Dark circles beneath your eyes can make you look fatigued and older than you are. Eye creams promise to heal the shaded areas but are not usually enough to remove the stubborn rings. Changes to your diet may improve the condition of the skin under your baby blues -- or greens or browns.
Get More Iron
Many people, especially women, suffer from anemia. This condition is caused by a lack of iron in the diet. Insufficient levels of this nutrient cause the skin to look pale. When this lightened skin presses against the dark inner recesses of the eye, it looks dark. Women suffer from anemia more commonly than men because of the loss of iron-rich blood during the monthly menstrual cycle. The richest sources of iron are red meats and dark green, leafy vegetables. Incorporate kale, spinach or chard into your diet, as well as lean red meats. For vegetarians, add egg yolks, beans, chickpeas and lentils to meals.
Stay Hydrated
Not drinking enough water is unhealthy for the entire body. One effect of dehydration is dark eye circles. Because the skin is much thinner under the eyes than elsewhere on the body, it will show the effects of not drinking sufficient fluids almost immediately. Carry a bottle of water with you and sip it often. By the time you feel thirsty, you are often already dehydrated.
Avoid Caffeine
Drinking lots of caffeine-containing beverages, such as coffee or energy drinks, can make dark circles worse. Caffeine can cause the dehydration that creates or worsens shaded rings. Limit or cut it from your diet to improve the look of the delicate skin beneath your eyes.
Cut the Salt
Eating a diet too rich in salt causes the body to retain water. Water retention causes the body and, more specifically, the skin beneath the eyes to puff up and make dark circles more noticeable.
Healthy Lifestyle
To help limit the appearance of dark circles, eat a varied, healthful diet that is rich in protein and vegetables. Drink enough fluids and get enough sleep. Limit your intake of cigarettes and alcohol. If you suspect allergies are contributing to your under-eye discoloration, speak to your physician about allergy testing.
