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It’s certainly a bummer when you wake up in the morning and walk the mirror only to find you have dark eyelids. Dark eyelids are a distinct discoloration around the upper eye region which can be caused by a myriad of reasons.
These reasons range from health-related reasons, the kinds of foods one takes, or even congenital reasons. Our eyelids are made of thin skin hence their sensitive nature when it comes to injuries or damage.
If this condition is not treated on time, not only will it dull your overall appearance, it could potentially also lead to serious health issues. Before one decides to go for other remedies, it is imperative that you determine exactly the cause of the dark circles around your eyes. I discuss ways to not only get rid of dark eyelids but also have healthy eyelids as well.
When the skin around the upper area of the eye darkens, dark eyelids appear. This is related to many reasons, from changes in blood vessels and surrounding skin to hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation
One of the reasons why one would have dark eyelids is hyperpigmentation. This occurs when there’s an overproduction of the natural melanin which gives our skin its color.
There are a number of ways in which hyperpigmentation occurs. When we stand in the sun for too long, our skin might suffer what’s called sun damage. This causes more melanin to be produced and as a result, one might find a dark discoloration.
Sleep Deprivation
There’s a reason why your doctor recommends 8 hours of sleep. Lack of sleep causes changes to the blood vessels and surrounding skin and allergic reactions that might cause mechanical damage.
Injuries and/or Infections
Compared to skin elsewhere on the body, eyelids have a pretty thin layer of skin and this gives them their sensitive nature. This means that our eyelids are susceptible to damage easily. A wound on the eyelids is most likely going to get infected if not treated quickly which might cause the darkening of the eyelids.
Inflammation
Inflammatory diseases, which include dermatitis, allergies, chronic sinusitis, rheumatoid arthritis, et cetera, can cause your skin to swell and darken in certain spots.
Hormonal Changes of Pregnancy
Melasma is a dark patch caused by increased melanin production in your skin as a result of hormones related to pregnancy. These are likely to also appear around the eyelids and may be worsened by overexposure to the sun.
Congenital Reasons
Some dark eyelid conditions have been known to be caused by genetics, meaning one would be born with them. Examples of such conditions include blood vessel tumors of the eye or strawberry hemangioma, dark moles, noncancerous tumors or dermoid cysts, styles, et cetera.
Lighter-skinned individuals are at a higher risk for hyperpigmentation and related dark eyelids conditions. Also, you maybe are at a greater risk for dark eyelids if you don’t wear sunglasses or neglect to wear sunscreen around the eyes whenever you’re outdoors when experiencing hormonal changes, or are known to have a family history of premature aging or inflammatory diseases.
Easy Home Remedies For Dark Eyelids
Even though chemical-based products help in getting rid of dark eyelids, I would recommend that you try these easy-to-do remedies, especially for those of you who have sensitive skin.
- Tea
Black and green tea has been known to contain oxidants that help in reducing inflammation and discoloration. To achieve this, place two tea bags in the refrigerator for half an hour so as to chill them and lay them on the eyelids for ten to fifteen minutes.
Rinse the eyelids after removing the tea bags and apply almond oil so as to keep the skin hydrated. Repeat this routine for a few days and your skin will be looking radiant and healthy.
Slices of Cucumber
Putting cucumbers on the eyelids is part of many relaxation procedures. People sometimes use cucumbers with facial masks or in the bath.
While giving beauty treatments, experts would frequently use cucumbers to treat discoloration. This is because cucumbers have a natural skin-lightening effect and some of their astringent properties help in fixing any discoloration of the eye. This evidence is based on our knowledge of cucumber content and the fact that people have relied on cucumbers for centuries to heal and moisturize the skin under the eyes.
Chill slices of cucumber in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, place them on your eyelids for about 10 minutes, and later on rinse your face with cold water. Not only will the discoloration around your eyes have disappeared, but the cucumber will leave you feeling fresh instantly. You can also find products that use cucumber extract to treat puffy eyes and dark circles.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes have been used for many years to clear dark circles around the eyes due to their bleaching effect which leaves the skin soft and supple. In addition, tomatoes have a number of nutrients that are good for one’s skin including Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, sulfur, calcium, iron, phosphorous, and potassium.
For this remedy, extract the tomato pulp and mix it with lemon juice and apply it to your eyelids. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing it with cold water. You might want to repeat this two times a day to achieve the best results. Drinking a mixture of tomato juice and lemon juice has also been known to remedy dark circles around the eyes.
Potato Juice
If you have never considered potatoes as a remedy for dark circles around the eyes, well now you should. Grate a few raw potatoes and extract the juice onto a cup or glass. Dip a piece of cotton ball in the mix and gently apply it making sure you get all the areas around the dark circles and under the eyelids. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing it with clean, cold water.
Almond Oil
Almond oil is a rich source of Vitamin E, and the oil is an emollient which has been known to make the skin soft and supple. This remedy is achieved by applying the oil to the affected area of the eye and massaging it gently. Leave it overnight and wash it off the next morning; the results speak for themselves.
