As a mama lack of sleep can be a major problem. The Sleep Foundation recommends 7-8 hours per night, and with some of us reportedly only getting 4-5 hours, it comes as no surprise that the lack of sleep not only affects us, but can be pretty harsh on our looks too. Dark circles being one of the them. Here are 5 natural items that can help zap those dark circles once and for all. We can ditch the expensive night creams and opts for a solution that may just be sitting in the pantry or fridge.
Cucumber
Now we've all seen a movie or two with the leading lady's eyes covered in two perfectly cut cumber slices, surrounded by a brightly green coloured facemark. Well, believe it or not, but cumcumber actually works a treat on those dark circles. See the 90% water vegetable has skin lightening properties and is amazingly able to rejuvenate and revitalise the skin.
Here's how...
Cut a freshly chilled cucumber into medium slices and place in the fridge for 30 minutes. Get those bad boys out and place one over each eye for approximately 10 minutes. Alternatively, extract the juice and use a cotton pad. Wash the eye area with cool water and you'll be looking as fresh faced as a baby.
Repeat twice a day for two weeks.
Rose Water
Rose water has a high level of antioxidents that strengthen and rebuild skin cells and include vitamin A and C , both of which aid the immune system and promote healthy glowing skin. It also works amazingly well as a skin toner due to it's mild astringent levels.
Here's how...
Soak cotton eye pads in rose water for several minutes and place over closed eyelids for approximately 15 minutes.
Repeat daily for 2-3 weeks to see results.
Almond Oil (combined with vitamin E oil)
There is something magical that happens when you combine Almond and vitamin E oil together. As almond oil is amazing for lightening and vitamin E oil has natural anti ageing components, when the two are combined it creates a combo that works remarkably well and that will banish those dark circles - pronto!
How to...
The most effective time to apply this is in the night - so before jumping into bed or whilst your sitting on the couch watching re-runs of Friends, apply the mixture over your eyelids and under eye area, massaging gently into the skin - remember a little goes a long way. Leave it to sit on the skin overnight or for a few hours at least and wash off with cold water.
Repeat daily for 2-3 weeks and voila those dark circles will be old news!
Raw Potatoe
So, we all have a couple of raw potatoes that have probably been sitting in the pantry for a little longer than expected. Well, now's the time to put them to good use. See, potatoes contain natural bleaching agents that over time can reduce and even banish under eye darkness.
How to...
Start by grating a few chilled potatoes in order to extract the juice. Grab a cotton pad and saturate it with the juice. Then wipe over the dark circles. Leave for approximately 15 minutes and then rinse with cool water.
Repeat once or twice daily for 2-3 weeks for amazing results!
Tomatoe with a hint of lemon juice...
The tomato is wonderful for reducing puffy eyes and dark circles, as it contains lycopene, an acidic skin lightening agent that reduces dark discolouration and also manages to make the skin soft and supple. With vitamin A, B and C included, which also renew damaged skin, work well as a natural moisturiser and combat darkness.
How to...
Mix one teaspoon of tomatoe juice - (not the cartoned stuff as that simply doesn't have the properties we are looking for) - with one and a half teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply the mix to a cotton pad and dab under the eyes. Let this sit for 10 minutes and rinse off with cool water.
Repeat daily until results are visible .