Late nights and long hours in front of a computer can give you deep dark circles under your eyes. Dark circles and puffy eyes are difficult to camouflage even with layers of concealer. The best way to get rid of them for good is to start sleeping better. But unless we quit our jobs and embark on a life of leisure, this is really not practical. You don’t have to shell out huge amounts of money on expensive eye creams to tackle your dark circles. Here are six all-natural DIY recipes that promise to make you look bright and fresh even if you’re functioning on 5 hours of sleep.
1. Almond And Honey Mask
Sweet almond oil is nature’s best eye cream because it’s so intensely moisturizing. This oil is very gentle, so it’s safe to be applied around your eyes. Honey also helps soften skin and can gently lighten dark circles over time. Mix a few drops of sweet almond oil along with a few drops of honey. Massage this around your entire eye contour in a gentle tapping motion. This will encourage circulation, while at the same time, won’t tug your delicate skin too much. Do this every night and you will start noticing a significant improvement in your dark circles.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil moisturizes skin, helping you get rid of crow’s feet and fine lines. Massaging it around your eyes every night can lighten dark circles and reduce puffiness. As an extra bonus, coconut oil also helps your eyelashes and eyebrows grow thicker. Make sure you store your coconut oil in the fridge because it’s much easier to apply when it’s solidified. The coolness from the oil will also help your eyes look less puffy and tired. Massage cold coconut oil over your eyes every night and give it a few minutes to sink in before you sleep.
3. Tea Bags
Don’t throw away your tea bags in the trash next time, because they could help you get rid of your dark circles. Tea contains caffeine, a powerful stimulant. Caffeine can encourage circulation to your eyes, reduce dark circles and make them less puffy. Store your soaked tea bags in the freezer so they get nice and cold before you use them. Every morning when you wake up, place two frozen tea bags over your eyes and let them sit for about 15 minutes. This is also very refreshing and helps you wake up. You can use green tea or black tea for this, whichever kind you have lying around the house.
4. Pineapple And Turmeric
This sunshine yellow eye mask is just what you need to banish dark circles away for good. Pineapple enzymes encourage circulation around the eyes, making them look less tired. Turmeric powder lightens skin and after every usage, you might see your dark circles begin to fade away. To make this eye mask, mix together a few spoons of pineapple juice together with just enough turmeric powder to make a paste. Apply this evenly around your eyes and let it dry before you wash it off. It might stain your skin, but don’t worry, it’s only temporary.
5. Cucumbers
Cucumber slices over the eyes were almost a mandatory part of any makeover montage in a ’90s movie. The reason why they’re so widely used is because they’re incredibly effective. The coolness from a cucumber makes your eyes less puffy and tired. If you need a quick pick-me-up, then cucumber is the way to go. Grate some cucumber, wrap it in small pouches with some kitchen towel and store them in the freezer. Whenever you need to look bright and refreshed in a hurry, place these pouches over your eyes for about 15 minutes.
6. Milk And Baking Soda
Milk is a gentle moisturizer, so it’s perfect for your delicate eye area. For this eye mask, use full-fat milk for the most amount of moisture. Mix together four tablespoons of whole milk and two tablespoons of baking soda until it forms a smooth paste. Store it in the fridge so it gets nice and cold before you use it. Apply a thin layer of this paste over your eyes and let it sit for about half an hour. Wash it off and moisturize well with a good eye cream.
