Black circles under your eyes can make you feel tired, sick, or even older than you actually are. They are dark circles that appear under your eyes and can be caused by a range of factors such as lack of sleep, allergies, dehydration, or genetics.
While it is impossible to completely eliminate the dark circles, there are several remedies that can reduce their appearance. Here are some effective tips for getting rid of those pesky black circles under your eyes.
1. Get a good night’s sleep
Lack of sleep is one of the main causes of black circles under the eyes. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your skin may look dull and pale, and blood vessels under your skin become more visible, leading to dark circles.
Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep each night, and ensure you have good sleeping habits such as clean bedding, comfortable sleepwear and quiet surroundings.
2. Hydrate Your Skin
Dehydration can also cause black circles under the eyes as it makes your skin look dull and tired. Drinking enough water can help keep your skin hydrated and flush out toxins. Experts recommend drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water each day.
Additionally, you can incorporate hydrating foods into your diet such as cucumbers, strawberries, and watermelon to provide your skin with additional hydration.
3. Use Cold Compresses
Cold compresses can help reduce the puffiness and inflammation that causes your skin to appear darker.
Applying a cold compress made of a clean cloth soaked in cold water or tea bags over your eyes can help to constrict blood vessels, improve circulation around the eyes, and reduce fluid retention that causes puffiness. Place it over the eyes for 10-15 minutes a few times a day until the dark circles disappear.
4. Adjust Your Diet
Many of the vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables can help nourish your skin and reduce dark circles. For instance, vitamin C found in fruits like strawberries, oranges, and lemons, can promote collagen formation and strengthen the skin.
Iron-rich foods such as spinach, liver, beef, and eggs, can help reduce the appearance of dark circles caused by anemia. Additionally, eating foods high in vitamin K, such as green leafy vegetables, can improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation.
5. Avoid Sun Exposure
UV radiation from the sun can damage and weaken the delicate skin under your eyes, leading to dark circles and hyperpigmentation.
Always wear a high-quality sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 or higher that will help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, even on cloudy days. Consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses when going out during the day to protect your eyes from damage.
6. Use Eye Creams
Eye creams can help keep your skin moisturized and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Look for an eye cream that contains Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, retinoids, or caffeine, all of which can help improve skin texture, promote collagen production, and reduce inflammation. Apply the cream gently by rubbing it around the eye area with your fingertips. Use it daily for the best results.
7. Use Tea Bags
Tea bags, which contain caffeine, tannins, and antioxidants, can help soothe your skin and reduce inflammation that causes dark circles. These ingredients can help enhance blood flow, which can improve the hydration and health of your skin.
To use tea bags, steep two bags in water for about 5 minutes before placing them over your closed eyes for about 15-20 minutes. Ensure that the tea bags are cooled before use.
8. Quit Smoking
Firstly, smoking can cause several health problems like cancer or respiratory infections and it can affect your appearance by causing wrinkles and dark circles.
Smoking can damage your skin cells, lead to premature ageing, and reduce collagen production, contributing to the formation of dark circles. Quitting smoking can help improve your skin’s overall appearance and reduce dark circles under your eyes.
9. Get Regular Exercise
Exercise provides numerous health and skin benefits, including reducing stress, improving circulation, reducing inflammation and strengthening your immune system.
Regular exercise for at least 30 minutes a day will help keep your skin healthy and reduce dark circles. This is because exercise releases endorphins known to boost your mood and rejuvenate your skin cells.
10. Consult a Dermatologist
If black circles persist even after trying out all these remedies, you may have an underlying medical condition, such as allergies or eczema that causes them.
You can consult a dermatologist who can assist in determining the cause of the dark circles and provide prescriptions or medical treatment to help reduce the circles.