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Looking for dark circles remedies? Some problems are just universal and dark circles are very much a part of it. However, that doesn’t mean you have to repeatedly put up with those ‘you look tired’ comments. Ugh! Surely, taming dark circles is tricky. However, with proper care, it is possible to treat and even reduce their appearance over time.
Before that, it’s first essential to know what causes dark circles so you know the root cause behind your shadow of doom. We’re also delving into the types of dark circles, sharing effective home remedies for dark circles, and sharing our picks of the best under-eye creams. Keep reading if you too are tired of adding thick layers of under-eye concealers and want to have brighter-looking under-eye skin naturally.
Types Of Dark Circles
- Pigmentation: Dark circles under the eyes resulting from pigmentation have a genetic component and could be hereditary. They are a result of excess melanin production, which could also be caused by overexposure to the sun.
- Vascular: If you have blue or purple discolouration under the eyes, they could be related to the blood vessels. Vascular dark circles are often made prominent due to poor blood circulation, irregular sleep, or ageing skin.
- Structural strong>: If you have sunken eyes, the shadows may lead to the appearance of dark circles. Additionally, hallowed or thinning skin under the eyes exposes the underlying veins and contributes to the appearance of dark circles.
- Combination strong> : Your dark circles could also occur due to a combination of the above factors. Moreover, lifestyle choices – such as an imbalanced diet, inadequate hydration, high stress levels, and disturbed sleeping routine – may intensify the dark circles' appearance.
Understanding the type of dark circles you have, can help you pick the right treatments or remedies to reduce their appearance. Moreover, there could be several factors affecting the intensity of your dark circles and making them more prominent. So, before we dive into the home remedies for dark circles, here’s a lowdown on what causes them and why they occur.
What Causes Dark Circles?
If you’re a sleeping beauty who has tried every trick in the book yet wakes up with ‘em dreaded bags, then chances are that it’s a gift generously passed onto you by your family. If not your genes, it’s probably just your natural bone structure that casts shadows underneath your eyes. Either way, that’s not really going anywhere. Now where’s that concealer?
- The seemingly harmless knuckle rub on your itching eyes could be the culprit. How? The rubbing can actually break the tiny blood vessels as the skin around your eyes is thin and delicate. This eventually results in damaged capillaries and thus, dark circles. Not worth the temporary relief, eh?
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Fact 1: Dark circles are a form of pigmentation.
Fact 2: Constant exposure to the UV rays of the sun triggers melanin which causes pigmentation. Have you connected the dots yet? Add to cart: UV protection sunglasses.
- All the stress and fatigue can make your face look pale which allows the dark circles to appear more prominent. Extreme stress that’s left unchecked can also cause the fragile blood capillaries around your eyes to break and leak blood. This blood then oxidises to form a dark purple hue (read: dark circles).
- If your lifestyle is mostly dominated by junk food, smoke and alcohol, dehydration and nutrient deficiency are inevitable. This will affect blood circulation thereby darkening the skin around your eyes. Besides, low iron levels in your diet can also encourage dark circles.
- Too much screen time and less sleep time at night – sounds like your normal routine? Well, then be prepared to embrace both, puffy eyelids and dark circles. If that doesn’t sound fun, here’s an escape card: Count sheep or toss and turn if you’ve to but ensure you catch your z’s for at least a good 8 hours every day. Your eyes will thank you.
Why Do Dark Circles Occur?
- Improper Diet : Eating overly oily, salty, or processed foods can lead to the development of dark circles under the eyes. On the same lines, not consuming vital vitamins and nutrients through nourishing foods can also reflect on the skin in the form of pigmentation.
- Age : The natural ageing process makes the texture of your skin thinner. This makes the blood vessels under the skin visible and in turn, makes the areas under the eyes darker.
- Dehydration : Not drinking enough water throughout the day or consuming an excess of dehydrating substances like salt, alcohol, or tobacco, not only causes dark circles to occur but also makes the skin look dull. Maintaining healthy hydration levels also helps flush out toxins.
- Irregular Sleep : Getting regular sleep coupled with a balanced lifestyle is crucial. Not getting adequate sleep (minimum 7 hours) is the most common cause of dark circles. Irregular sleeping patterns or shorter sleep cycles can also contribute to the appearance of darkness under the eyes.
- Extended Screen Time : Spending long hours in front of a screen – such as your mobile phone, laptop, television, and even backlit e-readers – can strain the eyes. This causes your eyes to dry out and lead to dark circles.
- Sun Damage : Overexposure to the sun leads to excess melanin production, making the skin appear darker around the eyes. Using sunscreen and limiting exposure can help prevent dark circles due to sun damage.
- Genetics : If your parents or a large number of family members have dark circles, it could point to a genetic cause behind the occurrence of dark circles. While genetic dark circles cannot be completely removed, you can take steps to reduce their appearance.
