Under eye puffiness or dark circles is not a new problem for people. In fact, it’s common for people to wake up with dreadful bags or dark circles under the eyes. Rather than living with that “dead eye” look or covering up the evidence with concealer, tackle the problem with a few simple, all-natural ingredients.
There is no single cause for under eye puffiness; rather, several factors tend to contribute to the problem. More often than not, you can treat the problem with a few DIY solutions or natural remedies. Although bags can form under the eyes as you get older, aging doesn’t explain puffy eyes in your mid-20s. Puffy eyes or dark circles can result from a late night, eating too much salt, crying excessively, or experiencing excess stress. Lack of sleep is also a primary culprit for puffiness or dark circles.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a bonafide superfood, and it receives a lot of attention for its potential health benefits. It exhibits skin-strengthening and antioxidant properties, making it a go-to ingredient in the DIY beauty world. Although there isn’t a lot of research on coconut oil reducing dark circles, there are studies that confirm coconut oil’s ability to rejuvenate the skin. Several studies indicate that coconut oil helps improve cell turnover, increasing skin barrier strength by thickening it. Thinning skin happens with age and is a contributing factor to under eye puffiness and dark circles. Thickening the skin barrier, then, may diminish their appearance. An additional study found that coconut oil may work to accelerate healing. If bruising or skin damage is the cause of dark circles, coconut oil may be the right choice.
Coffee
Coffee is an excellent source of antioxidants that benefit the hair, scalp, and skin. Many people incorporate coffee grounds into scrubs because it has natural exfoliation properties. Cleansing the skin with coffee may help reduce acne, increase blood flow, and even reduce the appearance of cellulite. People with puffy eyes may benefit from coffee via application, not consumption. Caffeine works to stimulate blood flow and widen or dilate blood vessels. Increasing blood flow to the area can help naturally tighten the skin, and may even reduce fluid build-up that can contribute to puffy eyes. Coffee is also rich in chlorogenic acids, which may reduce inflammation around the eyes.
DIY Eye Serum
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coffee grounds
- 1 cup fractionated coconut oil
- 2 drops frankincense essential oil
- 2 drops carrot seed essential oil
- 1 drop neroli essential oil
- 1 drop helichrysum essential oil
Instructions:
- In a glass jar, combine the coffee grounds and fractionated coconut oil, screw on the lid, and store in a cool place for at least two days. You can leave it for up to a week if you want.
- Take the coffee mixture out of the dark place and unscrew the lid. Pour the coconut oil and coffee mixture into a rollerball applicator using a funnel.
- Add the essential oils to the rollerball applicator as well and shake to combine.
- Apply to your under eye area with the rollerball nightly for a couple weeks. You should notice a reduction in puffiness in the morning.
