How to Use Home Remedies for Dark Circles

Puffy dark circles under your eyes can be an embarrassing nuisance. Many different things cause them and treatments vary from surgery to concealments and vitamin therapy. Taking good, preventive care of your eyes and making small changes in your lifestyle can help home remedy dark circles as well.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Take Care of Your Eyes

1. Identify and treat any allergies that might be contributing to the dark circles under your eyes. Though sometimes it's just a matter of heredity, dark circles are often a sign that you may be allergic to something. Take antihistamines for seasonal allergies and, if that doesn't do the trick, visit your doctor to rule out any possible food allergies.
2. Wear sunglasses and use sunscreen when you are outside for extended periods of time. Protecting the delicate skin under your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays can reduce dark spots and wrinkles that are often an effect of sun damage.
3. Avoid rubbing your eyes vigorously. Small blood vessels under the skin, known as capillaries, can break when you rub your eyes. This adds to puffiness and discoloration.
4. Apply Vitamin E oil around your eyes. In addition to being very good for eyesight, Vitamin E helps delay the onset of wrinkles and moisturizes your skin.

Change Your Habits to Treat Dark Circles

5. Drink lots of water. Some advocates of this home remedy recommend drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, if not more. Keeping hydrated helps lighten dark circles by increasing circulation and flushing your body of toxins.
6. Get enough sleep. The average person needs 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night, while most people only get 5 to 6 hours. Being tired can increase puffiness and cause dark shadows under your eyes.
7. Use a cool washcloth on your eyes when they feel puffy and before going to bed at night. The cold water helps the blood vessels constrict.
8. Refrigerate moist, caffeinated teabags overnight. In the morning place them on your eyes for 15 minutes. Not only does the cool moisture reduce swelling, but the tannin in the tea reduces discoloration too.
9. Eat foods rich in antioxidants and Vitamin K, the lack of which can cause dark circles. Foods to include in your diet are fruits and leafy green vegetables like spinach.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people have seasonal allergies severe enough to be treated with prescription medications. Talk to your doctor about the course of action that will be best for you.