Raccoons are among the most adorable creatures on earth. Their little robber-mask faces look irresistible — on them. Conversely, the dark circles around your eyes only make you appear tired. 

What can you do to appear more alert and remedy this pesky problem? Here are nine natural remedies for dark circles that help no matter how much midnight oil you burn. 

1. Cold Compresses 

Why do you get dark circles under your eyes when you’re tired? Your skin becomes paler, which makes all the tiny veins and capillaries around these organs appear darker. The results worsen when your skin gets puffy, making it appear even thinner. 

Cold compresses help decrease the swelling that can make dark circles more apparent. You never want to apply ice directly to your bare skin. Wrap an ice pack or a few cubes in a cloth. Another trick is to wet the fabric itself and stick it in the freezer for a few minutes until it gets cold and rest it over your sore, tired eyes. 

2. Cucumbers 

Cucumbers deliver a one-two punch to those dark circles under your eyes, making them a great natural remedy. They have the cooling power of a cold compress, and you can use slices fresh from your crisper drawer. Rest with them over your peepers for about 20 minutes. 

Cucumbers possess one benefit above ice or gel packs. They contain natural vitamin K, a nutrient known to strengthen blood vessel walls, camouflaging the fluid they contain. You might want to add a few to your next salad as well as use them as a spot beauty treatment. 

3. Tomatoes and Lemon Juice 

Tomatoes nourish your skin with antioxidants like lycopene that protect your skin from the sun. One of the unpleasant effects of too much sun exposure is thinning skin, leading to dark circles. As with the above cucumber trick, you can use tomatoes inside and out to promote beauty. Perhaps you want to whip up a salad containing both veggies for lunch. 

Lemon juice has citric acid that helps to lighten your skin, brightening the appearance of dark circles. Mix up a treatment consisting of one tablespoon of tomato juice and one tablespoon of lemon juice. Blend the ingredients well, and use a cotton ball to apply to your face for around 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat this remedy once a week until you get the desired results. 

4. Milk 

Milk contains lactic acid, which can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Morning-after puffiness usually leaves the skin around your eyes looking more crepey than usual, making dark circles appear more prominent. Use this remedy to nourish skin back to tightness. 

All you have to do is soak two cotton balls or pads in the liquid for a few minutes. Then, apply to your eyes while you lie back and relax. 

5. Almond Oil and Vitamin E 

Here’s another remedy that is extra-gentle and nurturing if you’re someone with dry, sensitive skin. Almond oil is rich in various antioxidants that protect your skin from UV damage, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Vitamin E is one such antioxidant — adding a little extra to the mix gives this blend extra power. One 2004 study found it moderately effective at removing dark circles when applied topically. 

6. Rosewater 

You might have seen rosewater at fancy department store beauty counters. What makes it so great for your skin and a natural remedy for dark circles? 

Rosewater has anti-inflammatory properties that can ease skin swelling, eliminating those morning-after bags. As a bonus, it also kills bacteria, making it glorious if you also battle acne. 

7. Cold Tea Bags 

If you’re a tea junkie like yours truly, take heed — not any old tea bag will do. To get the most out of this natural remedy for dark circles, you’ll want to use green or black tea bags. 

Why? Both contain caffeine, the magical ingredient that helps shrink the swollen blood vessels under your eyes leading to the signature smudge. You can use this treatment both warm and cold — try it both ways to see what you find most effective.

8. Grated or Sliced Potatoes 

Potato slices are the ideal dark circle remedy if you have oily, acne-prone skin. The astringent properties in this root vegetable soak up excess sebum and won’t clog pores. 

This vegetable also helps to tighten your skin, reducing bagginess. You can stick a spud in the refrigerator and use the slices once they get cold. 

9. Iron Supplements 

One possible cause for dark circles is insufficient iron intake. You might be prone to anemia, especially if you recently switched to a vegetarian or vegan diet and haven’t yet incorporated enough plant-based alternatives to red meat. 

As a result, your blood carries less oxygen to your tissues, making them appear darker. In one 2014 study, over half of the individuals who took iron supplements for anemia reported a reduction in this condition. 

Natural Remedies for Dark Circles 

You don’t have to go on your big date night resembling a raccoon. Try one of these natural remedies for dark circles and look your wide-awake best.