As a student, I tend to sacrifice my sleep for studying without a second thought. You’ll normally see me roaming around the campus with dark eye circles especially when we are having major exams. As a result, I found myself constantly trying out new eye gels and creams which claim to lighten my dreaded circles. The products were quite expensive and more often than not did not work.
Dark eye circles are not a new topic as most of us struggle with this problem. It is quite easy to cover up with concealer but what happens when you take your make up off and look into the mirror? To some, it may not be a big deal while for others the dark circles may cause insecurities. Inevitable factors such as ageing and genetics play a huge role when it comes to the appearance of our skin. No cause for alarm though, because they can be corrected using simple home remedies.
What Causes Dark Eye Circles?
As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen and grows thinner which causes veins to eventually start showing under our eyes. If you inherited thin or fair skin, dark circles tend to show more easily. The other major culprit is overexposure to the sun as it speeds up the process of collagen breaking down, don’t forget your sunscreen and your sunnies. Year-round or seasonal allergies trigger the release of histamines that eventually cause the blood vessels including those under our eyes to swell. Other causes include sleep deprivation, oversleeping, skin irritants from your makeup products and stress.
I am thrilled to share that I have come across unbelievably affordable and natural products that promise to reduce dark eye circles and diminish puffiness. Keep reading to learn my little secrets.
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Home Remedies for Dark Eye Circles
1. Grated potatoes
I like having my potatoes baked any day, any time. Having them on my face is a whole other story. Potatoes are known for their ability to stay cold for long periods just like cucumbers. The coldness helps reduce swelling and inflammation underneath the eye to minimize the tired and dark appearance. They transfer antioxidants such as vitamin C (great for the synthesis of collagen) and enzymes like starch which nourish the thin skin around the eyes.
Application
Grate 1 raw potato and extract the juice. Using a cotton ball, soak the potato juice and place on your eyes. Ensure you cover the dark circles and your eyelids. Leave on for about 10minutes and wash off.
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in so many nutrients including Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron. They have amazing bleaching properties which makes them perfect for getting rid of dark eye circles. The bleaching agents in tomatoes maybe a little too strong for people with sensitive skin so if you feel a strong burning sensation that you cannot handle rinse out with water.
Application
Cut a few pieces of raw tomato and crush it to extract the pulp. Using your middle and ring finger apply underneath your eyes and leave for about 10 minutes. You can also add a spoon of lemon juice and turmeric to make a great eye mask.
SEE ALSO: What are Skin Serums and What do They Do?
3. Cold milk
Plenty of over the counter products contain lactic acid and guess what else has a high content of lactic acid? Milk! Milk contains lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid which acts as an exfoliator when applied on skin. The acids help in smoothing wrinkles, cleansing pores and restoring the skin making milk an affordable and efficient solution for dark eye circles.
Application
You can soak cotton balls in milk and place them over your eyes for about 10 minutes.
I like making a paste with almonds. Almonds have anti-inflammatory benefits great for reducing puffiness leaving your skin feeling moisturized. For the paste, soak almonds overnight then grind them into a paste. Mix with a little milk and apply. Leave on for about 15 minutes.
QUICK READ: 5 Health Benefits of Going Vegan
4. Cold Teabags
If you are keen you may have probably noticed that many eye treatments contain caffeine. This is because caffeine helps shrink blood vessels which reduces puffiness and dark eye circles. The teabags we will talk about today not only contain caffeine and antioxidants but also tannins. Tannins are what is responsible for giving the tea its colour and flavour. They help tighten and soothe skin while stimulating healthy blood flow. My tea bags of choice, black and green tea.
Application
Steep the two tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes. Remove them and place them in a container then refrigerate for about 20 minutes. Take the tea bags out and gently squeeze off any excess liquid. Lay down and place them over your eyes for about 20 minutes. Rinse off.
5. Rosewater
Not only does it smell great, but it also works wonders when it comes to soothing and rejuvenating skin. It aids in restoring the pH balance of your skin which helps eliminate dark pigmentation. Its antioxidant properties assist in strengthening the skin cells and regenerating the tissues under your eyes. It also contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which protect your eyes from itchiness, redness and inflammation.
Application
Soak two cotton balls in rose water. Place them on the areas you wish to treat for 10 minutes. Do not rinse out.
FUN READ: 7 Surprising Health Benefits of Pumpkins
Have you tried any of these 5 home remedies for dark eye circles? What do you use to treat your panda eyes? Share in the comments below.
About the Author – Abigail Mbithe
Abigail is a 20-something wild child who still believes in unicorns, fairy tales, and everything beautiful. When she’s not trying to invent a new hairstyle or fighting acne, and keeping her skin ageless, she’s either sipping on something or hanging out with her tribe.
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