The first time I discovered I had decidedly dark under eye circles, I was dismayed and plain worried.
My mind raced at the possible causes. Lack of sleep? Office stress (tell me something new!)? Something lacking in my diet? All the above?
I did what most of us do when confronted with a health issue. I turned to Google.
Thirty minutes later I was none the wiser but definitely more alarmed at all the possible causes the search engine dished up for me, ranging from leukemia to kidney and heart issues (yikes!)
Since I had just got my full body check-up done, which included a corporate package deal of 76 tests and had received a more or less clean bill of health, I blithely dismissed Google’s depressing conjectures.
No, the solutions to my dark under eye circles lay in a more humble direction – my kitchen.
That’s right. Our kitchens store a powerhouse of DIY remedies, potions and cures, both, to be applied externally and consumed internally as well.
The skin under our eyes is very thin and delicate and so has fewer oils, making it prone to dryness and wrinkles.
These 3 packs have been tried and tested on yours truly and within three weeks I have seen a definite difference. That, along with some diet adjustments that saw me drinking at least three litres of water every day.
Yes, this is one problem area that has no overnight or quick cure. Cultivate patience and the results will be worth it.
Pack #1 – Potato-Cucumber Mask
Potatoes are rich in Vitamin C, which is an elixir for ageing skin and has mild, natural bleaching properties that lightens and brightens the skin.
Cucumber hydrates and soothes the skin. The ascorbic acid and caffeic acid in cucumber improves the blood circulation in that delicate area and reduces puffiness.
You will need:
1 large (or 2 small) raw potato
½ a cucumber
1 tsp honey
1 tsp aloe vera gel
1-2 tsp rose water (optional)
A grater
Round cotton pads
Treatment:
Wash, peel and grate the potato and the cucumber.
Strain out all the juice from the grated potato and the cucumber and mix it together in a glass or a ceramic bowl.
To the mixed juice, add 1 tsp of honey and 1 tsp of aloe vera gel.
Mix well. Refrigerate this mixture for about 10-15 minutes.
First clean the under eye are with cotton soaked in rose water or just plain water.
Then dip your ring finger in it and gently apply to the under eye are of both eyes.
Let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then wash off with normal water.
Apply aloe vera gel or an eye cream under the eyes to remove any dryness.
Pack #2 – Coffee-Potato eye mask
Coffee is rich in antioxidants, reduces swelling and imparts a bright, glowing look to the skin. You can use coffee in your face packs as well.
You will need:
1 large (or 2 small) raw potatoes
1 tsp of instant coffee powder
A grater
Round makeup remover cotton pads
Treatment:
Wash, peel and grate the potato.
Extract all the juice from the potato into a glass or a ceramic bowl.
Add 1 tsp of coffee powder and mix well.
The mixture will be runny (and a bit messy).
Dip the round cotton pads into it, squeeze but don’t dry them out. Keep them moist and then place under both eyes.
(Quick hack: Cut a round pad into two halves so that the semi-circles fit neatly under each eye).
Keep it on for about 15-20 minutes till dry.
Wash off with normal water. Pat dry.
Apply either the homemade aloe vera anti-aging gel or any good, rich night cream under the eyes to remove any dryness.
Pack #3 – Inknut-Green Tea eye mask
Inknut is the unsung hero of ayurvedic beauty masks and is only now coming into its own. It is known as Haritaki or Harade (Marathi); Kadukka (Malayalam); Kadukkai (Tamil); Chhoti Har (Urdu). Rich in medicinal properties, it forms part of the Triphala trio of harada-behada-amla. Inknut is a natural toner and one of the most powerful DIY treatments for dark circles.
You will need:
1 piece of inknut
A small stone pata (or even your regular marble roti maker)
Treatment:
Simply put a few drops of water on the stone pata.
Scrub the inkut directly on the stone pata.
Slowly a paste will start to form.
Make enough for just one use.
Using your ring finger, apply this paste under your eyes.
Keep it on for about 15-20 minutes till dry.
Wash off with normal water. Pat dry.
As always, apply either any good, rich under eye cream or gel to remove any dryness.
Hope you found these 3 packs useful. Do share your feedback!
No Comment