Are dark circles stopping you from looking your best? There is one ingredient that may help, and it’s been around for years, says editor Trudi Brewer. Read on to learn more.
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Sleepless nights and genetics are two reasons you may be sporting dark circles. Diet and lifestyle can all contribute, but all you want is for them to be gone, right? If you’re constantly trying to cover them, there’s an age-old ingredient that could help - it’s arnica. Dermatologist Kim Nichols believes, "Arnica is a botanical ingredient known for its anti-inflammatory properties (you may already be familiar with it for bruising and muscle relief). In addition, it works by stimulating white blood cells to relieve congestion under the skin. How it works is that it boosts healing by reducing the appearance of oedema and dark bruising. “I always encourage all my patients to incorporate topical arnica into their post-treatment regimens to reduce swelling and bruising," says Nichols, who believes it also translates into helping diminish dark circles.
What is arnica
Arnica belongs to the daisy family or Asteraceae, and it grows in the mountains of North America, Siberia and the Arctic. A famous homoeopathic herb, used for centuries thanks to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits to treat pains and bruises. Once on the skin, it can also speed up wound healing, soothe bug bites, and treat dandruff. Still, as far as bruising and dark circles go, arnica is epic. It helps stimulate your body's natural healing process, boosting blood flow to the area, which reduces swelling and reabsorbs bruising.
Here’s the Eye care that contains arnica
APOTCARE OPTIEYE – Dark Circles Correction, $62.
This convenient roller ball eye cream can help you fake the look of eight hours of sleep, thanks to the lineup of potent brightening ingredients. Arnica and vitamin C with niacinamide all have brilliant antioxidant powers; add horse chestnut to reduce puffiness and a clever peptide Tripeptide-1, and you have one brilliant eye cream - a tip we keep this in the fridge.
PETER THOMAS ROTH Cucumber De-tox Hydra-gel Eye Patches, $93.
A quick fix, these soothing patches are infused with arnica, hyaluronic acid, protein peptides and soothing cucumber extract. Alos kept these in the fridge, they’re brilliant as a soothing eye treat after a long day.
Clark's Botanicals Anti-Puff Eye Cream, $119.
If puffiness and dark circles are your under-eye issue, this natural cream has a cocktail of vitamins and peptides to help. Including jasmine flower extract, caffeine and arnica, with salicylic acid gently, this formula exfoliates and brightens, while hyaluronic acid boosts moisture in the skin.
Mecca Cosmetica Hydrating Eye Cream, $47.
Weightless, this cream was created to invigorate, moisturise and replenish the eye area and to use both am and pm. The formula is packed with brightening, niacinamide and vitamin C, as well as arnica Montana flower extract.
Kosas Revealer Concealer, $58.
Conceal dark circles and brighten the skin simultaneously with this concealer that is boosted with arnica, caffeine and vitamin B5. At the same time, the protein peptides and hyaluronic acid smooth fine lines and lock in moisture. There are 28 inclusive colours.
Ere Perez Arnica Concealer, $47.
This natural formula contains carnauba wax, cocoa seed butter, and sunflower seed oil and is boosted by soothing and brightening arnica flower extract. The addition of vitamin E also helps to hydrate the delicate skin under the eyes. There are three shades.
Discover the latest products to try this season.