How to Get Rid of Dark Circles: 7 Proven Ways That Work

What’s the first thing you notice when you wake up in the morning? If it’s those annoying dark circles under your eyes, you’re not alone. Dark circles make you look tired and worn out, even when you're not. 

They affect both your appearance and confidence. It can also be a sign that your body needs some extra care. In this blog, we will look at 7 ways on how to get rid of dark circles, to make you look fresh every day.

What Causes Dark Circles?

Before we talk about methods to reduce the appearance of dark circles, let’s look at the most common causes of dark circles. 

• Genetics
• Aging
• Lack of Sleep
• Dehydration
• Allergies
• Sun Exposure
• Stress

Tip #1 Getting 7-9 Hours of Quality Sleep

First signs of not sleeping enough or poor quality sleep are dark circles under your eyes. Blood flow slows down, making your eyes look tired and puffy. Some tips to improve your sleep quality are:

• Go to bed at the same time every night. And wake up at the same time every morning, to maintain a regular rhythm.
• Don’t drink coffee or tea six hours before bedtime.
• One to two hours of no screens before sleeping. 
• Lying flat on your back or lifting your neck slightly helps with fluid drainage.
• Play relaxing music and journal to clear your mind. 

Tip #2: Use cold compresses

Cold compresses reduce dark circles caused by dilated blood vessels and swelling. The cold temperature tightens the blood vessels, reducing the swelling. Your eyes start looking alive again. You can try any of these methods to cold compress your eyes:

• Freeze metal spoons for 10-15 minutes and gently press them on your eyes. 
• Using chilled slices of cucumber.
• Cold tea bags (green tea or chamomile tea) also reduce dark circles.
• Using a chilled gel eye mask.

You can use a cold compress as soon as you wake up in the morning. Or as a quick fix during the day. It instantly reduces the swelling. 

Tip #3 Using Eye Creams with Active Ingredients

Most eye creams sold in the market are basic hydrating moisturizers with a high price tag. That’s why you need to actually look at the label before buying an eye cream. Look for active ingredients like:

• Caffeine: Reduce puffiness and visible blood vessels by constricting them. 

• Vitamin C: Reduces pigmentation around the eyes. Especially effective for dark circles caused by sun damage.

• Retinol: Best for dark circles caused by skin aging and thinning. It boosts the production of collagen fibres and thickens skin over time.

• Niacinamide: Helps in brightening the skin.

Tip #4 Hydrating Your Body

This is the most overlooked tip on how to get rid of dark circle. When your body is dehydrated, the skin around your eyes looks darker and duller. The fine lines around your eyes also look more noticeable. Ways to keep your skin hydrated are:

• Drink at least 8 glasses of water on a daily basis.
• Include water-rich fruits like cucumbers, watermelons, and oranges in your diet.
• Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake.
• Reduce your salt intake.

Tip #5 Use SPF to prevent Sun Damage

Exposure to the UV rays increases melanin production. Melanin is a pigment responsible for darker skin colours. It makes the delicate skin under the eyes look darker. As the skin under the eyes is more sensitive and thinner, it’s more likely to get damaged from sun exposure.

• Apply sunscreen every day, whether you are staying indoors or outdoors. Use your fingers to gently blend the sunscreen around the eyes.

• Wear sunglasses that block the UV rays.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat when going out on a very sunny day.

Tip #6: Treating your Allergies or Sinus Issues

When your nose is congested, the blood vessels around the eyes swell and show through the skin. And rubbing your eyes due to itching can further darken the skin over time.

• First, identify the triggers of your allergy. And take anti-histamines if your doctor has recommended them. 

• You can also use a saline nasal spray to keep your sinuses clear. 

• Keep an air purifier in your room to reduce dust particles.

• Change your pillowcases once every two days. 

Tip #7 Be Gentle with the Skin around your Eyes

The skin under the eyes is thin and weak. Rubbing it harshly or pulling it can damage it, making it look darker. Do not scrub or drag the skin.

• Remove the eye makeup gently without pulling or scrubbing the skin.
• Use fragrance-free makeup remover wipes. Especially for sensitive skin to avoid irritation.
• Wipe in one single direction, instead of rubbing back and forth.
• You can also use cleansing oils, as they dissolve the eye makeup without much rubbing.

What Astrology Says About Your Eyes

In Vedic Astrology, Shukra (Venus), the planet of beauty, grace, and elegance, rules over your eyes. A well-placed and strong Venus gives you beautiful eyes that look bright and open. Whereas a negative Venus gives dark circles below the eyes. Making your eyes look tired and dull. 

Some ways you can improve the quality of Venus in your birth chart are:

• Chant the Shukra mantra “Om Shukraya Namah.”
• Maintain cleanliness in your house and your body
• Wearing an opal or diamond (only after consultation with your astrologer)
• Practicing eye-focused yoga exercises like Trataka 
• Respect women and provide them support
• Speak with respect and don’t use abusive language

If you are looking for a long-term solution on how to get rid of dark circles permanently, then you’ll have to make these small changes in your daily routine. While you can use a cold compress to instantly reduce the puffiness, or use makeup to hide them. Making changes to your lifestyle will make your eyes look healthier and brighter over time.

FAQs

Q1. How to get rid of dark circles instantly?

You can instantly reduce dark circles by using a cold compress, chilled spoons, or a chilled gel eye mask. The results are instant but temporary.

Q2. Can using ice reduce dark circles?

Using ice can shrink dilated blood vessels, reducing swelling under the eyes. Don’t use the ice directly, wrap it in a cloth and then press gently on the eyes.

Q3. What do dark circles mean in a face reading?

On a spiritual level, eyes are considered windows of the soul. Dark circles are a sign of unresolved emotional burdens or heavy past-life energies. 

Q4. How to remove dark circles permanently?

To permanently fix dark circles, you need to follow a consistent routine. Where you get good quality sleep, hydrate your body, and protect your skin from sun damage. 

Q5. How to get rid of dark circles naturally? 

To get rid of dark circles, naturally reduce your caffeine intake and salt consumption. And treat use only gentle motion for your under eye skin, whether it’s for applying eye cream or removing makeup.