Noticed that dark circle that has been forming under your eyes, or had someone point it out to you? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We have all had our natural smoky-eyed moments. I mean, after all, we are all human, right? You might have just binged through the entire season of F.R.I.E.N.D.S in one night, or spent the night crying after watching the episode where McDreamy (Dr Derek Shepherd) dies and you had to wake up early for class or had to pull an all-nighter to complete an assignment you procrastinated for a month. Again, been there! 



However, if you have never done any of those and practice a good skincare regime and a healthy lifestyle but still get those dark circles, we may have some explanations for it. Although the main reason for dark circles under your eyes are from extreme exhaustion and tiredness, there are other causes as well. Some of them are allergies, eczema, pigmentation irregularities, sun exposure or even if you always scratch and rub your eyes.

Some people also find that dark circles under their eyes could be heredity. Not only that, dark circles are a natural process of ageing as you are bound to lose collagen and fat in the skin, which makes it thinner. In some cases, the reddish-blue blood vessels under your eyes become more evident. 

How do I remove my dark circles?

There are numerous ways that have been proven by users on how they have successfully reduced their dark circles under their eyes. Here, we’ve picked the 8 most prominent ways in which the reduction of the dark circles have been successful. 

Although what you do have to keep in mind is, every individual is different, so some of these may or may not work for you, but that is also why we have a number of ways in which you could try and choose from. 

1. Cucumber Slices

Even thinking about cucumbers feels so refreshing, does it not? Cucumbers have mild astringent properties in it that aids in lightening the sensitive area of the skin around the eyes. Not only that, but cucumbers are also said to be filled with Vitamin K that would help shrink the capillaries and reduce the visibility of the dark circles under your eyes. What is even more refreshing is, the cucumber’s cooling properties also aid in the restoration of your youthful skin. 

How do you use it?

Just slice a chilled cucumber and place the slices on your eyes. Relax and leave them for about 10 to 15 minutes before removing the cucumber slices and rinsing your face with cold water. Regularly repeat this and you will be seeing results in no time!

2. Raw Potatoes

Speaking of potatoes, you are probably used to eating them by having them fried, baked or mashed, but this time, you have to use the raw potatoes. Potatoes are said to be able to stay chill for a long period of time in which its chillness aids in reducing the inflammation and swelling of the vessels under the eyes. Potatoes also consist of antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and also starch that helps transfer nutrients to the skin, which helps reduce the dark circles under your eyes.

How do you use it?

You could just slice a chilled potato and place it under your eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes. The duration is totally up to you. It also works well if you grate the chill potato and place it under your eye like an eye pack. 

3. Almond Oil

Almond oil is said to be successful in reducing dark circles under your eyes because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. What’s more is, almond oil also filled with retinol, Vitamin K and Vitamin E, which helps reduce those dark circles without irritating the delicate skin under the eye. It also aids in contracting the blood vessels that are dilated, which may be causing the dark circles under your eye. 

How do you use it?

When purchasing your almond oil, always make sure that is pure, cold-pressed and preferably organic. Before you apply it, wash your face with a cleanser and gently apply and massage a small amount of the oil onto the area of your under the eye, which would also help increase the blood circulation. For optimum results, it is recommended that you let the oil sit overnight, but that would be completely up to you. 

4. Tea Bags

This is definitely not the normal way you have your tea, but to your surprise, this actually could help reduce your dark circles. It has been proven that the Tannin in the tea bags helps reduce the puffiness and the discolouration under the eye. However, it is said to work better if you used caffeinated teabags like green tea bags, as they contain EGCG which according to dermatologists, helps remove under-eye fluid buildup which is said to be the main culprit for dark circles under your eye. Some of the teas you could use are Chamomile, Lavender, Green Tea, Calendula, Comfrey, Rooibos. 

How do you use it?

Steep two tea bags as would normally do when making a drink, or you could use a used tea bag, then allow them to cool down or leave it in the refrigerator for about 10 to 20 minutes. Then place the tea bags on your closed eyes for about 15 to 30 minutes for best results. 

5. Cold Milk

Good news for all you milk lovers as there is now a reason to stock up on more milk! Interestingly, the lactic acid found in milk is beneficial in reducing the dark circles and fine lines under your rues. Not only that, but milk also contains Vitamin A and Vitamin B6 which aids in renewing new skin cells, and Vitamin B12, which aids in lightening dark skin. 

How do you use it?

Take a cotton ball and soak it in milk for a second or two and place it under your eyes for about 10-20 minutes. Repeat this twice or thrice a week for optimum results.

6. Aloe Vera Gel

The aloe vera is said to be an effective moisturiser that has anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe Vera Gel also contains aloesin, which is a compound that inhibits tyrosinase activity which prevents excessive pigmentation on your skin. It also hydrates the skin and makes it supple.

How do you use it?

Slit the Aloe Vera in the middle, scoop the gel out and apply the gel under the eyes covering the dark circles and massage it with the tip of your fingers. Leave it overnight and rinse your face with cold water in the morning.

7. Water

As easily as odd as this sounds, yes, it is true. By drinking plenty of water, it actually helps flush out toxins from your body, therefore clearing your face and reducing your dark circles. Also, it makes your skin glow as it washes away as well as remove acids and other toxins from your body which gives your face a natural glow. 

8. Adequate Sleep

Sleep; The one thing most children and adult love, but no matter how much we love it, sometimes we get too caught up with work, family and commitments, that by the time we actually head to bed, it’s already past midnight. Lack of sleep is one main contributing factor to dark circles under your eyes, which could even make you look paler. In order to reduce those dark circles under your eyes, even though it may seem challenging, try to ensure that you get seven to eight hours of sleep every night.