You're not alone if you've been frantically googling how to get rid of dark circles. We've undeniably become much better acquainted with our dark circles recently, thanks to months of facial scrutiny on Zoom meetings. And while reaching for the concealer is one practical solution to disguising them, the best way of overcoming the problem of dark circles is to understand their causes.
What causes dark circles?
Lack of sleep
Dark circles make you look tired, so fatigue is naturally one culprit, explains Dr Maryam Zamani, oculoplastic surgeon, and aesthetic doctor: "Sleep and rest allow our body to detoxify and rejuvenate, and this is important for the periorbital area. Dark circles can be more prominent with lack of sleep because the skin has not had time to re-set and the blood vessels in the lower eyelid become more dilated. Because the skin around the eyes is the thinnest in the body, these dilated vessels look more obvious."
Aging
No surprises here, but it's not just late-night Netflix marathons that contribute to dark circles. Dr. Zamani says: "It can be caused by a loss of volume – fat, and collagen – which happens naturally as we age and results in thinner skin and more pronounced tear troughs." Hello, that sunken look we're all too familiar with on-screen.
Hyperpigmentation
We tend to associate hyperpigmentation with patches of discoloration on our cheekbones, caused predominantly by sun damage. But according to Dr. Zamani, there's some genetic component to dark circles, too. “Some ethnicities, such as Asian and southeast Asians, can have hereditary hyperpigmentation under the eyes due to a common genetic trait of very thin lower eyelid skin. This allows veins to show through, resulting in a darker appearance.”
Digital fatigue
Long days spent staring at a screen - whether laptop, TV, or phone - can also exacerbate dark circles, warns Dr. Zamani: "Eyes tend to blink less. This causes dryness and the blood vessels in the skin to dilate, creating a dark shadow around the eyes."
What is the best way to banish dark circles under the eyes?
Take a targeted skincare approach
There are all manner of eye creams that claim to tackle dark circles so be selective about your ingredients arsenal. In the same way that the best retinol serums help to improve the look of pigmentation while also thickening the skin when used in an eye product retinol can make the area look less 'bruised'.
Improve the quality of your sleep
Blue light can impact your sleep cycle and suppress the ‘sleep’ hormone melatonin so keep your phone or tablet on night mode setting around the clock and avoid using digital devices after 9 pm.
Wear sunscreen
To avoid hyperpigmentation, sunscreen is essential, says Paula Begoun, skincare expert and founder of Paul's Choice: "Every day use a moisturizer or eye cream that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. These two sunscreen ingredients at an SPF30 or greater are exceptionally gentle around the eye area."
Gentle chemical exfoliation
Take a softly, softly approach and apply your AHA or BHA leave-on exfoliant around the outside of the eye, says Paula: "Don't take it near the lash line or the eyelid. Exfoliation can make a difference overnight in the smoothness and radiance of the under-eye area, making it look brighter and less ashy."
Paula suggests applying niacinamide or azelaic acid, two well-known brighteners, around the eye twice daily.
While Dr Zamani's new MZ Skin Brightening & Hydrating Eye Ampoules are like a five-day boot camp for the skin around your eyes. Each serum-filled ampoule features a day or night-specific cocktail of ingredients such as peptides to boost collagen, hyaluronic acid in combination with 'moisture-locking ceramides, plus caffeine to help de-puff.
-
I am blush *obsessed* and this easy multi-use pick always gets me complimentsAs a self-proclaimed blush connoisseur, I swear by ILIA's cheek and lip stick and hopefully, when my work is done, you will too.
-
Emma Chamberlain just debuted the ultimate sexy chic updo—and the wispy look is perfect for fallIf you've been looking for a new, signature hair look for fall, Emma Chamberlain may have just come *through* for you...