Orange Juice
Consuming oranges not only help you meet your daily quota of Vitamin C, but it’s also a great fruit for your skin and can be used to remedy dark circles. A mixture of orange juice and a few drops of glycerin will work wonders if applied under your eyes and will help get rid of dark circles. It will also make your skin glow giving it a healthy look.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a powerful, natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory which has been known to minimize dark circles. For this remedy, mix some turmeric powder with pineapple juice to create a paste, and then apply this paste under your eyelids and let it sit for 10 minutes. Later, use a soft, damp, warm cloth to wipe the paste off. Repeat this routine once a day.
Mint Leaves
Known for their refreshing qualities and invigorating scent, mint leaves can also be used to eliminate dark circles around your eyes. This remedy is created by crushing a few mint leaves with water into a paste and applying the concoction to the dark circles. For the best results, it is advisable to do this for about 10 minutes every night and wash it with cold water.
Rosewater
Rosewater is best known for its beauty qualities and also in its ability to rejuvenate the skin. However, rose water is also widely used for clearing dark circles efficiently. To achieve this remedy, soak a piece of cotton in rose water and apply it under the eyes.
Leave it there for about 10 minutes, after which you should remove the cotton and gently wash the area with cold water. It’s advisable to repeat this routine once every day for a month for the best results.
Buttermilk And Turmeric
Turmeric is well-known for its numerous health benefits. For this remedy, take equal portions of buttermilk and turmeric and mix them into a thick paste. Apply this paste gently on your dark circles and let it sit for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Further reading: The hidden benefits of shea butter for greasy skin
Cold Milk
One of the simplest ways how to get rid of dark circles is to apply milk to your eye. Not many people are privy to the benefits of milk against dark circles. For this remedy, take a piece of cotton and dip it in cold milk and then apply it over your eyes. Keep the cotton covered for a few minutes and then later wash it off with cold water.
Cold Compresses
This remedy helps minimize bruising from broken blood vessels by repairing dilated blood vessels and swelling from inflammatory conditions. You can opt to put a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a clean towel, but also you can obtain a cold press from a drugstore. For the best results, do this for five to ten minutes.
Get Enough Sleep
Although lack of sleep doesn’t directly lead to dark eyelids, it can make your skin look paler which can exacerbate the appearance of dark skin seem even darker.
Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E acts as an anti-aging agent by fighting free radicals that result in signs of aging. Apply a drop of oil before going to bed at night around your dark under-eye circles and massage it into the skin gently. Let this sit on your skin overnight and rinse with warm water in the morning.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a powerful natural and gentle anti-inflammatory that can be used to remedy dark eyelids. Not only does it help prevent wrinkles and fine lines under the eyes, but coconut oil also acts as a natural moisturizer.
Stay Hydrated and Reduce Salt Consumption
The skin around the eyes is remarkably thin and susceptible to dehydration. As biology would suggest, parts of the body with low sodium (salt) concentrations contain more water, while those with more sodium contain less water. When this occurs, one might suffer from red, puffy eyes that give a sickly look.
Curb Alcohol Consumption
Drinking too much alcohol causes the body to be dehydrated and the resulting hangover gives your eyes a reddish, puffy look. Whenever you engage in heavy drinking, make sure you take lots of water to stay hydrated.
This is because alcohol and other drugs dilate the small veins in the eyes, causing them to leak over time. Puffiness, bags under the eyes, and dark circles around the eyes are caused by poor sleep, water retention, and poor general health. Drink plenty of water and eat zinc-rich foods such as Brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, and avocados.
After one month of not drinking alcohol, the red blood cells in your body will start to renew, which means that your organs have better blood flow and oxygen supply. If you used to drink alcohol frequently, your body may detoxify after you quit smoking.
Exercise and Meditation
Regular exercise brings blood flow to the skin and enhances circulation, which transforms a dull, aging complexion into vibrant, younger-looking skin. This also includes the sensitive skin that is around your eyes.
In addition, the endorphins released on a daily basis into your bloodstream mitigate depression and anxiety. This in turn keeps you happier, calmer, and more balanced.
Meditation is another interesting way to keep stress at bay and this helps get rid of the wrinkles and fine lines caused by stress. Meditation can be a mindfulness exercise after some yoga practice or the peace of mind one finds on a long, quiet run, or swim.
Eye Massager
To promotes blood flow, it is advisable to regularly massage the under-eye area since it helps prevent blood from pooling around the capillaries under the eyes. An eye massager that would be interesting to try is FOREO’s IRIS spa-quality eye massager. This massager can be used from the comfort of your home.
To use it, first, apply your favorite eye cream or serum, turn the IRIS on, and adjust to the desired intensity. About 80% of users who have tried this routine have reported experiencing firmer and more elastic eye contours, and a subsequent 84% saw an increase in product absorption.
Some food allergies can also make the area under the eyes look darker. In fact, children’s dark circles usually indicate allergies. Studies have also shown that dark circles are related to anemia and liver disease.
In conclusion, dark eyelids are attributed to a variety of causes, but one can find solutions with careful research. It’s advisable to talk to your dermatologist so as to be sure about the underlying cause of your darkening eyelids since this can help you figure out what’s causing it and the best course of treatment.
