Are you starting to notice dark bags under your eyes whenever you look in the mirror? And, most alarmingly, they seem to be getting bigger and darker by the day!
You are not alone?
Having darkened, hollow-looking circles under your eyes is fairly common and they can seem worse some days, than others.
In the article we’ll give you some simple tips to encourage them to pack up and go.
You might also like: 15 Adult skin care products to clear your skin.
7 Ways to get rid of dark bags under your eyes
GET MORE SLEEP
It’s not surprising that the bags under our eyes look darker and puffier when we don’t get enough sleep. While sleep deprivation may not be the direct cause of dark bags, lack of sleep definitely makes the condition worse. Tiredness is usually the cause of dark circles, according to WebMD, and it can amplify the effects of the normal aging process like loose, thin skin and under-eye hollows.
Getting high-quality sleep helps the skin repair itself. Doctors recommend getting between seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you’re having trouble sleeping, stick to a consistent sleep schedule: go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Also try a relaxing pre-bedtime routine like doing yoga, listening to soothing music and having a warm bath.
Further reading: 7 Secrets for a damned good night’s sleep.
GRAB THE TEA BAGS
Caffeine can reduce redness by constricting blood vessels under the eyes. We’re not talking about drinking unlimited amounts of coffee all day, which can actually disrupt sleep and worsen dark bags. We’re talking about teabags. Teabags contain caffeine that shrink blood vessels so they don’t look as red. Teabags are also packed with antioxidants to help soothe inflammation.
Hydrating the eye area with chilled tea bags reduces the appearance of redness and puffiness. This is easy to do at home. Pop a few tea bags in the fridge for a few minutes and apply to your eyes for half an hour. Repeat a few times each week.
OR THE CONCEALER
Concealer is a must-have in your makeup bag whether you have dark bags or not. Concealer works like a charm to cover flaws when you’re in a rush or on the go. And there’s nothing better when you want to make dark bags disappear like magic.
Professional makeup artists say it’s all about colour correction. It’s important to choose the right shade of concealer to correct discolouration under your eyes. For example, you can neutralize redness with a yellow shade and fix blue circles with warm tones. Apply the correct shade with a light touch and layer on a light-reflecting product if you need more brightening power.
CONSIDER A COLD COMPRESS
When it comes to dark bags, cold is your friend. Cold things, like chilled tea bags, cucumber, gel eye masks, frozen peas and ice wrapped in a towel, soothes swelling and redness by reducing blood flow to the area. Cucumbers also feel refreshing, especially in the summertime.
To do this at home, hold a cold compress or ice pack under your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes to cool the skin, shrink those puffy bags and diminish the look of dark circles. Other things to try: Jade rollers, a cosmetic tool made of jade stone, can increase circulation and minimise dark bags through their gentle massaging motion.
How to remove dark circles under eyes (cont.)
TRY CUCUMBER
Cucumber feels oh-so-good on the eyes. It’s like a natural cold compress that can help reduce the appearance of dark bags. According to the Insider blog, cucumbers contain vitamin K that strengthens blood vessel walls so they are less visible under the skin. Chilled cucumber also hydrates skin to lessen puffiness while the cold soothes inflamed areas.
Here’s how to have a spa day at home for your eyes: Cut the cucumber into slices and chill in the fridge for a few minutes. Place them on your eyes for 15 minutes. Pamper your eyes as often as you like! You can also use cold potato slices if you don’t have cucumber.
DRINK MORE WATER
If your dark bags suddenly look more noticeable, check your water intake. Not drinking enough water, combined with stress, lack of sleep and high salt intake, can make dark bags look worse. Salt keeps fluid inside the body and contributes to the puffiness under the eyes.
Beat fluid retention and flush away sodium by drinking at least 8 glasses of water each day. Make it a habit to carry a water bottle with you and try to reduce the amount of salt you add to your cooking (use spices instead!). And watch for sources of hidden salt in your diet. Snacks, baked goods and processed foods can be very high in sodium.
DON’T STRAIN YOUR EYES
We know we don’t look our best when we’re tired and exhausted. The same goes for dark bags, which appear more pronounced with eye strain. Eye strain happens when we use our eyes for long periods without break, like using digital devices for hours on end a.k.a. computer vision syndrome. Eye strain can make the puffiness and redness under the eyes more visible.
Eye strain usually goes away on its own with rest, but this is easier said than done in a world where we’re glued to our screens most of the day. Small changes to daily habits can make a huge difference. Take frequent breaks from the screen when you’re working, limit screen time especially before bedtime, and wear glasses made for reading or computer use.
