The eyes are the windows to the soul.
But what do you do when the curtains to your soul is reminiscent of Darth Vader?
I'll tell you what you do: You erase that. You erase that expeditiously :)
Why do I have dark eye bags?
Dark eye bags can result from a multitude of factors. Surprisingly, it's not always due to hyperpigmentation; sometimes it's simply a matter of your natural facial structure.
Shadowing
Occasionally, the structure of your eye area and environmental factors (like above lighting) can create the illusion of darker under-eyes. Poor lighting, prominent orbital bones, puffiness, or deep tear troughs can cast shadows, making the skin appear darker without actual pigmentation changes.
Recognising this can change your approach - helping you avoid unnecessary spending on brightening products when often only cosmetic treatments can truly address the issue - or a flashlight.
Thin Eye Skin
The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your body. This is why normal skincare products may not be suitable for your eye-care; it has unique needs, sensitivities, and is structurally different.
Because of its thinness, underlying structures like veins and muscles are more visible, often giving the area a darker appearance. To find out whether this is your eye problem, gently pinch the skin-does the darkness fade? If yes, it's likely that your eye skin is thin and your human anatomy is coming through full force.
This becomes a more notable problem for us all as we get older. Often with aging we lose fat, collagen, and our skin thins. Also, people commonly develop puffy eyelids-or they hollow out-causing shadows that appear as darker skin.
The best approach to fixing this is either to 1. Relax the underlying anatomy or 2. Thicken the skin.
- Relax the Underlying Anatomy:
To reduce the prominence of blood vessels and fluid retention, caffeine is a popular choice, often extracted from green tea to make green tea eye creams and facial spritzes. It causes vasoconstriction - when blood vessels narrow - reducing blood flow, puffiness and visible veins. It's important to note that, over time, the caffeine may be fully absorbed, meaning multiple applications might be needed for continued effectiveness. - Thicken the Skin:
To thicken the eye skin, your number 1 product will be Vitamin A (retinol) as it stimulates collagen production and improves skin density over time.
Other products known for boosting collagen production is:
- MSM: Provides sulphur, a key building block for collagen, while also reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Gotu Kola: Rich in triterpenes that boost collagen synthesis and strengthen the skin barrier.
- Peptides: Directly signal the skin to produce more collagen.
- Niacinamide: While being great for hyperpigmentation, it also stimulates fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen.
- Bakuchiol: Stimulates collagen without the irritation and dryness retinol occasionally causes.
Note: Do not use essential oils around the eyes, as they can be extremely irritating if they get into the eye.
Hyperpigmentation
Some people have increased pigment deposition in the skin, and that is what gives the appearance of darkened skin. Hyperpigmentation can have multiple causes, including genetics, allergic reactions to skin or nail care products, chronic inflammation like eczema, or neglecting to apply sunscreen to this delicate area.
You know that this is your problem when you gently pinch the skin in your eye and the darkness remains constant.
Whether fading is possible depends on the cause and severity. If it's severe and primarily genetic, significant changes from cosmetic ingredients (and even advanced treatments) are unlikely. Some people consider chemical peels here, but the skin around the eye is WAY too sensitive for that; the best options for lightening are the same products used to target general hyperpigmentation:
- Retinoids: Increase cell turnover, helping to fade pigmentation faster.
- Kojic Acid: Inhibits the activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for the production of melanin
- Niacinamide: Slows pigment transfer in the skin while strengthening the barrier.
- Vitamin C (often combined with Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid): Inhibits melanin production and protects against oxidative stress.
- Azelaic Acid: Targets melanin overproduction and is anti-inflammatory
- Liquorice Root: Soothes and inhibits pigmentation without irritation.
What about morning puffy eyes?
Some people just have puffy morning eyes, which can look dark and take a while to normalise. This happens because of the fluid retention that happens when you sleep - it leads to swelling as excess fluid settles in the tissues around the eyes. Poor sleep, salty foods before bed, allergies, or even drinking alcohol can contribute to this fluid buildup.
How puffy our eyes are when we wake up can also be influenced by other factors like ageing, allergies and hormones. As we age, the skin around the eyes becomes thinner and more prone to puffiness, while sinus congestion or hormonal fluctuations can exacerbate the problem.
If you find that you're particularly puffy-eyed in the morning, try these tips:
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated. This helps prevent fluid from pooling around your eyes.
- Apply something cold for a few minutes to constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. Think 2 - 5 minutes per eye and be mindful not to apply extreme cold for too long to avoid irritation.
- Drink water as soon as you wake up to help flush out excess salt and reduce fluid retention.
- Use a serum or cream containing Caffeine, as Caffeine helps constrict blood vessels and reduce puffiness.
- Reduce your consumption of salty foods, especially in the evening, to prevent fluid retention.
- Gently massage the area around your eyes to improve circulation and help fluid drainage.
- Make sure your bedding and environment are free of allergens that may contribute to puffiness.
Does a lack of sleep give you dark eyes?
Yes! Not sleeping slows blood circulation, causing blood to pool in the veins under the eyes, making it more visible and darker. Additionally, sleep deprivation can turn your thin eye skin even paler, highlighting the dark veins underneath.
Chronic lack of sleep also elevates cortisol levels, the body's stress hormone, leading to inflammation and worsening skin conditions like dark circles. Remember that your skin (and body as a whole) rejuvenates when you sleep, so fatigue also hinders the skin's ability to repair itself, resulting in a dull complexion and more noticeable dark circles.
Sleeping enough and sleeping well is the most powerful form of self-care for both body and mind. Sufficient rest enhances circulation, decreases inflammation, accelerates skin regeneration, and improves your overall quality of life.
If this is why you have darkened eyes, the products that worked for thin skin would work well here as well.
Do you need to see a Dr if you have Dark Circles?
Dark circles around your eyes are not really a serious health problem-but they can often be the symptom of a more serious skin condition like:
- Allergies
- Contact dermatitis
- Excessive Scratching
- Eczema
- Hay Fever
- Pigmentation Problems
- Sun damage
In some cases, seeking help from a medical professional may be more helpful-if your dark eyes are because of allergies, maybe an antihistamine could be all you need. Maybe you have undiagnosed eczema.
If your attempts with cosmetic products aren't providing relief, and you suspect a medical condition, it would be best to seek the advice of a medical professional.
Easy Thick Eye Cream Here:
Before we get into these formulas, if you're looking for a simpler option, you can easily customize a cream base by adding just the ingredients you're most interested in (click here to find out how to use bases). For a quick and straightforward solution, consider adding caffeine and retinol to a cream base.
