A lack of sleep and rock star ways are not the main reasons for your Rocky Balboa’s.  They’re just contenders.  Who else shares the ring?

A lack of sleep and rock star ways are not the main reasons for your Rocky Balboa’s.  They’re just contenders.  Who else shares the ring?

• Blood vessels — if traumatized, vessels can sometimes break
• Allergies and sinus problems— dilate and darken the veins that drain from your eyes to your nose
• Heredity — dark, under-eye circles can run in the family
• Lifestyle factors — smoking, alcohol and caffeinated sodas contribute to the problem
• Sun exposure — prompts your body to produce more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color
• Vitamin deficiency
• Thinning skin and loss of fat and collagen — common as you age, this makes the reddish-blue blood vessels under your eyes more obvious

NATURAL FIX-IT’S

Pee, baby, pee. Beverages like green tea help rid the body of excess liquids, which contribute to dark, under-eye circles. Also drink plenty of clean water. Drinking lots of water flushes the toxins out of your system.

Eat a well-rounded diet. Try to consume lots of vitamin B and folic acid. In fact, green leafy vegetables are especially helpful in ridding raccoon eyes naturally.

Practice YOGA (Ayurvedic). It has been found that yoga is very beneficial in reducing dark circles. Pranayama and shavasana help the mind to de-stress.

Topical Applications the Ole’ Natural Way: Tomato, Lemon and Gram Flour. Tomato is rich in vitamins A, C and iron, whereas lemon can act as a “natural bleach.” By combining the two ingredients, you will notice the dark circles will lighten after a few days of treatment.

How to make your gram flour

Take pre-cooked chickpeas, rinse thoroughly and drain. Spread evenly across an un-greased baking tray and cook on medium heat for 2 to 3 hours then turn off oven and leave overnight to cool. Place into a mortar and pestle and grind to a fine consistency.

Take one teaspoon fresh tomato juice, and mix it with 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice and 3/4 of a teaspoon of gram flour. Mix all these thoroughly to create a smooth paste. Apply this paste on the dark circles around the eyes, using a dry but cold compress to hold it all together. The cold will help constrict the capillary walls and reduce puffiness. Leave on for about 10 minutes then remove.

Before it becomes too dry, start removing by rubbing very gently with your fingers. Wash your face.

Buy an Eye Treatment. If you’re going to go the eye treatment route, look for the following ingredients: vitamins C, E, K, calendula, chamomile and green tea extract. 

Have patience. These treatments may take some time to really see a difference.

-Sara Elizabeth, HBD Beauty Expert and Owner of Sara Elizabeth Skincare.