How to Relieve Dark Eye Circles

How to Relieve Dark Eye Circles
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Dark eye circles can make you look many years older than you really are. They form under your eyes when you are sleep deprived or suffer from allergies. Most commonly, however, they are hereditary. You can minimize your dark eye circles by getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy, and cutting out bad habits from your daily routine.

Step 1

Place tea bags over your eyes to relieve dark circles. Brew two tea bags, remove from the water and drain out the excess water. Place one tea bag over each eye for at least ten minutes. Tea contains EGCG, or epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which is a chemical that acts as an anti-inflammatory. ECGC may help relieve the dark circles under your eyes.

Step 2

Eat a diet full of fruits and veggies. Vegetables and fruits are filled with vitamin C, which helps your skin cells reproduce at a faster rate. The vitamin C in fruits and veggies will replace your old, damaged skin cells with new healthier cells, which helps reduce your dark eye circles. At every meal, eat at least one serving of fruits and veggies. Spinach, bananas, and oranges are good choices.

Step 3

Put an ice pack over your eyes to relieve dark eye circles. The ice cools and calms the skin under your eyes, getting rid of the inflammation and dark bags. Lie down on your couch or bed and place an ice pack directly over your eyes for at least ten minutes. While this method can work very quickly, be advised that the result is mostly temporary.

Step 4

Get your rest. When you are sleep deprived, dark circles may form under your eyes. The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to eight hours of sleep per night to function at a healthy level and help lighten your dark circles.

Step 5

Keep your body hydrated. Drinking water will flush out impurities in your body, which in turn should help fade the dark circles under your eyes. The Mayo Clinic says you should drink at least 64 ounces of water every day to keep your body hydrated.

References

Article reviewed by V. Mac Last updated on: Jul 19, 2010

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