Women applying under eye cream

How Much Does Diet Affect the Under-Eye Area

The Impact of Diet in Under Eye Area

The Gut wrenching moment for Gen Z & millennials is to find a “smokey eyes look” but where - only in the under-eye area. We know really well that it wasn’t celeb inspired but the credit goes to your under-eye dark circles, multiplied with puffiness and severe discoloration.

Why Does Discoloration Happen Only In Under Eye Area?

Have you ever wondered why the skin under your eyes is always darker compared to other areas? That's because it is the thinnest skin layer of your body, with only 0.5 mm thickness which is 10 times thinner than other skin layers. 

What Are Capillaries? How Are They Related To Dark Circles? 

Capillaries are the blood vessels responsible to carry out blood along with oxygen in the body, it causes the delicate and thin layer under the eyes to have a bluish or reddish hue. With aging and other deficiencies, the skin layer becomes more visible resulting in the appearance of dark circles or brownish or pinkish patches beneath the eyes. Therefore, you are unlikely to get dark patches anywhere else but around your under-eye area.

Does Collagen Reduce Signs of Aging & Dark Circles?

When every influencer is recommending collagen for youthful-looking skin and to fight the aging effect, you must know how collagen works. Collagen is like a strong base, providing necessary support to your skin. Consider wrinkles and puffy eyes to be cracks in your skin. 

To build a solid base the collagen boost is inevitable. Upon failing to do so, the skin becomes more susceptible to dark circles, blemishes, and puffiness. Hence, it's the lack of collagen that makes your dark circle more visible. An eye glow cream containing collagen is the best choice to make.

How Your Diet Can Affect Dark Circles: 5 Culprits

You Are A Smoker 

Experts believe that smoking accelerates the aging process. A study published in 2014 in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that smoking leads to severe signs of facial aging, including wrinkles, sagging skin, and a loss of skin elasticity. 

Moreover, smoking tends to break down collagen and hampers blood circulation resulting in bulgy eye bags and swelling.

You Are a Big Fan Of Alcohol 

Alcohol consumption is the highest contributor to damaging your liver, leaving toxins in it. And the liver releases these toxins in your bloodstream making your skin dehydrated. The under-eye skin, being the most susceptible, takes the hit and shows up in the form of dark circles.  

You Love Binge Eating

The Netflix phenomenon of night binge-watching is more satisfying along with binge-eating. Well, this temporary gustatory enjoyment is short-lived. Overeating causes your gut to flood with unnecessary nutrients, eventually tiring out your digestive system. Ended up being your skin’s worst enemy.

You Have A Lot Of Sleepless Nights

Your good night's sleep is worth more than you give it credit for. All in all, you deprive your skin to rest and rejuvenate in those silent hours. In return, you may notice fine lines, wrinkles, and dark patches under the eyes.

Diet to reduce dark circles

How Nutrient Deficiency Causes Dark Under-Eye Circles

Do you really think it was due to endless scrolling last night that made it happen? No. Rome wasn’t built in a day neither do your dark circles. It takes various contributors like irregular sleep patterns, allergies, lifestyle changes, genes, chronic stress, and of course - eating habits. 

According to Dr. Jessica Krant - a board-certified dermatologist, “The food you eat can absolutely impact the health and appearance of your skin”. Dr. Jessica also claims that your skin needs certain nutrients to stay healthy, and if you're not getting those nutrients from your diet, your skin can suffer. Iron deficiency, allergies, caffeine, dehydration, and vitamin deficiencies multiply your skin worries in the form of acne, pale skin, wrinkles, and dark circles. (Source: Harvard Health Publishing, "Can the Right Diet Get Rid of Acne?)

Which Food Items Are A Knight In Shining Armor For Your Dark Circles?

As our ancestors believed, we become what we eat. Eating a balanced diet that provides essential nutrients can do wonders for both our physical and mental health, including our skin. While beauty products may or may not be effective, consistently nourishing our bodies with nutrient-rich foods is key to maintaining healthy skin. We have rounded up the most effective and nutrient-dense diet options to help you achieve your skin goals.

