Author: Maria Alfano

One day you wake up to find you’re not only over 40 and well into midlife but now you have eye bags under eyes that were never there before. The person staring back at you in the mirror has lost that youthful look. Your face seems to be betraying you and those dark circles under your eyes are now your sworn enemy. You promise that you will fight this aging thing tooth and nail. And, you will go gracefully over that proverbial hill!

I hate to say this, but you are not alone. Millions of women and men around the world are faced with this new woe as they age. Somehow, though, society believes that the male aging process makes him more distinguished. But, the woman’s aging process is less desirable. Poo-poo on society. You are beautiful no matter what. Having said that, if these dark eye bags under your eyes are really bothering you (like they do me), then let’s do something about it together.

Your youth is escaping you but you can fight it every step of the way. While age really is just a number and you really are as young as you feel, sometimes the outside doesn’t match the inside. Let me caveat this by saying, you are special and gorgeous no matter what the mirror tells you. You are in charge and if looking better on the outside so that it matches your inside, then let’s get you looking better, starting with your eye bags under eyes.

Eye Bags Under Eyes – Why They Appear & Best Remedies

It is so important to first understand why suddenly these awful circles are plaguing your morning. Why they have suddenly appeared will determine how to get rid of them using the best remedy possible. This post is all about why you have these under-eye circles, eye bags, and how to get rid of them. Heck, we may even through in some really funky ways to reduce the appears of these dark eye bags.

Why Do I Have Dark Eye Circles And Eye Bags

According to the Mayo Clinic, dark circles are typically not a sign of a health condition. Dark circles (which are not bruises) are a direct result of lack of sleep or poor sleeping patterns. If the darkness is more prominent under one eye, then you should consult your physician as this is unusual.

Puffiness under the eyes on the other hand is referred to as eye bags. This too is a common condition that comes with aging. I know what you’re thinking…this aging is for the birds! Older skin loses its elasticity and the muscles around the eyes weaken thus causing that sagging of the eyelids and under-eye pouch.

Eye bags are not pretty to look at but they pose no physical danger to you. They can be aggravated from the following:

• Smoking
• Lack of sleep
• Allergies
• Water retention from too much salt in your diet
• Genes passed down from your ancestors

If for any reason the bags become severely swollen, itchy, and irritated, please consult your primary caregiver.

Remedies for Circles and Bags

Sometimes the best remedies are the simplest ones. If we think about what was available to women in their 40s and 50s in the 1900s, today’s lotions and potions did not yet exist. There had to be merit in their concoctions. We should take advantage of those home remedies for eye bags and under-eye circles.

Cold compress – you are surely familiar with the spa photographs of women with cucumber slices on their eyes. Their purpose was to hydrate the skin around the eyes and to reduce swelling. To reduce the dilation of the blood vessels around the eyes, you can use a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a soft cloth. Or, freeze a metal spoon and press it gently to the under-eye section of your face. The cold compress will restrict the blood vessels and reduce the amount of blood under the skin thus reducing the swelling and the darkness.

Better sleep – the quality of your sleep is more important than how long you sleep each night. You can go to bed at 10 pm and get up at 8 am but if you were up half the night tossing and turning then you really did not have a good sleep. Keep the temperature in your room cooler at night. Elevate your head with an extra pillow to keep any swelling from settling beneath your eyes. If your head is elevated gravity will pull the water or moisture beneath the skin downwards away from your eyes.

Lotions and Potions

Vitamin C – is a terrific collagen booster and helps to reduce the appearance of those nasty dark circles. It gives your skin a little lift and helps reduce the tiny fine lines around the eye.

Caffeine – now I am not talking about drinking a few extra cups of coffee! I am referring to caffeine creams. Caffeine is great for soothing the skin, reducing inflammation, and helping constrict blood vessels in small muscles like those around the eyes. Restricted blood flow to the area will reduce the appearance of those bags and circles. Take those coffee grinds along with some mineral oil (well mixed together) and apply gently below the eye to the affected area. Be careful not to rub too hard as the grounds can be very rough on that delicate skin. Or, you can try this cream from Amazon.

Vitamin K – is perfect for giving your cells the pick-me-up they need. It’s anti-inflammatory and has the ability to boost your skin’s elasticity when used consistently.

Banana peel – is so rich in vitamins like vitamin A, C, E, and lutein. All these have properties that lighten dark spots on the skin. All you need is the white fibres of the banana peel mashed in some coconut, olive, or mineral oil. Apply to the skin beneath your eyes and let sit for 15 minutes before gently removing.

Funky Remedies For Eye Bags Under Eyes

Eye Yoga – is this really a thing?? Indeed it is. It may be beneficial. Remember that with each exercise you need to be very gentle after all we are talking about your eyes.

Tapping – Press your index finger on the inside of your eye along the nose. Hold for 10 -15 seconds. Next, gently tap starting beneath the eye and rotating upwards toward the brow and back down. Repeat this process 10 times.
V-line – using both your index and middle finger, place the index finger on the outside of your eye and the middle finger on the inside of your eye. Both eyes are exercised at the same time. Gently press on the sides of the eye and look upwards. Slowly squint your eyes but do not crinkle your forehead

Jade rollers – medical and cosmetic experts claim that jade rollers are an excellent way to massage the face and eye area. They are shown to improve the improve circulation and help the lymphatic system drain. The cool jade stone is useful to constrict those overactive under-eye blood vessels aiding the look of puffiness and dark circles.

In Summary

Eye bags under eyes are not pretty. In fact, some people find them downright ugly. There are some simple ways to reduce the appearance of the bags and dark circles with the remedies and unconventional ways outlined above. The solutions are affordable and can be managed within any budget. You have what you need right in your own home in many cases.

Eye Bags Under Eyes – Why They Appear & Best Remedies

Eye Bags Under Eyes – Why They Appear & Best Remedies