How to reduce the appearance of dark circles under your eyes

Hyperpigmentation is one of the most common skin concerns and can feel frustrating to treat. But understanding hyperpigmentation could help you to find the correct treatment for your under-eye circles.

Hyperpigmentation is a common condition that causes some patches of skin to appear darker due to increased pigmentation. Melasma, caused by hormonal changes and sunspots resulting from over-exposure to UV rays, is a common type of hyperpigmentation. And those dark eye circles? They're officially known as periorbital hyperpigmentation.

So although stress, fatigue and lifestyle could all contribute to your under-eye circles, don't ignore the effects of hyperpigmentation.

To combat skin darkening, always gently dab an SPF 30 or higher into the under-eye area and add our patented Dynamic Resurfacing skincare products into your routine. They feature our patented Tri-Enzyme Technology to reveal a more luminous complexion. 

The truth is that under-eye circles appear for a raft of reasons. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than anywhere else on the face. So prominent blood vessels can give the under-eye area that characteristic bruised look — especially when allergies kick in, and we start rubbing our eyes. Another potential culprit could be hemosiderin. This iron-storing protein can cause purple staining when the haemoglobin molecule starts to break down.

Whatever the cause, when dark eye circles start to appear, it could be a tell-tale sign that we need to make some lifestyle adjustments. We’ve looked at the most common factors behind dark circles and under-eye puffiness, as well as top tips on how to get rid of dark eye circles.

Lack of sleep

Sleep is the body's way of detoxifying, and a lack of sleep can exaggerate the appearance of those dark circles. But oversleeping can also leave your skin looking pale and dull. As a result, one fundamental way to reduce dark areas under the eyes is to get better or more restful sleep. 

Ageing

Dark circles are one of the early signs of ageing. The under-eye area begins to hollow out as collagen production slows and we begin to store less fat on the face. The loss of fullness, combined with thinning skin, produces the effect of dark circles.

Genetics

If you’re having difficulty getting rid of dark eye circles, they could be genetic. Some studies have found that, in 63% of cases, there's an association between a family history connected with developing dark circles under the eyes. 

Dehydration

Another common cause of under-eye circles is dehydration. Before you even begin to realise that you're not drinking enough water, your skin starts to look dull and dehydrated. And due to the proximity of the underlying bones, your eyes begin to look sunken, exacerbating the appearance of dark circles.

Eye strain

We all spend our days straining our eyes, staring at phones, computers and laptop screens. We blink less, our eyes dry out, and the blood vessels dilate. As a result, the periorbital veins can become more visible, giving the tell-tale appearance of dark under-eye circles. It doesn't help that we expose ourselves to blue light that disrupts melatonin production and causes disrupted sleep.

Lifestyle factors

Stress, late nights, too much alcohol, fatty, salty, over-processed foods and smoking can all contribute to the appearance of dark eye circles.

Sun exposure

Sun exposure is the biggest culprit of them all when it comes to dark circles under the eyes. Staying out in the sun too long means your body produces extra melanin, which could be deposited in the under-eye area. Sun damage can also cause the skin to release additional melanosomes to protect the skin as it heals. This post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can also cause the appearance of dark eye circles.

While many of us hope to find a permanent solution to under-eye circles, some home remedies will minimise the look of dark circles. But these affordable self-care tips go way beyond cucumber slices. So if you want to know how to get rid of dark circles through lasting skincare habits, start here.

Get enough sleep

Catch up on your restful sleep, and your dark under-eye circles will rapidly fade away. Whilst seven to nine hours a night is the Holy Grail, the quality of your sleep is just as important. So ditch those screens at least thirty minutes before you sleep and let your circulatory system recalibrate.

Elevating your head while you sleep can also encourage blood to drain away from the face, reducing dark circles. Using a silk pillowcase and sleeping on your back can also be beneficial.

Enjoy a balanced diet

You are what you eat, and a well-balanced diet promotes better health and well-being. But could it also help to get rid of dark circles? Vitamins A, C, E and K have all been shown to help minimise under-eye circles, so pack your diet with fruit and vegetables like vitamin C-rich tomatoes, leafy green veggies (rich in vitamin K) and nuts and seeds packed with vitamin E.

Stay hydrated

Your skin loves water. And staying hydrated will keep your dark circles under control. Adding fruit and vegetables like watermelon and cucumber to your diet is also a good idea. Both have a high water content, but they're also rich in vitamin C, boosting collagen production and keeping our skin plump and fresh.

Remove eye makeup before bed

We've all fallen into bed after an exhausting day without taking off our makeup. But paying attention to removing every scrap of eye makeup is essential to let your skin breathe and regenerate while you sleep.

Be gentle with your products — we suggest a cleansing product like Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil to gently remove eye makeup without stripping the skin. 

Establish a daily skincare routine

When a restful eight-hour sleep proves elusive, a daily eye-care routine can restore your glow. Look for products with a lighter texture and hero ingredients like collagen, natural plant oils and peptides to reduce puffiness, brighten and rehydrate. Gently cleanse the eye, then use the ring finger to pat our Peptide4 Eye Recovery Cream under the eye until absorbed.

Try chilled compresses and eye masks

Take the concept of chilled cucumber slices and teabags one step further with a chilled compress. This treatment swiftly reduces puffiness by shrinking any dilated blood vessels.

Wrap several ice cubes in a soft cloth and press gently around the eye area. Try our Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks for a quick boost of hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and potent marine actives. It's a twenty-minute pick-me-up that leaves under eyes looking refreshed and nourished. 

Apply eye creams and serums

A specifically formulated eye cream, gel or serum is another essential nighttime treatment for under-eye circles. Using the ring finger, gently pat a small amount of product from the outer corner of the eye to the inner.

Your everyday facial moisturiser may not do the trick here. The delicate under-eye area requires dedicated products that respect the fragility of the skin, like our Vitality Eye Cream, brimming with Elderflower extract and Japanese Artemisa Capillaris to reduce puffiness and dullness.

When you need expert-led solutions for your dark eye circles, look for ingredients that match your concerns. For example, include naturally derived vitamin C and kojic acid in your routine to combat hyperpigmentation, and always wear sunscreen. On the other hand, if thinning skin is a concern, try a gentle retinoid or plant-based alternative like Padina pavonica to build collagen.

If you want to know how to reduce dark areas under your eyes, these powerful ingredients are our eye-care essentials.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are a group of substances, including retinoids and vitamins C and E, that may help to delay or prevent skin damage. Using antioxidant-rich products is proven to help protect the skin against harmful UV rays, which can contribute to under-eye circles. 

But while antioxidants have a critical role in combatting free radicals, they're not for everyone. If you're pregnant or have allergies or dry skin, for example, you should always check with a medical professional before using products with retinoids.

Padina Pavonica

If you want to know how to get rid of dark eye circles, start by looking after your under-eye skin. Padina pavonica is the hero ingredient in our Pro-Collagen products. 

It’s rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids and promotes the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAG). With a polypeptide core, GAGs have a vital role to play in cell renewal.

Hyaluronic Acid

Finally, in our trilogy of dark circle saviours, hyaluronic acid (HA) retains 1000 times its weight in moisture in the skin for a plump and cushioned effect. 

In addition to increasing skin elasticity and minimising wrinkles and fine lines, HA can also brighten under-eye skin for a youthful glow. Try the effects of our next-generation Flash Filler Hyaluronic Acid for yourself in our brightening and hydrating Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask. 

We’ve put together a collection of effective treatments for under-eye circles.