Do you sometimes wish you could wear something over your head to hide the bags and dark circles under your eyes? Fortunately, there are better ways to significantly reduce or eliminate these unsightly conditions that can make you look tired and older.
What causes bags and dark circles under the eyes?
One or more factors can cause the formation of pouches under your eyes or the raccoon look. They may be caused by insufficient sleep, a night of heavy partying with alcohol, or sleeping with your face smashed against a pillow. Allergies, too much sun exposure, aging, eczema, and pigmentation problems are also causes. For some people, genetics plays a big role.
Whether the baggage under your eyes or the dark circles are a temporary problem or a chronic one, there are many natural ways to manage and treat them, even if they are inherited. Let’s take a look.
How to treat bags and dark circles under the eyes naturally
Stay hydrated: Drinking six to eight glasses of water daily can help improve circulation and move fluids through your body.
Apply cold compresses: Hold a cold washcloth or other soft cloth over your eyes for 5 to 10 minutes to help shrink eye bags. You also can use a cold metal spoon or chilled cucumber slices.
Embrace green tea: The catechins in green tea can help with eye bags by boosting blood flow to the skin and slowing aging skin. Enjoy one or more cups of green tea daily. You also can apply the used, cooled tea bags to the area under your eyes. Squeeze out the excess liquid, chill the bags in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, and leave them on your under-eye area for 15 minutes.
Read about the beauty secrets of tea
Get sufficient sleep: Did you know that insufficient sleep can cause paler skin? Experts have shown that insufficient sleep can result in poor facial circulation, leading to a pale complexion, bags under the eyes, dark circles, and sagging skin.
Use a neti pot: If hayfever or sinus problems contribute to bags and dark circles, using a neti pot may help. Removal of mucus and other debris in your sinuses can reduce inflammation.
Raise your head: Elevating your head while sleeping can stop fluid from accumulating in your lower eyelids. Try using extra pillows or a wedge pillow. If this is uncomfortable for you, elevate the entire top half of your bed a few inches by placing bed risers or bricks under your frame or bed legs.
Use sunscreen: Use sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher is recommended for everyday use. It protects against premature aging and discoloration, which in turn may help with dark circles and bags.
Boost collagen: As we age, our tissues and muscles sag more, including those around the eyes. Increasing the amount of vitamin C and amino acids in your diet can help increase hyaluronic acid levels, which raises collagen production and healthier skin.
Read about 7 healthy benefits of collagen
Juice it: Combine cucumber and lemon juice (1:1) and apply to your dark circles with a cotton ball (being careful to keep your eyes closed). Keep the mixture on your skin for 15 minutes, and then rinse with warm water. Another remedy is to combine equal parts of tomato juice and lemon juice and use them as above.
Try oils: Both vitamin E and coconut oil are good for bags and dark circles. Massage vitamin E under your eyes and massage gently. Leave it on your skin until you wake up and rinse with warm water. You can do the same using coconut oil.
Potato anyone? Grate a potato (a good source of vitamin C) and extract the juice. Soak a cotton ball or makeup remover pad in the juice and place it on your closed eyes for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Try turmeric: The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric can reduce dark circles. Combine turmeric powder with just enough pineapple juice to make a thick paste. Apply the paste under your eyes and leave it on for 10 minutes. Use a damp, soft, warm cloth to remove the paste. Repeat daily.
Remove makeup: If you fall asleep with your makeup on, you risk irritating your skin and exposing it to oxidative stress and free radical damage. Always wash your face before retiring.
Reduce salt intake: Salt causes the body to retain fluids, resulting in puffy eyes. Watch your salt intake from the shaker and processed foods. The limit recommended by the American Heart Association is 2,300 milligrams or less daily, but 1,500 mg is ideal.
Bottom line
You don’t have to live with dark circles or bags under your eyes. Nature has provided us with a wide variety of natural remedies. Try one or more!
