Dark circles under the eyes can make a person look tired and worn out. Dark circles are caused by the shadow cast on the area by swollen eyelids or a hollow that commonly appears under the eyes as you age. You should speak to your doctor if you suspect that the dark circles are being caused by a medical condition, like allergies or eczema. Treating the underlying condition can usually clear up the dark circles.
Step 1
Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night. Not getting enough sleep can make your eyelids puffy and cause dark circles to appear.
Step 2
Restrict salt in your diet. Salty foods can cause you to retain water and swelling around the eyes. Avoid foods high in sodium like table salt, chips, lunch meat, processed foods and fast food.
Step 3
Eat foods high in vitamin C, which can protect your skin against free radicals that lead to signs of premature aging, like dark circles. Some of these foods are pears, oranges, tomatoes and grapefruit.
Step 4
Apply a cool compress to the eyes. The cold water that you place on a washcloth can reduce eyelid swelling. Leave the cold compresses in place for at least 10 minutes several times throughout the day. Cucumber slices and teabags can be used as an alternative to the compresses. The tannin in the tea can reduce discoloration under the eyes.
Step 5
Protect your skin from the sun. Wear sunglasses or a hat to keep your eye area out of the sun. Sun exposure causes an overproduction of melanin and discoloring under the eyes.
Things You'll Need
- Cold compresses
- Sunglasses
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