Dark circles under the eyes are one of the most common complaints, from both men and women when it comes to the appearance of their skin. While this cosmetic concern can leave people feeling self-conscious, the good news is that it’s not typically anything that will negatively impact health. However, dark circles may leave people looking older or appearing overly tired. Additionally, people who have dark circles also often see bags under their eyes, which can make the face look puffy. If the appearance of dark circles under the eyes bothers you, we have good news. There are dermatologist-recommended products available from DermSkincare that will help you improve the appearance of under-eye darkening and bags. In this blog, you can learn more about the causes of dark circles under the eyes and how to address this issue.

What Causes Dark Circles to Appear Under the Eyes?

Many different factors can cause someone to experience dark circles under the eyes, including:

• Tiredness – This is the most common cause of dark circles. Even minor changes in sleep schedule can cause dark circles to form. When we’re sleep-deprived, the skin can start to lighten. This makes any dark areas more pronounced. It also allows blood vessels and other darker tissues beneath the skin to be visible. Additionally, getting less sleep can cause fluid retention. When fluid builds up under the eye, it can cause puffiness. This puffy skin can create shadows that darken the area around the eyes.
• Genetic predisposition – If your family members get dark circles under their eyes, you are likely to see this characteristic as well. For some people, dark circles are more prevalent in childhood and become less pronounced as they age. Others see more obvious dark circles as they get older. In addition to generally inherited physical traits, specific hereditary diseases, like thyroid disease, may also be an underlying factor that can cause dark circles under the eyes.
• Allergies – This is another common reason that the under eyes darken. Allergic reactions (and seasonal allergies) release histamines into the body. These histamines cause itching, irritation, puffiness, redness, and blood vessel dilation. Around the eyes, this can look like dark, puffy skin. Additionally, you’re more likely to rub your eyes during an allergic response, which can increase swelling and cause broken blood vessels that further darken the eye area.
• Dehydration – When we don’t get enough water, the body begins to pull moisture from the skin to ensure other organs that are more vital to survival can function well. This loss of moisture can leave skin looking dull and sunken in. Around the eyes, this may cause dark circles.
• Sun exposure – Like most skin concerns, the sun can play a role in the development of dark circles around the eyes. Exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays causes the skin to develop more melanin, the pigment-producing skin cells. Too much sun can cause the skin, especially in sensitive areas like the eyes, to darken.
• Aging – As we get older, skin becomes thinner and collagen and elastin production slows. These elements give your skin a smooth, full, youthful appearance. This thinning of the skin can reveal darker tissues and blood vessels beneath the eyes, causing dark circles.
• Strain – Most of us spend a lot of time staring at screens. This causes strain on the eyes that can make blood vessels become enlarged. In turn, this darkens the area around the skin. Like allergies, eye strain can also increase the likeliness to rub the eyes, which may lead to more irritation and inflammation that causes the under eyes to darken and look puffy.

How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Under the Eyes

The first thing you should do is manage any of the lifestyle factors that may be contributing to dark circles under the eyes. That means setting a consistent sleep schedule, drinking plenty of water, wearing sunscreen every day, and using medications to address seasonal allergies and allergic reactions.

Additionally, there are several at-home steps you can take to improve the appearance of dark circles:

• Apply cold compresses – Eye masks are available that can be placed in the freezer and worn for about 20 minutes a day. This is a quick, easy way to improve the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. If you don’t have one of those eye masks, you can achieve the same results by placing a cool, damp cloth over the eyes.
• Elevate your head during sleep – As we sleep, fluid can pool. By elevating your head using a few pillows (or wedge pillows created to elevate the head), you can prevent pooling under the eyes, which increases puffiness and darkening of the skin.
• Use tea bags – Caffeine and antioxidants in most types of tea are great for circulation, which shrinks blood vessels and reduces skin puffiness. By applying tea bags (green tea is preferred but plain black tea – avoid flavored – will also work) for about 20 minutes, you can significantly improve the appearance of dark under-eye circles. To use this at-home remedy, steep tea bags in hot water for a few minutes. Then, place them in the refrigerator until they’re cold. Apply to the eyes for about 20 minutes. Rinse eyes with cool water after application.
• Apply concealer – If you don’t see any improvement in the appearance of dark circles under your eyes with at-home treatments, you can also disguise the appearance of dark circles by using concealers. This is a good short-term solution as you look for more advanced treatments and products that can help.

