Unsightly dark under eye circles can be difficult to eliminate. They are often a result of not getting enough sleep. They can be also be caused by your genes and you’ll get them no matter how rested you are. This is one of the most common beauty complaints because they make you look tired and can age you more than wrinkles.
You must first determine what type of dark under eye circles you have. Most dark circles are black, purple, or blue and start at the inner corner of the eye and extend outward and downward. This type is caused often by dilated blood vessels showing through the thin skin around the eye. Sometimes these capillaries weaken and small amounts of blood can leak out. As this blood is broken down to be reabsorbed by the body, it turns a bluish black. This is similar to bruising. This type of circle is often seen in pale or aging skin and is often accompanied by eye bags or puffiness.
The other common cause of dark under eye circles is hyperpigmentation. These are often brown based in color instead of purple or blue. They are caused by excess melanin produced by the skin and are common in olive and ethnic skin types. They can often be caused by sun exposure. This type of under eye circles may be the most common and is treated differently. It is also really important to wear sunscreen around the eyes daily to avoid making the pigmentation even darker.
Some treatments are good for getting rid of both types of under eye circles. Vitamin C serum and creams and alpha hydroxy acids are good choices if you don’t know what is causing your circles. These ingredients promote collagen production and thicken skin over time, causing the blood vessels to show less. They also lighten and brighten skin to reduce the pigmentation that can cause eye circles. Vitamin C is also known to make blood vessel walls stronger. Both of these ingredients can cause irritation, so you should start with mild products and work your way up. Products specifically formulated for the eye are ideal. They also cause your skin to become more sensitive to the sun, so you must use a high SPF sunscreen while you are using them and for 2 weeks after you stop.
Vitamin K creams help with the blue type of circles because it is used to treat bruising. Dark circles may be a symptom of a Vitamin K deficiency so it can be helpful to take it internally as well. Using a Vitamin K cream with retinol or Vitamin A can improve your results. Look for creams that contain both, layer them, or alternate.
These methods will help improve the appearance of dark under eye circles, but progress takes time. It will take a couple of months before you see full results, but there will be improvement along the way.
Other Remedies
Apply cool black tea bags or cool cucumber slices to your eyes to reduce puffiness.
Dark under eye circles can be caused by allergies, so avoid contact with things you’re allergic to. Also, try not to rub your eyes if you have allergies.
Make sure to stay properly hydrated. Avoid smoking and consuming excessive alcohol and salt.
Circles can also be caused by anemia or low iron levels.
Try to get at least seven hours of sleep at night.
It may not always be possible to get rid of dark under eye circles, but you should be able to somewhat improve their appearance over time. In the meantime, use a concealer with a yellow tint to cover them.
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