Having dark circles under your eyes can make you feel old and unattractive. And because there are so many different causes for them, it can be tricky knowing the reason for your dark circles.
So, today we’re rounding up some of the most common explanations for these blemishes. And we’ve got some easy, at-home solutions you can try to get balanced, beautiful skin again.
What Causes Dark Circles?
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Genetics
Many of us unfairly blame our parents for our misfortunes. But when it comes to dark circles, they might actually be accountable. This can be the case especially for people who have Mediterranean ancestry.
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Vascular Issues
If your dark circles are blueish, you might have too much blood collecting in the area under your eyes.
What complicates this is that the skin under your eyes is actually the thinnest layer of skin on your body. So, when there’s too much blood and thin skin in the same place, it’s easier for blueish, dark circles to occur.
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Gluten
Food allergies can often irritate the skin. The common allergen, gluten, can contribute to the darkness under your eyes, too.
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Hyperpigmentation
Common among African and Asian American skin types, brownish circles can be the result of too much melanin production underneath the eyes. This can be due to rubbing your eyes, heredity, or too much sun.
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Sleep Patterns
One of the most popular reasons for dark eye circles is not enough sleep. But you can also get this discoloration when you sleep too much.
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Crying
The combination of tears, rubbing and drying your eyes can cause irritation and dark circles even after you’ve moved on.
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Allergic Reaction
Women commonly use beauty products to conceal and camouflage these unattractive spots. But sometimes, these very products cause irritation and allergic reactions to the skin around the eyes.
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Rubbing
Itching and aggravated skin caused by nasal allergies can make you want to rub your eyes constantly. Just be careful because in satisfying that annoying itch, you can get dark circles.
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Sun Exposure
Exposing your skin to too much sun can increase blood flow to that area. It’s easy to spot these dilating blood vessels because the skin is already so delicate there. These circles have a blueish color.
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Thinning Skin
As we already mentioned, the skin under your eyes is the thinnest layer of skin on your entire body. As you grow older, this layer diminishes even further, making veins and blood much more visible.
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Smoking and Drinking
The negative impact of excessive smoking and drinking are already well-documented. But did you know that these substances can also impact the coloring of your skin?
Home Remedies to Eliminate Dark Circles
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With these eleven causes under your belt, you can probably figure out why those dark circles are showing up under your beautiful eyes. And once you know the reason for dark circles, you can try one of these safe and simple solutions to eliminate them.
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Caused by Genetics? Try This:
If dark circles are a natural part of your DNA makeup, it’s time to apply concealer and foundation to achieve that youthful, fresh look.
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Vascular Issues? Try This:
To reduce the amount of blood flowing and pooling under your eyes, try to keep your head elevated while you sleep.
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Gluten? Try This:
If you have a gluten intolerance or allergy, it’s best to find out for sure, so allergy testing can be very useful here. Until then, you can eliminate gluten (or any other potential allergen) for up to a month. See if you observe any noticeable difference in the dark circles under your eyes.
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Hyperpigmentation? Try This:
As we mentioned above, hyperpigmentation can be the result of genes, rubbing and too much sun exposure. So, try to avoid rubbing your eyes, and protect them with the proper sunglasses and sunscreen.
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Sleep Patterns? Try This:
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Maybe you’re too busy or stressed to get enough sleep, but making sleep a priority can be an easy fix for under-eye circles.
Try to give yourself 7-8 hours of restful and restorative sleep by doing the following things: Eat dinner 2-3 hours before sleeping. Eliminate technology as bedtime approaches. And use gentle herbs and essential oils to support your sleep cycle.
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Crying? Try This:
It’s hard to keep the tears back when you’re really upset. But when it’s all said and done, place cucumber slices over your eyes. They have anti-inflammatory properties.
You can also give yourself a mini spa treatment with an avocado eye mask.
Finally, save your tea bags in the fridge and place them over your eyes to soothe and cool this delicate area.
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Allergic Reaction? Try This:
Whether your dark circles are the result of food allergies or environmental allergies, try to manage them with medicine, like antihistamines, or any natural remedies of your choosing. This can reduce the irritation your eyes will suffer from.
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Rubbing? Try This:
First, you need to ask why you’re rubbing. Is it due to fatigue, allergies, or a nervous habit? When you identify the reason for this behavior and become aware of yourself, you can try to change this behavior as best as you can.
To remind yourself to stop rubbing, leave sticky notes on your PC or desk to keep you on track throughout the day. Another way we can rub too much is by being too rough when removing our makeup.
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Sun Exposure? Try This:
Who doesn’t love spending time outdoors in the sunshine? Just be sure to protect the fine, thin skin under your eyes by wearing sunglasses and sunscreen that block harsh UV rays.
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Thinning Skin? Try This:
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Collagen is necessary for strong and healthy skin. While there are many beauty products that promote collagen production, you can include lots of Vitamin C into your diet to support your body’s own collagen production. Citrus fruits, strawberries and bell peppers are all great choices here.
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Smoking and Drinking? Try This:
These substances may be an important part of your lifestyle. But cutting back, or cutting them out entirely can help eliminate your dark circles. If you’re not quite ready to take the leap, try to drink lots of water before consuming alcoholic beverages. This will prevent dehydration, which in turn can lead to dark circles.
There are many explanations for dark circles. And for every cause, there’s a remedy. When you find the right solution, you’re on your way to a younger, fresher complexion.
