Clear Up Raccoon Eyes with These 3 Tricks

A woman applying cream around her eyes.

Tired of looking like a wild animal? Under-eye circles could have many causes.

Blame them on sun damage, allergies, genetics, lack of sleep . . . even caffeine and alcohol could play a role. But no matter the cause, here are some simple drugstore tips to help dark circles fade away.

Easy Eye-Savers

One of these simple remedies could help bring back your bright-eyed look.

  • Antihistamines: Allergies can make blood pool near the surface of the thin skin below your eyes, which leads to that dark-ringed look. And rubbing itchy eyes may make things worse. Get allergies under control with over-the-counter antihistamines. And antiallergy eye drops can help give your eyes a break from itching.
  • Vitamin K: Eye creams with vitamin K may offer some assistance with dark under-eye circles. And K works even better when used with retinol, a derivative of vitamin A. You won’t find a product that has both, so alternate between retinol and vitamin K creams every other night. Retinol may help with those fine lines, too. Get more wrinkle treatment advice.
  • Sunscreen: All those extra rays lead to sun damage, which can contribute to dark circles. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day -- one that’s safe to use on delicate under-eye skin. 

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