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How to Remove Dark Circles Under The Eyes

Natural Remedies That Work

ajara sandalwood rose eye butter - Eyes (image)

Are you struggling to get rid of those dark circles under your eyes? They can be a real nuisance, making you look tired and drained even after getting enough sleep. If you are feeling frustrated by the fact that no amount of concealer or beauty sleep will seem to do the trick, don't worry — there are lost of natural remedies which can give you some much-needed relief.

Your eyes radiate powerful energy. They are usually the first thing you notice about someone. If you have dark circles, you look tired and run down. More importantly, if you have dark circles, you know something deeper is going on that you need to pay attention to. Dark circles are a sign there's something out-of-balance.

Here we explore some possible causes and then lots of remedies and information on how to get rid of dark circles under the eyes.

Table of Contents

Why Do You Have Dark Circles?

Dark circles under the eyes are noticeable due to the presence of underlying thin layers of skin and fat. When the skin is thin, it allows the dark purple color of the blood vessels to show through. The lighter your skin color, the more the color shows through.

This post will show you how to remove dark circles permanently. But to get the most of it, we must first look at possible causes.

What Causes Dark Circles Under the Eyes?

Dark circles around the eyes relate to kidney and adrenal gland function. The adrenal gland is your “stress” gland. Any stress to the body will affect your adrenal gland.

If you stay up late and don't sleep well, you may wake up with dark circles under your eyes, which indicates stress due to lack of sleep. Also, if your diet is poor, this is chemical stress.

The following are the most common causes and the suggested remedies for each case. But, please note that a combination of reasons could be causing dark circles under your eyes.

Heredity

how to remove dark circles under the eyesYes, your genes may be responsible for your under eye dark circles. If others in your family have dark circles, you may be more prone to them as well. Like varicose veins, they can be an inherited trait. But even if “everybody” in your family has them, they are still NOT normal.

Your under eye skin is very delicate and thin. So, when blood passes through the large veins close to the surface of the skin, it can produce a bluish tint. The more transparent your skin, (also an inherited trait), the darker the circles look.

If you feel like you genetic predisposition to the appearance of dark circles, don't get frustrated or disappointed. Use the information and remedies here, and you too will see results. Even if you inherited your dark circles, natural remedies would still help.

Dark Circles and Sinusitis

natural remedies for sinus infectionsExcessive pressure build-up and nasal congestion in the sinuses could damage the capillaries. When your nose is congested, veins that usually drain from under your eyes into your nose become broader and darker causing dark circles

You can rinse your sinuses with a neti pot to relieve nasal congestion.

If you have chronic sinusitis, you can find many natural remedies for sinusitis here.

Allergies Can Cause Dark Circles

how to remove dark circles under the eyesItchy conditions like eczema, rhinitis, and hay fever also cause dark circles. Rubbing and scratching the thin skin under the eyes damage the capillaries, which can darken the area.

Some of the other allergic triggers of dark circles include:

  • Dust mites
  • Pollen
  • Asthma
  • Dairy products
  • Eggs
  • Gluten
  • Peanuts
  • Citrus fruits
  • Soy

The other common causes of under eye dark circles are:

  • Lack of adequate sleep
  • Oversleeping
  • Suffering from a chronic ailment
  • Skin infections such as eczema and dermatitis
  • Chronic stress
  • Excessive use of certain makeup products
  • Lack of iron
  • Kidney Issues
  • Chronic tiredness and fatigue
  • Minor trauma that causes the appearance of a black eye
  • Pregnancy and hormonal changes
  • Your bone structure
  • Presence of blue veins
  • Fluid retention
  • Aging

Some medical conditions can lead to dark circles under the eyes:

  • Cellulitis – is a bacterial infection that affects the eyelids
  • Mononucleosis – is a condition where the skin could turn yellowish

See your doctor if you believe you have a medical condition.

So now, don't worry about how to remove your dark circles because there are lots of simple and safe solutions.

How to Remove Dark Circles Under the Eyes:

1. Lifestyle Changes
2. Home Remedies
3. Ayurvedic Remedies
4. Yoga

Lifestyle Changes to Remove Dark Circles Under the Eyes

remove dark circles under the eyes

1. Get 6-8 Hours of Sleep

Different body types have different sleep requirements. Here are some tips on how to get enough sleep.

2. Keep Your Head Raised

Use a soft pillow to prevent fluid retention and dark eyes.

3. Find Out if You Have Allergies

Some of the common food allergens include dairy, wheat products, nuts, eggs, and soy

4. Increase Foods with Vitamin C

Boost your immunity with oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, kale, Brussel sprouts, and red peppers. Supplement if you need to.

