Dark circles, or periorbital hyperpigmentation, often set in after puberty or early adulthood(1). While men are also afflicted by this condition, women are more prone to developing dark circles.
It is estimated that nearly 30. 76% of the population(2) struggles with it. However, given that there are a number of cosmetic products available in the market indicates that it could possibly be more common. Let us take a look at how to get rid of dark circles permanently using home remedies.
Before we explore tips on how to remove dark circles, let us first understand what causes dark circles around the eyes? The most common culprits behind dark circles are:
Here are a few natural remedies on how to reduce dark circles.
[Read: Home Remedies for Dark Circles]
Applying a few essential or regular oils topically can help erase dark circles. Here are a few oils that work:
The healthy oil extracted from the dried-up flesh of the coconut contains a significant amount of healthy compounds.
Coconut oil nourishes and moisturizes the skin(3), which improves the skin’s health and elasticity. As a result, dark circles begin to disappear shortly.
[Read: Coconut Oil for Oily Skin ]
Apply the oil every night before you go to bed
Sweet almond oil offers a plethora of goodness to your brain, nervous system, and skin. Thus, using almond oil for dark circles has been an age-old natural remedy.
Almond oil is a rich source of Vitamin E; in fact, a drop of almond oil can supply 26% of the recommended daily intake. It can also be used as an emollient to make the skin supple and soft.
[Read: Benefits of Using Castor Oil for Skin]
Follow this routine every night until the dark circles disappear.
Castor oil is good for the skin you can use castor oil for getting rid of dark circles. Let’s take a look at how you can do so.
Castor oil conditions the skin and makes it soft. It has the ability to breathe a new life into your skin, thus, making the skin beneath your eyes wrinkle-free and less dull(4).
Make this regimen a daily habit until the dark circles disappear.
The golden Moroccan oil could be your magic remedy to make the dark circles disappear for good.
The composition of argan oil is much like the body’s natural oil. As such, it can easily penetrate through the skin barrier and reach the deeper layers. The high content of Vitamin E and antioxidants restore the natural radiance of your skin. Further, it can also reduce fine lines and wrinkles(5).
[ Read: Essential Oils for Dark Circles ]
Do this every night before going to sleep.
While the body can derive the necessary vitamins from the food that we eat, some of it cannot be fully absorbed by the body. To supplement it, we need to ingest certain vitamins to enjoy their healing powers. Here are a few vitamins for dark circles:
Vitamin E can boost your skin health. Naturally, it can also help with dark circles.
Vitamin E is responsible for nourishing your skin and improving skin condition. It can lighten the complexion and, in process, help dark circles disappear.
Apply Vitamin E oil twice a week to see noticeable results.
In addition to Vitamin E, Vitamin K can also help you in getting rid of dark circles.
According to a 2015 study(6), those who applied Vitamin K enriched eye pads under their eye noticed the erasure of their dark circles and fine lines.
Do this once a week to reduce the intensity of dark circles.
Certain food items can have a detrimental effect on dark circles. Try out the following foods if you wish to get rid of dark circles permanently.
Turmeric is a golden spice that holds the answer to a number of diseases and ailments. Let’s take a look at how to use turmeric for dark circles:
Turmeric possesses skin lightening properties(7). It enhances the appearance of dark and dull skin present below your eyes. Mixing turmeric with almond oil makes the combination more potent against dark circles.
Apply this paste three to four times a week for best results.
Applying cucumber slices to lighten the skin has been a tried and tested remedy passed down through generations.
Cucumber is loaded with antioxidants such as vitexin, cucurbitacins, and orientin, which can easily reduce the intensity of dark circles.
Follow this routine twice a day for nearly a week.
Tomatoes are a healthy fruit that can help improve your skin.
Lycopene, a phytochemical compound present in tomatoes, can benefit the skin(8) and undo skin darkening. It is also capable of protecting the skin from any further damage.
NOTE: Those with sensitive skin can add a teaspoon of rose water to the above mixture before applying it to their skin.
Follow this routine for two to three weeks and do this nearly twice a day.
Here are a few home remedies that can help get rid of dark circles.
While green tea is exceptionally beneficial for health, green teabags also have a little something to offer.
Dark circles could be formed due to the dilation of the blood vessels under the eye. The tannins and antioxidants in green tea prevent the dilation of blood vessels. Thus, the constriction of blood vessels undo the dark circles.
Apply the green tea bags daily until the dark circles disappear.
Baking Soda or Sodium Bicarbonate can help you get rid of a number of skin problems, one of them is dark circles.
Baking soda can not only soothe the skin but also lighten the complexion. Further, the anti-inflammatory properties(9) boost the blood flow to regions under the eye, thereby making the skin lighter. Additionally, it is highly potent against allergies, which could be causing dark circles.
NOTE: You could also apply a topical paste of baking soda and water.
Do this twice a week to notice your dark circles disappear.
[ Read: Coconut Oil for Dark Circles ]
Vitamin C-rich lemon juice can help get rid of dark circles. Learn how:
Lemon juice contains skin lightening properties(10). Furthermore, the Vitamin C content acts as an antioxidant, which nourishes and rejuvenates the skin.
Follow this remedy twice daily. Remember to moisturize your skin after every application as lemon tends to leave your skin dry.
Some herbs possess the bioactive compounds required for reducing dark circles. Here’s a list of a few of them:
Liquorice or mulethi is a popular Indian herb used for treating coughs. However, it is also rather potent against dark circles.
Liquorice is rich in glabridin, which protects the skin from the damaging effects of UVB radiation and suppresses pigmentation(11). As a result, it helps in lightening dark circles.
Follow this routine every day.
Mint not only offers freshness to your food or drink but also tackles various health issues. Here is a remedy using mint leaves for treating dark circles.
Mint leaves are rich in Vitamin C, which lightens the skin(12) and reduces dark circles. It also improves skin health.
Try this recipe every night before going to bed.
Parsley is a widely-used herb, especially in continental and European dishes. However, it can offer health benefits in addition to taste and flavour to food.
Parsley is loaded with beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin C, and various vitamins and minerals(13). It has the capacity of evening out skin tone and preventing the formation of wrinkles(14).
Apply this eye mask thrice a week.
While dark circles do not pose any harm to an individual, it can really bring down one’s confidence and self-esteem. Thus, you may try out these home remedies to get rid of dark circles, and you will soon observe a noticeable difference in your skin tone. You could even give vitamin-enriched skin creams a chance to lighten the dark circles further.
Now that you know how to get rid of dark circles, let us address a few frequently asked questions about them.
Unfortunately, yes. Some forms of dark circles are hereditary and are passed down from generation to generation.
A number of natural remedies that will help you get rid of dark circles permanently have been listed above. Depending on the intensity and severity of the condition, a dermatologist may recommend chemical peeling, laser treatment, intense pulsed light treatment, or even surgery.