Have you got dark circles under your eyes? If you start losing sleep over them, they will be a permanent fixture for your face. So relax, and check out these home remedies for dark circles.
Nobody wants to look like a panda, despite their adorableness. Unfortunately, late nights, increasing stress and ageing make dark circles inevitable for all of us.
But that does not mean that you cannot rock your cat eyeliner or those glittery highlighters. There are many home remedies to remove dark circles under eyes.
What causes dark circles under eyes?
Dark circles under eyes are a common phenomenon. In some cases, it is caused temporarily by sleep deprivation, temporary stress or trauma, sun exposure, exhaustion, and eye infection or some other health conditions. (1)
However, they are more permanent than we would like to think. Dark circles are inescapable with time. With ageing, our skin loses moisture and elasticity, and the adipose fat under our skin slowly dries up. This is very visible around our eye sockets. (2)
Stress and exhaustion also contribute to dark circles. A hectic lifestyle or distressed psychological conditions may make them a permanent fixture in your life. Studies show that people living under duress or with stressful lives have a high incidence of dark eye circles. (3)
Similarly, they can also be symptomatic of other diseases and health conditions like anaemia, eye infections, hormonal imbalances, diabetes, hypertension or menstrual complications.
How do black circles under eyes occur?
With age, our body gets more free radicals. Anti-oxidants help us control these free radicals. Ageing and under stressful conditions lead to oxidative stress in our bodies.
This is a condition in which our body’s ability to produce anti-oxidants falls behind the release of free oxygen radicals. Oxygen in our body splits in atoms with unpaired electrons. These electrons, called free radicals, like to be in pair, and scavenge throughout the body to look for other free electrons to pair up with. This activity causes much damage to our tissues, proteins and DNA.
Hyperpigmentation is one of its most visible effects- as free radical activity increases melanin production. Since the skin around our eyes is thin and delicate, it becomes easily affected and shows visible pigmentation. (3)
How to get rid of dark circles under eyes fast?
While dark circles are transient, they are often related to other conditions. If they are genetic or associated with some disease or lifestyle factors, there is little you can do about it. Your best bet in these cases is to address the lifestyle or medical conditions in a wholesome way.
The easiest and fastest way to get rid of dark circles is to hide them with makeup. Fire up a YouTube makeup tutorial, and you can see a host of makeup techniques that will make your eye area as bright as the rest of the face.
The other thing to do is treat them topically. There are several cosmetics and under-eye creams in the market that will help lighten dark circles. However, since eyes and the area around them are extremely delicate, it is better to take the advice of a dermatologist before trying out anything on your own.
There are also many home remedies available for reducing dark circles, puffiness and eye bags. These do not require the application of chemicals and use natural ingredients which are proven to be effective. Let us look at some of these.
How to remove dark circles under eyes naturally
If you are looking for dark circles under eyes treatment at home. Here are some natural ingredients that can be effective and remove dark circles naturally.
Best dark circle treatment:
1 Almond oil: best treatment for dark circles
Almond oil is a rich source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is a great free radical scavenger, and it mitigates sun damage. It is very effective against photo-ageing, i.e., ageing caused by sun exposure. (4) Almond skin also contains ellagic acid, which is an excellent anti-oxidant and fights hyperpigmentation. (5)
2 Lemon juice: Natural remedies for dark circles under eyes
Lemon juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, which has been observed to be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation. A study showed that vitamin C treatment to treat hyperpigmentation is more satisfactory than chemical peeling or carboxy treatments. (6) Since lemon juice can be very irritating for the eyes and may also be corrosive on the skin, it is better not to apply it directly.
3 Pear juice: home remedies for dark circles around eyes
Pear, being a citrus fruit, is rich in vitamin C. It also rich in protocatechuic acid, which is useful in fighting melanoma and reducing hyperpigmentation. (7)
4 Pomegranate juice: Homemade remedies for dark circles
Studies show that pomegranate contains some compounds that may inhibit melanin production and reduce skin darkening. (8)
5 Licorice extracts: Home remedies for black circles under eyes
Mulethi or licorice is well known for its medicinal values. Licorice extract is effective in de-pigmentation and is an excellent skin brightener. (5)
6 Tomato juice: dark circles under eyes home remedies
Tomato juice contains a high amount of niacin or vitamin B3, which reduce pigmentation. (5)
7 Rosewater: home remedies for dark eye circles
Rosewater is a great toner and an excellent anti-oxidant. It exhibits some anti-ageing properties too. (9)It is also soothing and cooling in nature, which relaxes the eyes and helps you de-stress.