5. Take Sublingual B-12 and High-potency Vitamin B Complex

Deficiency can result in poor oxygenation visible under the eyes. These vitamins also regulate the adrenal gland, the allergy controller.

6. Get Adequate Vitamin K

Known for its role in blood clotting and helps to circulate blood around your eyes. When it doesn't, blood can seep out and pool under your eyes and cause dark circles. You can get Vitamin K from these food sources.

7. Get Adequate Vitamin A

An antioxidant that helps to repair damaged tissue around the eyes. It also helps to fight wrinkles and thinning skin. You can find Vitamin A in leafy greens, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, red peppers, pumpkin, and some fruit.

8. Iron

Low iron is another cause of dark under-eye circles. Deficiency can result in poor oxygenation of body tissue and the effects are most visible under your eyes. Eat more foods high in iron like egg yolks, lentils, spinach, and prunes.

Anemia can cause dark circles under the eyes. If you suspect you are anemic, eat foods high in iron and take a good iron supplement.

9. Cut or Reduce Alcohol, Carbonated Drinks, Sugar, and Cigarettes

Under eye puffiness and circles is directly caused by too much alcohol, carbonated drinks, sugar and smoking.

10. Drink at least 1.5 Liters of Water Daily

Stay hydrated to promote detoxification and prevent edema.

11. Eat 5 to 7 Servings of Antioxidant-Rich Vegetables and Fruits

Avoid processed and packaged foods

12. Exercise

Find an exercise you enjoy that's right for you and do it 3-5 times per week.

13. Manage Your Stress

Try Yoga Nidra. Honestly, I've never found anything more relaxing and decompressing than this meditation.

14. Remove Your Makeup

Take off all your makeup before bed.

15. Take Collagen

A good Collagen can give your skin strength and elasticity to prevent sacks under the eyes. Stimulate collagen production to improve the health of delicate skin surrounding they eyes. Also, you can add bone broth to your diet. Bone broth is rich in nutrients and collagen.

16. Work on Improving Your Digestion

The underlying cause of skin discoloration under the eyes is related to the health of your liver, gut, and bowel congestion.

Sandalwood Rose Age Defying Eye Butter

2. How to Remove Dark Circles Under the Eyes with Home Remedies

1. Cucumber, Lemon, and Milk

A simple home remedy to get rid of dark circles is cucumber, lemon juice, and milk. These ingredients all have skin nourishing and lightening properties.

Clean and peel one medium-sized cucumber and grate it. Mix 1 tbsp of lemon juice and 1 tsp milk into the mixture. Apply the mask around the eyes and wash off after 30 minutes with cool water. Do this 3 times a week. Follow with cold compresses.

2. Herbal Tea Masks

how to remove dark circles under the eyesChamomile and green tea both contain antioxidants so they can help with skin tone and ease puffiness.

Boil two cups of water for ten minutes. Remove from heat and steep 2 bags of tea for fifteen minutes. Then remove the tea bags and refrigerate for three to four hours and then place the cold tea bags on your eyes to eliminate dark circles.

I also love this product with green tea to treat dark circles

3. Essential Oils

Rose oil lightens the skin. It also contains substances that improve skin tone and elasticity.

Just mix 10 to 12 drops with 1 tbsp vitamin E oil or olive oil and gently pat small circles around your eyes, just before bed.

4. Massage 

The antioxidants and other skin-friendly ingredients in Coconut can help remove dark circles. Just massage around the eyes before bed. The vitamin E in coconut oil can help with puffiness and help lighten skin.

5. Potato

The natural bleaching properties of potatoes help to lighten the skin around the eyes. Extract the juice of two raw potatoes. Soak a clean cotton ball in it and place them on the eyes for 15 minutes. Repeat twice daily until you see results. You can mix 1 tbsp honey into the mixture for better results.

3. Ayurvedic Remedies for Dark Circles

Ayurveda is an ancient healing system that teaches you nature's great principles of natural living. The emphasis in Ayurveda is on self-care, taking responsibility for your health, preparing your own food, appropriate exercise, eating seasonally, and keeping a positive state of mind.

Ayurveda treats the person, not the disease… So get to know yourself, and learn what combination of qualities you have in your body and mind. When you know which elements make up the majority of your constitution, you will know which conditions you thrive in.

Ayurveda considers dark circles under the eyes a sign of stagnant toxic accumulation in the body. So the Ayurvedic remedy for dark circles under the eyes is body detoxification and to mobilize circulation around the eye.

how to remove dark circles under the eyes
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1. Kansa Wand

The Kansa healing wand is known to have extraordinary beauty-enhancing properties.

Made for the contours of the face and from copper, tin, and zinc, this alloy is considered a “healing metal” in Eastern healing systems.

