Under-eye circles that appear dark are a very typical occurrence. These occasionally have sagging skin surrounding the eyes, making them appear baggy. Dark circles are a common problem for both men and women. Even though the main causes remain anxiety, poor sleep, and exhaustion, many people inherit dark circles from their ancestors.
With time, your skin starts to lose its youthful firmness and collagen. Because of this, the thin area under your eyes may appear darker than usual. Blood vessels inside your skin may appear more prominent. Your skin may also appear darker if you have other disorders, including swelling around your eyes or an imbalance of fluid under your lower eyelids. A black eye or other injury to the region can also make the entire eye appear dark. On this page, you can navigate through some of the best home remedies for dark circles, which can surely make a difference in your life.
Causes of Dark Circles
Dark circles can appear due to multiple conditions and situations. To understand the primary concerns, continue reading.
1. Genetic Issue: Some people are simply born with a predisposition to dark circles. This may be the result of things like having deep-set eyes, thin or pale skin, or a family history of dark circles.
2. Aging: As you grow older, the collagen and elastin proteins responsible for skin’s suppleness and structure begin to disappear, making the skin around your eyes thinner. Dark circles may develop as a result of the blood vessels under the eyes becoming more obvious.
3. Sleep Deprivation: Lack of sleep is a common cause of dark circles. The skin surrounding your eyes might get pale from lack of sleep, which highlights the blood vessels beneath the skin. In addition, lack of sleep can contribute to fluid retention under the eyes, which can accentuate the appearance of dark circles.
4. Allergies: Inflammation surrounding the eyes can be caused by allergies. Dark circles might be exacerbated by allergies since they can make you scratch and irritate your eyes.
5. Dehydration: When you are dehydrated, your skin can become dry and dull looking. This can make dark circles more noticeable.
6. Sun Exposure: UV radiation aggravates melanin secretion in the skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its colour. Hyperpigmentation or skin darkening may result from this, notably surrounding the eyes.
7. Lack of Proper Diet: Eating processed, unhealthy, and junk foods rather than nutritional things like vegetables and fruits will cause dark circles. Inadequate hydration also causes the skin to look shallow and lifeless and may cause dark circles to form.
8. Lack of Drinking Water: Our skin and body as a whole need water as a fluid. In addition to keeping the skin hydrated, it helps with toxin discharge. Drink more water and observe how these dark rings suddenly start to vanish.
9. Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can cause dark circles below the eyes. For example, anaemia (a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells in the body) can cause the skin to appear pale and make dark circles more noticeable. Thyroid problems can also contribute to the appearance of dark circles. Additionally, sinus issues can cause inflammation and swelling surrounding the eyes, which can make dark circles further pronounced.
10. Extensive Use of Computer or Laptop: Eye strain and stress can result from spending a lot of time in front of a laptop or smartphone. Long periods of screen time may also cause dark circles.
Symptoms: Dark Circles
The primary symptom of dark circles below the eyes is the appearance of dark, shadowy areas surrounding the eyes. The regions of dark circles can be any colour like blue, purple, or black, as well as brown or grey. Other common symptoms that may accompany dark circles include:
- Swelling or puffiness surrounding the eyes: This can occur due to fluid build-up or inflammation.
- Dry or Itchy Skin: Skin surrounding the eyes that is dry or scratchy may feel uncomfortable, which can make the under eyes appear prominently dark.
- Fine Lines or Wrinkles: The thin skin surrounding the eyes may eventually develop fine lines or wrinkles, which may make dark circles appear more obvious.
- Fatigue or Tiredness: Despite not being a clear sign of dark circles, exhaustion or tiredness may be experienced by those who have this illness due to the feelings of insecurity or self-consciousness about their looks.
Home Remedies for Dark Circles
Home remedies work the best with hardly any side effects, but going for an appropriate solution is the first and foremost need. To help you with some of the easiest home remedies for dark circles, here is an elaborate list.
1. Use of Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help you calm and moisturise your skin. A required amount of aloe vera gel must be applied to the skin surrounding the eyes, and then, it should be left on for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it with lukewarm water.
2. Use of Almond Oil: It is the most commonly used natural remedy for dark circles. Vitamin E and antioxidants included in almond oil assist in hydrating and nourishing the skin surrounding the eyes. Gently massage a few drops of almond oil into the skin surrounding the eyes before bed.
3. Vitamin E Oil: Natural moisturisers like vitamin E oil can moisturise the skin under the eyes. Gently massage a few drops of vitamin E oil into the skin surrounding the eyes before bed.
4. Compress your eyes with a cold mask or cloth: The most simple way to erase or decrease your dark circles is to compress a cold mask or cloth in your eye. Keep the cloth or the mask in the refrigerator and do the process in the morning or evening for at least 10 minutes. Try to maintain clear skin before applying the above remedy.
