Another factor: “The skin around the eye is 10 times thinner than the skin on the face,” says Kim Nichols, MD, a dermatologist and founder of NicholsMD in Greenwich, Connecticut. This means “the visible signs of intrinsic aging or natural aging, caused by internal factors such as hormonal shifts and changes in skin metabolism, can be most evident in this delicate area.”
If you’re an allergy sufferer, you’re also more likely to have dark circles. In addition to seasonal allergies, Dr. Mikailov says, having eczema and asthma can exacerbate discoloration under the eyes from “fluid buildup in the sinus areas, which leads to increased puffiness around the eyes.”
Excess rubbing from the itching of the eyes and nose can also cause darker pigmentation. Sheila Farhang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, further explains: “Dry and dehydrated skin can make dark circles more prominent.” To combat this, she suggests looking for an eye creams that contains hydrating ingredients to plump up the skin.
Which ingredients are best for dark circles?
To increase circulation so that blood doesn’t stay stagnant in the veins under the eyes (remember the skin is thin, so you can actually tell when this happens), vitamin K is great at improving blood-flow, explains Dr. Mikailov. As for brightening, vitamin C is a go-to for glow boosting. Along with other antioxidants, it can help with lessening the appearance of dark circles in certain circumstances. If the discoloration is genetic or based on bone structure, there isn’t too much you can do to help.
Additionally, you can “look for formulas that contain arnica to increase blood flow,” adds Joanna Vargas, a celebrity esthetician and founder of her namesake spa and skin care line. Aside from actual topical products, Vargas says, “LED light therapy is great for building collagen and lessening the appearance of dark circles,” so it can help to add a light therapy device into your routine as well.
Dr. Farhang also recommends eye creams with niacinamide (vitamin B3) to help reduce hyperpigmentation and inflammation, and caffeine, which she says can temporarily reduce swelling and improve blood circulation in the undereye area, making the darkness less noticeable.
How do I apply eye cream for dark circles?
Vargas recommends giving yourself an eye massage by “gently pinching tops and bottoms of eyebrows and below eyes,” she says. She likes to do so at night, before bedtime, when she’s applying her eye cream to depuff and increase circulation.
Dr. Nichols also says to never rub because of the action’s discoloration-inducing properties. Dr. Mikailov echoes that sentiment, adding that it can help to “apply serum by tapping lightly or with a ceramic or metal applicator, starting from the center of the face, moving outwards.”