In addition to these at-home remedies, there are many dermatologist-recommended products (we’ll review those in the next section) and more advanced in-office treatments that can help to decrease the appearance of dark circles below the eyes.

Some of the dermatologic procedures that may be recommended for those who want to improve the appearance of dark circles around the eyes include:

• • Laser Skin Resurfacing to remove darker-pigmented skin
• • Chemical Peels to reveal healthy, new skin beneath the darkened skin
• • Fillers to plump up skin in thinning areas where blood vessels and other darker tissues are visible
• • Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) can help stimulate cell growth, collagen, and tissue regeneration
• • Eye surgery can decrease the appearance of dark circles under the eyes by removing excess fat that casts shadows and causes dark circles

Dermatologist-Recommended Products to Get Rid of Dark Circles Under the Eyes

If you’ve tried the at-home remedies and you’re still not happy with the appearance of dark circles under your eyes, it may be time to add a new skincare product to your daily routine.

Below, we’ve outlined our recommended products to get rid of dark circles under the eyes:

Revision Skincare DEJ Eye Cream

Intense hydration and an advanced formulation combining peptides, extracts, and antioxidants make Revision Skincare DEJ Eye Cream a go-to for people struggling with the appearance of dark circles under their eyes. This eye cream addresses numerous concerns with the appearance of the skin around the eyes, including dark circles, hooding, wrinkles, redness, and sagging. Not only can Revision Skincare DEJ Eye Cream improve the skin’s texture and appearance, but it also helps to prevent future damage and protects against free radicals that can cause premature aging. This product is safe and effective for all skin types.

ALASTIN Skincare® Restorative Eye Treatment with TriHex Technology®

The ALASTIN Skincare Restorative Eye Treatment with TriHex Technology was specifically created with dark circles in mind. This product is formulated to decrease the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles under the eyes. It assists the body in more quickly removing damaged collagen and elastin and jumpstarts the production of new, healthy collagen and elastin, which creates the necessary fullness to conceal darker tissues and blood vessels. In general, this product promotes improved overall skin tone and texture. It is safe and effective for all skin types.

EltaMD® Renew Eye Gel

For those with oily or acne-prone skin, EltaMD Renew Eye Gel is the perfect product to address puffiness and darkening under the eyes. It is safe and effective for other skin types as well, including sensitive skin, but because EltaMD Renew Eye Gel is oil-free, it can be especially beneficial for those who struggle with oiliness. This product is formulated to address dark circles and puffiness as well as create healthier, brighter-looking skin and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The formula includes peptides and hyaluronic acids that keep skin moisturized and protect against the signs of skin aging.

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex

The SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex has an advanced anti-aging formula that fights wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes, including those deep crow’s feet. It also improves the appearance of dark circles and puffiness beneath the eyes. This product contains ingredients that diffuse light, which gives dull, darkened skin an instantly brighter look. Formulated for aging skin, this product is safe for all skin types.

Skinbetter Science® EyeMax AlphaRet® Overnight Cream 15 ml

We all know our nighttime skincare routine needs to be focused on healing and hydration, which is why we recommend adding Skinbetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream to your evening skincare regimen. This product combines a retinoid and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while soothing and hydrating the sensitive skin around the eyes. This product was proven in clinical tests to significantly improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness under the eyes. Skinbetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream is formulated and recommended for aging and dry skin, but it is also safe for most skin types. If you have questions about whether or not this product is recommended for your skin, please contact a dermatologist.

Want to Talk to a Dermatologist About Your Dark Circles?

If you want to consult with one of the knowledgeable dermatologists who curated the list of products on Derm Skincare, you can get started anytime by completing the scheduling request form for U.S. Dermatology Partners. Our dermatologists can help you find the best products to fight dark circles under the eyes or address any other skincare issues that may arise.