Banish Bags and Dark Circles the Easy Way
Spending too long in front of your laptop, not getting enough shut-eye, or plain old genetics could all be causing eye puffiness and dark circles. It could even be down to allergies, fluid retention, excess salt, smoking or sinus problems.
If you’re dealing with bags and pesky dark circles, you don’t have to consistently pat on concealer to hide your beauty woes. Instead, try out the many natural methods and helpful tips for disguising them.
EASY TRICKS FOR GETING RID OF DARK CIRCLES AND UNDER-EYE BAGS
Grab Some Zzz…
It may sound simple, but it’s the first step in eliminating those under-eye circles and bags.
“Rest is important in general because you will decrease stress levels and therefore your cortisol levels,” explains Dr. Natasha Sandy. “Rest not only gives your mind time to regenerate and rejuvenate, but also it does the same for your body. Rest has the same affect on your under eyes.”
If you’re having trouble sleeping, try spraying Truly’s Moon Shower Adaptogen Spa Mist 3-5 times in your shower before going to bed. Formulated with eucalyptus, lavender, and ashwagandha, it’s the perfect recipe for a restful sleep.
Honey
Honey is packed with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it an excellent de-puffer and dark circle minimizer. Apply a small amount with your fingertip to the under-eye area right before you hit the sheets so you can let it soak in while you sleep. When you wake up, shadows and swelling should be gone – or at least, look a lot less noticeable.
Invest in an Eye Cream
Wear an eye cream daily to keep your eyes looking flawless. Make sure you look for ingredients that target circles and puffiness while providing hydrating agents to the skin. Our favorite ingredients for tackling bags and shadows include caffeine, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, coffee seed extract, and cacao extract.
Use Truly’s Eye Candy Anti-Puff Eye Cream twice a day, morning and night, to maintain bright and bag-free eyes.
Cucumber Slices
Cucumbers have potent astringent and anti-inflammatory effects, which means they’re awesome at reducing puffiness around the eyes. They also boast skin-lightening properties helping to lighten skin discoloration under the eyes.
Cut thick slices of chilled cucumbers and lay them over your eyes. It should feel really good. Leave them on for 10 to 15 minutes 2-3 times a day.
Try Tools
Nowadays, we have so many cool skincare gadgets to choose from, there’s bound to be something for dark circles and bags.
Oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton recommends a gua sha stone massage.
“Promoting lymphatic drainage is a technique that I teach my patients who are prone to fluid retention in the area,” Dr. Jeanniton says. When recommending the gua sha, she states, “It’s such a beauty favorite these days, and for good cause: it’s especially beneficial combined with an eye serum or eye cream to the area to minimize unintentional friction to delicate eyelid skin.”
Another great option is the jade roller, a popular skincare tool which also improves lymphatic drainage.
Lemon Juice
Thanks to the vitamin C in lemon juice, this household staple makes an excellent lightener for every skin color. So say bye-bye dark circles!
Soak several cotton balls in cold lemon juice and place them along the periorbital ridge. Leave them on for 10 minutes and splash with fresh, cool water. Try to not get any of the juice in your eyes. Ouch!
Hydrocortisone Cream
Numerous factors cause shadows under the eyes. According to Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, there’s one factor many people overlook.
“A common cause of dark circles from pigment is irritation,” says Ciraldo. “This leads to melanin pigment deposit, so-called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—dermatologists call these dark circles allergic shiners.”
She recommends using a 1% hydrocortisone cream twice a day to keep irritation at bay. She also advises us to avoid fragranced skin care and to opt for an undereye treatment that helps fade pigmentation.
Cut Down on Salt
Salty foods are usually the cause of water retention – a factor that can significantly affect the appearance of your under-eye area.
“If you have a lot of salt in your body, then the water is going to move towards the area where there is more salt to decrease the concentration of that,” explains Dr. Jeanniton.
Opt instead for foods with vitamin A and C, which are anti-inflammatory and water soluble. Collagen supplements may help, too. Oh, and don’t forget to pig out on pineapples. The bromelain inside them “prevents swelling and puffiness.”
Stay Protected
Wearing sunscreen on a daily basis can literally save your skin – and that includes the skin around your eyes. In fact, you should put even more emphasis on that area as the skin there is thinner and prone to dryness.
Keep your under-eye area protected by dabbing on an SPF30 sunscreen and wearing sunglasses.
OTHER QUICK TIPS FOR BANISHING BAGS AND DARK CIRCLES
- Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and prevent sagging.
- Eat a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and iron to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
- Avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes.
- Always remove all your makeup before going to bed.
- Address your allergies. Talk to your doctor to find the best medication or invest in a neti pot to flush out sinuses.
- Reduce your stress. Try practicing yoga or mindfulness to keep your stress levels in check.
- Avoid alcohol – it can cause fluid retention which leads to under-eye puffiness.
Under-eye bags and dark circles are a common beauty concern, but there is something you can do about them. Follow the above tips and tricks, and invest in a quality eye cream, to enjoy bag and shadow-free eyes.
On the other hand, certain underlying health issues may be to blame for the problem, so it’s important to check with a health professional to make sure they’re not part of a bigger issue.
