Dark circles: Home remedies

Try these simple natural home remedies to get rid of that oh-so-exhausted look on your face

Dark circles are a common problem not only amongst hassled housewives but also anyone with hectic work schedules and erratic sleep hours. They are not a very grave problem but can make you look much older than you already are. And in today's age where the market is being flooded with anti-ageing, skin lightening creams, it is a considered almost a fashion crime to sport dark circles. Here are some natural home remedies to help to get rid of those ghastly-looking dark circles:

- Grate some raw potato and soak a cotton ball in the potato juice. Close your eyes and place these cotton balls on your eyes. Make sure they cover the dark circles under your eyes as well as the eyelids. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash off with cold water.

- Applying a mixture of a teaspoon of tomato and lime juice, twice a day will help in reducing the dark circles.

- Drink a glass of tomato juice with some mint leaves, lemon juice and salt. Drinking this twice a day is another remedy.

- Prepare a paste of four to five almonds with some milk. Apply this paste over the affected area and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. This will lighten the skin around the eyes.

- A mixture of a few teaspoons of fresh pineapple juice along with a pinch of turmeric powder, when applied on the dark circles regularly will help clear them.

- Every night before sleeping, apply creams containing vitamin E and C around the eyes.

- Crush some mint leaves and apply them around the eyes. Doing this will also provide a cooling effect on tired eyes. 

Rose water: Beauty Benefits

Rosewater is a boon to your face, hair, body, mind and soul.

Rosewater has always found a place in every household. This natural by-product of rose oil that is used in perfumes, is full of healing powers. Read on...

Skin
- Rosewater is a natural toner. Pour two to three drops of rosewater on a cotton ball and wipe it thoroughly on the face and neck to remove dirt and grit. Follow this routine every morning and night for a natural glow, and refreshing and soothing effect.

- Due to its refreshing fragrance, you can put a few drops of rosewater into the bathing water for glowing skin. This can relax and sooth your body and mind.

- For skin irritation caused by acne, pimples, redness and breakouts, wash your face with rosewater.

Hair
- Rosewater comes with natural conditioning and moisturising properties, making it a part of your hair care routine. Add a few drops of rosewater with your shampoo. It will also give a long-lasting fragrance to your hair.

- It also aids hair growth. After shampooing, pour half a cup of rosewater on the wet hair and gently massage your scalp for a few minutes.

- Mix rosewater with glycerin or fenugreek powder and apply it on the scalp to prevent dandruff.

- Its therapeutic properties can help combat inflammations on the scalp.

- Being a by-product of rose oil, it is as an alternative to normal hair oil. 

Eyes
- Mildly soak cotton swabs in rosewater and place it over your eyes for a soothing, cooling and relaxing effect.

- Get instant relief from burning, red or inflammatory eyes by pouring two to three drops of rosewater in each eye and closing it for a few minutes. You can also cleanse your eyes every night to wade off any eye infection. Rosewater is also one of the ingredients used in Ayurvedic medicine.

- Banish those dark circles by smearing rosewater under the eyes.

- To treat those tired and droopy eyes, mix sandalwood with rosewater, apply on the eye lids and wash it off with cold water after 15 minutes.