How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles Under Eyes

Uncover tips on how to reduce dark circles under eyes with NIVEA

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Read Time: 8 minutes

Understanding Dark Circles
What Causes Dark Circles Under The Eyes?
Identifying Your Type of Dark Circles & Treatment
6 Daily Habits To Reduce Dark Circles
Facts Overview
Skincare Routine For Dark Circles
Summary
FAQs

Understanding Dark Circles Under Eyes

Dark circles are areas of darker skin that can give a tired and aged look. They are a common cosmetic concern and can affect individuals of all ages and skin types.

What Causes Dark Circles Under The Eyes?

Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by a variety of factors, such as genetics, lack of sleep, and other causes including:

Ageing: As you age, your skin naturally becomes thinner, making dark blood vessels beneath your skin more prominent.
Allergies: Allergies can trigger the release of histamine, which cause blood vessels to dilate and become more visible. Frequent rubbing or scratching of the eyes due to allergies can also lead to inflammation, swelling, and broken blood vessels, all of which can contribute to dark circles.
Dehydration: When your body is not well hydrated, the skin under your eyes can look dull and sunken.
Sun Exposure: Excessive sun exposure can increase melanin production, leading to darker pigmentation under the eyes.
Eye Strain: Prolonged periods of looking at screens can cause blood vessels around the eyes to enlarge and become more visible.
Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, alcohol consumption, and a poor diet can all contribute to the appearance of dark circles.
Medical Conditions: Conditions like eczema, anaemia, thyroid issues, and allergies.
Vitamin Deficiency: Deficiencies in vitamins such as Vitamin K and B12.
Pigmentation and Melanin: Increased melanin production can cause hyperpigmentation, leading to dark circles. Conditions like periorbital hyperpigmentation are marked by an excess of melanin around the eyes, resulting in darker skin.

Identifying Your Type of Dark Circles & Treatment

Types of Dark Circles:

Blue under-eye circles: Often caused by poor blood circulation and thin skin around the eyes, making underlying veins more visible.
Treatment: Blue circles are difficult to remove, but could benefit from treatments that firm and plump the skin, such as Retinol creams or serums containing Folic Acid of Hyalyronic Acid.
Brown under-eye circles: Typically a result of hyperpigmentation due to factors like sun exposure, genetics, and inflammation.
Treatment: Brown circles can be reduced by professional skin care products targeting pigmentation and brown spots.
Black under-eye circles: Usually due to shadows caused by puffy eyelids or hollows under the eyes, which can result from ageing or loss of fat and collagen.
Treatment: Black circles may benefit from treatments containing skin-radiance ingredients such as Vitamin C.

6 Daily Habits to Reduce Dark Circles

1. Quality Sleep

Importance of a Regular Sleep Schedule: Establishing and maintaining a consistent sleep routine is important for reducing dark circles. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to allow your body time to repair and rejuvenate the skin.
Sleep Positions to Reduce Puffiness: Sleeping on your back with your head slightly elevated can help prevent fluid from pooling under your eyes, reducing puffiness and dark circles.

2. Diet and Hydration

Foods Rich in Iron, Vitamins K, C, and B12: A balanced diet rich in these vitamins and minerals could improve skin health and reduce the appearance of dark circles. Incorporate foods like leafy greens, citrus fruits, berries, nuts, and lean meats into your daily meals.
Iron: For healthy blood oxygenation, iron can help reduce dark circles caused by anaemia. Foods rich in iron include spinach, lentils, and red meat.
Vitamin C: Vital for Collagen production, Vitamin C can help densify the skin under the eyes. Include oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers in your diet.
Vitamin B12: Another important element for blood oxygenation, a deficiency in B12 can lead to dark circles. Ensure you're getting enough through foods like fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Staying Hydrated: Hydration is key to maintaining healthy skin. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin plump and hydrated.

3. Sun Protection

Wearing Sunscreen: Protecting your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays is important for skin health. Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to your face every day, even on cloudy days, to prevent pigmentation and the worsening of dark circles.
Wearing Sunglasses: Sunglasses with UV protection can shield your delicate under-eye area from sun damage. Look for sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays for the best protection.

NIVEA Sun Fluid SPF 50+

4. Stress Management

Techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can help reduce stress levels. High stress can contribute to dark circles by affecting sleep patterns and blood circulation.

5. Avoiding Smoking and Excessive Alcohol

Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can have detrimental effects on skin health. They can dehydrate the skin and impair circulation, leading to a tired and aged appearance.

6. Skincare

Incorporating Eye Cream into Your Skincare Routine: Using a dedicated eye cream like Luminous 630 Anti Dark Circles can be highly effective. It contains Hyaluronic Acid and Caffeine to effectively target dark circles, as well as patented NIVEA ingredient Luminous630® to target hyperpigmentation.

How to get rid of dark circles under eyes

Facts Overview

Causes: Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by fatigue, lack of sleep, and ageing, which leads to thinning skin and visible blood vessels.

Remedies: Eye creams hydrate and reduce puffiness. Concealers provide instant coverage for an even skin tone.

Prevention: A regular sleep schedule helps prevent tired-looking eyes, and staying hydrated keeps skin healthy-looking and plump.

