The Easiest Way To Minimize The Appearance Of Dark Circles
Anyone who works a job that has any kind of stress level knows that the constant dark-circles-and-under eye-bag situation is beyond real. Like me, I’m sure you’ll do almost anything to get rid of them. For the longest time no matter what I tried, nothing seemed to really cover them. Even if I had some success with a million expensive treatments, they usually come back anyway.
Truth is, your eye puffiness and darkness could be inherited. Yup, that’s right, blame Mom and Dad!
“The undereye area is one of the thinnest skin areas of the face and is easily neglected in basic skin care,” says Min Jun Lee, founder of the Korean Inspired 5 Step Anti Aging system Saranghae. “There is a strong genetic component to dark circles, which for the most part is out of people’s control.”
Womp womp. Yes, much of the reason you have those circles is because of your parents’ own thin skin. What a bummer!
Just because they can be blamed on genetics doesn’t mean there is nothing we can do about it!
Below are ways to minimize the appearance of those circles that won’t cost you much and save you the pain of expensive treatments and injections. These affordable tips go way beyond putting cucumbers on your eyes.
Try tea bags. “Caffeinated tea, which contains natural tannins, is a mild diuretic and long used by grandmothers and runway models for reducing eye puffiness. Soak two tea bags in warm water, then chill the bags for a few minutes in the refrigerator. Place one tea bag on each eye for five minutes, and your eyes will feel fresh and look brighter,” says Min Jun Lee.
If you have dark circles from thin skin, use a multi-step approach that helps moisturize. “With repeated use, natural ingredient moisturizers and serums can help with the production of collagen, making the skin less thin and improving the dark circles. One nation that has mastered this is Koreans (duh, their skin is flawless!).
Min suggests using a multi step regiment and to double check to make sure the ingredients are natural. I mean after all, we’re learned by now those all in one miracle creams do not work.
Another tip? Sleep on your back, and use an extra pillow!
“If dark, puffy [bags under your eyes] seem to be the morning problem, consider sleeping on your back with an extra pillow so that fluid doesn’t pool overnight. Keeping your pillow protected from allergens (dust and dust mites) with a protective encasement can also help when allergies are the culprit,” says Min.
What you’re putting on is just as important as how you’re taking it off. As a golden rule, you should be gentle with your makeup remover.
“Consider your under-eyes as sensitive skin even if you may not necessarily have sensitive skin. Under eye skin is among the thinnest on the body, so any trauma or irritation can cause skin inflammation,” says Min. “If you are using a towelette, try one that is fragrance free, like Neutrogena Fragrance Free Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, and take gentle strokes in a single direction rather than rubbing back and forth.”
“Follow that up with an oil cleanser to make sure you’ve removed all dirt and makeup from the area and follow up with a soothing, cool eye serum. Min’s tip? “Store your eye serum in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation that will de-puff the area when you apply it to your eyes”.
The final and possibly easiest step of all? Sleep more. “The cheapest way to reduce the appearance of under eye bags is to get on a regular sleep routine of seven to eight hours per day. And don’t drink alcohol a few hours before bedtime” Min suggest.