Say Goodbye to Dark Circles and Puffy Eyes
Have you ever applied your concealer so thick that your friends started calling you "racoon eyes"? Have your co-workers ever accused you of pulling an all-nighter and, to make matters worse, thought you just watched The Notebook and cried you eyes out?
Under eye circles and puffy eyes are the result of a number of potential things that can happen in the body. I personally like to suggest a more holistic approach. That means, let's not just look at the surface, let's not just cover it up, but rather, let's address the cause of the problem.
Why do I have dark circles under my eyes?
The skin around the eyes is very sensitive, thin and full of blood vessels. Dark under eye circles can be triggered by a number of things, including physical and emotional stress, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
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I can already hear some of you saying, "but I don't smoke and I don't drink that much." Well, for others, it's more of a skin condition, such as eczema or atopic dermatitis, that bring the dark circles about. Other common causes can include loss of sleep, dehydration, allergies, gluten intolerance and even a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
What home remedies can I try?
Drink lots of water. Dehydration is one of the biggest causes of dark circles. Notice that I said drink lots of water! Soda and other beverages will not provide the same type of hydration as water. So, make sure to include several bottles of water in to your daily diet. Plus, it has many other health and skin benefits!
Make sure you get enough sleep. Try adjusting your schedule so that you can get a good eight hours of rest. This is the time that collagen is rebuilt in the body. Your body cannot repair itself properly if you do not get enough sleep.
Related: 6 Ways to Speed Up Your Morning Routine
I often recommend a multi-vitamin. Dark circles can be caused due to a lack of vitamin B12, which is anaemia related. I also suggest looking for a multi-vitamin with vitamin K, folic acid and vitamin B6.
Use an under eye cream that targets dark circles. Basic eye creams will help fight wrinkles, but new technology takes these creams to a whole new level, delivering multi-effects to help increase circulation, reduce skin stress and deliver nutrients that can lessen dark circles. For more serious cases, add in a night cream for eyes, or look for a multi-effects product that can address all your needs and apply twice each day.
Joey New York Young Coconut Water Complex Gel and Night Eye Cream, $44
Why do I have puffy eyes?
One of the young ladies in my research department told me that puffy eyes made her feel decades that she really was.
Puffy eyes can be caused by hormone changes, stress, allergies and water retention - especially after we sleep.
What can I do about puffy eyes?
When cleansing your face, rinse with cold water
A couple of times a week, take a cucumber from the refrigerator and cut off a few thin slices, placing them on your eyes for a couple minutes,
Damp tea bags chilled in the refrigerator are another great compress. Simply place them over your eyes for a few minutes a couple times a week
Regulate the amount of sodium in your diet
Detox and flush your body by drinking plenty of water
If you suffer from puffy eyes, but not dark circles, I suggest looking for a light eye gel instead of a heavy eye cream, which can weigh the eyes down. Look for one that can help balance your moisture level and reduce puffiness.
Related: Are these 3 Things Making You Look Old?
Per-fekt Beauty Eye Perfection Gel, $45
You are beautiful. Don't let a little concern such as dark circles or puffy eyes distract from your beauty! With these few simple steps, you can look your best every day!
What do you do to help combat dark under-eye circles and puffiness? What are some of your favorite products? Let us know below!
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