Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Reduce Under Eye Circles Naturally

By Marilyn Etzel

Do you ever wake up in the morning looking like you went a few rounds with a prize fighter? No one wants to show their face to the world bearing dark under eye circles. Before reaching for the newest beauty treatment on the market, try to resolve the dilemma of the under eye circles with a natural remedy.

Why do we get those circles? There are a variety of causes. For one, stress and sleeplessness can produce the dark circles. Restorative sleep allows the body to repair itself at night. Without it, you could end up with those nasty circles.

Crying can also lead to problems in the under eye area. The tissue can stay plump with the tears (if you were crying in bed) and you wake up not only with dark circle but puffiness as well.

Here are a few ways to reduce that look without chemicals.

1. Cucumbers. Waste not, want not is the adage when it comes to natural beauty. Thin slices of cold cucumbers can be placed on the eyes for at least 10 minutes. The juice works as an astringent, removing excess fluid and lightening the area under the eyes. Don't throw them away afterwards, though. Pop them in your mouth for a healthy snack.

2. Potato slices. They are great baked, fried, and boiled, but how about on the eyes? Potatoes were once used as a way to pull impurities from the body in folk remedies. Slice a potato into two thin circles to apply to the eyes for about 20 minutes. The raw potato will lighten dark circles.

3. Banana puree. Restore moisture to your skin and a healthier look with bananas. You won't be eating them but putting them on your face. Mash ripe bananas into a lumpy spread or a smooth puree and smear under your eyes before bed. In the morning, you'll be amazed at how good the area under your eyes will look.

4. Chamomile tea bags. Use chamomile tea to calm your spirit and your skin. Cold or warm tea bags will do the trick. Cool them in the fridge for 20 minutes or so or just let them warm on a plate. Lay back and hold the tea bags on your eyes for about 10 minutes.

5. Drink plenty of water. Part of the reason skin begins to look dark under the eyes is due to lack of proper hydration. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day can stop under eye circles from being a problem in the first place.

6. You are what you eat. Your diet has a lot to do with how your body behaves. Not getting enough vitamins and nutrients on a daily basis affects how we look and feel. As far as looks, you could develop dark circles under the eyes from the deficiency of one or more necessary nutrients.

7. Dark circles and lack of moisture. Keep skin hydrated from the outside as well. Using a daily moisturizer with Vitamin E (avocado and nut ingredients) keeps skin supple. For a more natural application, use avocado puree or almond oil.

Dark circles are horrid at any time. Try natural remedies to get rid of them. - 16004

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