Many of us have at one time or another suffered from unattractive eyes. Whether you stayed up late cramming for that final, spent too much time in the sun or perhaps cried your eyes out at your favorite tearjerker movie, unsightly bags, wrinkles and dark circles are no picnic.

So what are the most common cosmetic eye problems and what can you do to remedy them?

Dark Circles: The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of dark circles under eyes. Other possible causes may be culprit, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Persistent eye rubbing

• Sleep difficulty- (e.g. stress, depression, sleep disorders, etc.).

• Allergies (hay fever, dust allergy, mold allergy).

• Eczema - i.e. eczema in the skin under the eyes.

• Pale skin may accentuate the dark rings.

• Inherited eye blood vessel condition - dark circles under the eyes can run in families.

• Aging

• Dehydration

• Nasal congestion

• Black eye due to trauma

Cows Feet and Wrinkles

With age our skin grows thin. It loses its elasticity and natural sheen. The area under the eyes is highly delicate and is the most vulnerable to aging. Under eye wrinkles are the earliest signs of aging. While developing eye wrinkles is pretty natural, the particular age of developing wrinkles can vary greatly based on lifestyle choices. Premature wrinkles will primarily result from excessive sun and UV exposure but can also develop from improper sleeping postures, dehydration, pollution and smoking.

Puffy / Swollen Eyes

Puffy eyes can be caused by many factors. These include fluid retention, stress, allergies, hormone changes, and other factors. When we cry, it is often accompanied by swollen eyes. When we cry, salt-filled tears make direct contact with our eyes. Salt is one of the leading causes of water retention, the salt in our tears cause the affected area (the eyes) to swell, leading to temporary puffiness. Puffy eyes after sleeping can be caused by different factors such as too much sodium in a diet causing water retention, tossing and turning and not getting enough sleep, or excessive drinking of alcohol or medical conditions.

Following are some natural ways to treat puffy eyes:

• Wash face with ice cold water

• Limit sodium intake

• Drink plenty of water to flush toxins from your system

• Place two slices of cool cucumber on the eyes for several minutes

• Moisten two tea bags in cold water, chill them in the refrigerator and place them over closed eyelids for several minutes – the tannic acid in the tea draws out impurities.

• For allergies and puffy eyes, try to find the item causing the allergic reaction and minimize or eliminate use; (you may need medication in the form of shots or prescription drugs).

• Try a soothing eye cream with Aloe and Vitamin E.

Key Ingredients in a Natural Anti-Aging Eye Creams

Beta Carotene —Dermatologists use beta-carotene for its ability to increase cell turn-over and regeneration in the outer layers of the skin, making it effective for diseases and skin conditions. Topical application of beta-carotene in retailed skin care products can enhance the appearance of the skin by restoring suppleness and adding a "glowing" pigment that seemingly evens out the skin tone. Beta-carotene's antioxidant attributes, such as sun damage protection, are used to prevent the signs of aging in the skin.

Aloe vera —Stimulates cell renewal, has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, 20 amino acids (the building blocks of cell tissue). It is beneficial for skin eruptions and for the treatment of bruises and burns. It is a cellular regenerator.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) —Antioxidant, protects skin, helps increase elasticity, nourishes and tightens.

Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate)— protects cells with antioxidants, ultra violet light, pollution, and damaging free radicals. Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.