Skin and Hair
Dark Circles Under Your Eyes: What Causes Them and What Helps
Why do I have dark circles under my eyes, and how do I get rid of them? Dark circles are very common, and they can make you look tired in photos even when you feel fine. The answer depends on what is causing yours, because there are a few different types.
What causes dark circles
Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic list the same common causes:
- Genetics. Dark circles often run in families.
- Thin skin and visible blood vessels. The skin under the eyes is thin, so blood vessels can show through as a blue or purple tint. This gets more noticeable with age.
- Shadows from hollows. As we age, the area under the eye can sink a little, making a hollow called a tear trough. The shadow it casts looks like a dark circle.
- Extra pigment. Sun exposure and past skin irritation can leave brown color under the eyes. This is more common in people with brown or Black skin.
- Eczema and allergies. Itchy skin and rubbing make blood vessels swell and can darken the skin over time.
- Lifestyle. Poor sleep, stress, smoking, and a lot of alcohol can all make circles look worse.
A simple check can give you a hint. Gently stretch the skin under your eye. If the color stays the same, it is likely pigment. If it fades, it is more likely blood vessels or a shadow.
What you can do at home
DermNet and Cleveland Clinic suggest these simple steps:
- Sleep well. Aim for at least seven hours a night.
- Raise your head. An extra pillow can stop fluid from pooling under your eyes overnight.
- Use a cold compress. Cold spoons or a cool cloth can shrink puffy skin and blood vessels for a while.
- Stop rubbing your eyes. Treat allergies or eczema so you are not scratching.
- Wear sunscreen and sunglasses. This helps keep pigment from getting darker.
- Try concealer. A light concealer with a yellow or peach tone can cover dark circles well.
DermNet notes that many under eye creams sold in stores do not have good proof that they work. Products with caffeine may help a little with the blood vessel type. Vitamin C may help a little with the pigment type.
What a dermatologist can do
If home steps are not enough, a dermatologist can figure out your type and suggest a plan. A review of 39 studies in Dermatologic Surgery found that fillers and fat grafting work best for hollows, eyelid surgery works best for loose skin, creams and peels help pigment, and lasers help some people with the blood vessel or pigment type. The review also said the research is limited, so results vary from person to person.
A dark circle or swelling under only one eye that keeps getting worse is not normal tiredness. It can be a sign of something else going on.
Looking less tired in photos
Light matters a lot. Overhead light makes eye shadows deeper, so face a window or shoot outside in soft light instead. Tilting your chin slightly down and toward the light also helps. A good night of sleep before a photo day can make a real difference too. If you want to know which photos make you look the most fresh and awake, The Face They See lets people of the opposite gender rank your photos for free.
Bottom line
Most dark circles are harmless and come from genes, aging, thin skin, or pigment. Sleep, sun protection, a cold compress, and concealer handle a lot of it. For stubborn circles, a dermatologist can match the treatment to your type, which works better than guessing with creams.