Are you suffering from under-eye dark circles? Puffy eyes? Tired of trying out everything and not seen results yet? Well, we understand you. How can I get rid of dark circles? We get this question a lot from our audience. We thought of writing a full article covering all your matters regarding the under-eye issue.

Are under-eye dark circles a serious health concern?

To be honest, it is not a serious problem however many people who have dark circles feel overwhelmed, look tired, older and unhealthy. This can cause stressful feelings about one’s appearance and low self-esteem.

Why do I get dark circles?

Although there is no one particular reason for dark circles, there are many contributing factors from your lifestyle that causes dark circles and puffy eyes. Most common reasons are;

1. Age - Natural ageing is one of the common reasons for under-eye dark circles, as one gets older, the skin becomes thinner. An individual loses the collagen that needed maintaining the skin health because of this reason, dark blood vessels under eye become more visible and causes dark circles.
2. Fatigue - Lack of sleep, oversleep and overwhelmed work schedules can also cause under-eye dark circles. Lack of sleep can cause fluid build in the under-eye area, makes one’s eyes puffy and tired.
3. Eye strain - Looking at computer screens for long hours causes extreme exhaustion and makes your eyes looking puffy and older. Longer the hours’ someone works on a computer screen, more strain the eyes can be.
4. Dehydration - When one’s body is not getting the proper amount of water as it needed, the area under eyes can look dull and eyes look sunken. Therefore, dehydration can be identified as one of the reasons for dark circles.
5. Overexposure to sunlight - Overexposure to the sun can cause different issues in your body specifically in your skin. Too much sunlight especially for your eyes can be unhealthy. It can cause pigmentation in the area below the eye and darken the area.

How can I get rid of dark circles?

So as the first step in treating under-eye dark circles, you need to identify and understand the causes of it. Many cosmetics companies promote under-eye creams that contain toxic chemicals, applying this for a long time can cause more damage to your skin. As the under-eye area is extremely sensitive, you need to be more careful in choosing what you apply.

However, there are different ways how you can get rid of under-eye dark circles issue;

Sweet Almond oil with honey

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of sweet almond oil can work effectively on dark circles. The rich vitamins including vitamin E and vitamin K can keep the delicate skin under your eyes smooth without irritating it.

How to use: Mix 1/2 teaspoon of honey with 1/2 teaspoon of sweet almond oil, blend the mixture well and apply it on the under-eye area. For best results, apply this oil before bedtime, keep it on your skin overnight and wash it off next day morning.

Castor oil

Castor oil is one of the best carrier oils you can use to reduce eye puffiness and dark circles. The omega 3 fatty acids in Castor oil can help to reduce eye swelling, reduce fluid retention and keep the are hydrated. It also soothes and lightens the skin under the eyes.

How to use: Add a few drops of castor oil onto your fingertips and apply on the under-eye area. Massage 3-4 minutes smoothly using your fingertips. For best results, apply this oil before bedtime, keep it on your skin overnight and wash it off next day morning.

Rosewater and Sweet Almond oil

Rosewater has an anti-inflammatory impact on your skin, it also feels extremely calming on your skin and can rejuvenate tired eyes. Sweet Almond oil as mentioned earlier, is one of the best oils you can use to get rid of dark circles.

How to use: Add a few drops of rosewater to a cotton ball and apply it under your eyes. Pat dry, once it has dried, apply the sweet almond oil and massage for 2 - 3 minutes in a circular motion. Leave the oil on overnight and wash it off next day morning.

Rosehip oil and Lavender oil

Lavender oil stimulates blood circulation which has a significant impact on the darkness under the eyes. Rosehip oil rejuvenates your skin along with the right moisturizing. The mixture of both oils can reduce puffiness and improve skin hydration. 

How to use: Add one drop of lavender essential oil with ¼ tablespoon of Rosehip oil. Blend these oils well to make the perfect mixture, massage the mixture under your eyes gently without getting too near to eyes. Leave it overnight for relaxing effect.

Jade roller

The blood circulation in the under-eye area can support reducing eye puffiness and dark circles, however, facial massage needs to be done properly without irritating the skin. Jade roller is one of the ancient tools used by many women to increase blood circulation, skin complexion and ageing impact.

How to use: Add a few drops of your favourite carrier oil (Rosehip oil, Sweet Almond oil or Jojoba oil are the perfect choices) and gently massage your face in a circular motion. Use the jade roller and massage your face to absorb the oil better, use the smaller roller for the under-eye areas. For better results, do it in the morning after cleansing your face and before bedtime.

Apart from these remedies, you need to consider and adjust your lifestyle too. We highly recommend doing these;

1. Drink more water (at least 2 litres per day)
2. Get enough sleep (at least 6-8 hours a day)
3. Reduce screen time (try taking breaks from work to ensure you are reducing the screen time)
4. Reduce sunlight (eliminate sunlight exposure to your face)
5. Add food rich in vitamins (Tomatoes, Cucumber, Watermelon are the best food for dark circles)