Dark circles under your eyes can impact your entire day – not only do make you look tired, but they can make you feel drained, dull your complexion, and just generally bum you out. 

But don’t get too down – whether dark circles are something that bother you every morning or just once in a while, there are many things you can do to combat the effects and brighten up your eyes. 

Here, we explain what causes dark circles and talk through natural remedies and dark circle skincare products that can quickly take you from feeling blah to looking fab.

From general lifestyle changes to super quick makeup fixes, consider this your ultimate guide to fighting dark circle under your eyes.

What causes dark circles?

There are a ton of things that can cause dark circles under your eyes. The most common ones are:

Not enough sleep: Fatigue wreaks havoc on your body, causing a decrease of blood flow around your eyes. This in turn causes your skin to look pale, allowing dark tissue and blood vessels to show up more easily – hello, dark circles.

Lack of sleep can also lead to fluid buildup beneath your eyes, which creates that puffy, sleepy look.

Age: Skin gets thinner and loses its elasticity over time, which causes the dark tissue and blood vessels beneath your eyes to look more prominent.

Eye strain: Over-focussing your eyes on something – like your phone or computer screen – for long periods of time causes strain. The blood vessels around your eyes can grow larger, creating a darker appearance.

Deficiencies: Dark circles under eyes can be related to low iron and nutrient deficiencies, such as low vitamin K, E, A, and C.  

Allergies: Allergic reactions can cause your blood vessels to grow bigger, which creates a dark appearance. This can be even more prominent if your eyes are irritated and you’re constantly scratching or rubbing them.

Dehydration: When you’re dehydrated, your skin loses its full and even tone, which can cause your eyes to look sunken and dark.

Too much sun: Overexposure to the sun can lead to uneven coloring and pigmentation on your face, causing the area around your eyes to look shadowy and dark.

Genetics: Some people are genetically predisposed to darker coloring under their eyes. Bone structure can also cast shadows on your face, causing the area beneath your eyes to look darker.

How to fix dark circles under your eyes

The best method for treating dark circles under your eyes will really depend on what’s causing them in the first place.

From general lifestyle changes to specific products and methods, there are a variety of things that can help improve the appearance and boost the health of your skin.

Best skincare products for dark circles

There are many amazing products that are designed to treat dark under eye circles by injecting nutrients and stimulants into the affected area. From anti-aging creams to daily moisturizers, choose a product that suits your needs and routine.

Because the under-eye area is a sensitive spot, it’s important to get to know the ingredients and solutions for dark circles so you can make sure you find a treatment that’s right for you.

Eye cream

Eye creams are the most popular treatment for under eye circles, and there are many types that you can incorporate into your daily skincare routine.

Different eye cream ingredients help to target specific causes of dark circles:

• Aloe Vera: Anti-inflammatory, reduces fluid, contains vitamin E and amino acids that help to reduce pigmentation.
• Retinol: Stimulates collagen production, builds skin firmness.
• Vitamins A, C, E, and K: Decrease pigmentation, even out skin tone, moisturize, increase collagen production.
• Hyaluronic acid: Hydrate skin, stimulate collagen production.

The best eye cream for under eye circles

Some of our favorite eye creams for dark circles under the eyes are:

Skinmedica Instant Bright Eye Cream 

Face peels 

Face peels can be a great treatment for under eye circles, as they can help to soothe your skin and reduce pigmentation. As they are more intensive than daily skincare products, face peels should only be used once or twice a month.

Makeup

When your schedule is packed and dark circles are getting you down, makeup can be the boost you need to conquer your day:

• Start with foundation and concealer to even out skin tone. Use a shade that’s lighter than your natural tone to balance out the dark circles.
• When applying concealer, tap it on gently from the corner of your eye to the middle, then blend outwards in smooth lines.
• If you’re planning on wearing mascara and eyeliner, go for a quality, waterproof option that won’t smudge throughout the day and recreate the dark circles you’ve so masterfully concealed!

Some of our favorite foundation and concealers are:

 Osmosis Beauty Age Defying Treatment Concealer

Lifestyle changes to combat dark circles

Get more sleep: Try to get 7-8 hours of quality of sleep each night. Consider using an extra pillow to keep your head elevated and encourage blood flow in your face, which might help reduce that under-eye shadow.