1.Food Rich in Vitamins

Vitamin-C and Vitamin- E

Vitamin E pairs up with Vitamin C perfectly well to step up your skincare game. While Vitamin C can boost collagen production, vitamin E reduces collagen breakdown. Both these vitamins are powerful source of antioxidants that supports the immune system and improve skin health, combating dark circles and signs of aging.

Additionally, Vitamin C absorbs iron, which can further enhance the health and appearance of your skin. To get enough vitamin C, add amla(Indian gooseberry), citric fruits, guava, tomatoes, apples (with skin), and bell papers into your diet.  And to get a sufficient amount of Vitamin E, rely on sunflower seeds, corn, peanuts, spinach, olive oil, and almonds.  

Vitamin - K

Being a rich source of anti-inflammatory properties, Vitamin K has a significant role in blood clotting and reversing the blood thinning effect. Thus it can be linked to reducing the appearance of your dark circles. To further strengthen the article published in the International Journal of Health Sciences, vitamin K has been shown to improve the appearance of dark circles. Vitamin K-rich foods you must include in your diet are cucumber, avocado, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, and blueberries. 

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is also known as retinoic acid, it not only improves your eye vision. It is also a sought-after vitamin for maintaining skin health - improving skin texture, and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin A is easily found in foods like carrots, pumpkin, papaya, milk, cheese, and yogurt. The best under eye cream for dark circles in India cannot exist without vitamin A.

2.Liver-Friendly Food

It's common knowledge that the liver is a detoxification factory of your body. Now the foods that keep the liver healthy, ensure the efficiency of the waste-cleaning process of the body. Failing to do so makes room for inflammation which affects gut health, skin health, and even mental health. Moreover, a study published in the Journal of Hepatology indicates that patients with liver disease are likely to show signs of skin aging and related skin disease. Beetroot, garlic, avocado, apples, and green tea are liver-friendly foods that can keep skin problems and inflammation at bay.

3.Iron-Rich Food

Your body needs iron-rich food to produce hemoglobin. Due to a drastic drop in your iron level, it is difficult to supply hemoglobin to your under-eye area, resulting in fatigue, pale eyes, and dark circles. Evidently,  A 2014 research study suggested that half of the anemic patients they studied, suffer from dark circles. Foods that cure iron deficiencies are spinach, watermelon, raisins, dates, and peaches.

Does Fasting Affect Your Under-Eye Skin Issues?

As mentioned before, a healthy liver is key to healthy skin. What keeps the liver healthy aside from food - Fasting. The World has now come to terms with the benefits of  Intermittent fasting. But in ancient India water & fruit-based fasting was a way of life, combining it with religious factors. 

Traditional definitions of fasting include refraining from eating or drinking for a prolonged duration, typically 10-12 hours or several days. Anything between 10-18 hours of fasting can give numerous health benefits beyond nutrition. For example, it reduces inflammation which helps in keeping your liver functions up to par. Furthermore, fasting promotes collagen, lowers blood glucose, and retains moisture of the skin making it look fresh and rejuvenated and free from under-eye dark patches. 

Fasting also keeps your gut happy leading to better absorption and circulation of food in the entire body including the largest organ of your body - your skin.

Although fasting has numerous benefits, it may not be suitable for everyone. It's important to consider your nutritional needs and health conditions. Before attempting to fast. consult with your healthcare provider who knows your body's requirements best.

The Bottom line

The market is flooded with a plethora of skin care products claiming to do miracles on your dark circles and overall skin health. It is necessary that you find the best under eye cream for dark circles in India.

Consult a professional before investing in such products.

Moreover, incorporate some diet and lifestyle changes along with having an elaborate skincare routine containing eye glow cream. The above dietary recommendation not only treats your dark circles but also promotes an overall balanced diet that can reap multiple benefits and safeguard you from a long-term illness. Finally, remember  you may go wrong by choosing the wrong product but you can never harm your body by choosing a nutrient-rich diet including fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. With this thought, we would leave you to make healthy choices in life.

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