As a student who sacrifices sleep for studying without a second thought, I can at times be seen roaming campus with those dreaded dark circles. As a result, I am constantly trying out new eye creams and eye gels that all claim to lighten dark circles in just a few days.
However, such products can be expensive and more often than not don’t even work! That’s why I am thrilled to share that I have finally come across an unbelievably affordable and natural “beauty product” that quickly and visibly reduces dark circles and diminishes puffiness: tea bags!
Yes, you read that correctly. Read on to learn how you can use tea bags to relieve tired, puffy eyes!
Table of Contents
What you’ll need:
- Two tea bags (I find green and black tea bags containing caffeine to be the most effective)
- A mug of hot water
- A plate, container, or plastic sandwich bag
How to:
Step One
Take the two tea bags and steep them in hot water for 3-5 minutes.
Step Two
Take the tea bags out and put them in your container of choice (I used a plate). Leave them in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or until cold. While the tea bags are cooling down, you can relax by drinking the mug of delicious tea you just made – yum!
Step Three
Take the tea bags out. Gently squeeze out any excess liquid until the bags are damp and not dripping wet.
Step Four
Lay down and put the tea bags over your eyes. Leave them on for 15-30 minutes. Remove and carefully rinse off any tea stains on your face.
You can use this tea bag eye treatment every single day, once a week, twice a week, once a month, or whatever you prefer! For optimal results though, it is best to use this treatment at least once a week.
How It Works:
You probably have noticed that many eye treatments contain caffeine. This is because caffeine can help shrink blood vessels around your eye, thus reducing puffiness and dark circles.
The tea bags used in this DIY eye treatment not only contain caffeine and beneficial antioxidants, but they also contain tannins. Tannins are responsible for the tea’s color and flavor; most importantly, tannins can also stimulate healthy blood circulation and help tighten and soothe skin.
Risks and Precautions
Always be cautious when using tea bags on your eyes since they can cause irritation. Here are some more things to keep in mind:
- Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least thirty seconds before you touch your eyes.
- Never use hot tea bags — obvious but needs to be said!.
- There is a risk of contamination from bacteria and fungus on the bag itself; if your eyes are at all sensitive, don’t do this. If not, make sure to follow the next step below to kill bacteria.
- If you choose to use a tea bag, make sure it is boiled for at least three minutes before using it.
- Make sure your eyes are completely closed when placing the tea bag over them in order to avoid any potential irritation from contact with eyelids or lashes.
- Careful not to leave the eye area wet after removing the tea bag as this will lead to dryness and irritation.
What Do You Think?
Do you like this super easy DIY? Are you going to try it out? Let me know in the comments below; I’d love to hear what you think!
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