- Hormonal Imbalance : Hyperpigmentation is often caused by hormonal imbalance, as per a study. Consulting a gynaecologist is the best course of action to reduce pigmentation under the eyes and other areas of the face.
Home Remedies For Dark Circles
Ahead are the best dark circle treatments at home if you wish to remove or reduce pigmentation under the eyes.
1. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera has healing properties as it is rich in antioxidants and is also anti-inflammatory. It helps the skin retain moisture and is known to treat and repair sun damage. Here’s how you can use it to treat your dark circles:
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Step 1: Using a spoon, extract the gel from an Aloe Vera leaf and collect it in a bowl.
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Step 2: Refrigerate the gel for at least 2 hours.
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Step 3: Now apply the gel on your under-eye area and leave it overnight.
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Step 4: Wash it off in the morning.
2. Coconut Oil
This one’s for the dry-skinned girls! If you have dry, flaky skin that is often irritated, get some much-needed relief with the super-nourishing coconut oil. It not only replenishes moisture but also creates a protective barrier to retain hydration levels.
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Step 1: Add 2 drops of Coconut Oil on a cotton pad.
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Step 2: Now dab the cotton pad on your under-eye area to spread the oil.
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Step 3: Allow it to stay for 3 hours to let your skin absorb the oil.
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Step 4: Now, rinse your eyes with lukewarm water and pat it dry with a towel.
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3. Coffee
Coffee energises the skin and has a gritty texture that acts as a scrub to remove dead skin and impurities. Combined with the boost of moisturisation from coconut oil, this under-eye mask will help you minimise dark circles.
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Step 1: Add 2 tablespoons of organic ground Coffee Powder in a bowl.
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Step 2: Then add 2 drops of a carrier oil like Coconut Oil. Stir well.
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Step 3: Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it under your eyes. Let it stay for 15 minutes.
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Step 4: Wash off using a mild cleanser.
4. Almond Oil
Almond oil contains vital minerals and nutrients that nourish, soothe, and hydrate the skin. It is also known to reduce scars and wrinkles and will help you reduce under-eye pigmentation along with making the skin smooth.
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Step 1: Add 2 drops of Almond Oil on a cotton pad.
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Step 2: Now dab the cotton pad on your under-eye area to spread the oil.
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Step 3: Gently massage with your fingers and let it stay for 3 hours.
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Step 4: Now, rinse your eyes with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.
5. Tomato Juice
If you have oily or combination skin, you must try using tomato juice to reduce the appearance of your dark circles. It removes excess oil to prevent acne, reduces skin irritation, tightens the pores, and also has brightening properties.
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Step 1: Blend a Tomato to get a thick paste.
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Step 2: Squeeze 2 drops of Lemon Juice in the paste.
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Step 3: Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and dab it on your under-eye area.
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Step 4: After leaving it for 10 minutes, wash off with cool water.
6. Cold Green Tea Bags
The residual caffeine from green tea bags helps constrict blood vessels, which in turn helps reduce the appearance of pigmentation under the eyes – especially if you have vascular dark circles. The cold tea bags also soothe inflammation and tighten the skin.
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Step 1: Take 2 used Green Tea bags and soak them in a bowl of water for a while.
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Step 2: Now store the tea bags in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
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Step 3: Place the cool tea bags on your eyes and leave it for 10 minutes.
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Step 4: Discard the tea bags when done and wash your eyes with water.
7. Yoghurt And Lemon Juice
Containing lactic acid, yoghurt is a natural exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells. Using it with lemon juice will make the under-eye skin brighter while reducing pigmentation and other dark spots.
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Step 1: In a bowl, pour 2 tablespoons of fresh Yoghurt.
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Step 2: Squeeze 2 drops of Lemon Juice into the bowl and stir well.
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Step 3: Apply this paste to the affected area and let it stay for 15 minutes.
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Step 4: Wash off with lukewarm water.
8. Potato And Honey
Potato is an underrated skincare hero – it stimulates collagen production, improves skin elasticity, and makes the skin firm. Rich in Vitamin C and zinc, using potatoes under the eyes along with the hydrating honey will help make the skin appear radiant while also reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
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Step 1: Peel a Potato and blend it to extract its juice. In a bowl, put 2 tablespoons of this juice.
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Step 2: Add a tablespoon of Honey to the bowl.
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Step 3: Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture to the skin around your eyes.
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Step 4: After leaving it for 15 minutes, wash it off with water.
9. Saffron And Milk
Improve your under-eye skin texture and reverse signs of ageing with this luxurious mixture of saffron and milk that is fit for a queen (just like you).
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Step 1: Soak 4 strands of Saffron in a cup of Milk for at least 2 hours.
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Step 2: Now strain the Milk and add it to a bowl.
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Step 3: Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and gently apply it to your under-eye area.
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Step 4: After gently massaging for 10 minutes, rinse off with cold water.
