Introduction
That frustrating moment when you see dark circles under your eyes in the mirror. Dark circles form when blood circulation around the eye area worsens due to accumulated sleep deprivation, stress, and eye fatigue. Dark circles—which cause bloodshot and dull-looking eyes and can even make you appear older—are a concern for many people.
Traditional medicine has managed dark circles by stimulating acupoints around the eyes to improve local blood circulation and reduce puffiness. Since the eye area is the most sensitive part of the face, precise acupoint stimulation is effective, and you can see improvement within 2-3 weeks through consistent self-acupressure alone. Learn the secret to naturally restoring vitality without medication, starting now.
Five Acupoints Each
1. Zanzhu (BL11 · 攢竹)
Location: Zanzhu is located at the inner end of both eyebrows (where the eyebrows gather toward the nose). As you trace along the inner eyebrow with your finger, you can feel a small indented area.
WHO Code: BL11
Acupressure Technique: Using the first knuckle of your thumb, press vertically or gently push upward to stimulate. Repeat 10 times, pressing for 3 seconds and resting for 1 second. You can apply acupressure to both sides simultaneously.
Benefits: Zanzhu is a key acupoint for relieving eye fatigue. It relaxes muscle tension near the eyebrow and promotes blood circulation around the eyes. Regular stimulation makes it easier to open your eyes and reduces puffiness under the eyes, directly improving dark circles.
2. Taiyang (EX-HN5 · 太陽)
Location: This point is located at the temple, slightly behind (toward the ear) the midpoint of the line connecting the end of the eyebrow and the corner of the eye. Pressing with your finger creates a slightly indented sensation.
WHO Code: EX-HN5
Acupressure Technique: Using the first knuckle of your middle or ring finger, gently massage in a circular motion. Press and push from front to back for 5 seconds, repeating 10 times. Each side takes approximately 30 seconds.
Benefits: Activates blood circulation in the temporal region, relieving tension around the temple and outer corner of the eye. Effective not only for dark circles but also for headaches caused by eye fatigue, and contributes to overall facial puffiness reduction.
3. Tongziliao (GB1 · 瞳子髎)
Location: Located at a point slightly beyond the outer corner of the eye, along a line extending toward the temple. Approximately 1 cm beyond the end of the cheekbone next to the eye.
WHO Code: GB1
Acupressure Technique: Using the tip of your ring finger, gently tap repeatedly, or press for 3 seconds and repeat 10 times. Since this area around the eyes is very sensitive, absolutely avoid strong stimulation and use a light touch.
Benefits: Improves blood circulation on the outer side of the eye and relieves tension in the muscles around the eye. Excellent for removing eye dryness and puffiness under the eyes, and directly affects improving the dark tone of dark circles.
4. Jingming (BL1 · 睛明)
Location: Located at the inner corner of the eye, where the tear gland is on the nose side. Positioned approximately 0.3 cm away from the inner corner of the eye toward the nose. Since this is the most sensitive area, accurate location identification is important.
WHO Code: BL1
Acupressure Technique: This acupoint requires especially careful handling. Using the tip of your ring or middle finger, very gently press around the tear gland for 1-2 seconds and repeat only 5 times. Never press hard or rub.
Benefits: Improves blood circulation around the eye, most quickly promoting eye fatigue recovery. Rapidly improves puffiness and dark discoloration on the inner side of the eye, and is also effective in relieving bloodshot eyes.
5. Geshu (BL23 · 膈俞)
Location: Located approximately 2 cm below the eye, in the indented area below the cheekbone. More precisely, it is the acupoint at the lowest part of the cheekbone when a vertical line is drawn from the center of the eyebrow.
WHO Code: BL23
Acupressure Technique: Using your middle or ring finger, press vertically on the skin for 3-4 seconds or gently massage in a circular motion. Repeat 10 times, taking approximately 30 seconds per side. Rather than pressing downward, apply stimulation with a slight upward lifting sensation.
Benefits: The acupoint with the most direct effect on reducing puffiness under the eyes. Promotes blood circulation between the glabella and under the eyes, improving dark circle tone and effectively reducing swelling. With consistent stimulation, the skin tone under the eyes becomes noticeably brighter.
5-Minute Self-Acupressure Routine
Preparation: Soak your fingers in warm water for 1 minute to raise their temperature. Applying eye cream or essence thinly can reduce friction.
Order and Time Distribution (Total 5 minutes):
- Zanzhu (1 minute) – Stimulate both sides simultaneously, 10 repetitions × 2 sets
- Taiyang (1 minute) – 30 seconds per side × 2 locations
- Tongziliao (1 minute) – 30 seconds per side × 2 locations (very gently)
- Jingming (30 seconds) – 15 seconds per side × 2 locations (minimal stimulation)
- Geshu (1 minute 30 seconds) – 45 seconds per side × 2 locations
Additional Tips: Apply acupressure quickly and firmly in the morning, and slowly and gently in the evening. Resting with your eyes closed for 5 minutes after acupressure can double the blood circulation benefits. Adding 2-3 minutes of cold compress (frozen spoon or ice pack) maximizes the puffiness reduction effect.
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