Many people have problems with the under-eye area. The skin can be darker in color than the rest of their face and can occur for various reasons, such as hectic lifestyles, lack of rest, or unhealthy habits. While it is true that they are usually not annoying, from an aesthetic standpoint, under-eye bags are one of the most common problems.
For this reason, it is important to learn how to take care of the eye contour, one of the most sensitive areas of our body and put into practice some tips, tricks and tools to reduce under-eye circles. We will tell you about the best stuff for under-eye circles and tricks to help you dull and visibly reduce them.
Causes of under-eye bags
Under-eye bags are bumps, lumps or puffiness that appear in the lower eye area. It's a delicate skin area, because the skin layer here is five times thinner than the rest of the face. If you are wondering exactly why you have under-eye bags, there are several factors:
Genetic factors
As with many diseases and aesthetic problems, genetics play a key role. For example, if your parents have noticeable under-eye bags, you will likely inherit this tendency.
Loss of lower eyelid muscle tone
The skin under your eyes becomes lax and saggy over time, leading to dark circles under your eyes. It is an age-related problem, but bad habits such as smoking or poor diet can also contribute to the appearance of dark circles.
Fluid retention
Occurs when the lower eyelid area drains less than other parts of the face, causing excess fluid to accumulate in that area. If fluid retention is the cause of their presence, the under-eye bags will appear very soft when you press on them.
Poor rest
Bags resulting from fatigue are usually transient, as the eyes become waterlogged and there is temporary fluid retention. However, lack of rest for long periods can lead to more voluminous bags.
Allergies
Bags due to allergies can also be temporary, but in these cases, you may notice puffiness all over the eye, not just in the lower part. So the solution to this problem is to find the right allergy medication.
Bad habits
Smoking and improper diet directly impact the skin of the face and can lead to the formation of bags that are very difficult to get rid of. A sudden weight gain, high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides or drinking a lot of alcohol fills the skin with toxins that prevent the natural flow of oxygen in the blood and create bags and dark circles under the eyes.
Natural remedies for under-eye bags and dark circles under the eyes
The effectiveness of these home remedies for dark circles and under-eye bags depends largely on the cause of the appearance of dark circles and under-eye bags. If it is, for example, a genetic predisposition, natural remedies for under-eye bags are very difficult to make them completely disappear. However, in many cases, they effectively deflate, soften, and significantly reduce the under-eye bags.
Cucumber against under-eye bags and dark circles under the eyes
With its high water content, minerals like zinc, calcium and folic acid, and vitamins B, C and E, cucumber has anti-inflammatory properties and quickly reduces under-eye bags. Not sure how to use cucumber to treat dark circles under your eyes?
Put it in the freezer for a few minutes before using it, as the cold will help stimulate blood flow to the affected areas.
After that, wash it, cut it into slices and put some on your eyes. You will see the effect in just a few minutes: it soothes the skin, moisturizes and reduces inflammation.
When you see that the slices lose their cold effect, replace them with cooler ones.
Almond oil for dark circles and under-eye bags
Besides being rich in vitamins A, B and E, almond oil is an indispensable ingredient in the world of cosmetics thanks to its many properties. This oil has great moisturizing and absorbing power, so just put a few drops of almond oil on your ring finger and massage the eye area before bed.
Add this step to your daily skincare routine, and you'll notice improvements in about 15 days. Your dark circles will become less noticeable, and dark circles will visibly diminish.
Chamomile for bags and dark circles under the eyes
Chamomile has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, so in addition to its digestive benefits, it can help you eliminate bags and dark circles under your eyes. It's easy to apply: make an infusion of chamomile and, once it's at room temperature, soak two pieces of cotton wool in it and put it on your eyes for 15 minutes.
If you make the infusion from sachets, we recommend leaving them in the fridge for 15 minutes after making the infusion. Then put the cold packets directly into your eyes.
Aloe vera
The properties of aloe vera make this plant a very important ingredient in cosmetics. In the case of bags and dark circles under the eyes, aloe vera can help eliminate them thanks to its high content of vitamins A, C, B12 and E and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In addition, aloe vera is an excellent natural moisturizer that greatly improves skin elasticity, so it can delay some of the signs of ageing. Apply a few drops of aloe vera to the under-eye area and massage for half a minute. You can learn more about aloe vera for dark circles and under-eye bags: benefits and uses by reading this article.
