If you’re one of those extraordinary people who can get through the day with just 4 hours of sleep, then you’ve got your life sorted out! However, with that little sleep every day, you are sure to develop dark circles around your eyes.
What cause dark circles?
When you have dark circles, the skin under your eyes appears blue because skin allows only blue or violet light to pass through. The skin around your eyes is only 0.5mm thick as compared to the 2mm skin on the rest of your body. This allows light to pass through a lot more easily, so the appearance of dark circles is not uncommon.
This is why fatigue isn’t the only reason for the formation of dark circles. Certain lifestyle choices, genetics, and even age can result in periorbital dark circles (dark circles around the eyes).
- Dark circles can occur as people age. This is because the skin loses its elasticity and the ability to regenerate over time. So your periorbital skin becomes thinner, allowing light to pass through easily.
- You may be genetically predisposed to having thinner skin beneath the eyes, which could also lead to the formation of dark circles.
- Another cause could be periorbital hyperpigmentation which is a condition where melanin production beneath the eyes is increased, causing the skin to appear darker.
- In rarer cases, the blood vessels around the eyes get damaged, the blood leaks out, and you’re left with puffy, dark circles around the eyes.
However, when you get dark circles due to lack of sleep, the reason for its occurrence is slightly differently.
How do dark circles appear from fatigue?
When your body is tired, it releases a chemical called cortisol which provides your body with energy, helping you to stay awake. Cortisol, among other side effects, tends to increase the volume of blood in the body.
This engorges all your blood vessels (even the ones underneath and around your eyes) so that they can accommodate this increased volume of blood. This results in the formation of dark circles as the blood vessels underneath your skin are easier to see when they’re engorged.
What about bags under the eyes?
If you are suffering from eye bags, there are a number of potential reasons that could be working individually or in concert to give your eyes a puffy appearance:
- Hormones
- A diet of excess sodium
- Weather or humidity levels
- Allergies or skin problems such as dermatitis
- Lack of proper sleep
- Genetics. Bags under eyes could be hereditary
The solution to bags under the eyes depends on the cause. Reducing the sodium and alcohol in your diet, getting sufficient sleep, changing your sleeping position, and hormone regulation can all help with some of the causes of under-eye bags. However, for things like dermatological issues or weather, a great way to get rid of bags under the eyes is to use the same essential oils that you would use to treat the dark circles under the eyes.
How do I get rid of dark circles and bags under the eyes?
Usually, makeup is used to mask the dark circles that appear due to excess melanin production, as it’s quite difficult to get rid of them otherwise.
In case the vessels are damaged and dark circles are due to the leakage of blood, it’s best to consult a doctor and find a remedy as soon as possible. It’s not a dangerous situation, but prolonged leakage could lead to permanent dark circles.
However, if your dark circles are caused by any other reason, you can get rid of them with the help of a few essential oils. If you’re unsure about what essential oils are good for dark circles, check out this list.
1. Almond Oil
Almond oil contains 3 essential nutrients to help you fight dark circles – vitamin K, palmitic acid, and retinol. The vitamin K in almond oil improves blood clotting which reduces the presence of dark circles and skin discoloration around the eyes.
Palmitic acid and retinol are natural moisturizers that help to soften and smoothen the periorbital skin, making the area look a lot livelier. Overall, the application of almond oil to an area helps to improve blood circulation.
How To Apply Almond Oil on Dark Circles and Under Eye Bags
● Application of almond oil is relatively simple
● Apply a few drops of fresh almond oil to the area around your eyes and massage it gently in a circular motion
● Do this at night before going to bed and your dark circles will reduce
2. Chamomile Oil
Chamomile is a versatile ingredient and you can use it in 2 different ways to get rid of dark circles.
