Top Causes of Dark Circles and How to Treat Them

Have you ever woken up in the morning to find dark circles under your eyes, despite having a good night's sleep? Dark circles are a common beauty concern that can make you appear tired and worn out. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, aging, and lifestyle habits. Let’s explore the top causes of dark circles and provide you with effective treatments to help you achieve a brighter and more refreshed appearance.

So, what are dark circles exactly? Under-eye circles, also known as periorbital hyperpigmentation, are those shadowy patches beneath the eyes that result from a mix of lifestyle choices, aging, genetics, and the visibility of blood vessels. They come in various hues, ranging from brown and blue to black or purple.

Shafer notes that these pesky circles don’t discriminate based on age, skin tone, or type. However, they do tend to make more appearances in older individuals and those genetically predisposed to this condition.

What Are The Common Causes of Dark Circles

There can be different reasons for everyone as for some it can be lack of sleep, hydration, sodium intake and for some lifestyle play starring roles in making these circles more prominent. Some of the most common causes for dark circles are:

Genetics

Some folks are born into the under-eye circle club, falling into the hereditary category. Their skin is naturally thinner and paler with more pigment under the eyes, and blood vessels might be more visible. Skin thickness can vary too—being either thicker and opaque or thinner and translucent. The skin's surface itself might be darker due to increased pigmentation. These factors often have a genetic and environmental origin.

Dehydration

Remember, about 60 percent of the human body is water. If dehydration strikes, your body's tissues, including the delicate skin under the eyes, might shrink. So, if you're in your 20s and battling dark circles, consider upping your water intake before resorting to cosmetic treatments.

Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, particularly in B12, E, K, and D, are also culprits in the dark circle saga. If you suspect a deficiency, consulting your primary care physician is a wise move for confirmation and appropriate treatment.

Lack Of Sleep

And let’s not forget the well-known culprit—sleep irregularities. A chaotic schedule may cast shadows under your eyes, making them appear dark and baggy. So, if you're burning the midnight oil, consider giving your eyes the rest they deserve.

How To Treat Dark Circles

While there are many ways you can treat dark circles, here are some ways from natural to professional treatment and from most effective skincare ingredients to the fastest way that is just putting a concealer, check these out.

Natural Way: Take Good Care of Your Under Eyes

Okay so, if you ask me I would conclude this in one sentence and that is “take good care of your under eyes, by actually focusing on small daily habits”. Now, for the details, Let’s start by fixing your sleep schedule, because lack of sleep can bring a lot of disadvantages to your overall health and especially your under eyes. Another way you can naturally better your dark circles is to have your vitamins properly, look into the vitamins you are lacking and try to add a specific vitamin to fill up that space. These two are the major natural ways you can help your dark circles get better and as well your overall health.

Skincare Ingredients: Retinol & Vitamin C

Retinol helps with your overall skin as you must have heard about that active ingredient a lot from dermatologists or even your friends or family who are beauty enthusiasts. I would suggest you to start with a retinol infused night cream if you are new to this ingredient, because it will be easy to make it fix in your skincare routine and as well as understanding the ingredient properly, that if it works for your skin or not. I would suggest the Olay Retinol24 Night Eye Cream ($23). It is tried and tested and is also loved by so many people around the world. This cream claims to get deep into your skin to tackle with all the dullness, dark spots of your skin, so it's a great way to use for dark circles as it actually claims to help with that and make your skin tone even with just a few uses.

Another ingredient is no less than a holy-grail and we are spotting this a lot in today’s skincare products, whether it’s a famous or high end brand or it’s just a newly launched small business. For vitamin C, my personal favorite eye cream is Universal C Eye Perfector Vitamin C Eye Cream, this is highly recommended by many and is too effective for everybody. It is clinically proven that VItamin C helps with dark circles and other common skin issues so, why wait? Get your hands on this now.

Professional Treatments: Laser or Blepharoplasty Surgery

For a more enduring solution to under-eye circles, consider in-office laser treatments. Dermatologists often recommend CO2 fractional laser treatments to address dark pigmentation and improve volume loss. Alternatively, light-based devices like Broadband Light Therapy (BBL) or Pulsed Dye Laser can be employed to diminish hyperpigmentation and visible blood vessels under the eyes.

In cases where significant fat bags under the eyes are the concern, dermatologists may opt for blepharoplasty surgery. This surgical procedure aims to reduce bulging fat, ultimately minimizing shadows beneath the eyes. Alongside fat reduction, the surgery includes skin tightening and the application of a chemical peel to lessen skin pigmentation.

Quickest Way: Conceal

If the extensive array of at-home and professional treatments doesn't quite hit the mark, there's always a reliable go-to for quick results: concealer. We get it; there's no enchantment in a bottle when it comes to under-eye circles—just the magic of makeup. If hyperpigmentation is your nemesis, opt for a creamy, full-coverage concealer like Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. For dry, lined, or sunken under-eyes, consider the Tarte Shape Tape Radiant Concealer, packed with hyaluronic acid and reflective particles, it not only conceals but also imparts a brightening effect. And if you're in the dark about your under-eye situation and just want to catch some Zs, reach for Kosas Revealer Concealer. This all-in-one concealer boasts vitamin C for brightness, caffeine for de-puffing, hyaluronic acid for plumping, and peptides to fortify the skin.

Wrap Up

Dark circles are a common issue, caused by various factors like genetics, age, allergies, and lifestyle. Effective treatments include hydration, sleep, skincare, and medical procedures like fillers or lasers.

UP NEXT: How to Fade Pimple Scars with Natural Remedies