How to Manage Dark Circles Under Eyes

What are dark circles under eyes?

Under eye circles are a common skin concern characterised by visible darkness, dullness and puffiness in the area under the eyes. Dark circles under eyes tend to make people look fatigued or older than their age, and – depending on your skin tone – they can appear as blue, purple, brown or black discolouration, along with textural changes.

Below are common types of dark circles:

• Pigmented dark circles: Characterised by a brownish, uneven tone, pigmented dark circles do not fade when stretched or pressed. This type is more common in darker skin tones (as they naturally produce more melanin).
• Vascular dark circles: These dark circles have a blue, purple, or reddish hue, though the exact colour will depend on your skin tone. You’ll notice that these dark circles may be less visible when the skin is gently stretched. Their appearance is usually exacerbated in the morning or when fatigued.
• Structural dark circles: The undereye area has a hollow, sunken appearance, with shadows and a deep tear trough (the groove between the lower eyelid and cheek). However, structural dark circles under eyes can also look puffy at times.

What causes dark circles under your eyes?

Your likelihood of developing this under-eye discolouration and puffiness depends on genetic predisposition – as well as external factors such as lifestyle, diet and skin type.

Here are some common causes of dark circles under eyes:

• Sleep deprivation is one of the most common causes of vascular dark circles, and they can also emphasise undereye bags.
• Natural ageing causes the skin to lose collagen, making it thinner over time – leading to structural dark circles.
• Excessive UV exposure can increase melanin levels in the skin and lead to pigmented dark circles.
• Genetics can make you predisposed to structural dark circles or pigmented dark circles.
• Allergies like hay fever can make dark circles more noticeable.
• Other lifestyle factors such as dehydration, poor diet, alcohol consumption, and chronic stress all contribute to vascular dark circles.

Which ingredients help reduce dark circles?

Learning how to get rid of dark circles requires a holistic approach to undereye care, and your choice of products should focus on hydrating, smoothing and brightening this delicate area of the skin. So, what helps dark circles under eyes?

Read on to find out which hero ingredients can assist.

Ceramides

Ceramides support the skin moisture barrier and help make the delicate skin around the eyes more resilient, and therefore less prone to puffing and discolouration.

Ceramides are the bedrock of CeraVe skincare products, but you can specifically target dark circles under eyes with the Ceramides Eye Repair Cream for Dark Circles. It combines hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and three essential ceramides to hydrate the eye area and visibly reduce darkness.

Hyaluronic acid

Since dehydration is a common cause of dark circles under eyes, hyaluronic acid – a hero humectant – is particularly effective at preventing water loss in the skin. This can help prevent a shallow or sunken appearance and counteract dullness. Introduce the Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum into your skincare ritual between cleansing and moisturising.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3) aids hydration by supporting the skin’s natural moisture barrier. One of the best niacinamide benefits for skin is its ability to break down excess melanin, which diminishes the appearance of hyperpigmentation (like dark circles under eyes).

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that’s highly effective for managing hyperpigmentation and dark spots. This ingredient can help brighten and unify the undereye area, while also protecting against environmental stressors that exacerbate dark circles under eyes.

Caffeine

Caffeine-infused eye creams are the gold standard of dark circle treatments. This ingredient works by constricting blood vessels under the eyes, reducing the visibility of dark circles. Caffeine is also known to draw excess fluid from the skin, helping to correct undereye puffiness. You can reap the benefits of caffeine with our Skin Renewing Eye Cream for Signs of Ageing, which includes a nourishing peptide complex, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid alongside caffeine.

Peptides

Natural collagen loss is partly responsible for what causes dark circles as we age. However, topical peptides send signals to your skin to synthesise more collagen. In turn, this can help minimise the appearance of dark circles by promoting volume and elastin production in the eye contour area.

Low-dose retinol

Many hyperpigmentation concerns – like dark circles under eyes – can be managed with retinol usage. This vitamin A derivative is known to stimulate your skin’s natural renewal process: unifying skin tone and refining texture. You can slowly introduce the Skin Renewing Retinol Anti-wrinkle Serum into your routine using our expert guide on how to apply retinol.

How to manage dark circles under eyes: a step-by-step routine

Getting rid of dark circles under your eyes starts with a few skincare adjustments. We’ve formulated a sample routine for you below, but you can adjust as required to suit your skin’s unique needs.

Step 1. Gently cleanse

The skin under the eyes is so sensitive that even slight rubbing during the cleansing process can lead to redness, puffiness, or darkness. Our CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser for normal-to-dry skin thoroughly removes makeup, dirt and impurities – without drying the skin or weakening the skin moisture barrier.

Step 2. Apply a targeted eye cream with clinically backed ingredients

Consistent application of a well-formulated under eye cream is one of the best tools in your skincare arsenal for minimising dark circles under eyes.

You can apply the Ceramides Eye Repair Cream for Dark Circles directly after cleansing but before a serum and moisturiser. To use, apply in several small dots around the entire under eye area, gently smoothing into the skin until fully absorbed; this will avoid placing stress on the delicate under-eye skin.

Step 3. Support with serums and moisturiser

Once your eye cream has fully absorbed into the skin, you can follow it up with your choice of serum. If using multiple serums, you can follow the ‘thinnest to thickest rule’.

For instance, apply vitamin C serum before hyaluronic acid in a morning routine. Then, seal in hydration with a nourishing and protective moisturiser like the AM Facial Moisturiser with SPF15. The ingredients you apply to skin before and after your eye cream should all work to complement your treatment for dark circles under eyes.

Step 4. Use SPF in the morning to prevent hyperpigmentation

Some of the most effective dark circle treatments are preventive – and sunscreen is a prime example. So be sure to round off your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a very high protection factor. After moisturising, simply apply your chosen sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure.

Lifestyle and diet tips that help reduce dark circles

When it comes to how to get rid of dark circles under eyes, a healthy lifestyle will support the work of your skincare. Read on for four tips to help with dark circles and under eye bags.

1. Prioritise consistent, high-quality sleep

Sleep deprivation can cause skin to appear dull and pale, making dark circles under eyes look more prominent. Interestingly, oversleeping can also exacerbate dark circles – so maintaining a consistent routine is key. In addition to the duration of sleep, the way you sleep can also influence dark circles. Try to sleep with your head elevated to avoid under-eye fluid buildup that might create puffiness and bags.

2. Stay hydrated

The blood vessels under the eyes tend to enlarge when the body is dehydrated, so staying hydrated by drinking water and using hydrating topical skincare products can help minimise under eye circles. Drinking plenty of water can also encourage plumper, more radiant skin.

3. Reduce salt, sugar, and alcohol intake

Salt, sugar, and alcohol can increase puffiness and fluid retention in the undereye area, exacerbating the look of dark circles under eyes. Alcohol is also a known skin dehydrator, which can make skin appear duller and increase the depth of textural concerns. Reducing your overall salt, sugar, and alcohol intake will help support your general skin health.

4. Limit screen time and reduce eye strain

Dark circle treatments come in many different forms – and it’s not always about what you put in or on your body. Eye strain, particularly from digital devices, can make the blood vessel around your eyes largen, leading to dark undereye circles. So try to limit your screen time when possible, especially before bed.

Certain types of dark circles under eyes are the result of prolonged UV exposure, so it’s important to keep your skin protected during the day. To that end, find out how to care for sun-damaged skin next.