updated: 11/21/2019
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Dark circles under the eyes tend to make you look older than what wrinkles and gray hair do. They are mainly caused by lack of sleep, alcohol abuse, and allergies. Having dark circles makes you feel lack of confidence, especially when these problems show up clearly. People with dark circles always look lackluster. However, you can still minimize the appearance of dark circles under the eyes and in some cases eliminate them completely.
Although the tips on how to get rid of dark circles under eyes introduced below cannot make these problems disappear overnight, they are very effective if taken regularly for at least a week. First of all, increase your knowledge of this condition with the information below.
What Are Dark Circles Under Eyes?
Dark circles under the eyes are a very common condition. Anyone, including children and the elderly, can be influenced by it. Dark circles are darker skin areas than the surrounding skin. They may be located under or above the eyes. Depending on the condition you are experiencing, dark circles under the eyes may be accompanied by eye puffiness.
Skin under the eyes is very thin and sensitive. For some reasons, this skin area is damaged, causing the blood vessels to rise and form dark circles. The eyes are like the window of the soul, the second heart to show the true feelings. Eyes affect the beauty and youthfulness of the face. Unfortunately, dark circles under your eyes make you look a few years older. They also make you look lackluster and lacking in energy.
Under normal conditions, dark circles under the eyes are not life-threatening. If they are newly formed, treatment is simple and quick. However, if they have existed so long on your face, you need a lot of time and patience to be able to get rid of them.
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What Are Common Causes Of Dark Circles Under Eyes?
Here are the main causes of dark circles:
- Lack Of Sleep
This is the leading cause of dark circles. The lack of sleep causes the eye to not have enough rest. In addition, this condition also reduces the blood circulation in the skin, causing the skin does not get enough oxygen and nutrients needed. As a result, dark circles and wrinkles are formed.
- Genetic Factors
As a result of many studies, due to genetic factors, many people have thin skin or small blood vessels under the eyes. This means that because their parents have these characteristics, they also have. The latest research on dark circles also shows that the distribution of melanin in the skin under the eyes is also affected by genetic factors.
- Dehydration
When the body is dehydrated, blood vessels under the sensitive skin of the eye will swell, causing puffiness and dark circles.
- Sunshine
Ultraviolet rays in the sun will irritate the melamine pigmentation under the skin, causing dark circles to appear.
- Tobacco And Stimulants
Abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and coffee causes the blood vessels to contract, reducing blood flow and causing wrinkles and dark circles under eyes.
- Anemia
Anemia causes improper blood circulation, while causing hemoglobin to break. This causes the dark circles to form.
- Lack Of Nutrients
Poor dietary nutrients will have a direct impact on your health and well-being. This condition is manifested by external signs such as dry skin, dark circles and wrinkles.
- Aging
Aging causes the skin to become thinner. Your fat and collagen are gradually depleted over time, making the veins and blood vessels appear more and more visible.
- Eczema
Eczema causes itching and inflammation. This makes you always want to rub your skin. If this condition occurs in the skin under the eyes, excessive rubbing will cause the blood vessels to break, resulting in dark circles.
- Kidney Failure
Kidney failure causes significant deterioration in health. Thus, the skin of the patient is pale and their eyes are always very tired. This causes dark circles under the eyes to appear clearly.
- Liver Failure
About 20% of people with liver disease often appear severe dark circles around the eyes, cheeks, … Dark circles are an external manifestation of chronic liver disease, especially when liver function is impaired for long periods of time. In particular, in patients with hepatic stenosis, dark circles appear very clearly.
- Menstrual Disorder
For women, dark circles may be a sign of menstrual disorder for a long time. In addition, too heavy menstruation or bleeding uterus also causes dark circles to appear.
- Chronic Stomach Disease
Stomach disease causes digestive function and nutrient absorption to decrease. If the stomach inflammation occurs many times, dark circles will appear very clearly. Patients with neurological disorders or diseases of the internal organs are also more likely to have dark circles under the eyes.
- Nose Problems
Dark circles are also associated with nasal problems. If you are constantly sneezing and running nose for long periods of time, the veins below the eyes will bleed and dark circles will appear. Therefore, if your nose is too sensitive and prone to inflammation, then you are very vulnerable to dark circles.
What Are Common Symptoms Of Dark Circles Under Eyes?
