The topic of dark under eye circles has always been a huge subject matter within the world of beauty. It would be no surprise if people often spent hours researching how to get rid of them permanently. The question is, is that possible?
What causes dark under eye circles?
Whilst many blame a lack of sleep for their dark eye circles, Ocuplastic surgeon, Dr Maryam Zamani says otherwise.
According to Zamani, “fatigue isn’t actually one of the main causes.” In fact, one of the most prominent causes of dark circles is hyperpigmentation.
There are many reasons as to why hyperpigmentation occurs. For example, sun damage. However, genetics also play a big part in causing the skin to darken in certain areas. The hereditary factor here is commonly present in those with darker skin tones. “Individuals of Asian and African skin types are predisposed to having hyperpigmentation under the eyes because there is a common genetic trait of very thin lower eyelid skin. This allows veins to show through, resulting in a darker appearance,” says Dr Zamani.
Natural ways to combat dark under eye circles:
Better Sleep
As stated, a lack of sleep does not cause dark under eye circles. However, it does tend to exaggerate the appearance of them. According to Healthline, sleep deprivation can cause the skin to become dull. This allows for dark tissues beneath the skin to show.
Wear sunscreen
A daily sunscreen is essential for avoiding hyperpigmentation. SPF helps to prevent the accumulation of photodamage which causes dark marks on the skin. Whether it is raining or scorching outside, implementing an SPF into your daily skin routine is important.
Improving diet
A change in diet may not be a fast fix for dark under eye circles but maintaining a nutritious diet can improve the appearance of the skin. A diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and healthy fats gradually brightens the appearance of skin. Tomatoes are said to be a great food for this matter. Rich in antioxidants, they help to protect blood vessels and boost circulation to the eyes.
Additionally, cucumber, watermelon, blueberries, and foods rich in vitamin E are all great for improving eye health and rehydrating the skin.
Drink more water
Dehydration is the common cause of a lot of health problems. In fact, it contributes to the appearance of dark under eye circles. When the body isn’t receiving a suitable amount of water, the overall tone and complexion of your skin may appear uneven. Drinking enough water is key to reducing dark circles but also the puffiness around the eyes.
Beauty treatments to help with dark under eye circles:
Skincare
There are so many skincare products that claim to help tackle dark circles. It is important to look for products with ingredients that actually have the power to tackle the matter. Ingredients like caffeine and vitamin C combined with hyaluronic acid are ideal.
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream (£8.99) is perfect for reducing puffiness and dark circles. The blend of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories provided by caffeine helps to promote a brighter skin complexion.
The Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten + Firm Eye Cream (£69.00) has a rich blend of ingredients that plumps the skin and decreases transparency. Therefore, the skin appears a lot healthier.
Ice globes and eye massagers are also great tools! Used best alongside a serum or moisturiser, these tools help to massage the skin and really focus on brightening and tightening the targeted areas.
Makeup
Of course, makeup isn’t a permanent fix but products like concealer were created for the purpose of masking ‘problem areas’ such as dark circles.
The key to getting a perfectly concealed under eye is by firstly making sure the under eye is hydrated. A hydrating eye cream or gel such as The Body Shop Oils of Life Eye Cream-Gel (£20.00) is perfect!
Then, selecting the right concealer for your skin. There are so many concealers out there to try and it does take time to find one that really works for you. It is important to remember that every makeup product you use will settle and show fine lines eventually. This is just how skin, and makeup work. It is not always down to the product. That said, there are concealers out there that were created to try and avoid these problems.
For example, the Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer (£20.00) is a full coverage concealer designed to hide dark under eye circles without caking. With just one layer it makes the skin look more even.
You always want to try and pick a concealer shade that is similar to your shade or perhaps one shade lighter when concealing. Two shades lighter for highlighting. Simply and gently press the product into your skin for a smooth finish and you are done!
So…is it possible to get rid of dark under eye circles permanently?
It seems as though dark under eye circles are the result of a lot of natural causes and that is okay! There is no such thing as perfect skin and learning to embrace these features are important.
At the end of the day, it’s all about maintenance and preventative measures. Let us know in the comments if you have tried any of the methods featured in this article. Do they work for you?
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