How to Treat Under Eye Bags & Dark Circles
What Causes Dark Circles?
True periorbital dark circles are usually genetic.
Sometimes, what appear to be dark circles under your eyes may just be shadows cast by puffy eyelids, hollows, or sun exposure.
Sun exposure prompts your body to produce more melanin, and hollows develop as a normal part of aging because the skin under our eyes is the thinnest on the face making capillaries more visible.
When there is a decrease in blood flow to this part of the eye area, it decreases the hemoglobin transport of oxygen to the tissue, creating the look of dark circles.
How Can I Get Rid Of Dark Circles?
While we can’t get rid of periorbital dark circles, we can minimize the appearance of the darkness that these other conditions bring with lifestyle and product changes including:
1. Sleep
Getting the proper amount of sleep and elevating your head with a couple of pillows to prevent puffiness that develops when fluid pools in your lower eyelids.
2. Cold Therapy
Trying cold therapy, ice cubes made with herbal tea wrapped in an eyeglass cloth or a chilled teaspoon against the area are great to constrict the blood vessels and diminish puffiness.
3. Wear Sunscreen
Using sunscreen when you spend prolonged periods of time in the sun. This will reduce the production of melanin.
4. Get Your Vitamins
Maintaining a high level of essential vitamins through diet that aid in the reduction of dark circles.
- Vitamin K can help strengthen capillaries, which will in turn diminish dark circles (and redness). Green leafy vegetables, including kale, spinach, turnip greens, collards, swiss chard, mustard greens, parsley, romaine, and green leaf lettuce are great sources.
- Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that works to protect your body against free radicals that may cause the thinning and wrinkling of the skin in the under-eye area. Good sources of vitamin E include olives, asparagus, and avocado.
- Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant. It protects the blood vessels from inflammation and improves vascular elasticity. Similar to vitamin E, vitamin C plays an important role in collagen synthesis, which helps prevent wrinkles. Foods rich in this mega-vitamin include broccoli, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, cauliflower, kale, kiwi, papaya, sweet potato, strawberries, and tomatoes.
- Omega-3 is a fatty acid that can also help relax blood vessels. Plant oils, including flaxseed, contain omega-3 as well as walnuts, salmon, sardines, and mackerel.
Below are some of our favorite products for topical care.
Exquisite Brightening Anti-Puff Eye Masks
This unique bio-cellulose mask is designed to treat your eye contour area targeting under eyes and crow’s feet. The uniquely designed shape ensures optimal delivery of an advanced formula infused with active peptides and plant extracts to visibly smooth lines, brighten under eyes and gently diminish puffiness.
Biologique Recherche Serum Oligo-Proteines Marines
This bio-marine serum energizes and revitalizes the skin, helping stimulate its natural functions, unifying the complexion and brightening under-eye circles. It provides emergency treatment for stressed skin and is recommended for devitalized, dull skin with imperfections.