5. Use of Cucumbers: It is one of the common home remedies for dark circles. Slices of cucumber contain mild astringent and skin-lightening properties, making them a natural remedy for raccoon eyes. This method should be repeated every day twice after one fresh cucumber has been sliced thickly and chilled for thirty minutes. After placing the slices over the eyes for 10 minutes, wash the area around your eyes with lukewarm water. Don’t apply hot water to your face.
6. Mixture of Lemon Juice and Cucumber: If applying the cucumber is not enough for you, then try mixing the lemon and cucumber juice, which you may then apply with a cotton pad to your dark circles. After 15 minutes, wash your eyes with warm water to remove the solution in order to avoid getting lemon juice coming into contact with your eyes.
7. Applying Rose Water: Not only does rose water have a wonderful scent, but it also can be the best remedy for dark circles. It has a moderate astringent effect similar to cucumber and can be used as a toner. Simply let the makeup remover cotton pads rest on your shut eyelids after briefly soaking them in the rose water to remove makeup. It should be left for about 15 minutes every day.
8. Use Tomatoes: Lycopene, which is abundant in tomatoes and is great for your eyes and skin. It is also good for your vision. Lycopene will help you make your skin softer, supple and reduce the visibility of dark circles. Use a makeup removal pad or cotton ball for applying a mixture of tomato juice and lemon juice in a 1:1 ratio to your dark circles to reap the health values of the lycopene extensively studied in tomatoes. Use it twice a day, and rinse with warm water after leaving the solution on for 10 minutes. You may also improve your skin and overall health system by consuming a delightful mixture of mint leaves, tomato juice, and lemon juice every day to get faster, fruitful results.
9. Use of Tea bags: In case, a cold mask or towel is not available, you can use tea bags in their place. Many teas, including green tea, contain anti-inflammatory qualities because antioxidants are present in them. Your eyes’ surrounding capillaries will experience relief. The tea bag should be placed in cold water and allowed to soak for 30 minutes before using it as a compress. After that, cover your eyes with the bags of tea. Remove the affected area and wash it with lukewarm water after about 10 minutes. You’ll get the most out of this procedure if you use it twice every day.
10. Use of Potatoes: Vitamin C is abundant in potatoes, which is excellent for the production of collagen and, among other things, contributes to the development of younger and healthier skin. To reduce dark circles, take a small quantity of grated potatoes and dab them over your eyes. After extraction, soak cotton pads in potato juice to remove makeup. Wash your eyes with lukewarm water after using the pads for approximately 10 minutes.
11. Apply Chilled Milk: Milk and other dairy products are excellent vitamin A sources that are ideal for maintaining youthful, glowing skin because it includes retinoids. Put a makeup remover cotton pad inside a bowl containing cold milk and let it sit there for some time to allow absorption of some of the milk’s vitamin A. Apply the cold milk with the pad to your dark circle area, and keep it on for about ten minutes, twice a day. Remove the milk with lukewarm water and see a difference with subsequent use.
12. Make Your Sleeping Time Up To 8 Hours: A full 8 hours of sleep is the best defence against under-eye bags. Enjoy fewer dark circles by getting a good night’s sleep each and every night. It is one of the easy home remedies for dark circles. Your skin will seem more youthful, and your general health will also improve. Poor skin health is one of the first indicators of how well you are feeling. Your best tool for long-term prevention and reduction of dark circles can be regular, quality sleep.
13. Rest Your Back: Try resting on your back with a pillow under your head instead of on your side or stomach because these positions allow gravity to do its magic and cause fluid to build beneath your eyes.
14. Exercise and Meditate: Regular exercise, yoga, and meditation are the best remedies for dark circles. Your skin will look younger and more vibrant as a result of improved circulation, which also enhances blood flow to the delicate area surrounding your eyes. The frequent release of endorphins into your body keeps you happy, at peace, and balanced while preventing despair and anxiety. Whether it’s mindfulness practices conducted after the yoga session or the peace you feel following a long run or swimming, stress can be addressed through meditation.
15. Apply Moisturiser Twice a Day: Remember to practise an essential healthy habit of applying moisturiser twice daily. Use a thinner moisturiser with SPF during the day, and make sure to apply a heavier moisturiser and eye cream each night before bed.
It is important to keep in mind that dark circles beneath the eyes may occasionally be an indication of an underlying serious medical condition, such as anaemia or thyroid issues. It’s crucial to speak with your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions if you have other symptoms like weakness, exhaustion, or unexplained weight loss. It’s not the end of the world if you have dark circles; they are pretty frequent. Going natural is the ideal choice but covering them up with cosmetics if you’re pressed for time and need to be somewhere is fine. Dark circles won’t be a major concern if you follow these home solutions for dark circles and exercise extra caution.