Georgia Dixon
Beauty & Style

How to naturally reduce dark circles under eyes

Developing permanent bags under our eyes as we grow older is a perfectly normal experience and a common sign of ageing.  This is because as we age, our skin loses elasticity and can become “droopy” in this area. Additionally, the tissues around the supporting eye muscles become weak and unfastened, with the fat supporting the eye starting to shift forward. This contributes to the puffy and swollen look that some people experience.

There are many ways to reduce the prevalence of bags under eyes, that don’t involve going under the knife. Here are four, simple, at-home remedies that involve little time, minimal fuss, and great results.

1. Egg white

You may be wondering what possessed someone to voluntarily rub egg on their own face, however, this trick makes a lot of sense. A primary natural purpose of egg white is to provide additional nutrition for the growth of the embryo. It also has astringent properties that result in tighter pores, tighter skin and a smoother complexion. Alas, the results are only temporary and there’s no evidence to suggest that continued applications will make a long-term difference.

To apply the egg white under your eyes, crack an egg over a bowl and use the shell to separate the yolk from the egg white. Then, apply a couple of layers of egg white straight onto your face before letting dry, and eventually rinsing off.

2. Almond oil

Almond oil is aptly hailed for its positive health benefits, however, it is relatively unknown as a heavyweight champ in lifting the darkest bags of under-eye bags. It contains palmatic acid and retinol, which moisturise delicate under-eye skin, it contracts dilated blood vessels, and provides mono-saturated fats and vitamins that make skin smooth and soft. As a natural emollient, almond oil also prevents dryness by balancing the skin’s water content.

Simply massage almond oil into clean, washed skin of a nighttime, leave overnight and rinse off in the morning.

3. Potato

It may not gift you the same pampering experience than say, two slices of chilled cucumber, but potatoes are astronomically more effective than reducing dark spots under the eyes. Although the soothing effects of cucumbers may reduce puffiness caused by irritation, they will do little to reverse the signs of ageing. Potatoes, on the other hand, are a rich source of the catecholase enzyme that can naturally act as a bleaching agent. Skin is also nourished by potatoes’ vitamin A, starch and anti-oxidative nutrients. The combination of coldness and starch creates an anti-inflammatory effect that reduces swelling of the vessels which are under the eyes to diminish the dark circles.

So, simply chill a potato in the refrigerator, slice is up and place slices over eyes for 20 minutes. Do this three times a week.

Have we left a home-remedy for naturally reducing bags under the eyes off our list? Let us know in the comments below.

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Tags:
remedies, beauty, skincare, eyes, bags