How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Around the Eyes

Cold milk might help alleviate dark circles.

Tired, puffy eyes and dark circles are common. According to MayoClinic.com, dark circles can be caused by many things, not simply lack of sleep. These causes include allergies, smoking, stress and nasal congestion. While there are a few at-home methods you can use to diminish the dark areas, or at least conceal them, the website cautions that if there is swelling or discoloration under just one eye and it worsens over time, you should see your doctor.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton balls
• Milk
• Teabags
• Hydrosol

Instructions

1. Spray a hydrosol around your eyes regularly to help with dry or tired eyes. Lavender, rose and chamomile hydrosols offer great relief for the eyes. Hydrosols are just waters infused with the particular flower. These are perfectly safe and can be sprayed onto open eyes. They help soothe discomfort and irritation, and help with puffiness or dark circles.

2. Soak two cotton balls in cold milk -- the colder the better -- then place them over your eyes for 15 minutes. Be sure to rinse off thoroughly afterward, using cold water.

3. Make your own teabag eye treatment. Soak a bag of calendula, lavender or goldenseal tea in hot water for 10 minutes. Squeeze out the extra water and place the teabags over your eyes for about 15 minutes. If you prefer, you can use one teabag and switch eyes, but soak it before the second use.

4. Stop rubbing your eyes. You can break blood vessels, thus creating the dark areas, or make the areas darker if you're already dealing with dark circles.

References

• MayoClinic.com: Dark Circles Under Eyes
• Aromatherapy Lifestyle; Aromatherapy Eye Openers; Sue Charles
• DarkCircles.net: 10 Ways To Remove Dark Circles Under Eyes