6 ways to get rid of dark circles –and what causes them

Whether you’re stressed, experiencing sleepless nights or have a genetic tendency towards blue bags, dark circles are an incredibly common concern. On top of this, the delicate skin around our eyes starts to wrinkle as we age. All of this makes the eyes a problem area for many – so what really causes dark circles and what can we do to tackle the issue?

Why do we get dark circles?

There are many reasons why we may develop dark circles under the eye, and they go far beyond just tiredness; in fact, contrary to popular belief, fatigue isn’t one of the leading causes.

Many people suffer from dark circles thanks to hyperpigmentation which can be caused by environmental factors such as sun exposure, smoking and poor sleep as well as our genetics.

Loss of volume under the eyes is also a significant contributor to dark circles, leading to a sunken look and thinning of the skin which can magnify their appearance.

How to beat them

Wear a sunscreen

Wearing a daily sunscreen is essential for keeping your skin healthy and free from pigmentation. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection all the way to the lash line. Try the SkinCeuticals Mineral Eye UV Defense SPF 30 for additional protection of the delicate eye area.

Look at your diet

While there aren’t any dietary fixes for dark circles, maintain a nutritious anti-inflammatory diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats can encourage skin improvements all over the body – eye area included.

Small dietary changes such as consuming less red wine and caffeine can help to reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

Shake up your skincare

We all know Vitamin C for its remarkable antioxidant properties, but in an eye cream, it works to strengthen the naturally thin, delicate eye area by building collagen, restoring the skin’s elasticity and resilience. Try the SkinCeuticals AOX Eye Gel to protect the under-eyes from oxidative stress while restoring a fresh, vibrant appearance.

Think about filler

The fat pads under the eyes shrink and move down the face as we age leading to a loss of volume, which creates a hollow and a shadow under the eye. If this is the cause of your dark circles, there aren’t many other options except to have the area tweaked with a little bit of dermal filler.

The filler lifts the skin and slightly diminishes the hollow while concealing any purple skin tone due to leaky blood vessels.

Prioritise sleep

Maintain a stable sleep pattern as much as you can. This could include establishing an earlier and more regular bedtime, ditching the pre-bed blue light and avoiding caffeine in the evenings.

Keep hydrated

Not only does drinking plenty of water flush out toxins, but it also increases blood flow and plumps out dehydrated skin which can appear thinner and more fragile.