HAVING been given a cruel nickname throughout high school, one woman was determined to brighten her dark under-eye circles.
She shared two steps that “drastically” brightened her skin after years of being called “panda.”
The woman shared how she improved her dark circles in a post on Reddit’s Indian Skincare Addicts forum.
She said her lifelong dark circles were her “biggest insecurity” and so she tried everything to get rid of them.
“I lived my entire life thinking my dark circles were genetic because every woman in my family has them,” she said, writing under the handle EnvironmentalBox5289.
“Turns out, it was a combination of iron and vitamin B deficiency that every woman in my family has as a vegetarian.
“Even if you’re not vegetarian, there’s a strong chance you could still be deficient if you have dark circles. I cannot emphasize this enough.”
The Redditor said anemia and vitamin B deficiency are very common among Indian women and dark circles are a related side effect.
She revealed it’s been a year since she had tests for vitamin deficiencies which led to her taking iron and vitamin B12 supplements.
She said her health has benefitted and her dark circles have “improved by 50%.”
“Last year I looked like someone punched me in my eye, now they look drastically better,” she said.
“I’m hopeful that with continuous use they improve even more.”
She said her morning beauty routine includes hyaluronic acid, snail mucin, or lotion to keep the area around her eyes hydrated.
At night, she applies one drop of The Ordinary’s niacinamide serum and waits for it to dry before applying CeraVe Eye Repair Cream and Reviva Labs Vitamin K Cream.
“Honestly it took a few months, 7-8 months,” she said.
“Iron takes 3 months to show up in the blood, plus additional vitamin B as well.
“My honest advice would be to be patient.
“Now after a year, my dark circles have improved by 50% so the pace is slow but it’s definitely a solution.”
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The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum, $6, Sephora
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, $8.07, Walmart
Vitamin K Créme, $22, Reviva Labs
Many people upvoted the post and thanked the woman for sharing what worked for her.
“This gives me some hope… Some dermats prescribed some expensive creams, didn’t work,” one person said.
“The latest dermat consultation said fillers are the only option I have.
“No one ever mentioned anything about deficiencies, diet, or blood tests.”
“Same situation op.. my left eye is more pigmented than my right one looks like it has been punched,” another said.
“Got tested and turns out B12 and D3 deficiency. Taking supplements and eating right has helped a lot recently.”
According to Healthline, vitamin B12 supports healthy skin and hair but excess levels of it can cause complications.
Symptoms of a deficiency include fatigue, pale or yellowish skin, headaches, and mental impairment.
Similarly, an iron deficiency may cause fatigue, dizziness, pale skin, and weakness.
It is best to book a blood test with your doctor if you suspect that you may have a nutrient deficiency.
