You’re not going on a trip but it looks like your eyes are. They’re loaded down with heavy bags and all the concealer in the world won’t hide them.
Some women suffer routinely from dark under-eye circles while for others they’re the result of one late night too many. Before you rush out to the store to spend money on yet another cream or cover-up, why not try a natural alternative?
Unpacking the Bags
There are several causes of these unwanted puffy circles. The primary one is fatigue. Another is eye strain.
Allergies can cause under-eye circles. So can contact dermatitis, which happens when your eyes came in contact with something that causes mild irritation, like soap or makeup. Sun exposure can lead to irregular melatonin levels and cause your eyelid area to darken.
As the skin under your eyes ages, it loses elastin and collagen and gets thinner. This makes the blood vessels underneath more visible, giving a darker look. In some cases it’s just genetics, otherwise known as bad luck.
What Can You Do?
There are several expensive treatments you can use to combat persistent under-eye circles. But there are two approaches that won’t cost you a dime and may even work better.
1. Improve your diet. There is some evidence that persistent dark eye circles are due to iron deficiency. Iron keeps oxygen moving through your body and if you’re also feeling fatigued despite getting enough sleep, lack of oxygen could be the culprit. Try eating iron-rich foods like spinach, broccoli and all types of squash.
According to alternative health expert Cathy Wong, eye circles can result from the lack of antioxidants. Antioxidants are elements that fight aging and keep your skin youthful. She says you should look for foods high in antioxidant pigments; these include cranberries, blueberries, bilberries, onions, legumes, parsley and black or green tea.
2. Try a natural cure. Before you opt for an invasive and costly medical treatment, try this homemade mask that uses three ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now. Here’s the recipe.
Homemade Beauty Mask
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh cucumber juice
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated potato
Directions:
1. Mix ingredients together to form a paste.
2. After cleansing your skin, apply and leave on for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse with cool water and apply a moisturizer.
That’s it!
This all-natural mask will pump antioxidants into your skin and make it bright and clear after just a few uses. Do this three times a week or so and watch your dark circles lessen and then disappear. You can keep them from coming back through regular weekly use.
By the way, this is an excellent mask even if you don’t have under-eye circles; it will make any complexion radiant. Tell your friends about it and let them also experience how easy and fun it is to have beautiful skin.
How Does It Work?
The power of natural goodness fills this simple mask. Potatoes are high in potassium and are known for their skin-softening properties; some women use potato starch, from the water that potatoes cooked in, to soften their elbows and hands. Spuds are high in vitamins C and B-complex which have high antioxidant levels.
Honey is a natural skin and hair softener present in many formulations you see in the drugstore every day. It’s also a natural disinfectant. Honey will bind the other ingredients into a moisturizing paste and make it smell wonderful. Just don’t be tempted to eat it.
New studies have found that cucumber extract is extremely high in antioxidants and in anti-inflammatory properties. Putting cucumber slices on puffy eyes is a cure still used in high-end spas because it works.
If you look at most natural products on the shelf you’ll see one or two of these ingredients listed on the label. But why spend money on extra ingredients that are unnecessary and may even be harmful? With this mask you get only what you need and nothing that might irritate your skin. If you have sensitive skin you know how hard it is to find products that won’t make your skin flare up. This mask will soothe your skin and calm any redness.
Try It Today
Dark eye circles might be cute on a raccoon or a panda bear. They’re not so cute on you. But you don’t have to live with them. In just minutes, for just pennies, you can kiss those bags goodbye. Try it today and you’ll see.