Dark circles under your eyes aren’t a problem, but you can be forgiven for wanting to shift them.
After all, brighter eyes make you look more awake and alive – no matter what’s going on in your life and how much sleep you’ve actually had.
Everyone’s experiences with dark circles are different – genetics, lifestyle factors and other things out of your control all play a role – but is there a way to get rid of dark bags under your eyes?
Dermatologist Dr. Cristina Psomadakis says there are many causes for under-eye bags (stock image)
What causes dark circles?
While the bags under your eyes may look a little more noticeable if you’ve stayed up all night watching TV, dermatologist Dr. Cristina Psomadakis warns that “it doesn’t apply to everyone.”
She says there are “many different causes” for dark circles under the eyes: “Including genetics, anatomy, the vascular and lymphatic systems, and the quality, age and pigmentation of the skin itself.”
Often you have no control over how they look.
“Dark circles mainly affect people of Indian, Latin American, Middle Eastern and Far East Asian descent, and the process begins in childhood,” explains aesthetic oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Sabrina Shah-Desai.
Furthermore, Psomadakis notes, “Some of it has to do with the anatomy of the face; For example, if you have a prominent forehead, set-in or bulging eyes, this can cast shadows on the under-eye area that is perceived as dark. A good tip is to have someone check whether the skin remains dark when you tilt your head back.’
Age also plays a role. “As we age, the eyelid skin becomes thinner and loses its elasticity and tightness,” says Shah-Desai. ‘Youthful, firm skin reflects light well, making it brighter; However, the increasing loss of collagen and hydration and the worsening of skin laxity makes the under-eye area appear duller.
‘Years of sun damage, exposure to high-energy visible (HEV) light (from smartphones and computer screens), and environmental pollutants lead to hyperpigmentation of the eyes.’
Is it possible to remove dark circles?
For Psomadakis, this is “very dependent on the cause and extent,” but she adds, “With the right care and treatment you can often achieve very good results.”
While skin care will play an important role in minimizing the appearance of dark circles, there are other lifestyle changes you can make to help.
“One of my top tips is to avoid caffeine and alcohol, as both are stressors on the body and cause dehydration, which can worsen fine lines,” notes Shah-Desai.
‘Sleep is so important because the body repairs itself. Always aim for six to eight hours of sleep. Smoking can deplete the body of essential antioxidants and dry out the skin, leaving it looking dull.”
Psomadakis says it’s important to stay hydrated, adding, ‘Remove all makeup carefully; you’d be surprised how often it looks worse because mascara or eyeliner hasn’t been removed properly.”
‘For those who have a lot of puffiness in the morning, sleeping with your head elevated can help.’
Which skin care ingredients should you look out for?
The first rule when it comes to skin care? “SPF is important all year round, especially in eye care, to help minimize sun damage and pigmentation,” says Shah-Desai.
Otherwise, there are certain products you can use under your eyes to tackle the problem – with Psomadakis recommending a ‘combination of ingredients’ to tackle ‘the variety of underlying causes’.
She suggests opting for “hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and triglycerides” that can “deeply hydrate and hydrate the skin so it looks smooth and less crepey.”
Opt for ingredients “that target hyperpigmentation, like the tyrosinase inhibitors,” or something with “light-reflecting particles” that “can add brightness.”
Other ingredients Psomadakis recommends include “caffeine to improve microcirculation,” “retinoid to reduce wrinkles,” and “of course, the power of a good concealer.”
Shah-Desai’s favorite ingredients to combat dark circles are “vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, retinoids, glycolic acid, vitamin E and niacinamide,” and she suggests there are also some treatments you can try – involving microneedling, mesotherapy or choose PRP as an option. ‘all fantastic treatments used for dark circles’.