Short on sleep this silly season? One too many late nights or even a bit too much broken sleep, will familiarise you with dark circles, puffy eyes and bags. Luckily for us, there are plenty of ways to restore our eyes to their former beauty.
What Causes Dark Circles & Puffy Eyes?
Though several things can cause dark circles and puffy eyes to arise, they’re most often associated with fatigue. A lack of sleep reduces circulation to the eyes which can cause your skin to become dull and pale, allowing for dark tissues and blood vessels beneath your skin to show. Reduced circulation can also cause fluid to accumulate under your eyes, making them appear puffy.
Natural aging is another common cause of dark circles. As you get older, your skin thins and you lose the fat and collagen needed to maintain the skin’s integrity. This leads to the dark blood vessels beneath your skin becoming more visible and the area below your eyes darken.
Aside from sleep deprivation and aging, some other causes of dark circles include allergies, dehydration, medical conditions and UV rays.
That being said, there are plenty of natural ways to treat this sensitive area – ranging from cucumber to a quality eye cream. If you’re wondering how to get rid of eye issues, here’s a list of simple remedies that are worth trying out.
Cucumber
Have you ever seen someone wearing cucumber slices on their eyes and wondered, why? Well, dark circles are why. Since cucumber has some minor bleaching and anti-inflammatory abilities, it works well for lightening up the skin and reducing the appearance of dark circles. Simply apply chilled cucumber slices to the area for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Cold Tea Bags
This one may sound slightly odd, but cold tea bags can also be a valuable way to get rid of dark circles. Since dark circles typically arise as the blood vessels of the area dilute, causing puffiness, the cold tea bags works to counter this effect. They do this by constricting blood flow to lessen swelling and the appearance of dark circles. Whether it’s green or black tea, the bags can be applied to the area for about 10 to 15 minutes.
A Good Night’s Sleep
As they say: never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep, especially when considering dark circles. After all, a lack of sleep is usually what causes them to appear in the first place.
That being said, getting a quality 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night is a task easier said than done for some of us – though some simple strategies can help to promote a quality slumber. Try minimalising caffeine in the evening, saying no to naps, trying natural sleep supplements, or investing in a quality pillow and mattress.
Eye Cream
If none of these suggestions quite fit the bill and sleep is a little hard to come by at present (given that it’s the silly season, that probably means most of us) then you may need to use a quality eye cream. We are very excited to announce that we have formulated a potent eye crème to combat dark circles and puffy eyes, using Australian native Finger Lime Caviar.
Lime Caviar Eye Crème contains high potency Vitamin C which gently tightens skin and strengthens capillaries, reducing dark circles and puffiness under the eye. Combined with biofermented hyaluronic acid, collagen synthesis is supported, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Arnica and Calendula oils work to quickly calm inflammation and redness, whilst rosehip oil delivers potent rejuvenative properties, increasing skin elasticity, balancing skin tone and providing a richly moisturised eye area.
As a naturopath, I’m always thinking about dietary and lifestyle recommendations to complement my organic skin care range. Drinking herbal teas has got to one of the easiest and most effective things you can do to further benefit skin. Not only do they taste great but the actives in herbs are absorbed and taken-up quicker than supplements.
Spring is the perfect time to take stock of your skincare products, reboot your beauty routine and get yourself set up for the sun to come.
Here's how: Step 1 - ‘Spring clean’ your skincare
Go through your beauty cabinet and get rid of anything you haven’t used for the last 12 months or anything that isn’t pulling its weight.
As a Naturopath I have treated many skin conditions over the years but some of them you see more than others. Eczema and dermatitis are most definitely my number one. And as the weather is cooling, now is the time when flare ups most commonly occur.
Although it can be caused by a multitude of factors, there are lots of ways to reduce eczema occurrence, and sometime eradicate it for good. Here is what I know about eczema and what you can do about it.
