With everything going virtual these days, from school to work to our social lives, it feels like our eyes have been working overtime looking at screens. Our eyes feel dull and strained—a far cry from the sparkling eyes that can communicate health and vivacity!
It’s also not just the insides of your eyes that matter—the skin around your eyes is also sensitive. If you have dark circles under or puffy, swollen skin, your eyes will look tired, smaller, and less health. Check out these 5 simple tips for brighter eyes!
#1 Rose Water Products
There are numerous benefits to using rose water as part of a skin care regimen. In fact, people have been using products with rose ingredients since the 7th century to keep themselves looking youthful and refreshed.
Rose water is made by crushing the petals and adding them to boiling water in large containers. The condensation is collected, and rose water is the result! One liter of rose water takes 600-700 flowers to make.
Rose water is rich in antioxidants, which provide the nutrients your skin needs! It is known for its ability to clarify and balance your skin, leading to a refreshed, revitalized appearance. Beauty products with rose water will temporarily diminish fine lines and help prevent new ones from forming. Read 5 Ways to Use Rose Water for more!
#2 Tea Bags
If your eyes are puffy, swollen, or irritated from looking at your devices all day, reach for some green tea—but not just to drink! Placing green tea bags on your eyelids can help reduce swelling and ease discomfort.
First, steep the tea bags in some water. Then let the tea bags cool completely, or throw them in the fridge for about 15 minutes. Once the tea bags are cool, lie down, close your eyes, and put the bags on your eyelids for 10 minutes.
Tea is rich in polyphenols, natural compounds with numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation and fighting cancer. Green tea contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate (or EGCG). A catechin is an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage.
You can also make a green tea facial scrub out of the used tea, which will help tighten the skin. Mix green tea with granulated sugar and water, and you have a healthy exfoliating scrub that’s all-natural, light on the skin, and gives you an incredible glow. You can store the scrub in the fridge to keep it fresh.
#3 Get Your Rest
Sometimes life gets in the way, and we just don’t get enough sleep—but sleep is essential for health, and a lack of sleep will show up in your eyes. Adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Without it, under-eye puffiness will show up due to the accumulation of fluid around your eyes.
You can reduce some of that puffiness by resting a cool washcloth on your eyes for about 10 minutes, but the best solution is to put your devices down and get that rest. Create a bedtime routine that includes turning off the screens!
#4 Get Your Vitamins
Increase your intake of fatty acids to keep your eyes healthy. Omega-6 fatty acid supplements are great for increasing the health and brightness of your eyes. If you aren’t a big fan of taking vitamins, spring for foods that are high in fatty acids like salmon, walnuts, or chia seeds.
Vitamin E is another great vitamin for helping your eyes, since it helps fight the free radicals that cause signs of aging, like wrinkles. Before heading to bed, apply a drop of oil (remember that a little goes a long way!) to your under eye circles, gently massaging the oil into your skin.
#5 Get a Massage
A facial massage can stimulate the flow of tears, which lubricates dry eyes and removes irritants that could be dulling your shine. Massaging your own eyes can be therapeutic too, as applying gentle pressure can stimulate the nerves, which will slow your heart rate and relieve stress.
A simple massage around your eyes can improve lymph drainage and boost circulation, easing inflammation and reducing the appearance of dark circles. A minute or so a day can go a long way!
Over time, skin naturally loses collagen and grows thinner. That’s life—no one is perfect, and no one escapes aging, no matter what the advertisers say. However, these 5 tips can ensure your skin stays healthy and your eyes stay bright!
Have you tried any of these tips? What suggestions do you have for getting brighter eyes?
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