Eyes make a beautiful asset to anybody since it is the sparkling highlight of the face. While we do take good care of this vital organ, there are many reasons when the eyes let us down. Dark circles around the eyes are one of the most common skin problems that most people face. Sun exposure, fatigue, lack of sleep, allergies, age factor, diet & nutrition and heredity are some of the factors that contribute to dark circles. The presence of dark circles makes a person look tired, stressed, older and even depressed. It can also acts as an indicator of a larger problem in the body. There are a number of cosmetic products that can get rid of dark circles under the eyes that work well and fast. However, for those who are skeptical of using a commercial product, there are a number of home remedies that are simple yet effective in treating dark circles under the eyes.
Foods rich in vitamin K
Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin which is essential for blood coagulation and series of other chemical reactions in the bone and other tissues. Deficiency in vitamin K leads to puffy eyes along with other ailments. Swollen blood vessels cause dark circles and the eyes which could be the result of sleeplessness, dehydration etc. Intake of foods that are enriched with vitamin K ensures anti-coagulation of the blood that sets right the blood circulation around the eyes. It is known to reduce the appearance of dark circles. Indulge in green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, raw parsley, spinach, kale, mustard greens and broccoli to name a few. Prunes are also known to be high in vitamin K.
Beauty sleep
There is a popular myth that lack of sleep or exhaustion can cause dark circles under the eyes. Though, sleep does not have a direct connection with dark circles, it is noticed that inadequate sleep may increase the darkness around the eyes. Get your eight hours of regular restful sleep. Going to sleep at a regular time of the night, having a warm cup of milk, reading a light book, listening to relaxing music can help you to unwind and get a good night’s sleep. A good sleep provides enough blood circulation and the tissues around the eyes get sufficient oxygen. Keeping your head raised by using extra pillows helps to prevent congestion of blood vessels around the eyes.
Goodness of almond oil
Use of almond oil is a safe option to reduce dark circles around the eyes. This non-greasy oil has great benefits on the skin. There are two varieties of almond oil: bitter and sweet. Ensure you use the sweet variety of the oil which helps in moisturizing the skin and provides the much needed nourishment. You can use almond in two ways: either make almond paste and apply on the affected area, or massage your eyes daily with almond oil. Enriched with vitamin K and E, almond oil has ingredients that set right the imbalance of the skin that occurs due to dehydration. It contains fatty acids that are great in rejuvenating dull and dehydrated skin. Massaging the eyes with almond oil is one of the best known remedies for dark circles around the eyes.
The skin healer vitamin C
Research indicates that Vitamin C is effective in reducing the dark circles of the lower eye lid. It thickens the dermis around the eyes thus concealing the discoloration of the skin due to congested blood. Enrich your diet with vitamin C which is found in all bright colored vegetables and fruits such as papaya, strawberries, kiwi, oranges, guava, red and green chilli peppers, peaches, nectarines, melons, mangoes and parsley. Lemon juice combined with gram powder makes an excellent home remedy to lighten the affected area. The astringent property of lemon is effective in cooling and drawing out the excess fluids from the affected area. Similarly, make a paste using tomato juice, lemon juice and gram flour. Apply it daily on the affected area to see beneficial results.
Boost blood circulation with yoga
Following simple yoga exercises can prove to be highly beneficial to get rid of those dark circles under the eyes. There are numerous postures in yoga, especially the inverted postures or asanas, which allow free circulation of blood to and from the eyes. Sarvangasana (shoulder stand), Ado Mukha Svanasana (mountain or downward dog facing pose), Shirshasana (head stand) are some of the postures that are effective in treating dark circles. As these are inverted poses, the blood rushes to the upper body which helps to cleanse the blood and oxygen to reach the face and eyes. These asanas along with breathing exercise such as Kapalbharti are excellent in treating dark circles in a natural and safe way.
Iron rich food
Iron deficiency is seen as one of the causes for dark circles under the eyes. Increasing the iron intake helps to treat this skin condition. Food sources that are rich in iron include green beans, grains, meat, fish, cereal, kelp, olive oil, spinach, chard, thyme, nuts and apricot. Soak cotton balls in potato juice and place the pads on the affected area and leave up to ten minutes. You must follow this remedy regularly for at least two weeks to see great results. The catecholase enzyme present in potato works effectively as a skin lightener. You can also cut thin slices of potato and place it on the dark circles. Repeat this process twice or thrice a day.
Rejuvenate with cucumber
Cucumber is one of the most often used ingredients to all matters related to face. The astringent property in cucumber soothes the skin and its cool temperature effectively heals tired eyes. It also constricts the blood vessels which reduces the puffiness and the dark circles beneath the eyes. Slice up cucumber into thin slices and place them on closed eyes while lying down. Rest for about ten to fifteen minutes before you rinse it off. You can also grate the cucumbers and strain the juice. Chill the juice in the refrigerator for about thirty minutes before applying the juice on the dark circles using cotton balls or swabs. Make sure the juice does not enter the eyes. Rinse it off after ten to fifteen minutes of rest.
Heal naturally with Turmeric
Most cosmetics use turmeric as an essential ingredient due to its cooling and therapeutic properties. Make a paste using turmeric powder, cucumber or lemon juice to reduce pigmentation around the eyes. You can also prepare a paste containing turmeric added to milk cream. Apply the paste around the eyes and rest for twenty minutes. Rinse off with cool water. The antiseptic property of turmeric is effective in reducing dark circles. Use the remedy regularly twice a week. Yet another remedy using this herb is to prepare a paste with half teaspoon of turmeric with one tablespoon of pineapple juice. Apply this remedy regularly on the affected area to get rid of dark circles around the eyes.
Glow naturally with honey
Treat dark circles with one of the most common ingredient found in any kitchen: honey. The antibacterial and antioxidant property present in honey helps to heal the skin in a natural way. Honey promotes the growth of skin cells and in the formation of collagen, which is a great ingredient to reduce dark circles under the eyes. Apply a thin layer of honey on the affected area and leave it overnight. Rinse it off the following morning. You can also treat dark circles by making a paste out of honey and almond oil. The rich emollient and bleaching properties present in honey along with the goodness of vitamin E present in almond oil is highly effective in treating dark circles and puffy eyes.
Gentle rose water
Rose water, a natural coolant, is one of the best home remedies to treat dark circles. Put a few drops of rose water on cotton balls and place the cotton balls on the eyes. You can also massage the affected area gently before placing the balls. Leave it for five to ten minutes to feel fresh and cool. Repeat the remedy twice a day for two to three weeks for best results. To add that extra sparkle to your eyes, mix the juice of grated cucumber and rose water. Apply the water mix on the eyes using cotton pads or balls. Rose water is also a natural toner and helps to reduce pigmentation and firms the skin under the eyes. It also used as a moisturizer and cleanser that suits for all types of skin.
Include vitamin E
Vitamin E, along with vitamin C and A, make one of the essential elements for great looking skin. The antioxidant present in this vitamin is powerful in deactivating the free unstable radicals, thus, protecting the skin from harmful effects of UV rays, pollution and other medication. Bulk up on foods that are rich in vitamin E such as almonds, spinach, sunflower seeds, asparagus, Swiss chard collard greens, basil, oregano, green olives, apricots, wheat germ and mangoes.