Tried And Tested: 3 All Natural Ways To Banish And Prevent Dark Circles

via Giphy

If dark circles are getting to you like they are to this little guy, then relax because we’ve got you covered. Unlike pandas, at least our dark circles don’t have to be permanent. They pop up when we’re sleep-deprived, and sometimes they’re just hanging about because mostly, they’re hereditary (case in point, pandas). Dark circles are more common in certain ethnicities, but that doesn’t mean they don’t affect everyone at some point. Many things can contribute to pesky shadows, like dehydration, too much salt, alcohol, smoking, and even a bad diet. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural ways to banish dark circles and prevent them from appearing!

Kinda gross, but dark circles are caused by poor circulation that results in blood accumulating in this area, and because the skin under our eyes is much thinner than anywhere else, it’s much more noticeable here. One trick for stopping dark circles before they even start is as easy as sleeping on your back on a higher pillow, which will improve circulation and decrease puffiness.

If your dark circles have already set up camp, then these three natural remedies I’ve tested myself will eliminate all kinds of dark circles:

Sweet Almond Oil

Rich in skin-loving vitamin E, and vitamin K, which improves clotting that discolors the undereye area, sweet almond oil also boasts antioxidants, while its naturally anti-inflammatory properties reduce puffiness. Not the same as almond oil, sweet almond oil comes from a different part of the almond and has more targeted properties that make it far more efficient. To use, gently pat a drop or two of sweet almond oil under your eye area using your ring finger and let it absorb into your skin. Do this every night, and in the morning too, if you’re able. I noticed that in just two weeks, my dark circles were visibly reduced.

Potato

This one really works, which is great because potatoes are easy to get your hands on and they’re not expensive either. Potatoes contain vitamin A, and brightening vitamin C, starch, and other enzymes, which nourish the area while it also works as a bleaching agent. The most effective method is using the juice of the potato, which can easily be extracted if you grate it. If you like, you can combine the potato juice with a little honey, which will make application easier, while the honey will also work to hydrate the under-eye area. Once applied, leave on for 30 minutes, before wiping it away with a damp cloth. You’ll notice results within a couple of weeks if you do this every day.

Green Tea

Green Tea is packed with antioxidants and is an amazing dark circle remedy that’s been used for centuries to improve the condition of the under eye area. The caffeine works to shrink blood vessels on the top layer of your skin and reduce puffiness, while the tannins in the tea also restrict blood capillaries to improve the appearance of dark circles. Some people simply like to place green tea bags under their eyes, but I find this method of mixing green tea with Vaseline to be much more effective:

Origins GinZing

If you’re looking for a quick and easy fix, then the Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream ($30) is by far my FAV eye cream for dark circles – I’ve been using it for years! I use this every night and most mornings too, and it really makes a huge difference. It uses coffee beans, Panax Ginseng, and magnolia extract to target dark circles and blood circulation, while natural optic brighteners immediately softens the look of dark circles. Of all the eye creams I’ve tried, this has 100% been the most effective product I’ve found for dark circles.

Of course, clever makeup application will also work wonders, and you can make them virtually disappear with the right concealer techniques. Check out my video for the best ways to get rid of dark eye circles with concealer.

These are the natural methods that I find work the most effectively for me, but there is another, more invasive procedure, called Carboxy that I’ve also found to be ahhhhmazing at getting rid of dark circles… Check out the video to see how this weird treatment works.