The Various Causes of Dark Circles and Effective Ways to Improve Them

Every day, countless eye creams claim to solve all the concerns around the eyes. However, relying solely on cosmetics to fix eye area problems is nearly impossible.
Among these concerns, dark circles are one of the most common. In addition to the well-known causes, dark circles can develop for a variety of reasons. Let’s dive into the causes of dark circles and discover effective eye care methods.
Main Causes of Dark Circles
Dark circles have many different causes, and it’s important to treat them based on the underlying reason. Let’s take a look at the various causes of dark circles:
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Sun Exposure: If you've been exposed to UV rays for many years, the thin skin under your eyes can absorb the sun's rays, leading to excessive pigmentation.
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Thin Skin: The skin under your eyes is particularly thin, so blood vessels (blood flow) can show through, creating what’s known as vascular dark circles. This may be genetic, so check if dark circles run in your family.
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Skin Sagging: As skin loses volume, it can create shadows, which might resemble dark circles.
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Dryness: When the skin around the eyes becomes dry, it can look dull and lack radiance, giving the appearance of dark circles.
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Rubbing Eyes: Rubbing your eyes can damage the delicate skin around your eyes and lead to dark circles.
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Harsh Ingredients: Using products with harsh or artificial fragrances around the eyes can cause dark circles.
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Allergies: Allergies can also cause dark circles around the eyes.
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Deficiencies: Iron or vitamin B12 deficiencies may contribute, although there’s not much research proving a strong link.
As you can see, dark circles aren't just caused by lack of sleep or fatigue. However, lack of sleep can make dark circles darker, so getting enough rest is important for improving them.
Can Dark Circles Be Completely Removed?
As we mentioned earlier, dark circles have various and complex causes. Dark circles caused by genetics are typically permanent and hard to remove completely, but some types of dark circles can improve with habit changes and skincare products.
For example, during pollen season, when allergens are in the air, rubbing your eyes can worsen dark circles. On the other hand, if you consciously avoid rubbing or touching the delicate skin around your eyes, you can expect noticeable improvement over time.
Effective Ways to Improve Dark Circles
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Use Skin Care Products that Won’t Irritate: Use gentle and nourishing skincare products, including cleansers, AHA or BHA exfoliators, retinol, eye creams, and sunscreens, that are made with soothing and good ingredients.
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Try Whitening Products: Whitening products can help brighten and refresh the skin under your eyes, improving dark circles. Look for products containing Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or Niacinamide (Vitamin B3). Using these whitening products twice a day as part of your routine can yield better results.
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Sunscreen is a Must: Sun exposure is one of the lesser-known causes of dark circles, so make sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (protecting against both UVA and UVB) with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Does Eye Cream Help with Dark Circles?
When applying skincare products to your face, it’s important to apply them gently. This is especially true when applying eye creams, particularly those meant for dark circles. Rubbing or patting too hard can worsen the skin concerns around your eyes and even lead to premature aging.
Dark Circles + Allergies: Allergies can irritate the eyes and make the skin around them uncomfortable. To fight redness and dullness caused by allergies, look for eye creams containing soothing ingredients like allantoin, and avoid products with artificial fragrances that can irritate sensitive skin.
Dark Circles + Thinning Skin: Some dark circles worsen when the skin around the eyes becomes thinner. Eye creams containing ingredients that promote elasticity, like resveratrol, can help improve the skin density under the eyes and reduce dark circles. Skin-restoring ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides can also temporarily plump the skin and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Dark Circles + Environmental Stressors (UV, Pollution): Antioxidants are superstars in protecting the skin from harmful environmental stressors that can worsen dark circles. If you notice your dark circles getting worse due to environmental factors, try an eye cream rich in antioxidants. Ingredients like zerumbone, extracted from ginger grown in harsh environments, are great for tackling the root causes of dark circles.
How to Use Eye Cream Correctly
When applying eye cream, it’s crucial to be extra gentle. Here’s how to use it properly:
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Squeeze a small amount (about the size of a pea) of eye cream onto your ring finger.
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Gently tap the cream around your eye area, starting from the inner corner of the lower eye and moving outward.
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During the day, apply a mild sunscreen with physical blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to the eye area to prevent dark circles from worsening.
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Wait before applying concealer or foundation. Allow the eye cream to fully absorb before starting your makeup routine.
Other Tips Beyond Skincare
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Wear Sunglasses Outdoors: The skin around the eyes is extremely delicate, so sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays can be a very effective protective measure, just as important as sunscreen.
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Check for Allergies: Allergies can contribute to or even be the cause of your dark circles. If you suspect allergies, talk to your pharmacist about proper treatment.
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Use a Good Concealer: A soft matte finish concealer can be great for covering dark circles. It lasts longer and doesn’t emphasize fine lines under the eyes.
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