Drink more water: Staying hydrated will keep your skin looking full and fresh, encouraging healthy blood flow and improving your overall color.

Wear sun protection: Yes, another reason to wear sunscreen! Protecting your skin from UV rays will ensure even pigmentation across your face, preventing patchy areas and the appearance of dark circles.

Remove makeup carefully: Be gentle when removing your makeup – use a soothing balm or oil and, warm water. Avoid rubbing the area round your eyes, to prevent irritation.

How to get rid of dark circles naturally

Cold compress: Apply ice cubes or a cold, damp cloth to the area underneath your eyes – this can help to shrink blood vessels and reduce swelling, combatting dark shadows.

Cold tea bags: Soak tea bags in boiling water for a minute or two and then take them out and put them in the fridge until they’ve cooled completely.

Position them underneath your eyes and relax for 10-15 minutes. The caffeine and antioxidants in the tea can help encourage your blood to circulate, shrinking blood vessels and reducing dark coloring.

Cucumber: Yup, this age-old beauty classic can really help! Cucumbers contain vitamin C, and can help moisturize and nourish your skin.

Place two cold slices over your eyes so they cover the dark area and relax for 15 minutes or so.

Potatoes: If you don’t have cucumbers in the fridge, potatoes can achieve similar results! They’re also rich in vitamin C. Cover your eyes with two cold slices.

Avocado face mask: Avocado can moisturize your skin, improve elasticity, and encourage blood circulation. Mash up a ripe avocado and smooth it evenly over your face (including under your eyes).

Answers to FAQs about dark circles

Dark under eye circles can often be improved with a combination of the right skincare routine and healthy lifestyle choices. Here, we answer some of the most popular questions we get about dark under eye circles.   

What deficiency causes dark circles?

Dark under eye circles can be caused by a variety of deficiencies, including:

• Iron deficiency (anemia): When cells don’t have enough oxygen, skin becomes pale and dark circles show through.
• Vitamin K deficiency: Capillaries break down, creating a dark pallor.
• Vitamin A, E or C deficiency: Skin loses elasticity and blood vessels widen, creating a dull effect.

Are dark circles permanent?

It depends – if your dark circles are a result of genetics, it might be difficult to eliminate them entirely. However, you can still reduce the intensity by following healthy lifestyle habits and using appropriate skincare products.

If your dark circles are linked to lack of sleep, poor nutrition, or a deficiency, you may be able to eliminate them with the right changes and treatment.

Does drinking water reduce dark circles?

Yes – staying hydrated will boost your overall coloring and appearance, reducing pale skin and a shadowy, sunken look.

Does drinking coffee cause dark circles?

It depends – coffee can trigger factors that cause dark circles, such as dehydration and trouble sleeping. If you drink coffee, try to do it not too soon before bed and balance it out with by drinking lots of water throughout the day.

What should I eat to remove dark circles? Which fruit is best? 

When choosing foods that combat dark circles, think about upping your iron and vitamin consumption. Some of our favorites are:

• Green veggies like broccoli, spinach, kale
• Cauliflower and cabbage
• Lentils and beans
• Nuts, seeds, and sunflower oil
• Fish and eggs

 Some of the best fruits include:

• Lemon
• Oranges
• Papaya
• Watermelon
• Apricot
• Mango

Is aloe vera good for dark circles?

Yes, aloe vera can be an effective method for treating dark under eye circles. It contains many things that can help combat poor blood flow and dullness, including vitamin E and amino acids, which help to soothe the area, reduce inflammation, and even out pigmentation.

Can ice remove dark circles?

Yes, ice can help treat dark circles. It reduces puffiness and swelling by shrinking the blood vessels, causing them to firm up and restore your skin’s natural color.

We know how frustrating it can be to drag dark under eye circles around with you all day. With the right lifestyle choices and a good skincare routine, you can boost your complexion and conquer your to-do list with confidence.

Check out our full collection of products for dark circles. Have your own failsafe tips for treating under eye bags? Share them with us on Social.