The Kansa wand helps to manually mobilize stagnant blood, pull out the acidity in the tissues around the eyes, and improve skin tone.

I use this tool at night to pull the tension and stress from my forehead, cheeks, and mouth because it feels good. The added benefit is that my skin looks amazing when I'm done.

how to remove dark circles under the eyes
Melanie Sachs on Ayurvedic Beauty Care – Ageless Techniques to Invoke Natural Beauty Care

Watch the video of beautiful Melanie Sachs, author of Ayurvedic Beauty Care explaining why and how to use it.

Extra benefit! You can use the Kansa Wand on your neck, head, back, legs, feet, and abdomen to improve circulation and energize your body.

Kansa Wand – Personal Face Wand, stress-relief and total skin and mind-body rejuvenation plus FREE iYure Kansa Oil

How to remove dark circles under the eyes

Rufolia Periorbital Eyemulsion Review2. Rufolia Periorbital Eyemulsion

Rufolia Periorbital Eyemulsion is a breakthrough Ayurvedic formulation. It's the best of Ancient Ayurveda and Modern Science together by combining Manjistha and Aloe Vera with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinimide.

This one-of-a-kind formula is an amalgamation of traditional and modern ingredients working together to reduce dark circles. It has an instant soothing and moisturizing effect not just under your eyes, but all around them.

Read our review explaining everything about this one-of-a-kind Ayurvedic formula for dark circles and puffiness around your eyes.

3. Mint and Honey

Make a power-packed Ayurvedic remedy for dark circles with mint and honey. While mint cools the tired eyes, honey moisturizes the area. This herbal mixture lightens the skin, leaving your eyes fresh and sparkling.

Extract the juice from half a cup of fresh mint leaves. Mix 1 tsp mint juice with 1 tbsp honey and massage the mixture on the affected area. Wash off after 20 minutes with cool water. Repeat this 3x a day for two weeks.

4. Turmeric and Fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek seeds contain Vitamin C, potassium, and protein that lighten the skin. Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients that could help reduce dark circles.

Soak two teaspoons of fenugreek seeds for 4 hours in cool, fresh water. Grind the soaked seeds with half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 tsp milk to a smooth paste. Apply it around the eyes and wash off after 30 minutes. Repeat daily for a week to see the changes.

5. Castor Oil with Saffron

You can use a mixture of castor oil, milk, and saffron to reduce dark circles. Crush a pinch of saffron and dissolve it in 1 tbsp warm milk. Once the milk turns cool, add it to 1 tbsp castor oil. Apply over the eyes and massage in circular motions. Wash off after 20 minutes with lukewarm water.

6. Jasmine with Yogurt

Mix jasmine essential oil with yogurt and use it as a topical remedy to erase dark circles under the eyes. This essential oil is well-known for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Yogurt contains proteins that lighten the circle.

Add 4 to 6 drops of jasmine essential oil to 1 tsp yogurt and blend well. Apply on cleansed eyes and wash off after 15 minutes.

7. Milk Thistle

Studies have linked dark circles to liver dysfunction. Milk Thistle herb helps the liver function more effectively.

As you know, your liver is in charge of filtering toxins from your body. If it’s not functioning properly, then it will be unable to filter any toxic substances in your diet causing liver congestion and dark circles.

Shop for powerful and effective ayurvedic products that will make your life healthy at The Ayurveda Experience! 

Online Yoga Classes

4. Healing Dark Circles Under Eyes with Yoga

Yoga asanas, or poses, offer a holistic approach to health and well-being, and they can potentially help improve dark circles under your eyes.

Certain asanas, such as inversions like Sirsasana (headstand) and Sarvangasana (shoulderstand), increase blood circulation to the face, promoting better oxygenation and nourishment to the skin.

These poses also help drain lymphatic fluids, reducing puffiness and swelling around the eyes. Additionally, practicing yoga regularly can alleviate stress, which is a common contributing factor to dark circles.

By relieving tension and promoting relaxation, yoga supports overall skin health, leading to a reduction in dark circles and a more refreshed appearance.

1. Uttanasana

This simple forward bend helps to increase circulation to the facial region. This, in turn, alleviates dark circles and adds shine to the eyes.

Stand with your feet together. Inhale and swing your arms overhead. Exhale and fold forward from your hips, pushing your hips backward. Allow your abdomen to rest on your thighs, bringing the chin close to the shin. Let the palms rest on either side of your feet or just grab your ankles. Close your eyes and hold the posture for 5 minutes.

To come out of the posture, place your palms on your waist. Take a deep breath in, bend your knees, and straighten your torso.

2. Viparita Karani – Legs up the Wall

Legs up the Wall is a gentle inversion which you can do using a bolster or against a wall. It relieves stress and boosts circulation to the brain.

