How often do you wake in the morning and say to yourself, “Ah. What a restful, peaceful night. I slept well, dreamed well, and feel like I can take on the day”? If you’re an adult living in the year 2018… this probably rarely happens to you! Unfortunately, if you’re not getting enough sleep, you’re probably also staring at dark circles under your eyes when you look in the mirror. And try as you might, they seem tough to get rid of.
After all, life is stressful. Whether it’s your job, your schedule, or your family, there’s usually something stressing you out. That’s true for everyone. That’s just life. And when you hit the sack, you’re probably re-living the stress of your day in preparation for tomorrow before you shut your eyes.
But here are some easy tips on how you can diminish the look of dark circles with… vitamins.
Why Do Dark Circles Under Eyes Happen in the First Place?
Truth is, bags under eyes, darkness, and puffiness can sometimes be your parents’ fault… and their parents’ fault: they’re simply inherited.1 But, in other cases, you may have dark circles under eyes because of an increase in pigment in that general area.
Also, if you’re constantly touching your eyes, you could cause damage. So try to manage how often you:
- Scratch
- Itch
- Rub
- Apply makeup with a heavy hand
And, if you stare at a screen (or screens) all day, you may REALLY have your work cut out for you… because that can make your eye muscles work overtime. Make a commitment to taking small breaks, and walking away from your computer for a bit every hour, can give your eye muscles a chance to relax. Try to stay aware of how long you’re locked into staring at your screen.
The problem with dark circles is that they can make you look fatigued and significantly older than you actually are. So, the question becomes one of how to hide your dark circles.
Vitamins for Dark Circles Under Eyes
When you think of taking care of your skin, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Probably something like lotion, or sunscreen… But there’s one thing that may be JUST as important — Vitamins.
And upping the number of vitamins you get can actually help your skin achieve that youthful glow you always hear about.
That said, things like UV damage, the process of aging, and smoking or drinking alcohol can also affect your skin and how it looks and feels — so vitamins alone won’t help you out if you’re not taking good care of yourself. But along with proper self-care, these vitamins can help make a difference if you’re diligent about taking them.
Vitamin B3
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is one of the most valuable vitamins when it comes to the fight against bags under your eyes. It’s always great to try and get your vitamins naturally from the foods you eat, and the following foods are pretty high in vitamin B3:
Peanuts (1 oz) 4.4 mg- Lentils (1 cup) 2.1 mg
- Fortified cereal (1 cup) 20 – 27 mg
- Coffee (1 cup) 2 mg2
Why is B3 so helpful? B3 can help with the appearance of your skin’s texture, and can even help fine lines disappear. Plus, it can lend a hand when it comes to keeping your skin tone even.3 And when your skin tone looks even, it means those under eye bags may be less obvious.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a superstar when it comes to skin, so it’s no surprise that you’ll want to make sure you’re getting enough when you’re working on how to hide dark circles. Topical vitamin E has been shown to moderately help with uneven skin tone (like dark circles). It’s also a fat soluble vitamin and a great way to get more antioxidants. And, since vitamin E is synthesized by plants, you can also get it through delicious plant foods, like:
- Spinach
- Whole grains
- Nuts
- Olive oil
- Sunflower oil4
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the heroes of the vitamin world, right? Obviously, it’s a go-to when it comes to fighting off bugs, and it might also help with your skin, too.
Not only can vitamin C help support your body’s natural collagen production (a major player when it comes to maintaining healthy skin), but there’s evidence that vitamin C can be a help when it comes to dark circles under eyes. In a 2004 study, the topical application of vitamins C and E proved somewhat effective in reducing dark under-eye circles in healthy adults.5
And if you want to eat your C, try:
- Red pepper
- Grapefruit
- Oranges
- Spinach
- Broccoli6
In The End…
You don’t have to feel your heart sink when you look at your eyes in the mirror first thing in the morning. You can help your body by focusing on your vitamin intake.
In general, making sure you’re not dealing with a vitamin deficiency and making sure your meals consist of well-balanced options can help you feel better all around. And yes, you can diminish the unseemly look of dark circles by paying better attention to what’s on your plate.
Learn More:
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How Stress Wreaks Havoc On Your Digestive System
10 Vegan Foods High In Sodium (a few may really surprise you!)
Sources
1.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4756872
2.http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/niacin
3.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4587894
4.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976416
5.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17147559
6.https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional