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| Dark Circles |
Even some of
the most stunning women often have to resort to concealers and make-up to hide
their dark circles. Not only do these under-eye circles make you look much
older than what you actually are, but they also have you looking ill or
unhealthy.
Before we even begin this natural journey, let me tell you that dark circles
take time to cure and require great discipline. A regular skin and health care
program should be followed, by the book, so do not expect magic to happen
overnight.
Causes of Dark Circles.
Firstly let us know some of the basic causes of dark circles.
1. Lack of proper intake of water – It is important to flush out
toxins from your body constantly and store them lest they harm you. Start with
at least 10-12 glasses of water in your daily intake.
2. Hemoglobin Levels - You need to also check on internal problems
with regards to your hemoglobin levels and get an appointment with
your doctor to see if there is any internal weakness for which you may have to
take vitamin supplements. This, however, can also be substituted with a high
protein and a balanced diet.
3. Genetic causes - Many times, the reason for dark circles may be
genetic and not be directly related to your nutritional intake. In such a case,
you will not be able to get rid of them completely but once worked on properly,
will definitely be able to reduce them drastically.
4. Sleeplessness: - For the night owls who party hard, smoke or
drink, dark circles are bound to appear. Balance out your lifestyle and get
proper rest.
5. Stress - Most people who are much stressed out also have sleep
problems. Either they suffer from disturbed sleep and toss and turn or due to
incessantly thinking doesn’t get to sleep. They often wake up groggy in the
morning.
6. Lack of proper diet - Junk, preservative-heavy food and lack of
fresh salads and adequate nourishing food in your diet will also cause the skin
to look sallow and give you dark circles.
7. Prolonged illness - When recovering from a long illness, dark
circles could begin to appear due to internal weakness.
8. Computer hours - Long hours in front of the computer can be
harrowing for the eyes and can lead to eye stress and dark circles. Cup your
eyes in your palms every hour to relax eye muscles and improve blood
circulation.
10 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Dark Circles:
1. Almond Oil
A
a completely natural ingredient that benefits skin around your eyes, almond oil
helps lighten dark circles. Combine almond oil with vitamin E oil and your dark
circles will be history. Plus, these ingredients really something that’s a
staple in every household.
Usage
·
Before hitting the sack, apply some
almond oil over your dark circles and massage it
gently into the skin.
·
Leave the oil on overnight.
·
Wash it off with cold water the next
morning.
·
Repeat this every day until your
dark circles are gone.
2. Cucumber
Remember
those Hollywood movies where women are seen relaxing at a spa with cucumber
slices on their eyes? Well, there’s a reason beyond gloss. With skin-lightening and mild astringent properties, cucumbers are completely equipped to fix those
raccoon eyes. Better yet, they are soothing and refreshing too.
Usage
·
Cut a fresh cucumber into thick
slices and chill it for about 30 minutes.
·
Place the slices on the dark circles
for about 10 minutes.
·
Wash the area thoroughly with water.
·
Repeat this process twice a day for
one week to see results.
3. Raw Potato
Potatoes
contain vital natural bleaching agents and used raw, they help lighten dark
circles and reduce excess puffiness around your eyes.
Usage
·Grate
a couple of chilled potatoes to extract the juice.
·
Soak a cotton ball in the juice and
place it on your closed eyes.
·
Make sure the juice covers the dark
circles entirely.
·
Allow the juice to sit for about 15
minutes and rinse your eyelids well with cool water.
·
Repeat once or twice daily for 2 - 3
weeks to see results.
4. Rose Water
There’s
a reason mothers always advise their children to rinse their eyes with Rose
Water when they’re sore. It not only rejuvenates skin and reduces dark circles
but also has a soothing effect on tired eyes. Due to its mild astringent
properties, it also works well as a skin toner.
Usage
·
Soak cotton eye pads in rose water
for a few minutes.
·
Place the soaked pads on your closed
eyelids.
·
Leave them on for about 15 minutes.
·
Follow this remedy twice daily for 2
- 3 weeks to see results.
Tomato,
the fruit that’s used as a vegetable, is known to naturally possess powerful
bleaching properties that can lighten skin very effectively.
Usage
·
Mix one teaspoon of tomato juice
with one and a half teaspoon of lemon juice.
·
Gently apply this mixture on your
dark circles and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
·
Rinse it off well with cool water.
·
Follow this remedy twice a day for 2
- 3 weeks to see results.
6. Lemon Juice
The vitamin C present in lemon juice
can also help remove dark circles under the eyes, thanks to
its skin-lightening properties.
Usage
·
Use a cotton ball to apply fresh
lemon juice around your eyes. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and rinse it
off. Do this once daily for a few weeks.
·
Another option is to make a thick
paste by mixing one tablespoon of lemon juice, two tablespoons of tomato puree,
a pinch of gram flour (besan) and
turmeric powder. Apply this thick paste gently around your eyes. Rinse it off
with clean water after 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat two or three times every week.
Note: If the
lemon juice causes a burning sensation then discontinue its use.
Massaging with coconut oil is
another effective natural remedy to lighten dark circles. Due to its
moisturizing quality, coconut oil also promotes smooth skin and prevents wrinkles and fine lines under the eyes.
Usage
·
Simply massage some extra-virgin
coconut oil on the under-eye area.
·
Leave it on for a few hours, and
then wash it off.
·
Repeat two to three times daily for
a few months or until you are satisfied with the results.
8. Tea Bags
The caffeine and antioxidants
present in tea can be highly beneficial for getting rid of dark circles as well
as puffiness under eyes by shrinking the blood vessels and reducing fluid
retention. The tannin, in particular, helps decrease swelling and
discoloration.
Usage
·
Chill two used green or black tea
bags in the refrigerator for about half an hour.
·
Place one tea bag over each eye and
leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
·
Remove the tea bags and wash your face.
·
Repeat once or twice daily for a few
weeks.
Note: Be careful not to get the tea in your eyes.
9. Cold Compress
A cold compress can constrict the
blood vessels under the eyes and help a lot in reducing eye puffiness and dark
circles.
Usage
·
Soak a washcloth in cold water or
cold milk. Put it over your closed eyelids for several minutes.
·
Alternatively, you can wrap a few
ice cubes in a soft napkin and place it under your eyes for a few minutes. You
can also use a bag of frozen peas, a chilled teabag or a cold spoon.
Follow these remedies a few times
daily.
10. Turmeric
Turmeric has antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties that can help minimize dark circles. It will
also make the skin around your eyes smoother and softer.
Usage
·
Mix two teaspoons each of turmeric
powder with pineapple juice to make a thick paste.
·
Apply this paste to the affected
area.
·
Leave it on for about 10 minutes
before wiping it away with a soft, damp cloth.
·
Do this daily until you get positive
results.
Additional Tips
- Get adequate sleep and rest.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes too
much or too often as it causes the blood vessels to dilate, thus making
the under-eye circles appear darker.
- Remove your makeup before going to sleep or else it may irritate your eyes.
- Limit sun exposure.
- Drink plenty of water
throughout the day to get rid of water retention that could be causing the
problem.
- To avoid eye bags caused by
the pooling of fluids in your lower eyelids, elevate your head by adding two
or more pillows under your head before going to sleep.
- Pay attention to your diet and
eat foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E.
- Stop smoking and restrict
alcohol and caffeine consumption; smoking damages skin cells, and alcohol
and caffeine contribute to dehydration which in turn weakens the delicate
the skin around the eyes.
They say. “A
a person travels the entire world in search of something that he finds at home”.
So don’t go looking elsewhere for expensive cures to dark circles; they’re all
right there in your kitchen.
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