10. Mint Leaves And Rosehip Oil
The power duo of Mint Leaves And Rosehip Oil will help you say goodbye to dark circles as well as redness, acne scars, and pimples. It will also soothe the skin and reduce under-eye puffiness or inflammation.
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Step 1: Crush a few Mint Leaves to form a paste.
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Step 2: Add 2 drops of Rosehip Oil to the paste and mix well.
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Step 3: Apply the paste on the dark circles and gently massage for 10 minutes.
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Step 4: Wash off with cold water.
Other Home Remedies
Now that we’ve discovered homemade remedies, let’s discuss some steps you can take to reduce under-eye dark circles.
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Get Adequate Sleep It’s called beauty sleep for a reason! Getting plenty of sleep regularly allows enough time for your body to repair and rejuvenate. The much-needed rest lends a youthful glow and also helps improve your overall health, as per a study – what’s to lose?
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Eat Well : Consuming fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C (like oranges) and Vitamin A (like carrots) will help improve the quality of the skin and lend a healthy appearance. Similarly, Vitamin E oil is moisturising and helps improve the skin barrier. Dark chocolate is also known to protect the skin as it contains a high amount of flavonols, as per a study . Foods rich in Omega-3 such as nuts and salmon are also known to be beneficial to improve skin health.
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Lifestyle Changes : Avoid dehydrating substances such as excess salt, alcohol, and tobacco. These over-drying substances make the skin look dull and lead to puffiness under the eyes. Similarly, excess consumption of coffee can also lead to the expulsion of liquids from your body and cause dehydration.
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Meditation And Yoga : Along with exercise to improve your physical health, consider practising meditation and yoga to reduce stress. This goes a long way in improving your overall health.
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Drink Water : We cannot emphasise this enough! You need to drink a healthy amount of water based on your weight (about 35 ml per kg). Whether you get the motivational gallon bottles or set reminders on your phone – get drinking today!
Best Under Eye Creams
To make it easier on your eyes, we’ve weeded through all the formulas in the market to bring you the best products for dark circles and other concerns.
1. Just Herbs Under Eye Nourishing Gel
Not getting your eight hours of beauty sleep and don’t intend to wake up looking like a raccoon? Thankfully, there’s a cream to make you look alive (even if you feel dead inside). The Just Herbs Under Eye Nourishing Gel is filled with the holy trinity of eye care ingredients: Cucumber, Green Tea, and Carrot Seed that don’t just minimise dark circles but also hydrate the skin. Brb, adding to cart.
2. Mamaearth Bye Bye Dark Circles Eye Cream
There’s only so much you can do to avoid stress and sleepless nights. Your perfect help for disguising the fact that you had practically no sleep the night before can be found in this eye cream infused with Hyaluronic Acid, peptides and Daisy Flower extracts. This impressive blend can make swollen, tired and pigmented skin a thing of the past. Bonus? It’s free of paraben, sulfates, fragrances...you get the gist.
3. MCaffeine Coffee Under Eye Cream for Dark Circle & Puffiness Reduction
Imbued with Coffee, White Water Lily, Vitamin E, and Hyaluronic Acid, MCaffeine’s Coffee Under Eye Cream targets dark circles and under-eye puffiness to give you super-hydrated and supple skin. Plus, it repairs sun damage! Press the stick to dispense the cream and roll it on in the under-eye area with the built-in massager. Sounds like something you need, eh?
4. Plum 3% Vitamin C 3% Peptide & 3% Caffeine Eye Cream With Mandarin
If you’ve been battling puffy eyes and dark circles for a while, you might want to get this soothing eye cream in your beauty kit stat. It promises to bring life back to dull skin all thanks to its hydrating fusion of Vitamin C, Peptides, and Caffeine. Besides minimising dark circles and soothing your under-eye area, it also reduces puffiness and fights fine lines and wrinkles. Need we say more?
5. Dr. Sheth's Chamomile & Caffeine Under Eye Cream
Who says you need to spend half your paycheck to get your hands on an eye cream that actually works? Dr. Sheth’s Chamomile & Caffeine Under Eye Cream is more than your conventional eye cream and is a great value-for-money product. Infused with Bakuchiol, Algae Extract, Chamomile Extract, and Caffeine, it’s built to target dark circles and puffy eye bags while boosting collagen. Can’t wait to bag this one.
FAQs On Dark Circle Remedies
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How to use Vitamin E capsules for dark circles?
Step 1:
Pop open a Vitamin E capsule and empty the oil into a bowl.Step 2:
Add a carrier oil like coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil and mix to form a concoction.Step 3:
Gently massage this mixture on the skin around your eyes and leave it overnight.Step 4:
Wash off the residual oil with lukewarm water in the morning.Nykaa Recommends:
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Suggest the best products for dark circles that work instantly.
There are quite a few products that can help relieve dark circles with regular application. Here are a few:
