Fashion

Derm-Approved Tricks for Brightening Dark Circles

Under-eye dark circles are just one of those things that can really put a damper on your morning beauty routine. Sure, I can try to conceal them with makeup, but as it's the most temperamental area of my face, I’d prefer to know how to get rid of dark under-eye circles once and for all. Brightening under-eye circles can be tough, but I wanted to find a solution more lasting than cosmetics alone.

Apparently, dark and tired-looking eyes are a pretty common problem, and that’s why I enlisted the help of a very knowledgeable dermatologist, Dr. Amy Perlmutter of New York Dermatology Group. “Many of my patients come in complaining of under eye bags and dark circles,” she says. “There are many causes of under-eye circles including allergies, genetics, melasma, and fatigue, but what I see most is usually related to normal facial aging: thinning skin, loss of elasticity, and volume loss, which makes the blood vessels under the eyes more noticeable.”

Nonetheless, you’ve got options. Regardless of the cause of your tired eyes, Dr. Perlmutter was especially helpful when it came to offering easy ways to get rid of dark circles. The best part? All of them included natural, organic ingredients that are wonderful for every kind of skin type, as well as holistic solutions that help to heal the body from the inside out.

Look For Ingredients You’d Find In Your Pantry

Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream, $25, Amazon

The ingredients you can find in your pantry are often really helpful when it comes to soothing dark circles. “Generally, products with vitamin C, caffeine, green tea, kojic acid, and licorice can be beneficial,” Dr. Perlmutter says. This organic coffee bean caffeine cream contains four out of five of those healing ingredients, as it stimulates tired under-eye circles with coffee, nourishes with antioxidants from green tea, and delivers tons of vitamins and fatty acids through its natural and organic ingredients. Reviewers love the texture, pleasant coffee smell, and results.

Add More Hyaluronic Acid To Hydrate Tired Eyes

Organic & Vegan Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $29, Amazon

Hyaluronic acid is something that’s naturally found in the human body. It’s used for connective tissues in the eye, and that’s why it’s a wonderful solution when it comes to plumping up dark circles. “Hyaluronic acid products, both topical and injectable, can improve dark circles related to volume loss,” says Dr. Perlmutter. This hyaluronic acid serum contains just enough hyaluronic acid to rejuvenate without irritating the skin, but instead of synthetic fillers, chemicals, and parabens, the rest of the serum is filled with just three other natural ingredients — aloe, citric acid, and potassium sorbate. Simply apply a few drops to wet, just-washed skin to see tighter pores, smoother skin, and brighter eyes.

Utilize Tea Because It’s Loaded With Antioxidants

Organic Exfoliating Tea Face Scrub, $19, Amazon

For natural DIY-ingredients, Dr. Purlmutter suggests, “Chamomile and green tea bags can help with puffiness and pigmentation.” For all the benefits of a teabag eye mask without any of the mess, there’s this organic exfoliating tea face scrub. It gently invigorates skin with natural jojoba beads (which disintegrate, so they’re safe for the environment), all while using green and white teas to even tone and nourish your under-eye area with antioxidants. Plus, it has vitamin-and fatty acid-rich olive oil and soothing aloe vera, which heal and moisturize, as well as all-natural ingredients for sensitive skin. What’s not to love?

Sleep Soundly And With An Elevated Head

NeckBone Chiropractic Pillow, $15, Amazon

It’s not all about topical solutions, either. Dr. Purlmutter said lifestyle habits make a huge difference in the brightness of your eyes. She said, “Elevating your head slightly with an extra pillow when you sleep can help prevent puffiness that may occur from fluid accumulation.” If you have trouble finding a good, comfortable position during the night, this NeckBone chiropractic pillow could definitely help. It’s made of a soft velour fabric and filled with hypoallergenic stuffing that fits comfortably right under your neck. It’s also machine-washable, travel-friendly, comes in six different colors, and can be attached to car seats and chairs with its two side handles. But most importantly, it’ll help you get a deep, satisfying, and elevated sleep every single night.

Cool Under-Eyes With Cucumber

After Sun Organic Cucumber Cooling Gel, $25, Amazon

For immediate treatment of under-eye circles, Dr. Pulmutter suggests "chilled cucumber slices or raw potato applied to the affected area.” This organic cucumber cooling gel works just well for under-eye areas because of its moisturizing, healing, and invigorating qualities. Along with cucumber oil and cucumber extract, it has great, all-natural ingredients like aloe, shea butter, palm oil, jojoba oil, vitamin B, and green tea. Reviewers love it because of the fresh cucumber smell, the soak-right-in texture, the skin-toning and soothing qualities, and, as one person puts it, “You never have to worry about the gel sliding off like cucumber slices do.”

Tone Dark Coloration With Mushroom-Derived Kojic Acid

Bright On Brightening Serum, $23, Amazon

According to Dr. Perlmutter, kojic acid (a natural acid that is derived from Japanese mushrooms) is another great solution for under-eye circles, and that’s because it tones and lightens the skin. Bright On's brightening serum contains lots of kojic acid, but it also contains toning, tightening, and plumping ingredients like witch hazel, willow bark, licorice, jojoba oil, aloe, and lemon balm. A few pumps go a very long way, and reviewers say it leaves their faces glowing and bright.

Get Your Daily Dose Of Antioxidants And Stay Hydrated

Matcha Organic Green Tea Powder, $17, Amazon

Dr. Perlmutter said also it’s important to nourish your body with hydrating and antioxidant-rich foods. “Maintaining a skin-healthy diet can contribute antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits," she said, and she suggests limiting excess alcohol consumption. The next time you go to reach for a coffee or a beer, reach for this matcha tea powder instead. It has one ingredient and one ingredient only: USDA-certified Japanese Matcha tea powder, which can be brewed on its own into hot water, or added to any smoothies, lattes, or dessert recipes to contribute loads of health-giving antioxidants into your diet.

Brighten Dark Areas With Licorice

Natural Organic Facial Lightening Mask , $11, Amazon

This five-ingredient natural organic facial lightening mask contains one of Dr. Perlmutter’s top-rated ingredients when it comes to dark circles: licorice. However, instead of chemicals and fillers that counteract the benefits, it’s got Fuller's Earth, turmeric, rose petals, and sandalwood to add a glowing, full-of-life finish to your face. It’s especially wonderful when it comes to balancing pigmentation or diminishing dark spots under the eye, and this one’s got a five-star rating because it’s made with high-quality, pronounceable ingredients, and it actually works.

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Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (8)