What Vitamins to Take for Dark Circles Under the Eyes

The skin underneath the eyes is some of the thinnest skin on the body. There are several blood vessels in this area and there are a few factors that can cause them to show through the skin. Sleep and vitamin deficiency are the two most prevalent factors causing those ugly circles under your eyes. By eating the proper vitamins and acquiring adequate amounts of sleep, you can get rid of your "raccoon eyes" in no time.

Vitamin K

• The best way to prevent dark circles underneath your eyes is by getting adequate amounts of sleep. But you can also add some cream to the skin around your eyes to help fade the circles faster. Look for creams that contain vitamin K. Vitamin K helps to make sure that the blood around the eyes clots properly, eventually preventing seepage. When the blood doesn't clot properly, it starts to show through the skin underneath your eyes, and you get those ugly black circles. Simply rub the cream under your eyes before you fall asleep and you'll notice the dark circles going away. You can also increase your intake of vitamin K by eating green leafy vegetables and fruits like avocado and kiwi.

Vitamin A

• Vitamin A contains many antiaging benefits that can help your skin. Those looking to get rid of wrinkles and stretch marks alike can also benefit from vitamin A. Find a cream that you can apply underneath your eyes when you go to sleep. You can also use a cream containing retinol, the animal form of vitamin A, that will help diminish those dark circles. You can also increase the level of vitamin A in your diet or by supplementing, but you should never take more than directed. Liver, sweet potatoes, carrots and broccoli are all ideal food sources of vitamin A.

Vitamin C

• Vitamin C also helps remove dark circles under your eyes. It increases collagen and protects the skin against sun and heat damage. The problem is that if you use a topical vitamin C cream, the oxygen will render it ineffective and it may actually be detrimental to your goal. If you want to use a topical cream, you can combine a form of vitamin C, called L-ascorbic acid, with vitamin K and apply it underneath your eyes. Whether you use a topical cream or not, you should make sure you're incorporating a healthy amount of vitamin C in your diet. It can be found in most fruits and some vegetables.

Vitamin E

• Vitamin E doesn't really remove dark circles from underneath your eyes, but it helps regulate vitamin A or retinol that is being used to remove the dark circles. It also protects the body against free radicals that destroy the skin. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that shields the skin against ultraviolet light as well as other harmful factors. It should be orally taken as opposed to topically applied, but you will find many eye creams that list vitamin E as one of their active ingredients. You can find a healthy source of vitamin E in asparagus, avocado, olives, nuts and leafy vegetables.