Method 1
- Drink chamomile tea on a regular basis before going to bed or ingest the herb in some way
- Chamomile helps to relieve stress and promotes deep sleep which keeps dark circles at bay
Method 2
- Similar to almond oil, chamomile oil can be applied to the periorbital area to reduce the occurrence of dark circles
- Chamomile acts as an anti-inflammatory ingredient and helps to reduce puffiness around the eyes
3. Eucalyptus Oil
Just like almond oil, eucalyptus oil helps to shrink the blood vessels around your eyes and reduce puffiness. This helps to keep dark circles at bay.
However, keep in mind that eucalyptus oil is extremely toxic and should be used with extreme caution. Just add a few drops of it to a mild carrier oil, like coconut oil, before application.
How To Apply Eucalyptus Oil for Dark Circles and Under-Eye Bags
- Mix eucalyptus oil with a mild carrier oil to ensure that its potency is reduced
- Take the mixture and apply it to the area around your eyes where you can see the formation of dark circles
- Don’t fall asleep with this oil on your face as it could damage the periorbital area if left on for too long; wash it off after about 20 minutes
4. Rose And Sandalwood Oil
Both rose and sandalwood oil have been clubbed together under one point as they both possess similar properties when it comes to treating dark circles. Both oils are excellent moisturizers and help to reduce the effects of black circles by keeping the skin hydrated.
When your skin is well-hydrated it tends to stay elastic and allows for better blood flow through the vessels.
How To Use Rose and Sandalwood Oil to Treat Dark Circles and Under-Eye Bags
- These oils work best when taken as steam
- Since they’re milder than most essential oils, take a moderate quantity of rose or sandalwood oil and dilute it in a pot of water
- Boil the mix till it starts to steam
- Now put your face over the steaming pot and cover your head with a towel so that the steam hits your face directly
- This therapeutic method allows the essential oils to moisturize the skin around your eyes, keeping dark circles at bay
5. Witch Hazel
This essential oil is one of the strongest anti-inflammatory agents you’ll find and can help get rid of puffy eyes in a jiffy. Witch hazel contains a significant amount of chrysin, which is a potent anti-inflammatory agent.
This shrinks and contracts the blood vessels around your eyes and keeps your eyes from getting puffy.
How To Use Witch Hazel for Dark Circles and Under-Eye Bags
- You can’t apply witch hazel directly to your eyes like other essential oils
- Take cotton squares and apply enough witch hazel oil in them to soak them
- Apply these cotton squares to your eyes and keep them there for about 15 minutes
- Wash your face with a mild face wash after you’re done
The best part is that you can reuse the same cotton squares at least 2 more times after that!
6. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is best known for its soothing and calming properties and applying a good amount of it under your eyes can help relax you and promote better sleep.
Lavender oil also contains diuretic properties which help to drain out any excess fluid that may be causing swelling and may have accumulated in your periorbital area.
How To Use Lavender Oil on Dark Circles and Under-Eye Bags
- Buy good quality lavender oil and apply it directly or by mixing with carrier oils first
- Apply the oils around your eyes and leave it one for about 30 minutes before washing it off with a mild face wash
These are a few of the many essential oils that can be used to get rid of dark circles in your periorbital area.
What To Keep In Mind
When you’re applying essential oils for dark circles under eyes or eye bags, remember that essential oils are very potent and different oils react differently to each individual skin type. This is why it is advised that you use only a small quantity of the oil the first time, to see how it reacts with your skin. This test is called the patch test, which can save you from any nasty side effects if you happen to be allergic to an oil. Before applying an oil to your skin, always remember to dilute it in a carrier oil first.
If you experience any sort of irritation, allergic reaction or loss of vision, consult with a physician immediately. You may also want to visit a dermatologist for a checkup to determine which essential oil reacts negatively to your skin, so you can stay away from it.
Remember to apply these oils in moderation. Get plenty of sleep and avoid damaging habits like drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes. Alcohol tends to disrupt sleep patterns and smoking reduces the elasticity of your skin, both of which lead to the appearance of dark circles.
Sleep well, lead a healthy lifestyle, and you’re sure to keep dark circles and under-eye bags at bay!
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