The skin around your eyes, especially near your eyes, can appear dark and tired looking. This is called ‘dark circles.’ Dark circles are often seen as signs of aging. But there are actually lots of different reasons why they may appear. 

In this article, we will share natural home remedies to cure dark circles.

Reasons for Dark Circles

Dark circles under the eyes can happen for a number of reasons. Some common ones include:

1. The sun: Sunlight can cause dark circles by causing blood vessels to become larger.
2. Age: Older people often have smaller and darker blood vessels.
3. Sleep disorders: It can take longer for the body to wake up in the morning in older people. Hence, they may feel tired throughout the day.
4. Vitamin deficiency: Lack of vitamin B6, iron, and zinc can lead to dark circles.
5. Hormonal changes: Women tend to experience more dark circles than men. Hormones such as estrogen can cause dark circles.
6. Allergies: Some medications can cause dark circles. They include pseudoephedrine, hydrocortisone, and aspirin.
7. Stress: Anxiety, nervousness, and other mental health issues can cause you to experience more dark circles.
8. Alcohol: Alcohol is a diuretic. This means that it makes you urinate more often. This can cause you to retain fluid in your body.

Some of the consequences of dark circles are:

1. Poor self-esteem
2. Poor body image
3. Low productivity
4. Low self-confidence

A diet that is high in caffeine, alcohol, and sugary foods can also be a reason why dark circles under the eyes appear.

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Natural Home Remedies to Cure Dark Circles

Although it is common to feel bad after working all day, sleeping all night, and skipping meals, most of the time we don’t actually need a doctor to give us a prescription for dark circles. There are many home remedies that can make your eyes brighter and eliminate your dark circles.

15 Home Remedies to Eliminate Your Dark Circles

Here are 15 of the best home remedies that are proven effective:

Cucumber

To reduce swelling of the blood vessels under your eyes, put cucumber slices on your eyelids.

Apple Cider Vinegar

In addition to cleaning your face, apple cider vinegar will improve blood flow and relieve puffiness.

Soybeans

Soak 1 cup of soybeans in hot water overnight. Rinse with cold water and massage into your eyes. This should reduce the puffiness.

Ginger

Rub 2 slices of fresh ginger into your eyes and leave on for 15 minutes.

Banana for Dark Circles

Cut a banana into quarters and put one piece of the banana into a blender. Blend for about 10 seconds, then place the mixture into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 3-4 minutes. Leave in the microwave for 15 minutes. When the time is up, let cool and gently massage the mixture into the eyes. Repeat this process twice a day.

Lemon

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a small container. Mix well and place over your eyes. Leave for 30 minutes.

Carrots

Cut a carrot in half and put one half in the freezer. Remove the frozen piece from the freezer and chop it into small pieces. Put a handful of chopped carrots into a food processor. Blend for 30 seconds until you have a paste-like substance. Place the mixture onto a plate and let sit for at least 5 minutes before putting it over your eyes.

Almond Oil

Use almond oil to massage your eyes. It is said to relax the blood vessels, so it will make your eyes look brighter.

Egg Yolk for Dark Circles

Put 1 teaspoon of egg yolk in a glass of water. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Use a cotton ball to massage the mixture into your eyes.

Green Tea

Drink green tea to increase circulation. It is also a natural source of antioxidants.

Aloe Vera Gel

To help heal and soothe the skin, apply aloe vera gel. Aloe vera contains a high amount of vitamins and minerals.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used to remove dirt from your face and eyes. To remove it, put 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a small bowl. Add 2 cups of water and mix well. Gently massage the mixture into your eyes and rinse with lukewarm water.

Tea Tree Oil for Dark Circles

Add 2 drops of tea tree oil to your favorite eye cream to help remove excess oils. Tea tree oil has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Herbal Remedies to Streak Dark circles

Many herbs have been used to treat dark circles, but there is no evidence that they are more effective than conventional methods. Some examples include:

Licorice Root

Licorice is a natural diuretic and can be found in health food stores or online.

Passionflower

Passionflower is an herb that is found in many health food stores.

Evening Primrose

This herb is also found in health food stores.

Aloe Vera

This is a common herb found at the grocery store.

Lavender

Lavender is found in many health food stores.

Basil

Basil is found in many health food stores.

Tips to Swear by to Reduce Dark Circles

Get Adequate Sleep

If you don’t get enough restful sleep, you will be exhausted throughout the day. This means that you will not have the energy to treat dark circles.

Drink Plenty of Water

Water keeps your body hydrated. It also helps flush out toxins from the system, which could contribute to dark circles.

Eat Anti-inflammatory Foods

Make sure to eat foods that have anti-inflammatory properties, such as ginger. Ginger is a natural source of antioxidants that are helpful in treating Dark eyes.

Cold Compress Your Eyes

Try using a cold compress on your eyes. You can also use a washcloth that has been soaked in cool water. Keep the washcloth on your closed eye for 15 to 20 minutes and then switch to the other eye. You can even use a humidifier to help reduce puffiness.

Warm-up Your Eyes

When you wake up in the morning, place a warm cloth on your face. Covering your face with warm clothes can help reduce swelling and puffiness.

Extra Precautions to Take

•  Apply a mixture of honey and vitamin E. Mix together equal parts of vitamin E and honey. You can use a cotton ball to apply this mixture to your eyes.
•  Use aloe vera gel. Put a drop of aloe vera gel on your eyelids.
• Take a bath. When you take a hot bath, your body relaxes and the tension in your muscles can reduce. Therefore, your dark circles may lessen.
•  If you find yourself sleeping in an uncomfortable position, change positions. Make sure to avoid sleeping in the same position too many nights in a row.
• Avoid smoking. Cigarettes contain chemicals that are harmful to your health. These chemicals can leave your body and settle in your eyes. In addition, smoking can cause your skin to dry out and puff up.
•  Avoid caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant and can cause puffiness. Coffee, soda, and tea all contain caffeine.
•  Drink lots of water. If you drink lots of water, you will be more hydrated and you can avoid dehydrating your body.
•  Avoid the use of contact lenses. Your eyes will be more sensitive and could cause irritation. You should use eye drops instead of contact lenses.
•  Eat healthy foods. The foods that you eat can influence the appearance of your eyes. If you eat foods high in sugar, salt, and fat, you can increase puffiness and dark circles.
•  See a doctor if necessary. If you feel as if you’re not getting better after trying home remedies, see a doctor.

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Final Thoughts

These home remedies can help you to reduce your dark circles in a natural and harmless way without any use of medicines that can harm you more than they can help. 

Use the home remedies listed above for 1-2 days, and see if they improve your puffiness. If they do, continue to use them on a daily basis. You will feel a drastic change in your life once you start to move towards natural solutions and will start moving towards a healthy life free of chemical and medicinal solutions

If the home remedies do not work, then you may want to talk to your doctor about medication.