Here are common symptoms of dark circles:
- Dark skin under or around the eyes.
- Their color may be dark or light.
- Puffy eyes.
- If the cause is kidney failure, dark circles are often accompanied by the condition of tired and moody eyes.
- If the cause is liver disease, not only the skin around the eyes but also the skin on the face are darker than normal.
- If the cause is menstrual disorder, dark circles will persist for a long time even if you have a lot of rest.
- If the cause is chronic stomach disease, dark circles may be light blue and affect the skin on the face, not just around the eyes.
You may experience other symptoms not mentioned. If you have any questions about the signs of the disease, please consult your doctor.
What Are Risk Factors?
Puffiness is a very common condition, it can occur in young children, adults or the elderly. However, those who regularly go to sleep late and people with these diseases above cannot avoid this situation. You can control this problem by minimizing risk factors. Please see your doctor for more information.
When To See A Doctor?
Although dark circles are not life-threatening, if they exist for too long or they disappear too quickly, you should see a doctor for a direct examination. This sign indicates the instability of your health.
If you have any questions, please consult your doctor. Each person's condition is different, so please consult your doctor to select the most suitable option.
The above is the information you should know about the dark circles to determine your condition. Here are 25 out of best tips on how to get rid of dark circles under eyes fast and naturally. Please take a look at TrueRemedies.com!
Top 25 Tips On How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Under Eyes
1. Rosehip Oil
Rosehip oil has the ability to protect skin and increase cell turnover as it has vitamin C, D, E and beta-carotene, which is a form of vitamin A. Moreover, there is a high content of essential fatty acids found in this essential oil, which will convert to prostaglandins (PGE) and are associated with tissue regeneration and cellular membrane.
You can combine rosehip oil with other essential oils like lavender oil or lemon oil to create a powerful solution for dark circle removal.
What you need to do is:
- Cleanse your face gently, then remove your makeup if any
- Mix ½ ounce each of rosehip seed oil and pure aloe vera gel together
- Add 10 drops of lavender oil and 5 drops of lemon oil into
- Spray this solution on your face with eyes closed
- Massage the areas under eyes gently and let it dry naturally
2. Sweet Almond Oil
Containing a large amount of vitamin E, almond oil is extremely helpful if used as an emollient to help soften and smoothen skin [1] [2]. However, remember not to use bitter almond oil both externally and internally because it is just used in aromatherapy.
- Apply several drops of sweet almond oil on your affected areas
- Massage gently and leave it overnight
- Rinse it off in the next morning
3. Castor Oil
Among tips on how to get rid of dark circles naturally, using castor oil will give your surprising results. Basically, castor oil is a vegetable oil cultivated through the process of pressing castor. It could be used both topically and orally for many health and beauty issues, such as dark circles, joint pain, hair loss, constipation, fungal infections, etc. Whether applied as a natural ointment or taken as a supplement, castor oil helps improve the immune system, which in turns will speed up the healing process.
On the other hand, castor oil can boost blood flow as well as circulation, flush out the toxins. As a result, it reduces inflammation and swelling in the problematic areas. Therefore, this essential oil is ideal for delicate skin areas around eyes.
It is estimated that about 90% of fatty acid content in castor oil is ricinoleic acid, which is a rare compound. This compound works with esters and salts to create a natural skin conditioner.
Castor oil has healing properties, acts as an excellent moisturizer and contains antioxidants that help prevent free radical damage on skin, leave it fresh and clean, keep it well hydrated [3] [4] [5].
As castor oil is a viscous, thick oil, it takes times to be absorbed completely into the skin. These properties make castor oil an ideal remedy to treat the root causes of dark spots and circles under eyes. It even helps diminish wrinkles.
What you need to do is:
- Mix 1 teaspoon each of organic and cold-pressed castor oil and jojoba/grapeseed/coconut oil
- Dab this mixture lightly onto your affected skin
- Massage it gently using your fingers for about 3-5 minutes and leave it there
- After 30 minutes, rinse it off with lukewarm water
Alternatively, you can also mix castor oil with milk for similar effects.
4. Licorice Extract
Licorice extract is consist of glabridin which protects skin from UV ray damage. This herb can naturally brighten dark under-eye circles thanks to active compounds that can reduce pigment on skin. Licorice extract is more likely to be helpful in relieving dark circles under eyes with a brownish hue in comparison with blue circles. The reason is that brownish hued dark circles are caused by hyperpigmentation, while blue circles are caused by pooling of blood right beneath eyes.
