Get Rid of Dark Circles Once and for All With These Expert Tips
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You’ve had a full night’s rest and wake up to the sound of birds chirping outside your window—it’s going to be a great day! Then, upon turning the corner to the bathroom, you catch yourself in the mirror and are greeted by your pesky old friend—dark under-eyes. If it seems like you’re always carrying extra luggage in the form of eye bags, no matter how much sleep you get (or eye cream you apply), you’re probably wondering how to get rid of dark circles.
Meet the Experts: Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Premier Dermatology, Deanna Mraz Robinson, M.D., F.A.A.D., a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut, and celebrity makeup artist Tomy Rivero.
We asked experts for all the wisdom—including causes, treatments, and prevention methods for a more even-looking, bag-free complexion. Keep reading to banish dark circles for good.
What causes dark circles?
How did your uninvited dark circles barge in in the first place? The answer is different for everyone. “There are several reasons for dark circles, including lack of sleep, allergies, genetics, dehydration, trauma from eye rubbing, sun exposure, and aging,” explains Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Premier Dermatology. Overuse of alcohol may also cause darkness under the eyes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Deanna Mraz Robinson, M.D., F.A.A.D., a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut adds that when dark circles are allergy-related—she calls them “allergic shiners”—nasal and sinus congestion leads blood to pool in the small veins under your eyes. The veins dilate, resulting in a dark, swollen appearance.
Then, there are genetic and age-related factors. “As we age, we lose collagen and elastin, which are the structural proteins that support our skin,” explains Dr. Mraz Robinson. This causes thinning skin, which can then reveal the vascular structures below, casting a shadow that can make the under eyes appear hollow, she adds.
Dark circles treatments
There are a few things you can do to lessen the appearance of dark circles, depending on what’s causing them.
Eye cream
Because the root cause of most dark circles is below the skin’s surface, eye cream can only do so much. It all depends on said root cause, though. If you have allergies or eyelid dermatitis, which is skin irritation that may cause discoloration, “topical, over-the-counter eye creams can add a little improvement but will not address the underlying causes for the darkness,” explains Dr. Zubritsky.
Eye creams can also support the health of the skin, improving its texture, tone, and brightness, which can give the whole eye area more of an even glow. They “won’t reverse volume loss or thicken skin to mask visible vascular structures” though, Dr. Mraz Robinson stresses. “Look for sources of hydration and support—specifically hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, and antioxidants vitamin C and E,” she recommends. “Caffeine is another popular ingredient in eye products because it has anti-inflammatory properties to de-puff and brighten.”
Retinoids
“One of the most effective topical treatments for dark circles is using a prescription retinoid,” says Dr. Zubritsky. “This helps to reduce the pigment changes in the skin and increase cell turnover, leading to brighter, new cells.”
Dr. Mraz Robinson adds that retinoids address skin texture, too. “Look for one that is specifically formulated for the delicate eye area,” she says. “I like Skinbetter AlphaRet EyeMax Overnight Cream, which combines the exfoliating properties of a retinoid and AHA alongside antioxidants and hydrating ingredients to rejuvenate the eye area.” Over-the-counter retinol eye creams are also a thing, though they may not be as effective as prescription-grade topicals.
In-office injectables and treatments
The most immediate and significant way to treat dark circles is with in-office procedures conducted by a dermatologist. “I often treat this area with injectable filler to restore lost volume,” says Dr. Mraz Robinson. “Using the filler on the outer, upper cheek area can also softly lift the skin in this area for a rested and refreshed appearance.”
Another option that can be used in tandem with filler or on its own is a fractional laser treatment, she says, which “uses the laser’s energy to create microscopic columns of injury in the deep layers of the skin, promoting the body’s natural reaction to produce new collagen and elastin.”
Dark circles at-home remedies
All of this being said, if you wake up one morning with particularly gnarly circles and have an important meeting, there are a few things you can do at home to make them less prominent, if only temporarily.
Green tea bag compressions
“One of my favorite ways to reduce dark circles and puffiness under the eyes is to use green tea bags,” says Dr. Zubritsky. “I recommend steeping the tea, then putting the bags in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. Green tea has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, and when combined with the cooling effect from the refrigerator, it helps to quickly reduce under-eye puffiness and dark circles.” The caffeine also helps to restrict blood flow, she adds, which prevents veins from dilating and leading to a darker appearance.
Facial massage
“Facial massage with an ice roller, gua sha, or simply your fingers, can help to move stagnant lymph fluid and increase healthy blood flow to the area,” says Dr. Mraz Robinson.
Air purifier and humidifier
If you experience allergy-related dark circles and puffiness, Dr. Mraz Robinson says keeping air purifiers and humidifiers throughout your home to keep the air moist and clean may help reduce allergy symptoms and therefore dark circles.
How to prevent dark circles
Because dark circles are so often a result of genetics, aging, or both, it can be difficult to prevent them. However, your best bet is to avoid irritating topical ingredients like harsh exfoliants, get adequate hydration inside and out, avoid alcohol, prioritize sleep, avoid rubbing your eyes, Dr. Zubritsky says, “and of course, wear sunscreen every single day.”
How to conceal dark circles
Sometimes, applying concealer over puffy, dark under-eyes makes them look worse. That’s why skin prep and using a color corrector are key, explains celebrity makeup artist Tomy Rivero. “A salmon-toned color corrector helps with neutralizing the under eye area, preventing your concealer from turning gray or emphasizing the darkness,” he says.
Before doing that, Rivero recommends applying hydrating skincare—be it eye cream, moisturizer, serum, or all three, an hour pre-makeup if you can. This will ensure the area is smooth and hydrated, “giving you the after-facial-like glow,” so the concealer and everything look seamless and like a second skin when blended out.
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