In my freshman year of high school, I (Amy) was sitting in study hall trying to wrap up my homework. Across the room was a girl staring at me. Her arms were crossed on her desk, and her head wanted to dive back down to rest, but she held her gaze at me.
Since it was a silent study hall, I made a quizzical look with my eyebrows to try to understand what was happening. In slow motion she gestured someone punching my eye. Then she mouthed the words, "Who gave you a black eye?"
You can imagine my horror when I discovered her question, as no one had struck me. In fact, these were just the genes I was given, and my eyes always looked dark.
So trust me when I tell you that I have a LOT of empathy for women who deal with dark circles or puffy eyes. Over the years, I have tried a ton of remedies, and here are some things that have been effective.
1. Get More Sleep
Most people, myself included, should probably be getting more sleep. If you are curious about how much sleep you should be getting, and how to improve it, check out "Why We Sleep" by Matt Walker.
2. Avoid Alcohol
Use of alcohol most certainly disrupts your sleep, which impacts the look of the eyes. As mentioned in our recent article about alcohol, dermatologists say the dehydration and lost firmness can send the fat deposits under your eyes to sink, which reveal more blood vessels under the eyes, making them look darker.
3. Consider something Frozen
According to the Mayo Clinic, "Dilated under-eye blood vessels may contribute to dark circles under your eyes. Try holding a cold compress, a chilled teaspoon or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a soft cloth against the area to make these vessels constrict." My favorite tool is the frozen rollers that were all the rage on Instagram years ago.
Finally, I have always noticed that if I am exercising (which moves lymphatic fluid) and staying away from a lot of sugar, the darkness fades a bit for me. The Vitamin C Serum helps to reduce hyperpigmentation, which could be part of the issue under the eyes.
Also--no article is complete without advising you to hydrate! It always impacts your skin, including the area under your eyes.