If you woke up this morning, took one look in the mirror, and found yourself with dark circles that weren’t there yesterday, you’re not alone. Dark circles are a fact of life that we’ve all had to deal with, whether they’re the result of sleep deprivation or simply a sign of aging. Fortunately, like many skin-related issues, they don’t have to stay on your face forever. In this post, you’ll find a few tips on how to get rid of dark eye circles, as well as their potential causes.
Dark circles vs. eye bags
These common under-eye concerns tend to be mistaken for each other but they actually don’t mean the same thing. Dark circles are precisely what they sound like — darkness in the skin around your eyes. This condition results in a circular shadow under your eyes, making your skin look sunken (and sadly, a lot older than you actually are).
Unlike dark circles that make your under-eye area seem shallow, eye bags make it look bloated. This is because eye bags are primarily caused by the build-up of fat and fluid, although genetics may also be a factor.
What causes under-eye circles?
Under-eye circles tend to be linked to lack of sleep, but that’s only one of its causes. Let’s look at some of the common causes of under-eye circles to identify the ideal solution:
Aging
Time is the most common culprit for dark under-eye circles. As you age, your body begins to lose its ability to produce collagen and elastin, proteins that are responsible for maintaining your skin’s shape. As the skin under your eyes starts to thin out, your blood vessels become more noticeable — this is why dark under-eye circles typically have a blue-ish or purpleish tint.
Sleep deprivation
This is a well-known cause of dark circles under the eyes. Whenever you don’t get a good night’s sleep, your blood vessels dilate, leading to an increase in blood flow. Since the skin in this area is already so thin, the veins underneath become more visible.
Sleep deprivation also causes fluid to accumulate under your eyes. The dark circles that you see may actually be the shadow cast by your puffy lower eyelids. Lack of sleep also makes the skin appear paler, making the darkness more pronounced.
Dehydration
As you grow older, your skin gradually loses its ability to produce ceramides — these are lipids that make up your skin’s natural moisture barrier. When your skin isn’t well-hydrated, it becomes more prone to irritants that can contribute to dullness, particularly around the eye.
Lack of water can also make it difficult for the skin under your eyes to maintain its bounce. When this occurs, your eye’s orbital bone becomes more prominent, creating a hollow crease along your tear trough.