Powerful Home Remedies For Dark Circles

Updated on: 9th February, 2022

Dark circles can be a blemish on your beauty and can affect the way you view yourself. Although it is rarely indicative of a serious underlying problem, the appearance of it can make you look fatigued. If you have a light complexion or thin skin, then dark circles can seem more prominent due to the pooling of blood in the capillaries under the eyes. This guide will act as a quick primer to treating dark circles at home, these remedies may work for milder cases of dark circles. However, in case the dark circles are persistent then you will have to consult a dermatologist.

The causes of dark circles are continued stress, resulting tiredness, and lack of sleep. It can also be due to physiological problems like allergies, a part of the natural ageing process, shadowing which is caused due to laxity and tears, or repeated scratching and rubbing. However, the most common cause of dark circles is genetic propensity / hereditary.

The dark area under the eyes may be purple or blue while in some people it is either dark brown or black depending on the complexion of their skin. Though the appearance of these dark circles poses no medical threat, many people are inclined to get rid of them naturally or at least lighten the discolouration. Improvements in sleep habits or changes in diet can help, though in some cases people may need to seek medical help.

The consistent application of dark circles remedies at home for a month or more can mitigate the darkness under your eyes while improving the complexion of the skin beneath. You can try out simple home remedies for dark circles that are not only effective but can be easily included in one’s daily routine.
Some simple home remedies for dark circles under the eyes include:

Banal as it may sound, but the good, old advice of getting your eight hours of sleep daily must not be ignored. Research studies have proved how people who experience low-quality sleep end up with dark circles under their eyes. Though subsequent hours of sleep cannot reverse the dark circle formation, it surely stops the aggravation of the problem.

Wrong sleeping positions can result in an increase in blood vessels or vasculature around their eyes. When you keep your head elevated during sleep, the chances of blood accumulating in the vessels in the head and face are lowered. This reduces the swelling and lessens the dark circles under the eyes.

Applying a cold compress on the area under the eyes regularly can constrict blood vessels. For better results, you may try the cold compress method for 10 minutes both morning and evening daily. You can also use a face mask that you can wet with water and keep it in the fridge for use at least two times every day. Besides, keep the area under the eyes clean to prevent the accumulation of dirt.

The mild astringent properties of cucumber serve to remove dark circles while lending a cooling effect. Alternatively, you can also use tea bags after having cooled them in the refrigerator for a few hours to lend the same effect as cold cucumber slices. Some skin experts advise their patients to use caffeinated tea bags as the caffeine content constricts blood vessels and lightens their appearance on the skin surface.

The anti-inflammatory effects of coconut oil are well known. We have often heard our elders advising us to use coconut oil when seeking advice on how to get rid of dark circles naturally. Labelled as one of the most effective home remedies for lightening dark circles under eyes fast, coconut oil also moisturizes the skin, thus, preventing wrinkles and reducing fine lines under the eyes.

Massaging the scalp using Vitamin E oil is common. However, not many are aware of how Vitamin E in oil can be effective in alleviating the effect of free radicals that cause wrinkles and dark spots under the eyes. To remove dark circles, massage a drop of the oil to the area under the eyes every night. Leave this overnight, and wash the area with lukewarm water in the morning.

The high Vitamin C content in pineapple juice acts as an effective dark circles remedy. Turmeric and lime juice help lighten dark circles.

Prefer including food items including fish and other seafood, and nuts like flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids in your daily diet.

You may also use plant oils such as flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil to cook your food. These fatty acids increase blood flow to the skin, thus, taking the blood away from the area under your eyes and relieving you of dark under-eye circles.

It is important to drink lots of water so that you do not look dehydrated, especially, the area under the eyes that is thin and prone to dehydration. Also, with too much salt in your body and less water content, you may look bloated.

Including too much salt in your diet, while not having enough water will make your eyes look puffy and result in dark circles under your eyes. Adequate water content in your body can help remove dark circles.

Nothing dehydrates the body more than alcohol. Control your alcohol intake. If you are consuming alcohol on a given day, remember to drink at least two glasses of water before going to bed. Besides, take care to apply a night cream or a moisturizer to the area below the eyes after a night out.

Dermatologists will identify the root cause of skin darkening under the eyes before prescribing ointments or skin lightening creams to treat the problem. It’s imperative that you seek a prescription from a dermatologist for any ointment or skin lightening cream; do not use them without a prescription. For extensive dark circles under the eyes, skin specialists advise the application of the following.

These creams rich in Vitamin A enhance collagen production and reduce dark circle appearance, however, for formula strength application, you must consult with a dermatologist for the right dosage. If you have a milder case of dark circles you can dab cold milk with a cotton cloth under your eyes for its rich Vitamin A and retinoid content that improves skin complexion and texture.

The darkness in the skin under the eyes can be attributed to high melanin content. Dermatologists often recommend the use of hydroquinone creams or beauty products containing kojic acid and arbutin that disrupt melanin production in the skin.

However, the use of these creams must be avoided unless prescribed by a dermatologist. Since kojic acid and arbutin are naturally derived, doctors prescribe their use in small quantities to avoid hyperpigmentation.

When OTC creams and home remedies fail to remove dark circles under the eyes, dermatologists advise professional laser treatment. In this kind of procedure, doctors use lasers to reduce the discolouration under the eyes by constricting the visible blood vessels and reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Dark circles are nothing to worry about as they pose no major health concern. Often getting more sleep or spending less time in front of the computer screens can help resolve the issues on its own. However, if the dark circles are persistent and are affecting your self-confidence, you must seek treatment.

While sometimes home remedies can remove or help reduce the appearance of dark circles, it helps if you consult an expert or physician to know the cause of your dark circles and seek treatment accordingly. There are many treatment options for dark circles. Among the available treatment options for dark circles include topical agents, physical therapies- including chemical peels, surgical corrections, and laser therapy- which have been used scientifically to treat dark circles

Clear Skin is India’s premier skincare and aesthetics clinic since 2006. We are equipped with more than 100 skincare experts and dermatology surgeons, making our name synonymous with safe, modern, and effective skin and cosmetic treatments. Our mission is to help you regain confidence and put forth the best version of yourself. Consult with us for a permanent solution to your dark circles and other skincare problems.