Treating Dark Circles

For those looking to address dark circles under their eyes, cosmetic treatments can be relatively effective. Here are some popular options and tips on how to use them.

Eye Creams and Gels

When it comes to dark circle eye treatment, creams and gels for eye contours are among the most commonly used cosmetic products. They often contain ingredients that specifically target the causes.

Ingredients to Look For:

Vitamin C: For more radiant skin and reduced signs of fatigue.

Hyaluronic Acid: Provides intense hydration, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of shadows caused by thin skin.

Caffeine: Reduces puffiness and helps improve tired-looking eyes.

Persistent Dark Circles

If you have persistent dark circles that don't improve with lifestyle changes or cosmetic products, it might be time to consult a dermatologist. They can assess whether there are underlying medical conditions contributing to your dark circles.

Common Misconceptions

Only Lack of Sleep Causes Dark Circles: While lack of sleep can contribute, other factors like genetics, allergies, some medical conditions and ageing also play a significant role.
Dark Circles are a Sign of Poor Health: They can occur even in healthy individuals due to genetic predisposition or skin characteristics. However, if in doubt, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.
Dark Circles are Permanent: Although many treatments and lifestyle changes can help reduce the appearance, it's hard to get rid of them completely. Some cases may however benefit more persistent care and professional treatments.

Skincare Routine For Dark Circles

Addressing dark circles requires a consistent and targeted skincare routine. Here's a simple yet effective regimen:

1.Cleanse Gently:

Use a mild cleanser to remove dirt and impurities without irritating the delicate skin around your eyes.

Micellar Waters

2. Moisturise and apply skincare:

Use an eye cream or serum containing moisturising and active ingredients such as Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Caffeine and Peptides. These ingredients help maintain hydration, improve skin radiance and elasticity, plump skin and reduce puffiness.

Eye Creams

3. Protect:

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to protect the skin from UV damage, which can worsen dark circles. Avoid direct contact with the eyes, and preferably use a cream that has been tested for eye compatibility. Don't forget your sunglasses to protect your eyes and the skin around your eyes.

Facial Sunscreens

Nivea Anti-Age Eye Cream with Hyaluronic acid

4. Tinted Face Cream:

Opt for a tinted fluid that provides light and natural coverage for face and dark circles. Discover the NIVEA Cellular Luminous630 Anti Dark-Spot Tinted Fluid Double Corrector SPF 20 with a dual action: It helps even out skin tone and dark spots while offering sun protection with SPF formulations. Avoid direct contact with the eyes. Note that this product won't completely conceal dark circles, but it will provide more discreet coverage while giving your skin the care it needs. If you want full coverage, opt for make-up products instead.

NIVEA LUMINOUS630

Combat Men’s Dark Circles

When it comes to dark circles under the eyes, both men and women can experience them. Perhaps you're wondering how to get rid of dark circles in men? While there are a variety of products that can help, it's important to remember that men and women have slightly different skin.
With this in mind, NIVEA offers a men's eye cream for dark circles, designed specifically to improve the skin beneath the eyes. The NIVEA MEN Anti-Age Hyaluron Eye Cream is a fast-absorbing moisturising cream enriched with Hyaluronic Acid to reduce bags under the eyes and signs of tiredness that men may experience. It can visibly reduce deep wrinkles and firm the skin below the eyes while providing 24 hours of hydration.

Summary

Dark circles under the eyes are common and can often be managed with simple treatments like using an eye cream. They can be caused by various factors such as lack of sleep and dehydration. Implementing good skincare practices, maintaining hydration, getting enough sleep, and protecting the skin from sun exposure are effective ways to reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to completely get rid of dark circles?

While it may not be possible to completely remove dark circles, their appearance can be significantly reduced with proper skincare, lifestyle changes, and, if necessary, medical treatments.

When should I see a doctor about my dark circles?

If dark circles persist despite using over-the-counter treatments and making lifestyle changes, or if they are accompanied by other symptoms like severe fatigue, swelling, pain, or itching, it is advisable to see a healthcare professional for further evaluation.

Can makeup conceal dark circles effectively?

Yes, makeup, especially concealers, can effectively conceal dark circles. Choosing a concealer with good coverage that matches your skin tone and applying it correctly can significantly improve the appearance of dark circles.

Are there specific exercises for reducing dark circles?

While there are no specific exercises to reduce them, regular facial massages can improve circulation around the eyes, which might help reduce puffiness and improve skin tone.

Can rubbing the eyes cause dark circles?

Yes, rubbing the eyes too hard can irritate the delicate skin, causing inflammation and making dark circles more pronounced. Avoiding this habit and using gentle eye care practices can help.

How long does it take to see improvement in dark circles with treatment?

The time it takes to see improvement varies depending on the treatment, the origin of dark circles and individual factors. Some may see changes in a few days to weeks with lifestyle changes and topical treatments, while more persistent dark circles might require longer-term solutions or professional treatments.

How do hormones affect dark circles?

Hormonal changes, such as those during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, can affect the skin and contribute to dark circles. Hormonal fluctuations can lead to water retention and changes in skin pigmentation.