Dark Under Eye Circles: Causes and Cures

No matter how tired and rundown you feel, the last thing you want to do is show it in your face. Dark under eye circles leave you looking less than your best. They are one of the most often complained about problems that women struggle with when it comes to their everyday appearance.

Where do dark circles come from, and how can you reduce their appearance so you can always put your best face forward?

Causes of Dark Under Eye Circles

Two things cause dark circles to appear below your eyes: skin pigment and blood vessels. The area around your eyes is quite delicate and the skin is thin, which makes hiding any problems more difficult. Part of the reason that the discoloration occurs is due to the natural loss of elasticity and collagen as you get older. The less robust the skin is, the more shows through.

Of course, you cannot reduce the pigment in your skin or the number of capillaries. What you can do is nourish your skin and use dark circle concealer to make yourself look your very best.

Understanding the top causes of this problem can help you take steps to alleviate them.

Tiredness – Not getting enough sleep creates two problems that affect the appearance of your under eye area. First, it can create puffiness due to fluid retention. This may actually increase shadows. Also, it minimizes the health of your skin overall, which may become paler or duller so that the capillaries show through more easily.

Getting Older – Unfortunately, we all must struggle against the march of time. Older skin is less elastic and thinner than it is when you are younger. This can contribute to dark circles.

Illness or Allergies – Besides not feeling your best, a cold or hayfever can leave you looking less than beautiful. Any irritation to the eyes can contribute to dark under eye circles. This is in part to natural irritations and also from excess rubbing of the eye area.

Lack of Hydration – Your skin is a 64% water, so it stands to reason that not drinking enough will have some bad effects on how you look. Dark under eye circles can occur if you do not have enough water to keep your skin full and healthy.

Eye Strain – Staying connected to your computer or phone is quite common these days, but staring at the glowing screen for too long can hurt your eyesight and create a lot of strain that contributes to dark circles. This happens not only from irritation but also from the growth and widening of capillaries under the skin.

Some of these causes for dark circles have no solution. For example, you will get older no matter how much you would rather stay young. Other issues can get better if you make some simple changes to your lifestyle or habits. Read on to learn about the best cures for this unwanted look.

Cures for Dark Under Eye Circles

No permanent cures of dark circles exist, but there are many ways you can reduce the chance of them showing up and deal with them when they do. For any of the causes listed above that have obvious solutions, make them part of your regular self-care and health routine.

Besides practicing normal eye and skin care, there are some steps you can take to reduce the appearance of dark under eye circles. These also help for baggy or puffy eyes. They offer a great option when you are not looking your best or are about to go out for a special event.

Cool Your Under Eye Skin

One of the easiest ways to minimize the look of dark circles under your eyes is to cool the area with a cold washcloth, a few well-wrapped ice cubes, or even a cooling eye mask that you keep in the freezer until you use it.

Try Natural Remedies

Relaxing with slices of cucumbers straight from the fridge over your eye sockets can deliver both hydration and cooling. Cold milk dabbed onto the area with a cotton ball or cloth may help lighten the look, too, due to the temperature and lactic acid. Lemon juice is used to lighten skin pigment, but be very careful not to get it in your eyes.

Use Dark Circle Concealer

Sometimes, despite getting plenty of sleep and using cool compresses on the delicate skin around your eyes, you still have trouble with unsightly dark circles. Every woman should have a natural and effective dark circle concealer on hand. Choose one without harsh chemical ingredients in order to nourish your skin for longer lasting results.

If you wake up in the morning with dark under eye circles but still want to look your best to face the day, you have no time for cold compresses or cucumber slices. You need a solution quickly. This type of concealer and pure mineral makeup will help you look your best no matter how little sleep you got or how long you stared at your computer the day before.

The quest for a fresh and vibrant face is a daily thing for many women in the modern world. Part of that process is to minimize the appearance of dark under eye circles. Besides taking preventative measures that focus on health, keeping the right dark circle concealer in your makeup arsenal is a smart idea.