THE BEST ROUTINE FOR GETTING RID OF DARK CIRCLES AND UNDER EYE BAGS

1. COLD COMPRESS 

In the morning or evening – or better yet, in the morning AND the evening – apply a cold compress for about 10 minutes. If you have a mask, you can keep it in your fridge and pull it out twice a day. That’s the easiest way to try this dark circle reducing method. Just make sure to keep it clean and give it a good soapy scrub a few times a week!

2. Cucumbers

We’ve all seen cucumbers used as cold compresses on television and in films – but do they really work?

In fact, cucumbers have skin-lightening and mild astringent properties, so you can use cucumber slices to fix raccoon eyes naturally.

To try this method twice a day, chop a fresh cucumber into thick slices and then refrigerate for 30 minutes. Then, leave the slices on your eyes for 10 minutes. Rinse your eye area with warm (but not hot) water after using.

3.Cucumber Juice + Lemon Juice

If cucumber slices don’t work for you, try mixing equal parts cucumber and lemon juice, and then use a cotton ball to apply to your under-eye circles. (DO NOT get lemon juice in your eye!) Leave the solution on your skin for 15 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

4.Rose Water

Rosewater doesn’t just smell fantastic – it can also soothe and rejuvenate tired skin. Like cucumber, it’s a mild astringent so that it can work as a skin toner. Just soak cotton makeup remover pads in rose water for a few minutes, and then let the soaked makeup pads sit on your CLOSED eyelids. Leave them for about 15 minutes twice daily.

5.Tomatoes

Tomatoes are high in lycopene, a substance that’s excellent for cardiovascular health, vision, and your skin. Lycopene can help create softer, more supple skin and decrease the appearance of dark under-eye circles.

To gain the medical benefits of the lycopene found in tomatoes, mix equal parts tomato juice with lemon juice and then use a cotton ball or makeup remover pad to apply it to your under-eye area. (Again, PLEASE do not get lemon juice in your eyes.) Leave the solution for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water twice daily.

A tasty concoction of tomato juice, lemon juice, and mint leaves to drink daily will also help improve your overall health as well as your skin.

6. Cold tea bags

If you don’t have a cold compress or mask to use, substitute with tea bags. Many teas like green tea have the added benefit of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe strained capillaries in your under-eye area.

To use cold tea bags as a compress, soak a tea bag in clean water and then place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Then, place the tea bags on your eyes. Leave for 10 minutes or so twice daily before removing and rinsing the area with warm water.

7. Potatoes

Potatoes are a surprising source of lots of vitamin C, which among other things, is great for the synthesis of collagen to promote healthier, younger-looking skin.

To harness the power of vitamin C to treat your under-eye bags, grate some potatoes. Extract the juice from the potato and soak some cotton makeup remover pads in the juice. Place the pads on your eyes for about 10 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

8. Cold Milk

Dairy products like milk are a great source of vitamin A, which contains retinoids that are great for keeping skin looking bright and young.

To gain milk’s vitamin A benefits, soak a cotton makeup remover pad in a bowl of cold milk for a while. Use the pad to apply the milk to your under-eye bags and let it sit for about 10 minutes, twice daily. Rinse with warm water.

9. Orange Juice

Since orange juice is high in vitamin A and C content, it can help remove dark circles from under your eyes. Add a few drops of glycerin to orange juice, and then soak a cotton makeup remover pad to apply to your under-eye skin. You’ll reap the benefits of orange’s vitamins as well as the natural glow glycerin gives to your skin.

10. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E helps fight the effect of free radicals that cause signs of aging like wrinkles. Before bed at night, apply a drop of oil (a little goes a long way) to your dark under-eye circles, gently massaging it into the skin. Leave this on your skin overnight and in the morning, rinse with warm water.

11. Coconut Oil

As a powerful natural and gentle anti-inflammatory, coconut oil is an effective method for lightening dark under-eye circles.

It also moisturizes while it lightens to help prevent wrinkles and fine lines under the eyes. Use coconut oil like vitamin E oil: rub it into your under-eye area, leave it on overnight, and then rinse it off in the morning.

12. Turmeric

As yet another powerful, natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, turmeric minimizes dark circles. Mix some turmeric powder with pineapple juice to create a thick paste. Apply this mixture to your under-eye circles and leave for about 10 minutes before using a soft, warm, and damp cloth to remove the paste gently. Practice this routine once a day.

13. Eat More Dark Chocolate

Here’s your excuse to indulge: Flavonol-rich foods like dark chocolate protect against the harmful effects of UV radiation, thereby slowing down the aging process caused by too much time in the sun – a delightful little fact after hearing for so long that chocolate is bad for our skin!

14. Eat More Salmon

Omega 3’s can be found in foods like salmon and walnuts. These fatty acids improve blood flow to the skin, moving blood out and away from your eyes instead of allowing it to pool there and cause dark under-eye circles.

15. Curb Salt Consumption + Drink More Water

If you remember studying osmosis in high school biology, then you’ll recall that water in your body moves from places with the most water to those with the least. The parts of your body that are low in sodium (salt) contain more water, while the parts of your body with more sodium contain less water.

When your body doesn’t have enough water but too much salt, you can look and feel puffy and bloated. The skin around your eyes is fragile and vulnerable to dehydration. When you eat a salty meal but don’t drink enough water, your body will literally “look” dehydrated –  i.e., red, puffy eyes. So if you plan to enjoy a salty meal, counter the effects with plenty of water.