Month: December 2023

Can Drinking Water Reduce Dark Circles?

We touched upon these pesky, often stubborn under-eye shadows last week, dark circles under the eyes are a common skin concern, often attributed to lack of sleep, stress, or ageing.

While there’s no shortage of eye creams and treatments promising miraculous results, a fundamental factor often overlooked is hydration and just how much of an impact can drinking water have on reducing dark circles?

Dark circles are primarily a result of the thin skin under the eyes showing the blood vessels and the blood they contain more clearly than anywhere else on the body. Factors such as lack of sleep, ageing, and genetics can exacerbate their appearance.

Hydration & Skin Health

Hydration plays a vital role in skin health. Adequate water intake ensures that the skin remains elastic, soft, and supple. Dehydration, on the other hand, can lead to dry, flaky, and dull skin.

While dehydration’s immediate impact may be more apparent on other areas of the face, it can accentuate the appearance of dark circles under the eyes over time.

Dehydration can cause the skin to become dry and lose its elasticity. This can make dark circles more prominent as the skin thins, allowing blood vessels to become more visible. Hydration can improve blood circulation, potentially lessening the appearance of dark circles. Drinking water, therefore, can be an essential part of your skincare regimen focused on reducing the visibility of dark circles.

Along with helping us to banish our dark circles, keeping hydrated can also help us with –

1. Improved Complexion: Drinking water flushes out toxins, potentially improving your skin tone.

2. Less Puffiness: Adequate water intake can also reduce puffiness by balancing the water-salt ratio in the skin.

3. Anti-Ageing: Hydration can help maintain skin’s elasticity, slowing down the ageing process.

How Much Water?

The golden rule is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, known colloquially as the “8×8 rule.” However, individual needs can vary based on lifestyle, climate, and physical activity. A more personalised guideline is to drink at least half an ounce to an ounce of water for each pound you weigh.

Just Water…. ?

Drinking water is just one way to keep your body hydrated. Consuming foods with high water content like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges can also contribute to your daily hydration needs. Herbal teas and infused waters offer an excellent alternative for those who find plain water less appealing.

The Best Part ….

Prioritise getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to give your skin the rest it needs to repair itself.

The Takeaway from this ….

Drinking water alone may not completely erase dark circles, but it can certainly help reduce their prominence and improve your overall skin health.

Hydration should be viewed as a part of a comprehensive skincare routine that includes proper sleep, nutrition, and topical treatments.

The connection between drinking water and dark circles is compelling but not exclusive. While proper hydration can help improve your skin’s appearance and potentially reduce dark circles, it’s crucial to adopt a skincare approach for effective, long-lasting results.

This should ideally combine proper hydration, balanced nutrition, topical treatments, and adequate sleep for the best outcome.

By prioritising hydration as part of your daily routine, you’re not just addressing dark circles but also contributing to your overall well-being and skin health.

Please get in touch or book in for a Skin Consultation with one of our Experts here, if you want to have a quick chat, please do give us a call on 01932 731762

Dark circles under the eyes are not just a sign of fatigue; they mirror our daily habits. From sleep deprivation to excessive screen time, various lifestyle factors can exacerbate this issue, making it crucial to address them for lasting improvement.

Insufficient sleep is a significant contributor to dark circles. It causes blood vessels under the eyes to dilate, creating a dark tint, and the way you can help yourself is easy –

7-9 hours of quality sleep nightly.
Create a consistent sleep schedule.
Make your sleeping environment comfortable and free from distractions.

The effects of dehydration can make dark circles appear more pronounced as the skin under the eyes becomes dry and dull.

Drink at least eight glasses of water daily.
Include hydrating foods in your diet.
Use a moisturising eye cream daily.

Excessive Screen Time is a big contributory factor, this can strain the eyes, leading to dark circles and puffiness.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Adjust screen brightness and contrast for comfort.
Use anti-reflective screens or glasses.

Poor dietary choices with processed foods and sugar, can enhance the appearance of dark circles.

Opt for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.
Include vitamin K and vitamin E rich foods in your diet.

Chronic stress and anxiety can worsen the appearance of dark circles by impacting sleep and causing fatigue.

Implement stress-reducing techniques such as meditation and exercise.
Consider professional counseling or therapy.
Ensure adequate downtime and relaxation in your routine

Here are Some Practical Tips for Addressing Dark Circles

Regular Eye Massage

A gentle massage can improve blood circulation, reducing the appearance of dark circles. Use an under-eye cream with retinol and vitamin C to enhance the benefits.

Appropriate Sun Protection

Sun exposure can worsen dark circles. Use a quality sunscreen and wear sunglasses to protect the sensitive under-eye area.

Use of Quality Skincare Products

Invest in skincare products specifically designed for the under-eye area. Opt for those with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and antioxidants.

Consistent Skincare Routine

Maintain a consistent skincare routine, including proper cleansing, moisturising, and regular use of an eye cream.

Professional Treatments

Consider professional treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, and fillers for persistent dark circles.

Lifestyle and dark circles are intimately connected, making lifestyle adjustments fundamental in managing this concern. Prioritising sleep, hydration, a balanced diet, and a robust skincare routine, while mitigating stress, screen time, and smoking, can significantly reduce dark circles. Embrace a lifestyle conducive to your overall well-being and watch the transformation it brings not just to your under-eye area but to your entire countenance.

Please get in touch or book in for a Skin Consultation with one of our Experts here, if you want to have a quick chat, please do give us a call on 01932 731762

It’s fair to say that vitamin C has had a MOMENT in skincare in the last five years.

It’s not surprising, given the fact that this powerful antioxidant has many skin benefits, including helping to brighten and protect the skin.

Vitamin C is pretty complex when it comes to skin formulations, as we’re about to reveal. It’s important to note that not all vitamin C products out there are equal. Read on to find out why!

What’s so great about Vitamin C?

Let’s begin with a few reasons why we recommend incorporating vitamin C into most skincare routines. This multifunctional powerhouse ingredient is a major antioxidant, which means it will defend your skin against free radical damage from environmental aggressors, like pollution and UV rays.

It works seamlessly at both the surface level and deep down, to protect skin DNA for optimal cellular health. It also helps support the body’s natural production of collagen, which improves the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring.

If you’re concerned about hyperpigmentation or dull skin (who isn’t?), then vitamin C is a great active ingredient to add to your routine as it helps to even out the skin tone and brighten.

As an anti-inflammatory ingredient, vitamin C helps combat the signs of ageing, as there is a very close link between ageing and inflammation in the body. Vitamin C also supports the skin’s natural production of hydration in the long term, helping to keep the skin in optimal condition.

The big secret is that vitamin C is NOT seasonal; you can use it year-round! Vitamin C is a key ingredient in fighting pigmentation, making it your go-to post-summer saviour and as we begin to move into the cooler months, the environment will soon start to change, and as we get cold and the heat goes on, our skin is likely to suffer, becoming dry or dehydrated and looking dull. Once again, call on vitamin C for antioxidant support, extra hydration, and that radiant glow.  

Please get in touch or book in for a Skin Consultation with one of our Experts here, if you want to have a quick chat, please do give us a call on 01932 731762