If you have dark circles or puffy eyes, you are not alone. Many women suffer from under-eye circles and puffy eyes. Some of the factors that contribute to this beauty problem include smoking, hereditary conditions, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, allergies and excessive consumption of alcohol. Dealing with dark circles and puffy eyes can be frustrating and embarrassing. Since people notice your face first, it is likely they will notice your puffy eyes and dark circles and think that you look worn out and tired. Fortunately, you do not have to deal with this beauty problem forever. Here are five tips on reducing dark circles and puffy eyes.
Get Plenty of Rest at Night
Getting enough sleep at night is so important, but many people still don not get the recommended amount of rest. Try to get eight hours of sleep each night. If you have to get up very early for work, get to bed sooner. If you are not used to going to bed that early, do some things to relax yourself like taking a hot bath or drinking a warm cup of tea. Sleep in a very dark room, and have something buzzing in the background like a fan. Also, avoid drinking alcohol before bed because it can affect your quality of sleep. Getting the proper amount of rest at night will help your eyes look much brighter and more awake in the morning.
Protect Your Eyes from the Sun
The sun’s UV rays are very harmful to your skin, especially the area around your eyes. In addition to wearing a sunscreen on your skin, you should also wear sunglasses if you are going to be out in the sun for awhile. Wearing sunglasses will not only prevent dark circles under your eyes, they can also help prevent wrinkles, fine lines and crows feet.
Diminish the Appearance of Dark Circles and Puffy Eyes With Home Treatments
There are plenty of ways to diminish the appearance of dark circles and puffy eyes at home. One of the most popular ways to reduce puffiness around the eyes is to apply cucumber slices to them. After you have left a cucumber in the refrigerator for an hour, cut two slices off and place one on each eye. Let the cucumber slices sit on your eyes for 15 minutes.
Another way to reduce puffiness around the eyes is to apply ice cubes to them. Gently press an ice cube against your eyes for about 10 minutes. If the ice cubes get too cold, take a small break. After you have removed the ice cubes from your eyes, pat them dry with towel.
A frozen spoon can also be used to reduce puffiness around the eyes. After you have left a spoon in the freezer for 15 minutes, place it against your eyes. Leave the spoon there until it is warm again.
An effective way to reduce the appearance of dark circles is to apply tea bags to your eyes. After you have soaked the tea bags in cold water, apply them to your eyes for 15 minutes.
Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is not just good for your waistline and hair, it can also help reduce the appearance of dark circles. Instead of eating foods like pizza and chips, fill your diet with fruits, vegetables and protein. Foods that are high in salt content can cause your body to retain water, which can cause your eyes to be puffy. Carrots are one of the best vegetables to help reduce dark circles. Carrots are filled with vitamin A and iron, which will provide nourishment to your eyes. Fruits that are rich in vitamin C like kiwis, oranges, grapefruit and strawberries will improve the appearance of dark circles by thickening the eyelid dermis. Proteins like chicken and tuna will increase muscle growth, which will reduce the appearance of dark circles. Also, drink eight glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated.
Treat the Skin Around Your Eyes With Care
The skin around your eyes is very delicate, so you should always treat it with care. Avoid rubbing your eyes, even if they itch. Also, do not rub your eyes when you remove your makeup. Instead, pat your eyes lightly.
Whether your dark circles and puffy eyes are due to lack of sleep or a hereditary condition, there are plenty of ways you can treat the problem. As you are waiting for results, you can cover up your dark circles with concealer. Apply a liquid concealer under your eyes with your fingers. Set the concealer with some loose powder, and your eyes will look brighter than ever. If none of the tips above help relieve dark circles or puffy eyes, you may want to speak to your doctor about the problem.