There are a lot of home remedies out there for dark circles but the big question is: do they actually work?
Here is a look at the most common remedies and their effectiveness.
Sleep
This one is basic and is almost always suggested. The theory behind it is – Get more rest and your eyes won’t look so tired and you won’t have the deep circles.
Does it work?
No. It doesn’t really have an affect on the darkness but it does help reduce the depth of the circles temporarily so they don’t look so deep.
Tomato Juice
This is one of the most common solutions suggested for the under eye ‘haunted’ look that ages you. The most suggested solution is to mix tomato juice with a small amount of lemon juice, then apply it underneath your eyes. Leave it for around ten minutes before rinsing.
Does it work?
Maybe. There isn’t any scientific evidence to show that it does but some people say it helps. If you do try this one be really careful because the lemon juice can irritate the eye area.
Cucumbers
Another oldie, but goodie when it comes to eyes. The theory is that putting a cold cucumber on your eyes will constrict the blood vessels around your eyes.
Does it work?
No. While this can help with puffiness and swelling around the eye area it doesn’t work for dark circles at all.
Potatoes
This one is similar to cucumbers. The idea is to get the potato cold and then place on your eyes.
Does this work?
No. Just like cucumbers the cold helps with swelling around the eye but doesn’t do anything for the circles beneath it.
Rose water
This remedy says to soak a few cotton balls in rose water, then gently massage them over your dark circles for a couple of minutes.
Does it work?
No. Rose water acts as an anti-inflammatory. It will soothe your skin but won’t do anything for your circles or make them lighter.
Tea Bags
With tea bags the remedy is to soak them in water before putting them in the refrigerator for about an hour, then take them out and put over your eyes.
Does it work?
No. Tea bags don’t do anything for darkness or the circles. What they can do is reduce the puffiness around your eyes so you look more awake.
What Does Work
According to the experts the best treatment option for dark circles short of surgery is eye cream or gel with vitamin c. Vitamin C is a natural lightening agent that does work over time to brighten and lighten your dark circles so they don’t seem as bad. While it doesn’t get rid of those caused by genetics, vitamin c does help brighten the skin so they aren’t as noticeable.
Vitamin C is not an overnight fix. It takes time to work but it does work. According to Dr. Oz it can take as long as 8 weeks for some people to see results. When the results start they will not only be noticeable your circles will continue to lighten over time and look better and better the longer it’s used.
To check out our latest review for a dark circle treatment click here.