Sunken Eyes: Causes, remedies, and how to avoid
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Sunken eyes.. urgh.
Let’s get real, dark circles under the eye can make you look tired, older, or unhealthy. We’ve all been there at some stage, and sunken eyes can appear for many reasons. This article will cover the causes, home remedies and top tips to look younger, healthier and more vibrant.
What are sunken eyes?
The skin under your eyes can sometimes appear dark or sunken, this is because the skin beneath the eye is more delicate than the rest of your body. Dark circles form when the blood vessels are disturbed, giving the appearance of darker shadows or rings under the eye or sometimes a puffy look.
Factors such as increased stress, poor nutrition, unhealthy living and fatigue are all examples of why dark circles and sunken eyes occur. It’s important to know that often when these causes are corrected, it can significantly reduce the symptoms.
What are the symptoms of sunken eyes?
Dark circles or sunken eyes appear different from person to person, here are some examples of what to look out for:
- Dark blue or purple rings underneath your eye
- Hollowing under your eyes
- Puffiness under the eye
- Puffy eyelids
- A dark shadow on your eye lid
- Blood shot eyes
- Thin looking skin
- Excess skin that can look saggy
- Dry or tight skin around the eyes
Causes of sunken eyes
- Aging
As you get older, collagen production begins to slow. Collagen is the glue that helps the body maintain its shape and structure by binding tissues and cells. Therefore, the Skins elasticity reduces, wrinkles form and the first place where collagen loss is most noticeable is underneath the eye area.
- Vitamin deficiencies
Deficiencies of vitamin c, vitamin D, K, E, and iron can cause your eyes to appear darker and more sunken. Vitamin c is responsible for promoting iron absorption, which helps with fatigue and decreases bruising. Vitamin k is responsible for blood clotting, and vitamin E and D both contribute to healthy skin.
- Rubbing your eyes
The tissue around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than most areas of the body. When you rub your eyes the blood vessels can break, and cause bruising that forms the appearance of dark eye circles.
- Eyestrain
Staring at your phone, laptop or television can enlarge the blood vessels around your eyes and cause digital eye strain.
- Weight loss
When you lose a lot of weight, the fat loss tends to be more visible on your face. This can cause blood vessels be beneath the eyes to become more noticeable
- Lack of sleep
It is advised that most adults need between 7-9 hours sleep per night. Not getting enough sleep can not only affect your mood, but also your eye appearance.
- Dehydration
Dry skin is a major cause of dark circles under eyes, therefore drinking plenty of water will help reduce symptoms. Also reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake as both can dehydrate your skin.
- Smoking
Not only smoking can dry your skin out, it reduces the oxygen in your blood, degrades collagen and causes your skin to lose elasticity
- Allergies
Waking up with dry eyes and excessively Rubbing them can lead to dark circles. Additionally, other allergy Symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes and throat can also lead to a lack of sleep, causing fatigue which could also result in sunken eyes.
- Sun exposure
Exposing yourself to UV rays, will increase your bodies production of melanin, which darkens our skin, it can also make the dark circles more prominent under your eye.
- Sinus infections
The pressure, pain and Inflammation of the sinuses can make your eyes appear dark and sunken.
Home remedies
To help reduce sunken eye symptoms, try the following:
- Ensure you have a good bedtime routine, giving yourself enough time to relax for a quality sleep ahead.
- Sleep for 7-9 hours per night.
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
- Elevate your head slightly when sleeping, this will drain excess fluids.
- Invest in an eye cream with vitamin c, caffeine, aloe Vera, Hyaluronic acid or retinol.
- Apply vitamin E, almond or coconut oil, all are rich in antioxidants and vitamin E.
- Black tea bags are full of antioxidants – Use a warm tea bag, directly under your eyes to promote blood circulation. Make sure that the tea bags not hot as the skin beneath the eye is very sensitive.
- Refrigerate cucumber and place two slices to your eye area to hydrate
- Apply cold compresses to reduce inflammation.
- Wear sunglasses and a hat when outside in the sun, Invest in a good face spf.
- Don’t spend too much time on screens, take regular breaks.
- Keep active – regular exercise for 30 minutes per day.
- Drink a minimum of 2 litres of water per day.
- Reduce your caffeine intake – try swapping a coffee for a herbal tea.
- Reduce alcohol intake.
- Quit smoking.
- Avoid refined sugar, carbs and processed foods.
- Eat a well balanced diet, including dark leafy greens such as kale, broccoli and spinach.
- Before applying makeup, use a moisturiser and eye cream to hydrate your skin.
- Apply a concealer with a yellow base to contrast the dark circles.
- Potatoes are full of vitamin C and enzymes. Pop the potatoes in the fridge and place a slice on each eye. The coldness will also reduce inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels.
- Diluted lemon juice is an awesome home remedy. Applying lemon juice every morning or evening will help energise skin, reduce discolouration and remove dead skin
- Drink collagen supplements
4 steps to covering sunken eyes with makeup
Makeup is a total lifesaver in my opinion, with the right technique and product you can hide away those dark circles.
Step 1
Choose a face wash that will help with dull and tired skin. Opting for a product that contains vitamin e, vitamin c, caffeine, menthol, lemon or turmeric will energise the skin.
Step 2
Start by applying a good eye cream, choose an eye cream which contains ingredients like vitamin c, tri-peptide, hyaluronic acid, blurring minerals, and vitamin c to help reduce the dark circles.
Step 3
Apply corrector to the inner corners and under the eyes using a brush or fingertips. Pick a Peach color correcting shade to counteract green or brown discoloration and Bisque color correcting shade to counteract blue or purple discoloration. Making sure the color is lighter than your foundation.
Step 4
Using your fingertips or a brush, apply a corrector under eyes and gently blend out toward cheekbones.
Conclusion
Sunken eyes are a product of poor lifestyle, diet or stress. Knowing the cause can help pinpoint any of these simple remedies to quickly restore your eyes for a more youthful, fresh appearance.