What causes under-eye dark circles?
Lack of rest, poor diet, stress, anxiety, or even genetics, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption… all of these can cause under-eye dark circles. Additionally, thinning and loss of fat and collagen in the skin make the blood vessels under your eyes more prominent.
It is important to note that the skin under the eyes is thinner than the rest of the face. Over time, the fat cells deplete, revealing the dark color of the veins underneath. This area of skin is very sensitive and needs to be treated carefully as it can become inflamed, discolored, and bruised.
Tips to reduce under-eye dark circles
Dark circles can make you look older than you actually are. So, how can you reduce under-eye dark circles? Here are some suggestions:
Drink plenty of water
Water brings nutrients to the cells, allowing the body to retain water effectively and also acts as a medium of transport to deliver vitamins and nutrients to their designated places. The more water you consume, the less likely you are to develop under-eye dark circles, not to mention the skin will also be more vibrant.
Get more sleep
Sleep plays a crucial role in both health and skin. Lack of sleep makes the area around the eyes appear darker due to dullness caused by sleep deprivation. Doctors recommend establishing a habit of sleeping about 7-9 hours per night when dealing with prolonged under-eye dark circles. Also, remove all sleep barriers and anything that might hinder your rest, such as phones, noise, busyness, and entertainment.
Use anti-aging creams
Anti-aging creams are an excellent solution to eliminate under-eye imperfections. These creams help to make the skin softer and more shiny. Eye creams are specially formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes, so they tend to be thicker. They contain more oils than regular face creams and have many active ingredients to address the issues we see around the eyes.
Eat healthy and exercise
There are many lifestyle-related issues that are related to vitamin deficiencies. One of them is under-eye dark circles and bags, often associated with a lack of vitamin K, vitamin B12, or insufficient antioxidants.
Vitamin K helps prevent skin discoloration and increase the elasticity of the dermis layer, while Vitamin B12 is essential for repairing skin cells.
Consume plenty of fruits, leafy greens, and potassium-rich foods. Additionally, reduce your sodium intake. Furthermore, regular exercise will increase blood circulation to all parts of your body, including the eyes.
Treat allergies
Seasonal allergies can be effectively treated with over-the-counter medications. The important thing is to identify which products or foods you are allergic to and make the necessary changes.
Cold compress on the eyes (do not use ice)
Tea bags have long been used as a natural remedy for dark circles and eye bags. Of course, the tea bags should be steeped according to instructions, then chilled in the refrigerator or freezer before applying to each closed eye. Additionally, chilled cucumber has also been used with similar and effective results in treating under-eye dark circles.