Vitamin K in this herb is also vital for health blood circulation. If it is used topically, it will decrease pigmentation and warrants optimal blood circulation to the affected skin [6] [7].
To use licorice extract as a tip on how to get rid of dark circles, you should take these steps:
- Take a vitamin K capsule to open and take out the powder inside
- Mix it with 3-4 drops of licorice extract, followed by some water to create a thick paste
- Apply this mixture over your affected area for about 10 minutes
- Repeat this routine daily
5. Mint Leaves
If you have ever used a naturally made formulation that helps decrease dark circles under eyes, chances are it has mint in it. It is for good reason – peppermint leaves are rich in vitamin C which can treat dark circles and consolidate skin health [8]. However, sometimes peppermint leaves are sometimes associated with allergic reactions, such as flushing, so you should do a patch test before using it [9].
All you have to do is
- Crush several mint leaves and mix with some water to have a smooth paste
- Apply the paste over your affected areas and wait for 10 minutes to rinse off with cold water
- Repeat this routine nightly
6. Butcher’s Broom
Dissimilar to licorice root, butcher’s broom can constrict the blood veins, thereby making it a helpful herb for those having blueish dark circles under eyes. Blueish dark circles are often resulted from the pooling of blood under eyes or the thinning of skin around eyes (which happens due to age).
Butcher’s broom is grown in Europe and has long been used to support circulatory system.
Saponins found are responsible for the astringent property of this herb. Thanks to its tightening effect on blood vessels, it is used in treating varicose veins. Butcher’s broom is found in many eye creams that helps discourage the blood pooling effect, thereby alleviating the impact of dark circles. Obviously, this tip is best done if combined with attempts to reduce caffeine and alcohol intake, increase sleep and drink plenty of water.
7. Chamomile
Do not skip chamomile if you are looking for a natural but cheap way on how to get rid of dark circles. You might not be surprised at the calming effect of chamomile in the form of tea, but it is also used it skin care routines to help eradicate dark circles and soothe irritated skin.
Chamomile functions similarly to the aforementioned licorice root that helps brighten skin tone. It also soothes sensitive skin around eyes owing to calming effects.
8. Saffron
Saffron is considered a miracle herbal ingredient for a number of health and beauty issues, including dark circles. It has been used to promote the skin health since ages. There were different clinical trials related to the effectiveness of saffron towards human health. The antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory compounds found in this herb are responsible for its power [10] [11].
What you have to do is:
- Soak 1-2 saffron strands to ¼ cup of milk for several minutes
- Dip a clean cotton ball in this mixture
- Apply it over your affected areas and surrounding areas
- Wait for 10 minutes or so to rinse it off with water
- Repeat this method every day for good results
Note: People who are allergic to milk should avoid using this method.
9. Turmeric
The extracts of turmeric are popularly used in creams and face packs thanks to its skin lightening and brightening effects [12]. These effects can improve the appearance of dark and dull skin under eyes. You can mix turmeric powder with almond oil, which has hydrating property to achieve, optimal results.
All you need to do is:
- Mix ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1 teaspoon of almond oil
- Massage this mixture over your affected skin for several minutes
- Wait for 20 extra minutes to wash it off with water
- Reapply this method thrice per week for good results
10. Drink A Lot Of Water
Drinking a lot of water is the next way on how to get rid of dark circles naturally. Dark circles and puffiness are commonly caused by water retention when the area around the eyes has a high salt concentration. If you eat too much salty food in the evening or cry before going to bed, you will notice dark circles in the morning. Drinking plenty of water helps to purify this area and blurs the dark circles.
On hot days, you should drink plenty of water to provide enough water for your body. Avoid using potentially dehydrated beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol.
11. Apply Cold
If dark circles are formed due to the swelling and inflammation of the skin around the eyes, cold compress will help you overcome this condition. Cucumbers have long been used to reduce puffiness and brighten the skin area around the eyes, providing instant “stimulant” for tired eyes and puffy eyes. Cold cucumber slices have the perfect size and shape for your eyes, and they will be effective in temporarily blurring dark circles.
All you need to do is lie on your back, close your eyes and apply them to your eyelids for 15 minutes, or until they are no longer cold. This tip works very well in emergency situations. If you want you to receive long-term effects, you should apply it 2-3 times a week for several weeks.
