Five tips for getting rid of dark circles:

Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by a number of things including dehydration, inadequate sleep, poor nutrition, allergies, and illness.

There are plenty of creams and gels that claim to be able to reduce the appearance of these dark circles, but this can often prove costly, and many of these products fail to deliver on their promises. 

Fortunately, there are some inexpensive things you can do to tackle the problem yourself.

Follow these five tips for getting rid of dark circles under the eyes:

1. Eat more iron-rich foods

Lack of iron in your diet could be the cause of dark circles under your eyes. Iron-deficiency anaemia can also cause your skin to become unusually pale, which will emphasise any darkness around your eyes. Include plenty of iron-rich foods, such as spinach, apricots, and nuts in your diet.

2. Drink plenty of water

Inadequate hydration is another common cause of dark circles around the eyes. The average person should be drinking at least two litres of water every day. Aim to drink one litre of water for every 1,000 calories you consume. Avoid drinking too many caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and cola, because caffeine acts as a diuretic and can make dark circles worse.

3. Try potato juice

Potato juice is an old remedy used for treating dark circles. Soak two round cotton wool pads in potato juice for a few minutes, before gently squeezing any excess moisture out of the pads. Put the pads in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, or until nicely chilled. Place the pads on your eyes and put your feet up for 10 minutes to allow the juice time to work.

4. Use concealer

Concealer products have improved considerably in recent years, and many good quality concealers can achieve excellent results for covering dark circles. Many people make the mistake of choosing the same shade, or just one shade lighter, than their real skin colour, but this may not be enough to cover your dark circles. The trick is to choose a concealer that is two shades lighter than your actual skin colour.

5. Get more sleep

Sleep deprivation is the most common cause of dark circles. Inadequate or disturbed sleep patterns can leave your eyes looking dark and haunted. The average adult should be aiming to get between six and eight hours of sleep every night. You should also try to remove any distractions from your bedroom so that you can have a full, uninterrupted nights sleep.