Lemon and tomato mask
Lemon and tomato are two products with many benefits for your skin, so we recommend following these tips to benefit from both products:
- Mix 5 drops of lemon juice with half a tomato.
- Chop and mix well to combine both products.
- If it's too runny, you can add a teaspoon of flour to thicken it.
- When the mixture has turned into a paste, apply it to the bags and let it sit for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove with plenty of warm water and repeat the mask two or three times a week.
- Be careful not to get the lemon too close to your eyes; this will cause irritation.
Shea butter to relieve dark circles and under-eye bags.
Shea butter is another luxurious ingredient for skin repair and care. It quickly moisturizes, protects and repairs the dermis. It is also particularly beneficial and effective for eye care as it is rich in vitamin A and antioxidants. Applying it to the skin around the eyes in small movements will help replenish the collagen fibres in the area and boost skin elasticity.
Avocado mask for under-eye bags
Mash half an avocado and add a few drops of almond oil to enhance the moisturizing and cleansing properties of the fruit. Apply the paste to the affected area, patting gently and leaving for 10 minutes. In the end, remove with lukewarm water.
Other tips to get rid of under-eye bags
Apart from these home remedies for under-eye bags, there are other tips to help prevent and treat under-eye bags' appearance. Consider:
Get enough rest
7 to 9 hours a night is recommended to get a good night's sleep. We also recommend sleeping on your back and on a thick, firm pillow to avoid fluid retention in the eye area.
Deep cleansing
Cleanse your face thoroughly before going to bed. Get rid of makeup and any toxins that can cause redness and irritation. Leaving mascara, eyeliner and concealer on your eyes over night will be irritating.
Exercise daily
By exercising, you will activate your circulatory system and eliminate unwanted toxins, which often cause fluid retention and bags.
Eat properly
Eat fruits and vegetables every day to benefit from the skin healing properties of food. For example, opt for spinach, eggplant, carrots, strawberries, kiwi fruit, etc.
Say goodbye to bad habits.
Sugar, tobacco and alcohol are the main enemies of healthy facial skin. Reduce these from your diet as much as possible to have a healthy and glowing complexion.
Drinking 1.5-2 litres of water a day helps detoxify the body and boost cell regeneration, so water is a must if you want a beautiful, glowing complexion.
Follow a specific skincare regime.
Apply moisturizers and eye creams tailored to your skin type every day, as these will be your best ally in the fight against dark circles in the long run.
Conceal under-eye bags with makeup
In addition to all these tips, it's worth remembering that makeup (especially concealer) can be a great ally when hiding bags and dark circles under the eyes. It's important to treat this area very delicately for the best results.
And here's a few other tips:
- Use good eye drops to loosen, soothe, and moisturize the puffy area for starters.
- Facial massage will also help eliminate fluid retention in this area, so massage the bags with your fingers before the next step. A little almond oil can be used for the massage.
- Apply a special eye cream with a brush as this will help improve circulation in the area.
- Don't forget that orange concealer will help colour correct dark circles and deep, pronounced bags, so take a few minutes to apply it correctly.
- Apply concealer in the same shade as your skin tone, followed by foundation.
Cosmetic treatments to eliminate under-eye bags
As I said at the beginning, natural remedies and home remedies may not be enough depending on why you have bags under your eyes. If genetic, it's best to consult a professional cosmetic centre for advice on various proven treatments that will help you get rid of under-eye bags completely. Before resorting to cosmetic surgery, you can try treatments like the ones we suggest below. Here's how you can get rid of under-eye bags without surgery:
Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is ideal for combating dark circles under the eyes, as well as reducing puffy bags. In these cases, an ultra-light acid is used to depigment the bags and soften the appearance, unifying the tone of this area with the rest of the face.
Carboxytherapy: is a very effective treatment for removing bags without surgery, as it involves injecting carbon dioxide into the subcutaneous tissue to oxygenate it and improve circulation. With this technique, you will restore tone and firmness to the skin around the eyes.
Blepharoplasty: This is a minimally invasive method of removing under-eye bags using a fractional semi-ablative C0-laser. This instrument is responsible for resecting excess skin and correcting too strong muscles for precise bag removal.
In conclusion
Under-eye bags are a very common problem, but there are some things you can do to reduce them. Be sure to clean your eye area daily, use an eye cream or serum specifically designed for under-eye bags, and place cold compresses on your eyes for a few minutes each day. With these simple steps, you should see a noticeable difference in the appearance of your under-eye bags.
Thanks for readings!