Genetics - If your parents have or had dark areas around and/or under the eyes, chances are you are predisposed to inherit this condition.  Furthermore, if your family members suffer from puffiness and bags under the eyes chances are you will inherit this trait.

Medications - Any medicine that causes the blood vessels to dilate will produce dark circles under and around the eye area.  The skin under and around the eye is very thin and thus the veins will show through producing a dark area.

Allergies - Hay fever, asthma or other allergies that causes watery and itching eyes can produce dark areas under the eyes.  Allergy sufferers have a tendency to rub away their itchy watery eyes thus damaging the blood vessels below the very thin skin of the eye area which causes the veins to show through.

Nutrition - Maintaining a well balanced diet with proper nutrition and being fully hydrated affects the appearance of your skin.  Your skin needs its vitamins to stay healthy just as the rest of the body. 

Lack of Sleep and Fatigue - Sleep is your body's rejuvenation mechanism.  Lack of sleep shows through in the eye area such as dark circles under eyes, puffiness and bags under the eyes.  Has anyone ever said to you 'you look tired today'?  The appearance of your eyes and the surrounding area are the first to show tell tale signs of not enough sleep.

Hormones - Changes in hormones from menstruation, menopause or from medicines that influence hormones can change your skin tone and texture.  Again, blood dilatation which causes veins to enlarge will show through under the very thin skin in the eye area leaving dark areas.

Aging - The eye area is the first to show signs of aging with wrinkles, sagging skin and thinning skin.  The disappearance of fat pads which sits directly below the eyes causes shadows to reflect off the hollows of the eyes darkening the area below the eyes.  Additionally lack of elasticity and lack of moisture will darken the eye area.

The eye area needs special treatment to ward off signs of aging and dark circles.  There are many products on the market that address the needs of the eye area.  Additionally, there are many home made recipes to decrease the appearance and/or eliminate dark circles under the eyes.  Below are homemade recipes specifically for the eye area.

Almond Oil - Easily absorbed into the skin and is an excellent emollient with nourishing properties.  Almond oil promotes soft and smooth skin. Also used in massage therapy for its hydrating properties.  Note:  People who are allergic to it, or have nut allergies should avoid almonds and almond oil.  Massage around eye area gently without stretching the skin for two weeks and see the improvement.

Tea - A cold compress of rosemary. Excellent for its antioxidant properties, and secondly has a remarkable stimulating effect on the skin. Mix ½ cup fresh rosemary and a quart of water to a boil and steep for 20 minutes, strain and then chill.  Place cloth in liquid, wring out and place on eyes for 15 to 20 minutes, once a day or as needed.  Note:  rosemary essential oil has a highly stimulating action and may not be suitable for people with epilepsy or high blood pressure. The essential oil should also not be used during pregnancy.

Tea - A cold compress of Chamomile.  Chamomile tones all types of complexions. The anti-inflammatory effect of the essential oil applied topically improves skin regeneration, and a cold compress does wonders for puffy eyes. Chamomile is used in facial steams to reduce puffiness and cleanse the pores of the skin.  Steep tea bags and chill.  Place cotton balls in liquid and apply to dark circles leaving on 10 to 15 minutes.  Note:  Handling fresh chamomile plants may cause dermatitis in some individuals. It should not to be used when using anti-coagulant drugs. Please note that the essential oil is said to stimulate the uterus and should be used with care in pregnancy. Allergic reactions may occur - normally people allergic to daisies.

Lemon/Tomato Paste:  1 tsp. of tomato juice, ½ tsp. lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder and 1 tsp. of flour.  Apply around the eyes and leave on for 10 minutes.  Rinse thoroughly.  The lemon refreshes and stimulates white corpuscles.  Additionally, lemon is a bleaching agent for skin.

Above are just a few simple steps to eliminate dark circles under eyes.  Another alternative is to invest in a good concealer to lighten up the eye area.

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