Under-eye concerns can be a total nuisance, especially under-eye bags. Not only are they unavoidably visible to everyone and anyone (they are sitting right in the middle of your face, after all), but most of the time their appearance is completely out of your control. 

What are dark circles?

Dark circles and puffiness can often be caused by lifestyle habits such as lack of sleep or poor diet. They can also be handled pretty easily thanks to makeup and even a shock of ice. When it comes to under-eye bags, there's not a whole lot you can do to avoid them, as they are primarily caused by genetics and aging (and may be worsened with some life style choices). 

"Some families have under-eye fat pads that stick out from an early age," board-certified dermatologist at Skintap Morgana Colombo, M.D., explains. 

If you're looking to prevent under-eye bags from getting worse without having to seek professional assistance, there are some simple, natural steps you can incorporate into your skin care routine or slight lifestyle changes you can make to see a difference: 

Seven natural remedies for dark circles 

1. Support collagen around the eyes 

To tackle the issue of aging, the best thing you can do is support collagen production around the eye. This will help prevent sagging and promote a stronger barrier for a youthful appearance. You can accomplish this through collagen supplements or topical products such as a retinol.

2. Use skin-supporting under-eye products

Along with retinol-based products, there are lots of other great active-packed serums and creams that can help prevent and improve eye bags. Peptides and Vitamin C can help by promoting collagen production and reducing the breakdown of collagen to treat and prevent signs of aging. Since lack of water can worsen the appearance of under-eye bags, hyaluronic acid can treat this by binding and retaining water to keep skin hydrated and youthful. Lastly, vitamin E's antioxidant ability helps stabilize free radicals, which can speed up signs of aging, while caffeine's antioxidant power can delay the photoaging by protecting against UV ray exposure. 

3. Wear SPF and sunglasses

Even though vitamin E can help with UV protection, it's not enough to truly prevent any real damage. Instead, you'll want to make sure you apply enough SPF and wear protective sunglasses to slow down the sagging of the skin around the eyes. 

4. Use gua sha or jade roller facial tools

If you have a big event coming up and you want to quickly and efficiently improve the appearance of your eyes, Colombo recommends using a gua sha or jade roller. These tools can target puffiness and sagging by promoting lymphatic drainage, which reduces swelling and improves circulation by helping to flush out toxins

5. Decrease salt intake 

If your under-eye bags seem to be getting worse on a daily basis, you may want to take a look at your diet. For instance, a lot of salt intake can dehydrate your skin and cause fluids to build up throughout your body, including under your eyes. Though this may not be the sole cause for eye bags, it can definitely increase their puffiness. Cutting back on salty foods can improve this. 

6. Cut back on alcohol 

Salt isn't the only thing in your diet that may affect your under eyes, but drinking too much alcohol can also cause dehydration and inflammation. So if you want to decrease puffiness and improve dark circles and under-eye bags, cutting back on alcohol intake may help. 

7. Sleep on your back with your head propped up

Not only can more sleep help improve the appearance of eye bags, but this specific sleeping position can give your under-eyes the little boost they need to improve their appearance. "Sleep on your back with your head a little elevated to decrease fluid retention overnight," Colombo says.