Get Rid of Dark Circles: Causes & Solutions

Dark circles - raise your hand if you have them! These pesky under-eye shadows for many are a sign of sleepless nights, but for a select few, they seem to stick around - no matter how much beauty sleep you get. 

You might be left wondering if dark circle treatments really work and if so, which ones are the best to go for? 

In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the most common causes behind dark circles to understand the best skincare for fading them. From more sleep to if you need to start using eye cream for dark circles, we’ll uncover all your options for dealing with them once and for all!

What Causes Dark Circles Under the Eyes 

We've all seen them - those pesky dark circles around the eyes that linger long after a late night. Unfortunately, they don't always vanish with a good night's rest. Knowing how to remove dark circles under the eyes starts with what’s causing them in the first place!

There are numerous causes of these dark circles, and it can be daunting to figure out what could be causing your own situation. Here are the two most common causes of dark circles. 

Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Eye Gel
This eye gel from Dermalogica is formulated with Peptides to give tired under eyes a boost, reducing the look of dark circles and smoothing away fine lines. 

Lack of Sleep

One of the most common causes of dark circles under the eyes is lack of sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body doesn’t have time to repair itself from the day’s damage. Literally resting your eyes lets the muscles around them relax overnight. When you don’t sleep, fluid and hemoglobin begin to build up under your eyes - causing those signature eye bags and dark circles.

Allergies

Allergies are another common cause of dark circles under the eyes. When you have allergies, your body produces histamines, which can cause inflammation and swelling in the blood vessels under your eyes. This can lead to the appearance of dark circles.

Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector
This eye cream from Murad works hard to tackle multiple causes of dark circles and eye bags - Vita-C Complex tackles darkness caused by hyperpigmentation for a truly refreshed, wide-awake look.

Types of Dark Circles 

You may not have realised this, but two types of dark circles can appear under your eyes. Treating them takes slightly different approaches due to the different causes - here’s a rundown!

Blue/Purple Under-Eye Circles

These dark, shadowy under eye circles are most commonly associated with lack of sleep. The signature blue/purple shade appears due to haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a protein found in our red blood cells that lend them their dark colour. 

When this protein accumulates under the eyes due to lack of rest, distinctive dark circles appear. 

This kind of dark circle is best addressed by increasing circulation in the eye area. This is easily achieved with massage - with or without tools - or by using eye creams formulated with ingredients that stimulate circulation, such as caffeine. 

Brown Under-Eye Circles

Brown under-eye circles are caused by the accumulation of melanin, a pigment that gives skin its colour. 

This type of dark circle is best addressed with skincare ingredients that regulate melanin production. Some of the best to reach for include Vitamin C, Retinol, and antioxidants to try and brighten up the skin around your eyes for a well-rested look. 

Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Brightening Eye Serum
This concentrated serum for dark circles uses the power of Vitamin C Esters to fade dark shadows and support collagen production, brightening the look of fatigued eyes.

How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Under Eyes 

So, what are the best products for fading these pesky under eye shadows? Do dark circles and home remedies really belong together, or is it better to rely on skincare products? We round up exactly what will (and won’t work) to reduce dark circles. 

1. Natural Treatment For Dark Circles 

What happens if you put dark circles and natural remedies together? Well, the truth is, not too much. 

One supposed natural remedy for dark circles is coconut oil. However, there are no scientific journals that prove any link between coconut oil and lightening dark circles.

Any improvement in dark circles may be simply a placebo. Massaging the coconut oil - or any other product - into the undereye area helps to promote circulation and helps the body reabsorb the lingering hemoglobin.

There’s another reason you might want to avoid this supposedly harmless home remedy. Coconut oil is a rather heavy oil - applying it to the thin skin under the eyes could cause milia, which can only be removed by a professional. No thanks! 

FOREO Iris Eye Massager
This groundbreaking under-eye massage tool replicates a spa-level eye treatment right at home with unique T-Sonic Pulsations and massage modes to reduce the look of eye bags and even soften the signs of ageing.

2. Eye Creams 

Are you looking for a way to reduce the appearance of dark circles and bags under your eyes? The solution could be as simple as investing in an eye cream. 

Eye creams are specifically designed to help hydrate, firm and brighten the area around your eyes and can even prevent signs of aging. If you’re wondering how to apply an eye cream for the best results, it’s easy. 

Use your ring finger as it tends to be the weakest. Dot a small amount onto the area around your eyes and use gentle tapping motions to spread it evenly across the skin, always working from the inside corner outwards in direction with both your fingers and movements. 

If you're looking for the best eye creams in Australia, shop Beauty Affairs. Our carefully curated collection of eye creams features products to fade dark circles thanks to scientifically proven ingredients such as Vitamin C, Peptides, & Caffeine to restore a well-rested look to your skin.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye
This effective Kiehl’s eye cream targets dark circles, fine lines, and eye bags with a formula full of antioxidants. Natural antioxidants such as Butcher’s Broom Extract tighten the skin, reducing the look of eye bags for a well-rested look.

3. Eye Serums 

Eye serums are among the best dark circle under eye treatments available. Eye serums are usually packed with unique ingredients that reduce inflammation and puffiness of the area, such as Caffeine & Peptides while providing antioxidants that repair and protect delicate skin. 

They have a lightweight texture that sinks easily into the skin, and can even be layered with eye creams for an effective treatment that fades dark circles in no time. 

Eye serums like Declare Age Control Essential Eye Serum provide an easy, effective solution for those seeking to reduce the dark circles under eyes - giving you smoother-looking under eyes with improved texture and tone.

Guerlain Abeille Royale Gold Eyetech Eye Sculpt Serum
This eye serum has a lightweight & fresh texture that sinks quickly into your skin, soothing puffy under eyes and fading the appearance of dark circles. A bespoke, gold-tipped applicator optimises application and enhances ingredient absorption.

4. Eye Masks 

Throw out the cucumber slices and reach for these effective dark circle treatments instead! 

Eye masks, made of cooling hydrogel, help to depuff and smooth under eyes. They’re also formulated with various hydrating and nourishing ingredients that soften fine lines and brighten dark circles. 

These effective products stay put under the eyes, and provide a welcome refreshing treatment while effectively lightening dark circles. Even if you didn’t get a full 8 hours of beauty sleep last night, eye masks can help you look like you did! 

Patchology FlashPatch® Illuminating Eye Gels
Patchology FlashPatch® Illuminating Eye Gels lighten dark circles thanks to an antioxidant-rich formula. These gel masks feature Vitamin C and Green Tea, two effective ingredients that reduce the look of dark circles and eye bags. 

Removing Dark Circles: Key Tips

Removing dark circles is simple enough with the right skincare! Whether you’re trying to get rid of the dark circles after a few late nights or lighten hereditary dark circles caused by pigmentation, our range of eye care has got you covered. 

Skip the home remedies and make a beeline for proven skincare products that lighten dark circles thanks to powerful ingredients such as Peptides and Vitamin C for a well-rested, youthful glow. Get your beauty affairs in order (and get your beauty sleep) with our skincare picks for dark circles!

References

• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325989
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23128-dark-circles-under-eyes
• https://www.healthline.com/health/dark-circle-under-eyes
• https://gloskinbody.hk/en/blogs/the-skincare-blog/the-3-types-of-dark-circles-under-the-eyes-and-how-to-treat-them
• https://www.foreo.com/mysa/27-ways-get-rid-dark-circles-and-bags-under-