What causes dark circles under the eyes?

There’s a number of factors which can contribute to the appearance of dark eye circles. The most common ones include:

Ageing:

As we age, our skin becomes thinner and loses more collagen (a protein that gives our skin that ‘elasticated’ feeling). This can make blood vessels appear more visible beneath our skin, especially in spots where the layer of skin is thinner, like under the eyes.

Lifestyle factors:

Getting poor quality of sleep, having an unbalanced diet or being dehydrated can worsen the appearance of any darkness under the eyes.

Allergies:

allergic reactions can lead to inflammation and swelling around and under the eyes, contributing to the appearance of dark circles.

Genetics:

Some people are just naturally predisposed to the appearance of dark circles than others.

How to reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes

While you may not be able to get rid of dark circles permanently, there are some ways you can help reduce their appearance and keep them at bay. Tailor your skincare routine with:

Hydrating eye creams

Look for eye creams that contain hydrating ingredients, as these will work to plump the appearance of the skin around the eyes, therefore reducing the look of dark circles. Our Instant Brightening Eye Cream is a lightweight hydrator, using smoothing horse chestnut flower and hydrating borage seed oil and echinacea extract to help revive the appearance of the eye contour.

Brightening ingredients

Choose ingredients that can help brighten the appearance of the skin, like vitamin C or the green tea extract you’ll find in our Superskin™ Eye Cream. Our nourishing formula, with firming paracress flower and pomegranate flower extracts, brightens the look of the entire eye area and help reduce the look of puffiness.

Sunscreen

As UV rays are responsible for breaking down collagen, protecting your skin from the sun could help dimmish the look of dark circles. Daily application of our Environmental Defence Cream Mineral SPF 25 helps protect your skin from the elements while enhancing your skin’s natural defence barrier. Take care when applying to avoid the eye area. If the product gets into the eyes, wash out immediately.

Lifestyle changes to help remove dark circles

There are a few lifestyle habits you can incorporate to help reduce the appearance of dark circles naturally.

Get a good night’s sleep

Sleep is crucial for a bright, glowing complexion and well-rested eyes. Aim for seven to eight hours a night and design a bedtime routine that promotes a restful night’s sleep – such as cutting down on your screen time in the hours before bed.

Stay hydrated

While choosing the right skincare can help hydrate areas of dry skin, it’s important to be hydrated from the inside out. Aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day, as this will help maintain your skin’s elasticity and reduce any puffiness.

Reduce your alcohol and caffeine consumption

Both alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate the body, which runs the risk of making dark circles more noticeable.

Use a cold compress

If puffiness is something you’re dealing with, a cold compress can help reduce any swelling and constrict blood vessels, diminishing dark circles. Apply the compress for around 10 minutes in the morning and evening, or try this with cooled cucumber slices.

Eat a balanced diet

Foods that are rich in vitamins like vitamin C, E and K or iron can help you maintain the appearance of normal skin. Reducing your salt intake can also be helpful – excessive salt can cause water retention which can contribute to puffiness.

Lower your stress levels

Chronic stress can take a toll on your skin. If you’re dealing with higher stress levels, incorporating stress-relieving practices into your day could help you maintain you overall skin health. Consider trying things like meditation or deep breathing exercises, or try some gentle physical activity.
So, while it’s hard to get rid of dark circles under the eyes entirely, with tweaks to lifestyle habits and a consistent skincare routine, it can be possible to substantially reduce their appearance. It just takes a touch of patience and persistence.