Can you use Vaseline for dark circles? Let’s read more about this intriguing question along with some other home remedies in this article!
The new ways of living of constantly being hooked to one screen or the other, and juggling with life, have brought upon a new skin problem in our life, dark circles. Even though these under-eye bags are not generally related to any medical problem, they can be prominent on the face. If you are one of those people who want to get rid of them, then keep reading. Dark circles become a serious beauty concern and people use various types of beauty products to conceal them. But these beauty products do more harm than good in the long run by severely impacting your skin with harmful chemicals. Therefore, using natural home remedies can take time to show results, but they’ll not pose any side effects. But can you use vaseline for dark circles? Get the answer for this and many other intriguing questions in this informative.
What are dark circles?
Dark circles are the discolored skin under the eyes caused by a lack of blood circulation. The skin under our eyes is susceptible to restricted blood vessels leading to hyperpigmentation and skin darkening.
What causes dark circles?
Getting regular and proper sleep is essential for good overall health, including your skin. While sleeping, the cells regenerate and produce two essential proteins- collagen and elastin. These are responsible for maintaining skin elasticity, and hence a deficiency can lead to thinning of the skin under the eyes. There are many reasons behind the low production of these proteins that ultimately leads to dark circles.
1. Poor Sleeping Habits
Lack of sleep, or even oversleeping, can lead to fatigue and cause dark circles. Overexertion can cause the skin under the eyes to become dull, leading to a darker skin tone under the eyes. Since sleeping is one of the crucial times when these proteins are produced, lack of sleep can cause the skin to thin under the eyes and discolor.
2. Age
Dark circles might also occur as part of the natural aging process. With age, our skin usually becomes thinner and does not produce enough collagen.
3. Dehydration
Keeping yourself hydrated is essential for maintaining naturally glowing skin. Dehydration can lead to pale skin causing dark circles to appear.
4. Eye Strain
The harmful blue light from the screens of digital devices can decrease contrast leading to eyestrain. The blood vessels enlarge when you look at screens for longer durations and cause discoloration.
5. Sun Exposure
Overexposure to the sun can increase melanin production, which darkens the skin color. The UV rays can be damaging to the skin and lead to pigmentation. Eyes are more sensitive to this, and hence dark circles can appear even faster. Try wearing sunglasses when you step out in the sun.
Vaseline for Dark Circles
Vaseline or Petroleum jelly is a semi-solid jelly-like substance made from mineral oils and waxes. It is widely used for treating extremely dry skin, such as cracked heels. This common household item helps in sealing the moisture on the skin, keeping it hydrated. One of the main ingredients in Vaseline is petroleum that has very high occlusive properties helpful in retaining moisture, making it beneficial for dry skin. Here is how you can use Vaseline for treating dark circles by keeping the skin under the eyes hydrated and improving the blood flow.
Note: Vaseline is harmful to the eyes; hence make sure you do not apply it too close. Avoid any eye contact and wash the eyes instantly in case it touches the eyes. Wash your eyes immediately if you feel any irritation.
What you need:
- Lemon juice
- Vaseline
How to apply:
Take a small amount of Vaseline and add 2-3 drops of lemon juice to it. Mix and apply a think coat under your eyes. Leave it for about an hour and wash with cold water.
Other Home Remedies for Dark Circles
1. Green Tea Bags
Dip two green tea bags in water and refrigerate for some time. Place these cold tea bags on the eyes, covering them entirely. Keep it for 15 minutes and wash with cold water. Repeat this process thrice a week to see positive results.
2. Sweet Almond Oil
Apply a little amount of almond oil under the eyes and massage it well. Leave it overnight for maximum benefit. The vitamin content in almond oil keeps the under eye skin soft and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties helps get rid of dark circles.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Use a Q-tip to apply apple cider vinegar under the eyes. Let it dry naturally and wash your face as per your routine. However, any type of vinegar can cause itching, redness, and corneal injury if you aren’t careful while using it around your eyes. Apply it such that it doesn’t gets in the eye.
4. Cucumber Slices
One of the most common home remedies, place cool cucumber slices on your eyes and let them stay for 15 minutes. It is rich in antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory, which reduces the puffiness under the eyes and improves blood circulation.
5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes can help lighten the skin tone not just under the eye but at any part of your body. Take a few drops of tomato juice and mix it with 2-3 drops of lemon juice and apply under the eyes. Wash with cold water after 10 minutes.
6. Rosewater
It helps in rejuvenating the skin and strengthening the skin cells. Dip a cotton ball in rosewater and place it on the eyes for 10 minutes and wash with cold water.
7. Massage with Oils
You can use a variety of oils to massage under the eyes and improve blood circulation. These include jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and castor oil.
8. Honey and Black Seed Oil
Mix half a spoon of honey with 2-3 drops of black seed oil. Apply under the eyes for 15 minutes and rinse with water. You can apply just honey as well for treating the dark circles.
9. Mint Leaves
Make a smooth paste of mint leaves and water. Apply this paste under the eyes for about 10 minutes and wash off. You can also use cold milk instead of water for making this paste. However, mint leaves might cause a cold sensation.
10. Potato Juice
Starch in potatoes can lighten the skin color and provide nourishment. Dip a cotton ball in raw potato juice. You can extract potato juice at home by either crushing the potatoes or grating them. Place it on the affected area and wash it off with cold water after 10 minutes.
You can use vinegar for dark circles but the petroleum jelly might not be the safest solution. Therefore, we collected these other home remedies for you to give a shot. Alter and fix your sleep patterns and screen time to reduce dark circles.