How to Achieve Healthy Skin the Natural Way

WASHINGTON — Healthy habits can disappear when you live a stressful and busy life. You’re not sleeping enough or drinking enough water and you’re missing out on nutrients. When you finally go on vacation, you just want to grab a drink, lay in the sun and relax. If you’ve noticed dark circles under your eyes and early wrinkles, you may want to make some lifestyle changes.

Dark circles and wrinkles are normal and may result from aging and genetics. However, your daily habits can also influence them. Here, we’ll tell you the tips you need to care for your skin from the inside out and give you some natural remedies to try. 

Tips for Overall Skin Health

We all want to feel good about our skin’s appearance — but it starts with our health. Here are some lifestyle tips that can naturally improve your skin health.

• Sun Protection: The Mayo Clinic recommends broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade.
• Hydration: Drinking enough water hydrates your skin.
• Sleep: Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
• Eat a Healthy Diet: Pack your diet with foods containing healthy fats, protein, zinc, selenium, and vitamins A, C, and E. These nutrients can improve your skin health.
• Manage Stress: Take care of your mental health. Try yoga and meditation or if necessary seek professional support.
• Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: These substances directly impact your skin. 
• Regular Dermatologist Appointments: Get yearly check-ups to screen for skin cancer and other conditions.

Causes of Under-Eye Circles and Wrinkles

Under-eye circles, or periorbital hyperpigmentation, are common and have many potential causes. Everyone is different, but oftentimes, blood vessels become more visible as the skin under your eye naturally thins. 

Research shows that genetics influence dark circles. If a family member has them, you may be more likely to develop them. People of color may also be more likely to get them.

Wrinkles are visible folds or creases in your skin. Your skin naturally loses collagen, fat and elasticity as you age. Research shows that genetics influence 60% of your skin aging and other factors, around 40%.

You can’t control aging or genetics — but there are other potential causes of dark circles and wrinkles.

• Sun Overexposure: Excessive UV radiation from the sun is the leading cause of early wrinkles. It breaks down your collagen. Sun overexposure may also cause post-inflammatory pigmentation, leading to dark circles under your eyes. 
• Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking affects skin texture, decreases collagen and leads to early wrinkles. Alcohol can also prematurely age your skin by causing inflammation and dehydration. Both may influence dark eye circles as well.
• Lack of Sleep: Not sleeping enough can cause puffy eyelids, which may cast shadows that appear as dark circles. If you already have dark circles, lack of sleep can make them more visible.
• Lack of Nutrients and Water: Some research shows people with dark eye circles have a vitamin B12 deficiency, an iron deficiency (anemia), or both. Dehydration also leads to a dull, sunken, under-eye appearance. For wrinkles, clinical studies show foods containing copper can improve skin elasticity. 
• Chronic Stress: Chronic stress harms your overall health and can increase dark circles. 
• Excessive Screen Time: Long, uninterrupted hours staring at a screen may cause eye strain, leading to swollen blood vessels around your eyes and increasing dark circles.

Natural Remedies for Under-Eye Circles

You can get medical treatments for dark circles, but some natural remedies may help.

• Cold Compress: Place a cold compress under your eyes for 20 minutes. It may decrease inflammation and swollen blood vessels. 
• Cold Green or Black Tea Bags: Place chilled, soaked green or black tea bags on your eyes for 20 minutes. Caffeine and antioxidants in the tea bags can reduce inflammation.
• Elevate Your Pillow: Elevating your head while you sleep may stop blood from pooling under your eyes, causing dark circles. 
• Try Topical Products: You can get over-the-counter products to treat dark eye circles. Look for products that contain the following natural ingredients: kojic acid, arbutin, aloe vera, caffeine, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Studies have shown they may help.
• Drink Water: If you wake up with dark circles, drink plenty of water to rehydrate yourself.

Natural Remedies to Reduce Wrinkles

Here are some natural ways to reduce wrinkles if you don’t want to do a medical or chemical procedure.

• Coconut Oil: Moisturizing your skin with coconut oil can fill lines and creases by plumping your cells. 
• Beta-carotene: Beta-carotene is an antioxidant found in orange fruits and vegetables. Some studies show it may slightly repair and reduce wrinkles while improving elasticity.
• Lemon Balm Leaf Extract Tea: One study showed drinking lemon balm leaf extract tea improved skin elasticity in women’s cheeks.
• Olive Oil Facial Massage: Some research shows facial massages can reduce wrinkles by improving circulation. Adding olive oil will give your skin some antioxidants and healthy fats.
• Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods: Pack your diet with “superfoods” or foods with high amounts of nutrients. Include salmon, Greek yogurt, avocados, artichokes, dark leafy greens, walnuts, and almonds in your diet for overall skin health. 

Keep Your Skin Healthy

While dark under-eye circles and wrinkles can be a natural part of aging, there are some steps you can take to prevent them. The most important thing you can do is wear sunscreen to protect yourself from UV radiation, even on cloudy days. 

Focus on drinking plenty of water, eat nutrient-dense foods, get enough sleep, reduce stress, and avoid smoking and alcohol for long-lasting skin health. 

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