Quick Facts
About
- There are diverse environmental and genetic causes for under eye dark circles.
- Dark circles caused by thinning skin, inflammation, or fatigue can be improved with under-eye creams and serums.
- Dark circles caused by genetics or bone structure cannot be improved with topical applications.
Treatments
- Creams or serums containing clinically proven active ingredients, such as caffeine or niacinamide, can help to reduce puffiness, and plump up the skin under the eyes.
- Products work best when applied regularly.
- For more permanent, dramatic improvements, surgical procedures like blepharoplasty are an option.
Dark circles beneath the lower eyelids, or periorbital hyperpigmentation, are a common aesthetic concern that tends to be more common among women than men. They typically impart a fatigued and aged appearance to the face.
What Causes Dark Circles?
Dark circles are caused by diverse environmental and hereditary factors. Sometimes a combination of causes are responsible for their appearance.
It is vital to differentiate whether the under eye darkness is due to darkened skin, or is instead shadowing resulting from a sunken tear trough or bone structure.
To determine the cause, the lower eyelid skin can be gently, manually stretched. Pigmented under-eye skin retains its color when stretched. Shadowing under the eyes will improve or resolve entirely.
Dark circles beneath the eyes may be caused by:
Thinning skin due to aging
Eyelid skin is one of the thinnest areas of skin found on the body. With age, collagen production begins to slow down so the blood vessels beneath the surface of the skin become more visible. Fat loss and skin laxity beneath the eyes also contributes to the thinning of eyelid skin.
Allergies
Under eye circles that result from allergies are called allergic shiners. Congestion of the nose and sinuses cause dark pigmentation to appear beneath the eyes, creating an effect similar to bruises. Histamines released by the body cause the blood vessels beneath the eye to dilate and become more prominent through the skin.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis of the eyelids causes an inflammatory reaction. The skin of the eyelids is very sensitive to irritants and allergens. Dermatitis can be caused by contact with a trigger substance, or may be chronic (eczema). Swelling, itching, or burning may result, and the under eye area will appear darkened.
Fatigue
Inadequate sleep can make the skin appear pale, accentuating undereye circles. Lack of sleep can also cause fluid retention. Puffiness under the eyes can cast shadows, causing the under eye area to appear violet.
Dehydration
Dehydration can result in a sunken, dry appearance under the eyes.
Eye strain
Prolonged staring at a screen can strain the eyes and cause the blood vessels to enlarge, contributing to a darker under eye appearance.
» Learn more about the causes and treatments of under eye wrinkles
Dark Circles That Can’t Be Treated With Eye Creams
Under eye creams and serums can help diminish the appearance of under eye circles.
However, there are other reasons an individual may have darkened circles under the eyes that cannot be corrected with topical treatments. These include:
Genetics
Individuals with thin, translucent skin are more likely to experience prominent dark shadows beneath the eyes.
Ethnicity
Individuals of Asian or African descent are more prone to experience increased under eye pigmentation.
Bone structure
Individuals with prominent cheekbones or brow ridges may experience shadows under the eyes due to their facial anatomy.
Sunken tear troughs
A prominent tear trough gives the eye a sunken appearance. As subcutaneous fat beneath the eye begins to descend with age, dark shadows are cast under the eyes.
Many people believe they have dark circles, when in fact the hollowness of the tear troughs (or infraorbital hollow) causes a shadow that only “looks” like dark circles. An easy way to determine whether you have dark circles or not is to look upwards at lighting above you – if the “dark circles” go away when you look up, it’s more likely a hollowness issue that can only be fixed with dermal fillers.
What You Can Do to Prevent Dark Circles from Forming
Preventing dark circles is preferable to treating them once they’re already apparent. The following techniques can help to ward off under eye circles caused by environmental and lifestyle factors.
Reduce your salt intake
Highly processed foods often contain excessive quantities of sodium. Reduce your intake of sodium-rich snack foods such as potato chips as they encourage fluid retention. Opt for low salt options, and eat plenty of hydrating fresh fruit and vegetables.
Sleep with your head elevated
Try to sleep on your back with your head and chest slightly elevated. This encourages fluid to drain away from the face.
Drink plenty of water
Regular hydration keeps the delicate skin under the eyes plump and firm.
Get plenty of sleep
7-8 hours of sleep helps to keep the skin glowing.
At-Home Treatments
There is a variety of straightforward natural treatments you can try at home to combat the appearance of under eye circles. These are targeted at reducing dark circles caused by inadequate sleep, irritants and allergens.
Soaked tea bags
Tea contains caffeine and antioxidants that help constrict the blood vessels beneath the eyes, stimulate blood circulation and reduce fluid retention. Soak black or green tea bags in boiling water, then leave them to chill in the refrigerator. Once they’re cold, the tea bags can be applied to the eyes for 15-20 minutes.
