Dermatologist reveals there are FOUR types of dark circles – which one do you have?
They’re the dreaded giveaway of old age: dark, graying bags under your eyes.
As we age, the skin becomes loose and thin, making it easier to see the dark blood vessels underneath.
Lack of sleep, dehydration, and genetics can also make the circles appear clearer.
But now a top New York dermatologist has revealed that you shouldn’t use any old skincare product to tackle these problems.
In a recent video on TikTok that has been viewed more than 120,000 times, dermatologist Dr. Charles Puza says that dark circles can be divided into four different types — and the type you have will determine which products you should choose.
The first type, most associated with aging, is wrinkled circles or crepey skin, says Harvard-educated Dr. Puza, who has 20 million followers on TikTok.
“Look for the hero ingredient retinoid to help rebuild that collagen,” he advises.
Collagen is the most abundant in the body and is responsible for giving the skin elasticity.
Next is “volume loss,” he says, which causes a “hollowing out” of the skin. If this is you, look for ingredients that increase skin hydration, such as squalane, peptides and hyaluronic acid.
Vascular dark circles are, in our opinion, a different type Dr Puza. This looks like a bluish or purple color and is caused by the blood vessels being too close to the skin or becoming dilated.
Dark circles are very common as we age, but there are products that can make them appear less visible, say dermatologists
“You’re looking for caffeine to constrict blood vessels,” he says, using a bottle of Youth To The People’s Peptides and Energy Eye Concentrate as an example.
Finally, hyperpigmentation can cause dark skin color in the under-eye area. This can be caused by a number of factors, including certain medications, pregnancy and excessive sun exposure.
If this is the type you have, look for skin-brightening ingredients, he says.
‘Vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acid and tranexamic acid.’
Meanwhile, other experts have offered alternative tips that don’t involve spending money on skincare products.
Gently massaging the area can “move built-up fluid and reduce the appearance of dark circles,” Mary Stevenson, MD, associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, told USA Today.
And ophthalmologist Inna Lazar, OD, suggested using a cold compress on the eyes for 10-15 minutes to constrict the blood vessels.