How to Remove Dark Circles: 10 Natural Home Remedies

• What causes dark circles?

• How to remove dark circles under the eyes permanently?

• How to remove dark circles at home naturally

• Take Away 

• FAQs

• References 

What causes dark circles?

Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by a variety of factors. Some common causes include:

Fatigue: 

Lack of sleep or staying up past your usual bedtime can cause dark circles to appear. Sleep deprivation can make your skin appear dull and pale, while fluid buildup from lack of sleep can cause puffiness that casts a shadow under your eyes.

Age: 

Natural aging can cause thinning of the skin and loss of fat and collagen, making the blood vessels beneath the skin more visible and causing dark circles to form.

Eyestrain: 

Straining your eyes from staring at screens or other activities can enlarge blood vessels around the eyes and cause the darkening of the skin.

Allergies: 

Allergic reactions can trigger the release of histamines, causing itchiness, redness, and puffy eyes that may worsen with rubbing or scratching, leading to inflammation, swelling, and broken blood vessels and resulting in dark circles.

Dehydration: 

Lack of hydration can cause the skin under the eyes to look dull and sunken due to the eyes' proximity to the underlying bone.

Sun overexposure: 

Overexposure to the sun can cause the skin around the eyes to produce excess melanin, resulting in dark pigmentation.

Genetics: 

Dark circles can be an inherited trait, and they can become more noticeable with age. Predisposition to other medical conditions such as thyroid disease may also cause dark circles.

Anaemia: 

Low red blood cell levels can cause fatigue, dizziness, and paler skin, as well as dark circles under the eyes. Treatment options include dietary changes, iron supplements, and infusions depending on the severity of the condition.

How to remove dark circles under the eyes permanently?

It is difficult to remove dark circles under the eyes permanently, but there are some treatments available that may help improve their appearance.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels involve the use of a solution applied to the skin to remove dead skin cells and promote the growth of new skin, which is a cosmetic procedure. Chemical peels can help reduce the appearance of dark circles by promoting collagen production and reducing the melanin content in the skin. However, they may cause redness, irritation, and other side effects.

Laser therapy

Laser therapy is a cosmetic treatment that uses a beam of light to remove the top layer of skin and promote the growth of new skin. Laser therapy can help reduce the appearance of dark circles by promoting collagen production and reducing the melanin content in the skin. However, it may cause redness, swelling, and other side effects.

Fillers

Fillers are a cosmetic treatment that involves injecting a substance, such as hyaluronic acid, under the skin to fill in wrinkles and other imperfections. Reducing the appearance of dark circles may be achieved with fillers, as they are used to fill in hollow areas under the eyes. However, the effects of fillers are temporary and may require ongoing treatments.

How to remove dark circles at home naturally?

Get adequate sleep

One of the common causes of dark eye circles is lack of sleep. Getting enough rest and maintaining good general health can lessen the darkness of eye circles. While limited studies support this claim, getting adequate sleep is still important for overall health.

Elevate the head during sleep

If you notice a darkening of the skin under your eyes in the morning that fades slightly throughout the day, you may have increased blood vessels or swelling around your eyes. By elevating your head during sleep, blood will travel away from the head and face, which may reduce swelling and lessen the dark colour under the eyes.

Apply cold compresses

If a person has visible blood vessels under their eyes, they may find relief by using cold compresses. These compresses can narrow the blood vessels, thus diminishing their appearance on the skin's surface. They can also decrease puffiness and alleviate the darkness.

Minimize sun exposure

Exposure to UV rays from the sun can exacerbate dark eye circles in certain individuals. Shielding the skin from the sun by wearing sunglasses, and hats, and using moisturizers containing sunscreens can prevent the aggravation of dark eye circles.

Use cucumber slices and tea bags

While the mechanisms behind their effectiveness are unclear, some people apply cucumber slices or tea bags to their eyes to reduce the appearance of dark eye circles. The cold temperature of the cucumber slices may improve swelling due to sleeping, eczema, or allergies, while caffeinated tea bags can constrict blood vessels and reduce their appearance on the skin's surface.

Try vitamin C

Vitamin C can increase collagen production, which can reduce blood stasis, the pooling of blood in blood vessels that may cause discolouration. Using beauty products with high concentrations of vitamin C may improve the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

Use retinoid creams

Retinoid creams, which promote collagen production and decrease the melanin content in the skin, can also help improve the appearance of dark eye circles. However, not everyone can use retinoid creams, so it's important to talk to a doctor or healthcare professional before using them.

Consider hydroquinone, kojic acid, and arbutin creams

Compounds such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, and arbutin can interfere with the synthesis of melanin in the skin. While low concentrations of hydroquinone and kojic acid can be effective, hydroquinone may cause side effects and is only available as a prescription. Kojic acid and arbutin are naturally derived substances that can improve the appearance of dark circles in small doses but may cause hyperpigmentation in high concentrations.

Try vitamin K

In a recent study, researchers tested the effectiveness of an anti-wrinkle and dark eye circle pad that contained 3% caffeine and 1% vitamin K. After participants wore the pads for an hour every night for four weeks, researchers observed a decrease in the appearance of dark eye circles. However, further studies are necessary to verify the potency of vitamin K and caffeine-infused pads for minimizing dark eye circles.

Use concealers and makeup

Makeup, such as mineral makeup foundation and optical diffusers, can conceal dark patches under the eyes and improve their appearance. However, it's important to note that these techniques do not treat or prevent dark eye circles.

Take Away 

While there is no permanent solution to removing dark circles, there are various lifestyle changes, home remedies, and medical treatments that can help reduce their appearance. It's important to consult with a doctor or dermatologist to determine the best course of action for individual cases.

FAQs

Can coconut oil help dark circles?

Coconut oil may help moisturize the under-eye area, but there is no scientific evidence that it can specifically help with dark circles.

Does aloe vera gel remove dark circles?

Aloe vera gel may have anti-inflammatory and skin-lightening properties that could potentially reduce the appearance of dark circles, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Can ice remove ice bags?

Applying ice or cold compresses may help reduce swelling and inflammation around the eyes, but it may not directly remove dark circles.

References 

1. Evaluation of the clinical efficacy and safety of an eye counter pad containing caffeine and vitamin K in emulsified Emu oil base - NCBI
2. Periorbital Hyperpigmentation: A Comprehensive Review - NCBI
3. What Causes Dark Circles Under Your Eyes? - Healthline

Stay Informed, and Stay Healthy!