Cold compresses
A cold compress gently applied beneath the eyes encourages the constriction of blood vessels, helping to reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Cucumber
Cucumber contains antioxidants that can help to brighten the appearance under the eyes. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect to help reduce swelling and puffiness. Place thick slices of chilled cucumber over the eyes for ten minutes, then gently rinse the treated areas.
Five Products to Banish Dark Circles
There are prolific eye creams and serums available that guarantee to vanquish dark circles. Of the many topical treatments on the market, some offer superior results because they include active ingredients that have been clinically tested to support the delicate periorbital region.
Our top five products include powerhouse natural ingredients, which are ideal for diminishing under eye darkness.
Caffeine
Deciem’s The Ordinary Caffeine Solution
Deciem’s The Ordinary Caffeine Solution boasts a dynamic combination of 5% caffeine teamed with EGCG catechin sourced from green tea leaves.
Caffeine works to constrict blood vessels, reducing discoloration, while EGCG helps to diminish inflammation and re-hydrate skin cells.
Pros
- Minimal allergens
- Caffeine instantly reduces puffiness
- Vegan
- Competitively priced
Cons
- Results can take a month or longer to become apparent
Retinol
ROC’s Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging Eye Cream
ROC’s Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging Eye Cream uses a dermatologist-tested retinol formulation that’s ideal for renewing the skin under the eyes and eradicating dark circles.
Dermatologists have long been devotees of retinol for its skin-regenerative properties. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and helps to accelerate skin cell turnover. Dull, aged skin cells are removed and replaced by new, fresh skin cells.
Pros
- Retinol improves the appearance of fine lines
- Collagen plumps the under eye area
- Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
Cons
- Retinol can irritate the skin
Niacinamide
Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Eye Cream incorporates niacinamide with mineral pigments to diffuse light, softening the appearance of undereye circles.
Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is a natural, water-soluble vitamin. It improves the skin’s barrier function by preventing the loss of water. It helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles by strengthening the surface of the skin. Niacinamide can also help diminish dullness and hyperpigmentation, by extension lightening and brightening the under eye area.
Pros
- Minerals attract light under the eyes
- Niacinamide strengthens and smooths the skin
- Cucumber extract eliminates puffiness and inflammation
Cons
- Slight scent may irritate
Glycolic Acid
Mario Badescu’s Glycolic Eye Cream
Mario Badescu’s Glycolic Eye Cream harnesses glycolic acid to address uneven tone and texture. The result is more radiant, smoother under eye skin.
Glycolic acid works by gently exfoliating the skin. When applied, it provokes a chemical reaction that loosens dead skin cells from the outermost layers. The result is a smoother, more even under eye appearance, helping the delicate skin beneath the eyes to better reflect light, so it glows.
Pros
- Cocoa butter and olive leaf extract plump the skin
- Glycolic acid smooths the appearance of fine lines
Cons
- Regular application is required for best results
Hyaluronic Acid
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid contains purified hyaluronic acid, to rapidly quench the under eye area.
Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the body, with the molecules able to hold 1,000 times their weight in water. When applied under the eyes, it attracts moisture to bolster and plump the skin’s appearance, thus minimizing the visibility of the blood vessels.
Pros
- Fragrance free and oil free.
- Gel-cream formulation that glides on
- Glycerin to deeply moisturize
Cons
- Some synthetic compounds
Medical Treatments
Medical treatments can specifically target the cause of the under eye circles and dramatically improve or permanently remove them. A consultation with an experienced, board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon is instrumental in determining the cause of your under eye pigmentation or shadows, and selecting the appropriate medical treatment.
Platelet rich plasma (PRP)
PRP is a regenerative treatment which encourages the body to increase production of collagen around the eyes, helping to plump thin skin and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty
This is a surgical procedure performed to smooth out and remove excess puffy skin from under the eyes. Some variations of the procedure can also redistribute under eye fat.
Dermal fillers
Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can be injected into prominent tear troughs to fill out hollows under the eyes, restoring volume.
Laser therapy
Lasers can help reduce the appearance of dark circles caused by hyper-pigmentation or prominent blood vessels under the eyes. The Q-switched laser has been shown to be particularly effective.
Chemical peels
Mild chemical peels can represent a good approach to improving the appearance of dark circles caused by hyper-pigmentation.
The Takeaway
If you suffer from under eye circles, determining the cause or causes is essential to selecting a successful treatment.
Clinically tested under eye products that target thinning skin, puffiness, or fatigued eyes can help to soften the appearance of dark circles.
For a more dramatic or permanent correction, medical treatment may be preferable. You can meet our medical review team to help you determine the most suitable treatment approach.
