How to remove dark circles

Aloe is your skin’s best friend when it comes to pigmentation and dark circles. It is scientifically proven to be a lightening herb, which means that it reduces melanin content in the skin. It also has nutritive and hydrating properties. It facilitates the construction of your skin fibres and keeps them from breaking down prematurely. And the best part is that aloe vera gel is easy to make at home!

Here is a simple way you can use aloe vera for your dark circles.

• Take a spoonful of aloe vera gel and a few drops of rose water in a bowl.
• Gently massage this mixture on the under eye area. You can use a cotton pad if you want.
• Leave it for 15 minutes.
• Rinse with normal water and pat dry with a soft towel.

You can do this at any time of the day or leave it like an undereye night cream.

Tea bags are one of the oldest remedies for dark circles and probably the fastest too. Though most people prefer green tea for patchy eyes, studies demonstrate that all kinds of tea, black, green and white are effective in reducing skin pigmentation by inhibiting melanin synthesis. Additionally, green tea is rich in some chemical compounds (catechins and polyphenols) which exhibit antioxidant properties.

Green tea extracts have been found to reduce collagen break down in the skin, which as we have already know, is responsible for thinning of eye skin and appearance of dark circles. In fact, tea extracts are the most sought-after remedy for undereye pigmentation in aesthetic medicine.

Green tea bags can be soaked and then refrigerated to be put over the eye 2 to 3 times a day to get the best results. Alternatively, you can make a green tea mask at home. Here is a recipe:

• Take some olive oil in a pan (you can use coconut oil if you want), heat it to a medium hot. Also, this is going to be a base for your mask so make sure you add enough.
• Put a spoonful of green tea leaves into it and let it heat on low heat for a few minutes. Don’t let them burn.
• Take the pan off the burner and strain the oil into a bottle.
• You can apply this for a few minutes during the day or leave it overnight.
• Store in a cool and dry place.

Adding vitamin E or an essential oil of your choice would be a good idea to increase its shelf life.

Yet another way to make a green tea under eye mask is by using green tea powder and mixing it with some almond oil and aloe gel.

Coconut oil is yet another easily available remedy for dark circles. It moisturises your skin and promotes collagen synthesis thus combating two of the most common factors responsible for dark circles. Interestingly, the skin penetration capacity of coconut oil is one of the best amongst all oils. This means that it deeply nourishes your skin and helps maintain skin structure. Additionally, it reduces skin pigmentation, which makes it the go-to remedy for dark under eye patches. Coconut oil can be directly applied to the skin once a day or used as an overnight treatment.

You can also mix some green tea, honey and rosewater to make an under-eye mask and apply it for 10-15 minutes once a day.

Apart from the usual moisturising and nourishing benefits of most oils, almond oil is rich in vitamin E, and most beauty enthusiasts know that vitamin E is the best treatment for alleviating almost all skin conditions. It increases collagen synthesis and reduces free radical damage along with reducing melanin. Studies indicate that applying almond oil on skin protects the skin from UV damage. An oil that doubles as a sunscreen! Isn’t it just perfect?

You can gently massage almond oil under your eyes and let your skin soak all of its benefits or mix it with some olive oil and honey to improve its skin penetration and skin lightening capacity.

Honey is the best combination of nutrition and antioxidants which strengthen the skin layers and negate free radical damage thus preventing collagen degradation. It is one of the most common substances used in creams, lotions and sun-blocking cosmetics. As an emollient, it soothes the skin and reduces damage.

A thin layer of honey can be applied under the eyes to reduce sun damage and improve skin texture. However, it is important to note that raw organic honey is much better than the commercially bought honey. If you can’t find local honey, a lot of brands sell raw and organic honey. Just make sure that you are buying from a trusted brand. Here is an easy recipe for a honey face mask:

• Take a spoonful of raw and organic honey.
• Mix it with some aloe gel and a ¼ tsp of turmeric.
• Apply a thin paste under your eyes for 10-15 minutes
• Rinse gently with warm water.

Instead of aloe gel, you can use olive oil or almond oil and skip on turmeric if you want.

Cucumber is quite well-known for its soothing benefits for eyes. Apparently, all those traditional beliefs are correct. Cucumber has a hydrating and cooling quality, which soothes blood vessels under your eyes and makes them less visible. Evidence confirms the benefits of cucumber extracts in reducing skin pigmentation, irritation and dehydration. Also, it is rich in antioxidants and would revert ageing-related skin damage and pigmentation. It won’t be wrong to say that cucumber is the complete solution for your dark circle problem.

The best way to use cucumber for under eye patches is by putting raw cucumber slices over your eyes for a few minutes.

Here is an easy recipe for making a cucumber face mask.

• Mash or grate a few cucumber slices in a bowl. You can also grind it.
• Mix a tsp of honey and a few drops of lemon to it.
• Apply a thin even layer of this mixture in the undereye region.
• Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.
• Rinse with lukewarm water.

You can apply this mask daily or on alternate days to reduce dark circles fast.

• Cold compress can help you get rid of the dark circles by reducing vasodilation under your eyes. A cold compress can be easily prepared at home by wrapping some ice cubes in a towel. Alternatively, you can put cold water strips over your eyes. Don’t apply it for a continuous interval since ice can cause tissue damage when kept in constant contact.
• In a clinical study, a mixture made from 3% caffeine by weight and 1% vitamin K was found to be effective in reducing dark circles.
• Potatoes are excellent skin lightening agent due to the presence of vitamin C in it. Vitamin C also plays a crucial role in collagen biosynthesis. So if you have a naturally thin skin, potato would be your best bet against dark circles. Just put potato slices on your eyes and forget about your dark circles.
• Some people use baking soda to relieve skin pigmentation and dark circles, though the evidence is quite contradictory. Skin has an acidic pH and most dermatologists do not recommend putting anything alkaline on the skin. However, the alkalising effects of baking soda are speculated to aid skin regeneration by helping in the removal of old tissue. If you are looking forward to use baking soda on your skin, mix it with some water and gently apply a thin layer under your eyes for 5 minutes. Do not rub baking soda under your eyes, since rubbing increases dark circles.