Place a bolster close to a wall so that its longer side rests on the wall. Lie down on the floor and swing your legs on the wall, allowing your hips to rest on the bolster. The hips should lift away from the floor. Let the arms rest above your head. Keep your elbows bent. Close your eyes and rest in the pose for 5 to 10 minutes.

Soften the thighs and the belly. Soften the ribs, chest, and shoulders. Breathe freely. Keep the neck, neck, throat, and face soft.  To exit, remove the bolster and gently rest your back on the floor. Curl to your right and sit up.

Related Content: 10 Best Yoga Exercises for Weight Loss

how to remove dark circles under the eyes

Conclusion

I've given you lots of natural remedies to get rid of dark circles under the eyes permanently, so please bookmark for future reference.

And please promise me you won't hesitate to ask me questions in the comment area below. I'm here to help you out and I would love nothing more than for you to be the healthiest and happiest version of yourself possible.

Let me know if you need anything, and I'll be sure to get back within “hours” most of the time.


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You can learn in this article how to get rid of your puffy eyes just by just by changing your diet and food

Written by Jackie Parker

21 Comments

Leave a Reply
  1. Hi, thank you so much for this article! I have dark circles under my eyes and was getting ready to contact my cousin as she sells the Rodan and Fields skincare line. It is very expensive though, and I would much rather try some of the things you suggested! I think I will try the essential oils first, and maybe even yoga. Thanks again!

    • Hi Katie, Start with lifestyle suggestions first. The liver is key. I personally have had the best luck with the Kansa wand (to mobilize circulation) and Milk Thistle (liver cleanser) when I have occasional dark eyes. Thanks for commenting!

  2. Hi Jackie,
    So many ways to help get rid of the dark circles naturally. They all sound so simple and things we should all be doing every day like getting the right amount of sleep and drinking enough water.
    The Kansa wand looks very interesting, I’ve never heard of those before, The results on the video you linked to were amazing.
    Do you have one or have you used one yourself?

    • Hi Jenny!

      Thanks for saying hi and commenting.

      Yes, I bought the Kansa wand about a month ago and keep it by my bedside. At night when I’m sitting, reading or whatever I use it to massage my face. It feels amazing and you can definitely see the results just like in the video. It’s great for circulation and blood flow… (which is why it helps so much with dark circles).

  3. Great article on the dark circles under the eyes. I really like how you started out with the causes. It really helped me understand it much better. I have always heard of the wonders of vitamin e and might give that one a go. Thanks again for the great article on getting rid of the dark circles under the eyes.

    Marc

  4. These are some very interesting treatments for dark circles under the eyes. The usage of tea bags is very interesting and quite cheap compared to other facial masks. A great tip.
    i have been reading more and more about the usage of essential oils for various ailments and I see here again in your post they are suggested.

    • Thanks for commenting Keith. The healing powers of essential oils are virtually limitless. A word of caution… you just need to be careful using them around the eyes!

  5. Lovely article. I have suffered from sinusitis and allergies for ages and it did cause dark circles under my eyes. Once I tackled that I manage to keep the dark circles under control. The use of essential oils definitely helped. The article is very informative and I love the fact that you point out different home remedies that people can easily do at home.

  6. Very interesting one, here in my country is familiar with “Mata Panda”Name or called. I also got this problem with my eyes, it looks like not good if i talk with other, i feel shy and not confidence with myself. I ever try to remove them using a product for dark eyes but then failed. This is the best article of you, useful.Thanks

  7. Jackie,
    I really enjoyed this article. It’s very informative and I’ve decided to give a few of the remedies a try. I’ve tried the mint and honey before, but I don’t think I did it long enough to see results. Perhaps multiple options will help. It’s hereditary for me.

  8. Nice Blog. All remedies are great and effective. But Castor oil definitely work for dark circles, but you do need to be careful and ONLY use a good quality, pure, hexane free, organic, cold pressed castor oil. Some people have suffered side effects from this remedy, mainly because they used the wrong type of oil.

  9. I’ve used some of the “best” pricey eye creams from Saks, Barneys, & plastic surgeons ….I used the SOmaluxe Triple Collage Eye Gel for the last week and I saw notable improvement in skin texture around my eyes. Dark circles show marked improved also after waking up from 1 single application.

  10. Jackie,

    There really are so many home remedies to try. I was not familiar with using a potato. I didn’t know it had natural bleaching properties in it. I would imagine chilling the potato slices would be very refreshing when placed under the eye.

    Lisa

  11. All these remedies work perfectly for dark circles. I used lemon for treating my dark circles and I was able to get rid of them. Thanks for sharing this.

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