How To Erase Dark Circles Naturally

While most of us mistakenly think that dark circles under our eyes are a sign that we definitely spent too much time watching reality TV and not enough time in bed the night before, exhaustion, it turns out, is only part of the problem. In fact, there are a wide range of culprits that contribute to dark circles, including stress, heat and unfortunate genetics.

What Causes Under-Eye Circles

Dark spots under the eyes are essentially caused by blood vessels that are visible through the thin skin beneath the eyes. Known as periorbital skin, the skin is only a fraction as thick as the skin on the rest of your body – about one-fourth the dimension - which is why the blood vessels show through. A wide range of things can exacerbate the appearance of dark circles, including genetics that determine the thickness of the delicate skin beneath the eyes, hormonal changes that accompany both pregnancy and menopause and age, which slows the regeneration of new skin cells and causes a loss of collagen and elastin that makes under-eye skin even thinner. Other potential reasons for the dark circles that have us comparing ourselves to a panda include long crying jags; seasonal allergies, which can cause the skin beneath they eyes to swell so it appears even thinner; too much salt consumption, which can lead to fluid retention beneath the eyes; and broken or leaking blood vessels, a seemingly dangerous but nonetheless harmless condition that can cause blood to pool up beneath the eyes. Exhaustion, which is always blamed for dark circles but is not always the culprit, only sometimes plays a part. The reason why our feelings of tiredness are written all over our face is the stress hormone cortisol, which shows up as a response to keep us going no matter how exhausted we feel. When cortisol is released, it causes increased blood flow as a way to provide the body with the energy it needs. In response to that excess blood, vessels expand, becoming instantly more visible, especially so under the eyes. (To reduce cortisol, and in turn those dark circles, try the following tips from Prevention magazine: Meditate, get a massage, relax with a cup of tea, have some laughs with a funny friend, listen to some soothing music, chew gum or get some exercise. Each tip reduces cortisol by up to 60 percent, and will stop friends from asking if you got enough sleep last night.)

How to Erase Dark Circles

While you might actually be burning the candle at both ends, that’s no reason to just sit back and live with the dark under-eye circles that result from your busy, mile-a-minute life. In fact, there are a range of natural remedies, tricks and tips to help erase the dreaded raccoon look for good, leaving you looking refreshed no matter what challenges came the day before. Cucumber: There’s a reason why spa treatments often include slices of fresh, cool cucumber to help relieve under-eye bags and dark circles. The coolness of the cucumber almost immediately helps blood vessels constrict so they’re less visible, Not only that, the humble little green veggie also helps wick away excess fluid beneath the eyes, reducing any puffiness that might exacerbate the look of dark circles. Tea bags: Applying frozen tea bags can also help reduce dark circles because the caffeine in tea along with the cool temperature both help constrict blood vessels so they are immediately less visible. While natural remedies are simple and effective, they are not the only treatments for dark spots beneath the eyes. According to Jessica Wu, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles, there are a few smart moves to use in the battle against dark circles. Retinoids: Choosing a moisturizer that includes a retinoid – a form of vitamin A – will help reduce dark spots by not only helping dark skin pigment to fade, but also by encouraging the production of the protein collagen, so periorbital skin becomes thicker, stronger and less transparent. Skip hot water: Turning the faucet to cool when washing your face will also go a long way toward reducing dark circles, Wu told Allure magazine. Hot water “worsens puffiness and can accentuate dark circles,” she said. Licorice extract: This skin-brightening compound works to slow the production of melanin so skin is less likely to darken naturally, Wu said, while brightening and whitening existing dark pigment.

Best Creams for Dark Circles

The market is saturated with products that claim to reduce dark circles, making it tricky to choose one that works well and fulfills the promises made on the packaging. One of the relatively new kids on the block is Senvie’s Lux Intensive, a formula infused with natural botanicals and antioxidants to promote healthier skin naturally. The formula works to erase dark circles by encouraging the production of collagen and elastin in skin, so the delicate periorbital skin becomes thicker and stronger and blood vessels are less likely to show through. It includes: Licorice extract: This gentle extract has been used for centuries to help lighten skin due to properties that not only reduce the production of melanin, which gives skin its color, but also lighten and brighten existing pigment, so dark circles fade fast. Vitamin E: This power-packed antioxidant zeroes in on skin health, helping to prevent free radicals from damaging skin cells while encouraging the production of collagen and elastin proteins so the delicate skin beneath the eyes becomes thicker and more resilient. Green tea extract: In addition to containing caffeine that helps constrict blood vessels, making them appear less prominent, green tea also contains antioxidants that help strengthen blood vessel walls, so they are less likely to leak, erasing dark circles caused by blood pooling beneath the eyes. Green tea also helps encourage the regeneration of skin proteins, so the skin beneath the eyes becomes thicker and stronger and dark circles become a distant memory.