Once i understood that unless i solve these issues i cannot get rid of sever dark circles. I made some lifestyle changes and along with choosing right products for skincare, my skin improved immensely. Even though dark circles have not disappeared completely but there is major difference and i am really satisfied with the improvement. Today i am sharing all the things i i did to improve my eyes health and dark circles.
This photos are not too far apart but only few months. And i don't have the previous picture with dark circles showing to much. Just trust me these are so much improved.
Water Intake
The first thing which is i did was to start drinking water enough which was required my body. You shouldn't just start drinking 8 to 10 glasses right away which is trending. Every body and its requirements are different. Start with few sips first thing in morning. it would be better if it is little warm not hot. Then after every hour, throughout the day, drink few sips or little more if you feel like drinking more.
If you feel that drinking more water is making you go to washroom too many times, include pinch of salt in morning. the reason is that water you drink most often doesn't get absorbed by your body and flushes out as it is. The salt helps water to absorb in body and skin hydrating them properly and within few days you will notice the difference in your skin. If i cannot drink water and feels dehydrated, i include electrolytes once a day, preferably in morning.
Nutrient Rich Food
Once you have your drinking habits (water) sorted, it is time to move towards the eating. The best way to incorporate the nutrient dense food to your diet is to include vegetables and protein in more quantity and carbs in less quantity. I did not exclude carbs from my diet, because having lean body, i need all type of food in my diet. I start with having fat first after waking up. Then after half an hour i have my protein rich breakfast. Similarly i include protein and vegetables in lunch and dinner. I also included green smoothie before 2 hours of lunch few days a week which improved my skin color, tone and health immensely.
Face Exercise
Lets talk about the importance of eye exercise and face yoga. The focused movements around the eyes help blood flow in this area which other wise is not very good when you have dark circles and loose skin. I try to do face yoga two times a day. Early in the morning and before sleeping. Also it is better to do some simple eye exercises thorough out the day if you use digital devices too much.
Choose any good oil for you massaging like almond oil, olive oil, pumpkin seed oil or squalene oil which is my personal favorite. Apply few drops at first and start massaging and apply more as you feel the need when your skin absorbs all the oil. You can find many face yoga, exercise and massages technique online. Start practicing the simplest one and change them after 15 days and start other set. You will see major difference just in 1 week, if you are consistent.
Skin Care
Through your low grade skincare products away and buy ones with ingredients which your skin really need. Choose mild cleansers with active ingredients which help your skin with pigmentation and skin barrier. Too harsh cleansers dry out your skin and can cause skin discoloration.
Choose hydrating toners, serums and essence which help your skin barrier, restore moisture and make it plump. Around the eyes skin is very thin and need all the love you can give. Apply products gently and layering is the key. Lock in all the hydrating products with thick moisturizer or lotion. I prefer thick consistency at night and lighter in day time but in winters thick moisturizers are perfect in day time as well. For eye creams i like the ones with coffee extract, and oil based formula. They give your skin extra dose of moisture and make them look alive. If you apply make up, these creams also help with creasing.
I am not specifying any products as you can chose the best ingredient according to your skin. But if you need recommendation comment below and i will oblige. The best ingredients you must look for are hyluronic acid, nicinamide, ceramides, peptides, aloe, etc for hydration and moisturizing. Also i included chemical exfoliation in my routine to help remove dead skin and speed up new cell turn over.
Sun Protection
I cannot emphasize enough about sun protection. Wear sunscreen no matter what, even if you are inside the house or clouds are there. Sunscreens not only protect from sun rays but also from harsh environment, heat from kitchen appliances, etc. I choose hydrating sunscreens with some good skin friendly ingredients like ceramides. Some times, going as far, i do apply two types of sunscreens. First i layer chemical sunscreens then top them with physical sunscreens.
Apart from that also wear sunglasses when outside specially if sun is at its peak. Direct sun rays effect not only your skin but when you squint, it can cause wrinkles and lines. The 11 lines on forehead is often caused by squinting. If you have any plan to stay long outside, keep scarves or hat for sun protection.
Sleep
I am sure everyone know the importance of good sleep. If you are not sleeping at night then no matter how much you sleep in day, it will cause your health some damage and eyes are the first to feel the impact. So my biggest advise for everyone who wants to have good health and healthy skin, is to follow your circadian rythem and avoid screens before sleep time for at least an hour. Do your face yoga, skin care and just go straight to sleep. This way the products and blood flow will be more effective and improve your overall skin and eye health.
Supplements
The food we eat today lack many nutrients which are basic requirement of body. The refined carbs and sugar, processed meat and frozen food are major culprits which cause inflammation, obesity and ultimately take you to blood pressure issues and diabetes. If you want yourself to be healthy and glowing then you need all those nutrients which these food cannot provide. The best way is to include fresh vegetables, whole grains, fresh meat and less dairy in your diet. However if you are already deficient then along with food you do need supplements to recover.
For me i was deficient in iron and that was visible from my skin condition but i did do some tests. Now i take iron, calcium, omega 3 along with collagen and biotin supplements for better skin and hairs. You also need to do some tests and find out what is lacking and supplement them as soon as possible.
I hope this post help my readers who are suffering form chronic dark circles but it will also help if you have pigmentation and other skin issues. Do share your tips if you have any by commenting below. Also let me know if you need any product recommendation.
