Circles under the eyes can make you look sleepy or sick. The causes of under-eye circles include illness, genetics and improper nutrition. Lack of sleep can also cause circles to form under the eyes, along with puffiness. Several products, such as creams, medications and at-home remedies utilizing certain foods, can treat and prevent under-eye circles. Treatment depends on the cause of the circles; not all treatments work for everyone who suffers from this condition.
Step 1
Eat a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables provide the skin under the eyes with proper nutrients to keep discoloration away. Deficiencies in these vitamins and minerals can produce under-eye circles and worsen genetic under-eye circles. Vitamin C, iron and vitamin E are the three essential nutrients to support skin health, according to VitaGuide.org.
Step 2
Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Keeping well hydrated will keep the skin around the eyes healthy and bright. Avoid alcohol, tobacco and caffeine as these increase dehydration risk. According to personal trainer Wendy Hood, sunken eyes and under-eye circles are signs that you need water.
Step 3
Sleep at least eight hours per night. Sleep deprivation will cause eyes to look exhausted by adding bags and dark under-eye circles. Limited sleep also limits blood flow, darkening the skin around the eyes in the process.
Step 4
Apply cool cucumber slices on the eyes for 10 minutes. Cucumbers are a natural astringent and can reduce puffiness and dark circles as well as prevent them.
Step 5
Apply a vitamin E-enhanced moisturizing eye cream daily. You may also choose to invest in a cream that contains alpha hydroxy acids as well. Both ingredients promote healing of the skin, reduce blood vessel inflammation and fight the aging process that causes under-eye circles.
Step 6
Take allergy medication during allergy season. Antihistamines block the airborne irritants that can cause redness and under-eye circles due to eye allergies. Opt for an allergy medication that does not make you drowsy throughout the day.
Tips and Warnings
- Sliced raw potatoes can be used in place of cucumbers. To ensure proper sleep, try going to bed 30 minutes earlier each night until you have reached eight or more hours of sleep per night.
Things You'll Need
- 2 slices cucumber, cooled
- Antihistamine allergy medication
- Eye cream with vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acid
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Water
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