Alternatively, consider using cold potato cucumber slices for similar effects. Besides using cucumber, you can apply ice tea bags or ice cubes wrapped in a soft cloth daily to your eye area. The tannin in the tea bag can reduce swelling and improve the skin’s color.
Also, you can use a frozen spoon for dark circle relief. This may sound strange, but the results it brings are amazing. Place a spoon in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Take it out and apply it on the dark circles. Keep it there until it warms up again.
12. Treat The Stuffy Nose
When it comes to tips on how to get rid of dark circles under eyes, trying to treat stuff nose sounds irrelevant. However, in fact, it does help you condition. As you know, congestion causes blood vessels under the eyes to break easily. Therefore, if you have a stuffy nose, treat it right away. The best way to do this is to use diluted saline water to wash your nose. You can use sea salt or baking soda to do this.
13. Use An Eye Cream Containing Vitamin K And Retinol
Among tips on how to get rid of dark circles under eyes, using eye creams having retinol and vitamin K will give you surprisingly fast results. As mentioned earlier, dark circles may be caused by vitamin K deficiency. However, regardless of the cause, eye creams which contain vitamin K and retinol can dramatically improve dark circles. Daily use for a long time will bring the best effect.
14. Take Care Of Your Face Gently
The skin around the eyes is very fragile and sensitive. It can be stretched and damaged if you make a strong impact on it. The use of skin care products containing a lot of chemicals also make the skin is very vulnerable. To prevent this, change your habits and take care of your face more gently. Here are some suggestions for you:
- Do not wash your face with products containing strong chemicals. Instead, you should only use mild face cleanser.
- Do not wipe or try to rub the makeup from the eyes. Using makeup remover will help you remove them more easily.
- Do not rub your eyes strongly. You should only dry your face with a soft towel.
- Use a moisturizer for the skin around the eyes every day.
15. Make Healthy Changes In Your Diet
No wonder, this is definitely one that should be mentioned in this list of tips on how to get rid of dark circles under eyes. Do you often eat salty foods in the evening? Salty food is also a cause of dark circles and puffiness in many people. If you go to bed at night with high levels of salt in your body, your face will quickly sag. You can change your habit to minimize the occurrence of this problem with some tips below:
- Use less salt when cooking. Try to reduce the amount of salt in half, then reduce more if possible.
- Do not eat at the restaurant too often. You cannot control the amount of salt the restaurant uses to make food.
- Avoid salty foods such as packaged French fries, salted roasted beans, pretzels, canned soups, fried foods, and other high sodium foods.
- You can use bananas and raisins for snacks because they all help to reduce water retention in the body.
- Eat cabbage or drink blueberry juice. They are all very diuretic, so consuming them helps you remove excess fluid away from the body.
- Do not use caffeine as a diuretic, as it can interfere with your sleep and hence cause dark circles.
16. Go To Bed Early
This may be the easiest tip on how to get rid of dark circles under eyes. Get enough sleep every night. Researchers still do not know the reason why lack of sleep leads to dark circles under the eyes, but this condition tends to make the skin appear pale (thereby increasing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness) and reduce blood flow.
Taking too little time to rest is also thought to be a cause of dark circles. Before going to bed at night, wipe off your eye makeup. If you do not do so, as you get older, dark circles may never be improved.
Determine how many hours you need to sleep (usually 7-9 hours per night, but this amount of time varies between different people at different times throughout their lives). Try sleeping enough hours regularly for a few weeks to see if it helps.
Alcohol and cigarettes can adversely affect the quality of your sleep. Avoid using these products or just use them in moderation, especially before going to bed, to get the best results.
Get enough vitamins to support sleep. Lack of sleep along with poor absorption of vitamins tends to impair adrenal function. If your adrenal gland function is reduced, you tend to absorb less vitamin B6. Much more than that, poor absorption of vitamin B6 causes the adrenal glands to work less effectively. Sleep, take regular vitamins (if needed), supplement calcium / magnesium for your body in the form of green vegetables (they have higher levels of calcium and magnesium than dairy products), and supplement the minerals needed for the body to restore adrenal function. Then, your sleep quality will improve and the dark circles will go away.