8 Cucumber: Home remedies for black circles under eyes
Cucumber is a rich source of vitamin B3 and vitamin C. It is good at fighting pigmentation. Like rose water, it is a great toner and is hydrating and cooling. This reduces dryness around the eyes and has a soothing and de-stressing effect on the eyes.
9 Turmeric: Home remedies to reduce dark circles
Evidence shows that turmeric is a wide range anti-biotic, and is excellent at reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It is also good at fighting pigmentation and lightens skin tone. (5)
How to reduce dark circles under eyes in 7 days
Take 30 minutes for yourself every day. Having a self-care routine will not only give you great skin but also allow you to relax and reduce stress. Here are a few things you can do to prevent dark circles:
- Cut two circular slices of cucumber or tomato. Place them on your eyes and relax for 20 minutes. Wash your face with cold water. You will feel instantly refreshed and relaxed.
- Take two soft cotton balls. Dip them in rose water. Put them on your eyelids and relax for 20 minutes. Wash your face with cold water. You can also dab the eye area with a cotton ball soaked in rose water.
- Make a paste of raw turmeric, rose water and a small amount of lime juice. Gently dab it under the eye and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash with cold water.
- Take a big potato, cut two round, flat slices. Put them in the freezer. After 15 minutes, take the chilled potatoes, put them on your eyelids. Rest for half an hour, and then wash with cold water.
- Take two tea bags. After soaking them in hot water and dipping them to make tea, put them in the freezer. Take out after 15 minutes and apply them on your eyelids. They contain tannin which reduces pigmentation, wrinkles and puffiness. (10)
In Conclusion
Dark circles are often temporary. But with age, they become more prominent. They also indicate a hectic and stressful life and are signs of fatigue. If they are associated with any other disease or physical conditions, your aim should be to be healthy overall.
However, some home remedies can help prevent them and reduce their appearances. Apart from that, always make sure that you get enough sleep and wear sunglasses while going out.
FAQs on How to Remove Dark Circles Under eyes
Q1. What causes dark circles?
Dark circles under eyes are a common phenomenon. In some cases, it is caused temporarily like sleep deprivation, temporary stress or trauma, sun exposure, exhaustion, an eye infection or some other health conditions. (1)
Q2. Are dark circles permanent?
Dark circles are inescapable with time. With ageing, our skin loses moisture and elasticity, and the adipose fat under our skin slowly dries up. This is very visible around our eye sockets. (2)
Stress and exhaustion also contribute to dark circles. A hectic lifestyle or distressed psychological conditions may make them a permanent fixture in your life. Studies show that people living under duress or with stressful lives have a high incidence of dark eye circles. (3)
Q3. What is the best treatment for dark circles?
Here are a few things that are known to reduce dark circles:
- Almond oil
- Lemon juice
- Pear juice
- Pomegranate juice
- Licorice extracts
- Tomato juice
- Rosewater
- Cucumber
- Turmeric
Q4. What are some excellent home remedies to remove dark circles?
Take 30 minutes for yourself. Having a self-care routine will not only give you great skin but also allow you to relax and reduce stress. Here are a few things you can do to prevent dark circles:
- Cut two circular slices of cucumber or tomato. Place them on your eyes and relax for 20 minutes. Wash your face with cold water. You will feel instantly refreshed and relaxed.
- Take two soft cotton balls. Dip them in rose water. Put them on your eyelids and relax for 20 minutes. Wash your face with cold water. You can also dab the eye area with a cotton ball soaked in rose water.
- Make a paste of raw turmeric, rose water and a small amount of lime juice. Gently dab it under the eye and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash with cold water.
- Take two tea bags. After soaking them in hot water and dipping them to make tea, put them in the freezer. Take out after 15 minutes and apply them on your eyelids. They contain tannin which reduces pigmentation, wrinkles and puffiness. (10)
References
- What causes dark circles under the eyes NCBI
- Dark circles under eyes Mayo Clinic
- Periorbital Hyperpigmentation: A Study of its Prevalence, Common Causative Factors and its Association with Personal Habits and Other Disorders NCBI
- Vitamin E in Dermatology NCBI
- Are Natural Ingredients Effective in the Management of Hyperpigmentation? A Systematic Review NCBI
- Treatment of periorbital dark circles: Comparative study of carboxytherapy vs chemical peeling vs mesotherapy NCBI
- Protocatechuic Acid from Pear Inhibits Melanogenesis in Melanoma Cells NCBI
- Inhibition of melanin content by Punicalagins in the super fruit pomegranate (Punica granatum) NCBI
- Pharmacological Effects of Rosa Damascena NCBI
- 5 Solutions for Dark Circles WebMD
