A regular part of the fasting season is waking up early for the pre-dawn meal known as sahur.
But it can be challenging to get enough sleep as you rise at four in the morning. This is not even considering you have to pray late into the night and might still have to work the next day.
Lack of sleep leads to eye circles as your skin becomes duller and paler, which allows tissues and blood vessels to show. It may also lead to fluid building underneath your eyes, causing them to appear puffy.
Looking like a panda may not be the most pleasing look, so we’ve gathered a list of tips to help reduce those annoying dark eye circles.
Sleep on your back
How you sleep can greatly affect the development of dark eye circles. Sleeping on your stomach or side can cause fluid to collect under your eyes.
You can sleep on your back instead and stack more pillows under your head to keep it elevated. This prevents the fluid from collecting around your delicate eye area.
Curb salt and drink more fluids
When you consume too much salt and are dehydrated, you can look puffy and feel bloated. Your eye area is especially thin and vulnerable.
Therefore, it is best to plan your meals ahead and curb your salt intake. Planning to have something salty? Remember to counter it with plenty of water.
Eat more salmon
Yes, we’re being serious. It’s time to feast on those delicious salmon steaks or salmon sushi, as they contain omega-3s.
These fatty acids help improve blood flow. Plus, they’re excellent for your skin, brain, and heart health.
Use some ice cubes
Using a clean cloth, wrap some ice cubes, and gently apply them to your eye area for about 20 minutes. Another way you can do this is by wetting the cloth with cold water for the same effect.
The coldness can shrink dilated blood vessels and reduce swelling, thereby reducing dark eye circles and puffiness.
Chill some tea bags
Leave some green or black tea bags in hot water for a few minutes. Then, chill them in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes or until cold. Apply them to your eyes for 10 to 20 minutes and let them work their magic.
Tea contains caffeine and antioxidants, which can reduce liquid build up and shrink blood vessels as well as stimulate blood circulation.
Cool those cucumbers
Characters are always having spa days with cucumbers over their eyes on television, and it actually works.
Cucumbers have skin-lightening and mild astringent properties to help with those dark eye circles. Chop some cukes and refrigerate until cold, then leave on your eyes for 10 minutes and rinse your eyes after.
Potatoes work too
Potatoes are rich in vitamin A and C, which help to brighten and get rid of dark circles. You’ll need a bit more effort though, as you’re going to need to juice those potatoes.
Soak some cotton pads in the potato juice. Then, place them on your eyes for about 10 minutes before rinsing. Another way is to combine with some honey and apply it directly to the under eyes.
Apply some eye cream
Eye creams vary from person to person, but can work wonders to treat dark eye circles, provided you know what ingredients to look for.
Vitamin C increases collagen production for brighter skin, while caffeine or vitamin K can treat underlying puffiness or redness.
Lost on which eye cream to buy? Check out our other article on the best eye creams for dark eye circles.
Invest in an eye massager
Eye massagers can stimulate acupuncture points around the eyes to improve blood circulation, resulting in reduced eye pressure, less puffiness, and firmer skin.
While there are many eye massagers to choose from, we recommend looking at our best eye massager article to find one to suit you.
Conceal, don’t reveal
Concealer can truly be your bestie for hiding those panda eyes. Those dark circles can really fade like magic with the help of a high-coverage concealer.
Hear us out: consider picking up a white concealer for this. We actually went ahead and tried it for ourselves.
Featured image credit: PNW Production
