When I was in my early twenties, I had a real problem with dark circles. No matter how early I slept, or what products I used, I couldn’t stand looking at the mirror. I looked perpetually tired all the time, even when I wasn’t. Some people went as far as to believe I was on a prescription (or even illegal) drugs. You can imagine the impact this had on my self-confidence. After using tons of synthetic products, I was still at a loss on how to reduce dark circles. That is until I turned to a few home remedies a friend recommended.
How to Reduce Dark Circles
Anyone can have dark circles for a bunch of different reasons.
The problem could lie in your sleeping habits. You could be under significant stress. Exhaustion and perpetual tiredness can also cause pesky dark circles. Eczema, makeup irritants, and even aging are contributors to dark circles. The good news is, no matter the reason behind your condition, these home remedies for dark circles may help you. Try these out:
- Honey
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Green Tea Bags
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Castor Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Rosewater
- Lemon Juice
- Milk
- Potato
- Olive Oil
- Baking Soda
- Saffron
- Yogurt and Parsley
- Petroleum Jelly
Read on to find out more on how to remove dark circles naturally with these remedies.
1. Honey
Organic honey is an excellent home remedy for dark circles that actually works. Apply a thin layer under your eyes and let it stay for around 15 minutes. Rinse and repeat twice a day for best results. The antioxidants and nourishing elements in honey help soften and rehydrate the skin.
2. Sweet Almond Oil
This is one of the more well-known fixes for dark circles. Apply a few drops of sweet almond oil under our eyes and gently massage it. Leave it on overnight, wash the next morning and see the magic. Do this once a day before going to bed. The vitamin E in almonds helps make the skin under your eyes softer and firmer.
3. Green Tea Bags
If you’re still wondering how to reduce dark circles, green tea bags are a sure thing. Take 2 green tea bags, dip in water and refrigerate them for around 20 minutes. Place the cooled tea bags over your eyes for 15 minutes and then rinse your face. Repeat this every day until you start seeing results. Tannins in green tea constrict dilated capillaries and blood vessels to lessen dark circles.
4. Aloe Vera Gel
You will need fresh Aloe Vera gel and a clean cotton pad. Apply the gel under your eyes and leave it on for around 10 minutes. Then just moisten the cotton pad and clean it off. Do this twice a day, when you get up and before going to bed. The gel nourishes and rejuvenates the skin, reducing discoloration and making the skin look healthier.
5. Castor Oil
Castor oil is one of the best home remedies for dark circles around. Apply organic castor oil on your dark circles before sleeping and leave it on overnight. You will see unbelievable results if you do this every night. Castor oil conditions the skin, rejuvenating and softening dull areas. This makes wrinkles and dark circles go away.
6. Coconut Oil
Apply a few drops of virgin coconut oil under your eyes and massage gently. Try both clockwise and anti-clockwise movements when massaging. Leave it on overnight and rinse it off gently with warm water. The oil moisturizes and nourishes your skin, making it healthier and reducing dark circles.
7. Rosewater
Rosewater is very popular among home remedies for dark circles. All you need is some rosewater and 2 cotton balls. Soak the balls in rosewater, then place them under your eyes. Leave them on for at least 15 minutes before washing with cold water. Do this every day for 4 weeks for the results to show up. Rosewater has antioxidants that rejuvenate and strengthen skin cells, getting rid of dark circles.
8. Lemon Juice
All you need for this tip on how to reduce dark circles is some lemon juice and a sterile cotton swab. Use the swab to carefully apply the juice under your eyes. Be very careful not to get any in your eyes. Leave the juice on for 10 minutes before washing it off with warm water. Repeat the process twice a day to see the best results. Lemon juice lightens the skin, while vitamin C in the lemon acts as an antioxidant. Get brighter, healthier skin after just a few repetitions. Be sure to moisturize your skin immediately afterward.
9. Milk
Milk has surprising skin healing properties. Take a quarter bowl of milk, dip a cotton ball in it, and place it over your eyes. The ball should completely cover your dark circles. Use regular water to rinse off after roughly 15 minutes. Keep repeating once a day for two weeks. The lactic acid in milk helps make the skin smooth, strong and firm. It also reduces fine wrinkles and lines.
10. Potato
This remedy involves a bit more work. Get one raw potato and two cotton balls before you begin. Grate the raw potato to extract its juice and soak the cotton balls in it. Cover your dark circles completely with the soaked cotton balls and leave them on for around 10 minutes. Then rinse off with cold water. Use this remedy twice a day for best results. Within a couple of weeks, you will see noticeable changes.
11. Olive Oil
Virgin olive oil, paired with a pinch of turmeric, makes for an effective remedy. Massage a few drops of the oil into your skin gently. Try circular motions, using only your ring finger. Leave it on, overnight. Olive oil has a lot of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that are just the things you need. It also hydrates the skin under your eyes as well as nourish the affected area.
12. Baking Soda
Every home has a supply of baking soda that you can use to tackle your dark circle. Add one teaspoon of baking soda to a cup of warm water and mix it well. Soak two cotton balls in this mixture and place them carefully on your eyes. Wash off after 10 to 15 minutes. Baking soda makes the skin smoother and brighter. It also reduces inflammation under the eyes and improves blood circulation in the area.
13. Saffron
Saffron is not always easy to find, but as far as home remedies go, it is one of the best. You need to have a quarter cup of milk, a couple of saffron strands and a cotton ball. Let the saffron soak in the milk for a few minutes, before dipping in the cotton ball. Apply this infusion under your eyes and leave on for around 10 minutes. Rinse it off afterward with cold water. Saffron has many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that make it a top-notch cure for many skin conditions. If you want to know how to remove dark circles naturally and easily, then this is it!
14. Yogurt and Parsley
A tablespoon of yogurt and some parsley leaves combine into a great home remedy. Grind the parsley leaves and blend them well with the yogurt. Apply the resulting mixture over your eyes like a mask and let it dry for 10 minutes. Afterward, rinse off the mask with cool water. Three times a week should make a significant change to your condition. The minerals, vitamins and folic acid in the mask reduce wrinkles while evening out your skin tone. This makes dark circles less prominent.
15. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly isn’t exactly a natural remedy, but it is still very effective. Mix a small amount (about pea-sized) of petroleum jelly with a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this mixture under your eyes and let it sit for an hour. Wipe it off with soft tissue paper and wash your face with cool water. Once a day for a few weeks will show remarkable results. The mixture hydrates your skin and reduces dryness under the eyes.
These remedies are your best bet for getting rid of unsightly dark circles. If you have any other beauty tips for face, share them with us in the comments below.
