The appearance of brown spots under eyes is frustrating as it disrupts the overall appeal of the face. Moreover, these spots can be caused by a variety of factors so getting to the root of the problem is the first step to effective treatment
Causes of brown spots under eyes
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Brown spots can be due to aging, sun damage, and hormonal changes in the body. They can also be triggered by allergic reactions, drugs, or simply genetics.
If you have brown spots under eyes then you need to consult your dermatologist to determine what could be causing this hyperpigmentation. Aside from that, you should examine your lifestyle. Taking up healthy habits such as regular intake of water, maintaining a healthy diet, and regular exercise can do wonders for your skin. This is a sure step to eliminating the brown spots under eyes. Other factors to consider include getting enough sleep, developing a proper skin care routine that involves regular exfoliation, steaming the face once in a while, and applying a good broad coverage sunscreen.
It is impossible to eliminate brown spots under eyes if they are due to genetics. That being said, here are some home remedies you can try out
Go for an Aloe Vera or green tea mask
Green tea works wonders on the skin. It contains methylxanthines which stimulate microcirculation in the skin thereby boosting skin health. The polyphenols contained in green tea have anti-aging properties that help delay premature aging. Also, the polyphenols have the ability to limit cell death that could occur due to frequent UV exposure. Using a green tea mask can help the skin in dealing with the hyperpigmentation. You can purchase an organically-manufactured green tea mask (such as Matcha powder) and give it a try. Alternatively, you can make a solution of 1 cup of hot water and a green tea bag. Let the tea settle for 15 minutes. After that, dip a cotton ball on the solution and gently dab it on the affected area.
You can try an Aloe Vera mask. Aloe Vera has innumerable benefits on the skin. It acts as a moisturizer, anti-aging product and can help minimize the hyperpigmentation. You can whip up an Aloe Vera mask at home. Mix a small amount of Aloe Vera gel and one tablespoon of natural yoghurt. Apply this paste on the face, paying special attention to the affected area. Natural yoghurt is another effective ingredient for reducing brown spots.
The naturally bleaching Papaya
Raw papaya is an effective natural skin lightening ingredient. This fruit contains powerful enzymes that are beneficial to the skin, such as papain and vitamin A. It also contains alpha hydroxy acid, which gives it its skin lightening abilities. Simply take some raw papaya, pound it into a paste with some water and apply it on your skin. The lightening properties of this fruit will help minimize the hyperpigmentation.
Lemon Extract or Pineapple
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C and citric acid. This acid gives it a bleaching capability that makes it effective for dealing with brown spots under eyes. You can combine its benefits with other skin boosting ingredients such as honey, and some warm water. That is 5 drops of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of honey, and two table spoons of warm water. Apply this mixture to the affected areas. Alternatively, you simply apply freshly squeezed lemon juice on the affected areas. Later, rinse off with cold water and pat dry. Similarly, you can try the same technique using pineapple juice.
Tomato
Tomato contains powerful ingredients that can help reduce the brown spots under eyes. For instance, it contains an antioxidant known as lycopene. This ingredient can help bleach the skin thereby reducing the brown spots. Simply extract some tomato juice. You can combine the juice with some other healthy ingredients, such as lemon juice or pineapple juice. Take a cotton swab and apply the mixture to the affected area.
Baking Soda
Just like lemon, papaya, and pineapple juice, baking soda has a natural bleaching property. Moreover, this ingredient has an excellent exfoliating property that helps remove dead cells on the surface of the skin leaving behind smooth, soft skin. You can combine a teaspoon of baking soda in some water to make a fine paste. Alternatively, you can make a paste using baking soda, water, and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Gently massage this paste on to the areas affected by the brown spots. Gently massage the paste into circular motions for about 2-3 minutes. Later, let the paste rest on the skin for a while, rinse it off, and pat dry.
The use of natural products to fight skin issues is a growing trend. This is because unlike commercial products that come with preservatives, and other synthetic chemicals, natural products have a lower risk of reacting with the skin. Moreover, the use of natural ingredients presents an affordable alternative that just might work! Try out the natural homemade masks as a treatment for brows spots under eyes. Moreover, you can develop a skin care routine that involves using any one of these face masks (maybe once or twice a week). Also, you can apply some olive oil on the affected under eye area after cleansing the face to boost the healing process. Good luck.
References:
- Lekh R. Juneja, Mahendra P. Kapoor, Tsutomu Okubo, Theertham Rao. Green Tea Polyphenols: Nutraceuticals of Modern Life, CRC Press, 2013
- Marmur Ellen. Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman’s Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin, Simon and Schuster, 2009