skin – including the sensitive skin around your eyes. Moreover, the daily release of endorphins into your bloodstream keeps away depression and anxiety, keeping you happier, calmer and more balanced.

Meditation – whether it’s a mindfulness exercise after a yoga practice or the peace of mind you find on a long, quiet run or swim – also keeps stress (and the wrinkles and fine lines caused by stress) at bay.

20. Allergy Medicines

If your dark circles are at least in part due to allergies, taking antihistamines regularly can help reduce under eye bags and puffiness. Furthermore, allergies can also cause itchy eyes – and rubbing your eyes only makes under eye circles worse.

21. Apply Moisturizers Twice Daily

Don’t forget the most fundamental good habit – apply moisturizer twice daily. Use a lighter moisturizer for daytime with an SPF, and be sure to use a heavier moisturizer and eye cream before going to bed every night.

22. Use Retinoid Eye Cream

Many love to use retinoid eye creams, but it’s not for every skin type. Use sparingly – no more than twice a week – otherwise you risk causing red, flaky, dry skin.

23. Remove Makeup Correctly

Do not go to sleep with your makeup still on or rub your mascara and eyeliner off. Use a professional makeup removing solution – only a few dollars at your local drugstore or Sephora – to blot, not rub.

24. Wash Your Face Correctly

Wash with warm – not hot – water. Water that’s too hot acts as an inflammatory agent and will only make your eyes redder and puffier.

25. Use a Prescription-Strength Skin Brightener

If natural vitamins and skin brighteners don’t work, visit your dermatologist. She can prescribe a cream with hydroquinone, but be aware that prescription-strength skin brightener can cause irritation, so discontinue use if you notice any.