Dark circles under the eyes don't necessarily mean you're lacking sleep. There are many possible causes for under-eye circles, including medication, a health condition, heredity or age. Dark circles appear with age because the skin gets thinner, fat and collagen decrease and blood vessels under the eyes become more visible. Boosting skin health, body circulation and addressing medical issues that cause under-eye circles can improve your appearance. There are a few home remedies you can try, too.
Step 1
Ensure that you get enough protein because it's necessary for skin health, according to the Canadian Association of Wound Care. Eggs are a great choice because they also have L-cysteine, an amino acid important for skin health, and are a source of minerals like manganese and the B vitamin biotin, which helps the body form skin cells. Other good protein sources are lean meats, fish, poultry and low-fat dairy products. Nuts, beans and legumes also have proteins, albeit in lower amounts.
Step 2
Eat foods with vitamins that are essential to skin health. Consume whole grains for their B vitamins and nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Eat cantaloupe, sweet red peppers, strawberries and citrus fruits for vitamin C, which supports collagen production, and gain vitamin E with green leafy vegetables. The antioxidants in both of these vitamins help protect skin cells from damage by free radicals and also guard skin against sun damage. Take in vitamin A by eating orange and yellow vegetables because it helps your body maintain and repair skin tissue.
Step 3
Exchange "bad" trans and saturated fats for essential fatty acids, and ensure you include zinc and iron in your diet. All three nutrients are vital for skin health. Eat salmon twice weekly or utilize flax seed oil to gain omega-3s. Use safflower oil to gain omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-9 fatty acids, also called monounsaturated fatty acids or MUFAs, are in olive oil, avocados and macadamia nuts.
Eat beef or pork as sources of zinc. Include foods with iron like beans, leafy greens, enriched cereals and meat. If you are iron-deficient, you can suffer inadequate oxygen flow to your body tissues and will have pale skin, which causes the bluish veins underneath the eyes to stand out.
Step 4
Drink enough water. Even slight dehydration can make dark circles appear under your eyes. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water every day.
Step 5
Treat your allergies, alleviate nasal congestion and cure sinusitis. Allergies are one of the most common causes for under eye circles, according to the Mayo Clinic. See a doctor if you do not know what you are allergic to. Make sure you check for food allergies as well as seasonal allergies. Congestion of any kind can be a culprit because it will darken and dilate veins that drain from the eyes to the nose, according to the Mayo Clinic. People who suffer chronic sinusitis often have dark circles under the eyes.
Step 6
Change lifestyle choices that can lead to dark circles. Reduce use of alcohol and caffeinated sodas. Stop smoking. The habit leads to dark circles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Get moving if you are sedentary. Exercise will boost circulation and improve your overall health. Exercise for at least 10 minutes at a time, the minimum amount to gain a health benefit according to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Step 7
Utilize cold therapy. Chill and apply moisturizers with vitamins K and/or E, sesame oil, safflower oil or avocado oil, or use two spoons that were refrigerated. Place the spoons under the eyes for 10 minutes. Freeze parsley in some ice cubes and apply under the eyes. Parsley has chlorophyll that can aid in fading under-eye circles. Massage cold eye cream or almond oil and honey onto the dark circles for 15 minutes prior to going to sleep. Almond oil contains vitamin E and is a monounsaturated fatty acid, both of which benefit skin.
Step 8
Put raw cucumber or potato slices on the eyes for 20 minutes, soak cotton balls in cold rose water and wear them for 10 minutes, or mix lemon and tomato juices in equal amounts and apply to the dark circles twice daily.
Tips and Warnings
- The easiest way to gain a healthy, balanced diet that boosts skin health is to follow the recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Daily Food Guide, also called the food pyramid.
References
- Science Daily: What To Eat For Glowing Healthy Skin
- Canadian Association of Wound Care : Nutrition, Pressure Ulcer Management And Skin Health
- "Super Nutrition for Women," Ann Louise Gittleman; 2004
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