Although not a hazardous condition, dark patches and bags under the eyes are quite a common occurrence in both men and women. In fact, the chances of it increase with age as the skin starts losing its collagen and, in turn, it’s elasticity.

What really causes eye bags and dark circles?

Some basic reasons why one sports dark and puffy eyes include:

  • Dehydration
  • Genetic causes
  • Overexposure to the sun
  • Fatigue, lack of sleep, or oversleeping
  • Straining or stressing of the eyes
  • Allergic reactions

The underlying causes of deep, dark circles and bags under the eyes remain the same: unhealthy lifestyle factors. Lack of sleep, inadequate diet, and stress remain the biggest contributors to this condition.

However, you can get rid of them using these simple and effective remedies. Let’s delve right into them, shall we?

Tea bags:

This is quite an underrated, yet extremely effective, remedy. Tea is rich in tannins and antioxidants which not only brighten up your dark circles but also stimulate healthy blood flow around your eyes.

Keeping cold tea bags works best to counter puffiness as well.

Potato/Tomato/Cucumber:

A slice of cold potato, tomato, or cucumber on your eyes for 10 minutes each day works like magic. Both these vegetables have powerful antioxidative and bleaching properties that clear your eyes of any darkness around them.

Keeping a cold slice helps reduce the puffiness around your eyes as well. Instead of plain water, you can also use the juices of these vegetables to adjust the consistency of your regular face mask to get an overall smooth and soft facial skin.

Rosewater and lemon juice:

These are excellent replacements for plain water to get rid of dark patches and bags under the eyes. Apply a few drops of rosewater or lemon juice around your eyes, massage gently, and leave on for a few minutes followed by washing off with cold water.

Vitamin E:

You can either use vitamin E capsules or almond oil, which is also quite rich in vitamin E. Apply a few drops of this oil around your eyes and massage it gently all over right before you hit the bed each night. If done correctly and consistently, you will start noticing visible changes within a week.

Aloe vera:

You can either use raw, natural aloe vera gel or a commercially available one. Apply just enough of it around your eyes at least twice a day for healthy, glowing eyes. You can even mix it up with your regular face mask for an overall brightening effect.

Cold milk:

A rich source of lactic acid, milk reduces lines, wrinkles, and puffiness of the skin. Soak two cotton pads in cold milk and wipe gently around your eyes. Keep them on for 10 minutes and wash off with cold water.

Repeat this at least once each day and watch your eyes regain their original complexion within a week.

Summing it up:

Although these remedies are pretty effective, they don’t show results within a day or two. The trick here is to stay consistent with these techniques for at least a couple of weeks before you expect any visible change around your eyes.

In addition to that, amp up your lifestyle as well. Stay hydrated, eat well and on time, reset your circadian rhythm, work on your stress levels, and get at least 7 hours of sleep each day. Home remedies coupled with relevant lifestyle changes can combat your dark and puffy eyes like nothing else!