How can ashwagandha get rid of dark circles and reduce puffy eyes?
There are so many things that can cause dark circles and puffy bags to appear under your eyes: dehydration and water retention, late nights, too much salt or alcohol, and even over-sleeping. Genetics play a part too. As we age, our tendency to develop bags and dark circles only increases, as the skin around our eyes becomes thinner and loses its elasticity.
So how do you get rid of dark circles under the eyes? If you want to reduce puffy bags under your eyes and help your eyes look younger, there are a number of things you can do. Treatment for dark circles can range from lifestyle hacks, specialised products and devices designed for the delicate eye area, to cleaning up your diet and building a daily routine that works for you.
Here are some of our favourite under eye treatments:
1. Get more sleep to reduce puffy eyes
The obvious answer: make sure you are getting seven to nine hours of good quality sleep per night, the amount the NHS says most adults need. When you lie flat, fluid can settle in the soft tissue around your eyes overnight, which is why so many of us wake up puffy. If you can sleep on your back with your head raised a little, that fluid can drain away more easily, and your eye area will look smoother come morning.
A good night’s sleep supports your overall wellbeing, and it can stop you reaching for the high-carb, salty snacks that contribute to puffy bags and dark circles. And, fairly obviously, sleeping well will help you look more rested and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Winding down properly makes a real difference. Premium-grade Sensoril® ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb with a long history in Ayurvedic tradition, and it has been studied for its support of relaxation and a balanced mood. Read more about the benefits of ashwagandha.
If you need some tips on how to improve your sleep routine and get more shut-eye, you may enjoy our guide to developing the ultimate bedtime routine.
2. Hydrate to avoid getting bags under the eyes
Dehydration can contribute to dark circles and bags under the eyes, as skin that lacks water tends to look dull and the eye area more hollow. The NHS recommends six to eight glasses of fluid a day, and the European Food Safety Authority sets an adequate total water intake of about 2 litres (68 fl oz) for women and 2.5 litres (85 fl oz) for men, from food and drink combined. Around 20% of that typically comes from food, so include a wide variety of hydrating fruit and vegetables in your diet (most fruit and veg is majority water); we recommend eating organic wherever possible. Whenever you’re out and about, consider carrying a topped-up reusable water bottle with you.
Coffee often gets the blame for dehydration, but research suggests moderate amounts still count towards your daily fluid intake. Where caffeine really matters is sleep: it can stay in your system for hours, so keep your coffee to the morning and switch to caffeine-free drinks after lunch. Better sleep, fewer puffy mornings. Win win!
On another note, caffeine-based creams can help reduce the look of dark circles under the eyes. We cover this in more detail in tip 4 below.
3. Facial massage and rolling: a great remedy for puffy eyes
Experts recommend facial massage and rolling as an effective remedy for puffy eyes. There are a plethora of techniques to choose from: lymphatic drainage, acupressure and Japanese Kobido are just some examples.
Investing in a jade roller that you keep in the fridge is a great option (the cold acts as a vasoconstrictor, shrinking the blood vessels around the eyes and making the skin appear tighter). So is a daily self-massage with a vitamin C or hyaluronic acid serum, or a facial oil. Simply apply a few drops to the skin around your eyes and gently encourage any build-up of fluid away from your eyes by fluttering your fingers, almost as though you’re playing a delicate piano, towards your temples. You can flutter your fingers along your jaw and cheekbones too, for extra lift.
We suggest you try a combination of different massage techniques to tone and revitalise the skin around the eyes, and see which works best for you.
4. Caffeine-based remedies can help with dark circles under the eyes
Caffeine is another vasoconstrictive treatment that can help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffy bags under the eyes. There are tonnes of caffeine-containing serums, creams and oils available to buy online, but there are some effective home remedies too.
The most effective home remedy we’ve come across is also the simplest and most cost-effective: place a couple of cold-steeped tea bags over your eyes. You can use any tea bags as long as the tea is caffeinated, but green tea is our favourite.
All you need to do is wet the tea bags, place them in the freezer for ten minutes, then sit back and relax with them gently positioned over your eyes until you feel the urge to get up and get on with your day. It’s a simple, soothing way to help your eyes look brighter and less puffy.
5. Take the right supplements as part of your daily routine
Remember what waking up after a full eight hours feels like? The LYMA Supplement is designed to be the one daily ritual that keeps things simple. Its formula includes Sensoril® ashwagandha and LycoBeads® Natural Tomato Lycopene.
Your body can’t make lycopene on its own, so it has to come from your diet; LYMA includes 30mg in every daily serving. Discover the clinically studied ingredients in the LYMA Supplement.
6. Smooth the look of under-eye wrinkles with the LYMA Laser
Dark circles and puffiness rarely travel alone. As the skin around the eyes loses elasticity with age, fine lines and crow’s feet tend to appear too. The CE marked LYMA Laser uses cool, non-thermal laser light to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, so with consistent use as directed, the delicate skin around your eyes looks smoother and firmer. Curious how laser compares to LED? Read our guide to the difference between LED and laser light therapy.
Combine the tips above and you may start to see brighter, less puffy-looking eyes.
Dark circles and puffy eyes: your questions answered
What causes dark circles under the eyes?
Common causes include genetics, naturally thin skin around the eyes, lack of sleep, dehydration and the loss of elasticity and volume that comes with age. Habits such as a salty diet, alcohol and late nights in front of a screen can make them look more pronounced.
How can I get rid of puffy eyes fast?
Cold works quickly. Try chilled, caffeinated tea bags, a cold spoon or a jade roller kept in the fridge for a few minutes. Gentle massage towards the temples can also help move fluid away from the eye area.
Can lack of sleep cause dark circles?
Yes. Poor sleep can leave skin looking paler and duller, so the shadows and blood vessels under the eyes become more visible. Aim for seven to nine hours a night, and sleep with your head slightly raised to limit morning puffiness.
Do caffeine eye creams work for dark circles?
Caffeine temporarily constricts blood vessels, which can help reduce the look of puffiness and dark circles. The effect is short-term, so caffeine creams work best alongside good sleep, hydration and a consistent routine.
When should I see a doctor about puffy eyes?
If swelling appears suddenly, affects only one eye, or comes with pain, itching, redness or changes in your vision, speak to your GP or optician.
*Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Always consult your medical professional if you have a medical condition, or existing health protocol, before beginning any new supplementation regime.