17. Treat Allergies
This is another must-try tip on how to get rid of dark circles under eyes. Allergy is a common cause of dark circles. If allergies are the root of your problem, treat allergies or eliminate allergens. Seasonal allergies such as the flu can be treated effectively with prescription or over-the-counter medications.
For other allergies, the best course of treatment is prevention. If you regularly have dark circles or puffiness, you may have food allergies without knowing it or you are allergic to chemicals in your home or office. Talk to your dermatologist to determine if you are allergic to something. People with allergies sometimes also tend to lack of vitamin B6, folic acid and vitamin B12. Then, taking multivitamins can also help.
Another common allergen that causes dark circles is gluten intolerance – a special type of allergy to wheat flour. More seriously, you may have celiac disease. To check for celiac disease, do a blood test. Gluten tolerance does not necessarily mean that you have celiac disease.
18. Make A Balanced Diet
This remedy is one of little – known tips on how to get rid of dark circles fast. Eat a balanced and healthy diet, take vitamins, and drink plenty of water. Many health and skin problems are caused by vitamin deficiency. Dark circles and puffiness are usually caused by lack of vitamin K or antioxidants. In addition, vitamin B12 deficiency (often associated with anemia) can also lead to dark circles.
Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially cabbage, spinach and other green vegetables. Take vitamin supplements daily if needed. Drink enough fluids to increase blood circulation.
Reduce salt intake. Excess salt causes the body to retain water in unusual places, and this can lead to dark circles and puffiness. Too much salt can reduce the blood circulation and cause the blood vessels under the skin look blue.
19. Relax
Relaxation can help to remove stress and anxiety which causes you to not sleep well and want to eat. As you feel more comfortable and your eyes are relaxed, dark circles will gradually disappear. The skin tends to reflect your underlying mental and physical problems, so you should not ignore your body's need for relaxation.
20. Make Up
This is another must-try tip on how to get rid of dark circles under eyes. In some emergency situations, makeup is actually a useful way to cover dark circles. Here are some things you can refer to in order to achieve the best results:
- Choose a suitable concealer. Choose a concealer which is brighter than your facial skin one or two tone. Most cosmetic makeup brands have concealer creams that help cover dark circles. You should choose the type that has enough moisture and does not stick to the wrinkles around the eyes.
- Apply the concealer under the eyes (only in dark circles). You can use your fingertips or soft brush to do this.
- Apply transparent powder over the concealer layer. This is the perfect step to stabilize the concealer, foundation and other make-up layers.
21. Use A Skin Lightening Cream
Perhaps, the fastest way on how to get rid of dark circles under eyes is using skin lightening cream. Use a cream that contains lightening ingredients such as soybeans or citrus fruits. When used regularly, these creams can brighten dark circles and remove brown spots on the skin. They also need time to work (usually 6 weeks).
Note: You should stay away from lotions containing hydroquinone that lighten the skin, as this chemical is too strong for sensitive skin around the eyes.
22. Try Laser Therapy
Laser therapy can affect the fatty deposits under the eyes, destroy fat and smooth the skin. As a result, dark circles will also be reduced. This therapy is usually took place by a dermatologist.
23. Try Using Lightly Skin Peeling Chemicals
The next tip on how to get rid of dark circles under eyes is using skin peeling chemicals. This therapy is usually done by a dermatologist. The chemicals are applied to the skin to treat skin conditions such as dark circles, wrinkles and brown spots. Skin peeling removes the outer layer of skin, then, the healthy skin beneath will be revealed. Lightly skin peeling, such as glycolic or AHA, is usually recommended, as the skin under the eyes is very thin and sensitive.
24. Ask Your Doctor About Intense Pulse Treatment
This treatment uses high energy light waves to break down fatty deposits under the eyes and smooth the skin. Although this therapy is effective, it costs you a lot of money and time.
25. Consider Surgery
This is the last option on how to get rid of dark circles under eyes that we want to mention in this article. Surgery is the last way you can think of if you want to remove dark circles. Taken by a surgeon, this therapy removes fatty deposits under the eyes. As a result, the skin will be smoother and darker skin will gradually fade.
Above are some tips to help you get rid of dark circles. Applying them will give you attractive eyes, so what are you waiting for? Choose some of them to see how effective they are. If you have any contributing ideas about our article of “Top 25 Tips On How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Under Eyes” introduced in How To Category, do not hesitate to drop your words below this post. We will answer as soon as we could.