Topical creams and bleaching agents: Topical creams, such as vitamin C, and bleaching agents, such as hydroquinone, can help lighten the appearance of dark circles under your eyes. Chemical peels: Chemical peels use alpha-hydroxy acids to reduce the pigmentation under your eyes.
If that's the case, then “Brightening creams with ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid, and niacinamide may be helpful,” says Lin. “If the dark circles are due to underlying swelling or puffiness, then consider creams with caffeine or vitamin K instead.”
Type of product: In addition to under-eye creams and face moisturizers, silk pillowcases and cooling under-eye patches can all be helpful in reducing dark circles. Sunscreen around the eyes and eyelids can also protect the skin from sun damage that may worsen the appearance of dark circles over time.
Dark circles can affect anyone of any age and ethnicity for a variety of reasons. Genetics, aging, and lifestyle factors all play a part in the development of dark circles. People may also find that allergies, nutrient deficiencies, or underlying health conditions can cause dark circles.
"Dark circles - also known as periorbital hyperpigmentation - worsen with a diet rich in sugar and salt because, like alcohol, there is the formation of edema in the region, making the eyelid more swollen and the deposited pigment more evident", says dermatologist Dr. Claudia Marçal.
What Deficiency Causes Dark Eye Circles on Skin? Vitamin deficiencies that are associated with dark circles include vitamins E, D, K vitamin, A, and B12. In addition to that, iron deficiency is also a root cause of dark circles.
What causes dark circles under the eyes? There are many different causes for dark circles under the eyes: Hereditary – Very thin or very transparent skin can be an inherited trait, also very deep-set bone structure. Liver Problems – Dark circles can be a sign of liver disease.
Occasionally, dermatologists will sometimes treat mild cases of dark circles under the eyes with Retin-A, an acid that works to reduce dark circles by blocking certain chemical reactions occurring during formation of melanocytes, or the cells responsible for skin pigmentation.
Evens out skin tone - Vitamin C is effective in treating pigmentation as it contains ascorbic acid one of the potent ingredients to help reduce dark circles. It aids in reducing the appearance of dark spots, dark circle and gradually improves the under-eye area by providing an even-toned, bright skin.
One of the most effective and highly easy ways to combat these dark circles is to use cold tea bags. Preferably, use green tea or chamomile tea bags for quick results. It is thought that the residual caffeine helps to constrict blood vessels which reduces blood flow, helping to provide some relief from dark circles.
The estimated time frame to diminish the appearance of dark circles is between 6 and 8 weeks.
A doctor may recommend using a topical bleaching cream to treat dark circles and hyperpigmentation. These creams contain an agent that inhibits the production of melanin on your skin. The most prescribed bleaching agent is hydroquinone. Studies show that it can take 5 to 7 months of use to be effective.
Caffeine or caffeinated drinks cause dehydration that worsens under-eye rings. Eating a diet too rich in salt can lead to water retention, which causes the skin beneath the eyes to puff up, making dark circles more noticeable.
Dark circles around the eyes are often caused by poor circulation, which might be the result of an unhealthy gut. An unhealthy gut can cause food deficiencies and inflammation, both of which can reduce blood flow to the area surrounding the eyes.
Dark circles under the eyes are usually caused by being tired. Sometimes, what appear to be dark circles under your eyes may merely be shadows cast by puffy eyelids or hollows under your eyes that develop as a normal part of aging. Dark circles under the eyes usually aren't a medical problem.
But even if it doesn't run in your family, they can show up as a result of fatigue, stress, allergies, dehydration, sun damage, and even a bit of a visual trick thanks to changing cheekbones and eyelids. “Very commonly, dark circles worsen with age,” says Dr. McGevna.
“One of the best ingredients to find in eye creams is vitamin C because it gets rid of free radicals and brightens the skin,” says Amiruddin. Vitamin C is also a potent collagen booster, so the addition of vitamin C to your nightly regimen can help thicken the delicate under-eye area and conceal discoloration.
"With repeated use, retinol can stimulate the production of collagen, making the skin less thin and improving the dark circles. They are easy to find at the drugstore," says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.