Dark circles under the eyes despite getting enough sleep?
There are reasons for this! Let me tell you something: Dark circles are a lot more complex than you think and there are often multiple causes and factors that can play a role. Although it is often claimed that they are genetic in origin and that we have little control over them, there are opportunities to prevent, treat and reduce them. If you're looking for some expert-tested tips to get your face and eyes looking radiant again, you've come to the right place.
The delicate skin of the eyes
Let's start by understanding the skin around our eyes a little better. The eyelid skin is one of the areas with the thinnest skin on the body. In fact, we have very thin, delicate skin which, along with bones, blood vessels, fat pads and muscles, sits on a hollow structure around our eyes. This skin type dries out quickly and becomes irritated easily, especially if one uses several cosmetic products per day - which most women usually do.
Dark circles 101
As we have already mentioned, dark circles are often very complex and have several causes and factors that play a role. So let's start with the basics to understand the different ways dark circles can manifest themselves.
In some cases, people are born with dark circles and therefore fall into the hereditary category. These people are actually born with thinner, paler skin, with more pigment under the eyes, and in some cases, with slower vascular movement. But despite the genetic component, environmental and lifestyle factors can also promote the appearance of dark circles.
This can be translated in different ways. First, in the form of dark blood vessels visible through the skin. Secondly, dark circles can also be caused by thicker and opaque skin or, on the contrary, very thin and translucent. Finally, the surface of the skin may also be naturally darker because it is more pigmented. Most of these factors can be genetic in origin, which is due to the development of our body and different environmental factors.
What makes things even more complicated is that in most cases it is a combination of all the factors mentioned above. Before opting for a treatment, it is therefore best to speak to a professional dermatologist to determine what is best for you and your skin.
A wide variety of causes
As we have already mentioned several times, the causes can be multiple. In order to get a better overview, we have divided them into different categories, which we hope will make it easier for you to identify the most determining factors for you.
Lifestyle - sleep, diet, work : as obvious as it may seem, dark circles are often a reflection of a very stressful lifestyle, poor eating habits such as excessive consumption of alcohol, junk food or processed foods and general exhaustion due to lack of sleep and/or overwork. Sometimes dehydration can also be the cause because if you don't get enough water into your body, the skin under your eyes looks dull and your eyes look sunken.
Although lack of sleep and too much work may be considered the main causes of dark circles, it turns out that this is not the case.
Hyperpigmentation : One of the main causes of dark shadows under the eyes is hyperpigmentation. This can be caused either by environmental factors such as sun exposure, smoking, lack of sleep or genetic factors. Asian and African skin types, for example, are predisposed to it, because the skin on the lower eyelids is genetically very thin and the veins show through, resulting in a darker appearance.
Allergies and nasal congestion : In addition, seasonal allergies and nasal congestion also play a role. In both cases, it is poor blood circulation to the lower eyelid that causes the veins to dilate. These then not only become larger, but also have a darker appearance.
Aging : And as if that wasn't enough, aging also contributes to the appearance of dark circles, as the loss of volume of fat and collagen under the eyes is also a significant factor. This happens naturally with age and results in a sagging appearance and thinner skin, both of which enhance the appearance of dark circles.
Screens : It's sad but true - these days we spend so much time staring at screens, whether it's our phone, our laptop or our television, and yes, you guessed it: We're not doing our eyes. Long hours spent in front of a screen tire the eyes, which leads to dilation of the blood vessels around the eyes, which further accentuates dark circles.
How do you know what type of dark circles you have?
A simple but effective tip to determine the cause of your dark circles is the pinch test. To do this, simply pinch the skin under your eyes and lift it. If it remains brown, it indicates a pigmentation problem. If, on the other hand, the color seems lighter, it is probably dilated veins that are causing the dark circles.
This is all well and good, but there remains one question: how to get rid of those annoying dark circles?
Lifestyle hacks for a fresh look and bright eyes
Let's start with the simple things, shall we? Here are some super simple tips and tricks that you can incorporate into your daily life that not only contribute to your fresh appearance but also your overall health.
Get enough sleep . Although lack of sleep is not necessarily the cause of dark circles, but rather accentuates their appearance, we recommend getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night to avoid looking pale and tired the next morning. It is also recommended to sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated to reduce the risk of puffy eyes. This allows blood to drain from the head and face, reducing swelling and dark shadows under the eyes. For good quality sleep, it is important to turn off all devices one or two hours before going to bed, so that the body and mind can calm down. For example, you can occupy yourself by writing your diary, listening to relaxing music or taking a foot bath so you can really disconnect completely.
Ban cigarettes . If you smoke, it is best to quit as soon as possible. Science has proven that cigarettes and passive smoke inhalation have a significant influence on dark circles.
Eat healthily and drink enough water . Obesity and high cholesterol or triglycerides are just as serious as smoking. The good news is that both factors can be controlled by changing your diet, exercising and taking medication. Make sure you drink enough water every day and eat an organic, healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grain products and plant proteins such as legumes. Also make sure you get enough vitamin C, as it increases collagen production, which in turn can reduce blood congestion and therefore diminish dark colors under the eyes. Optionally, you can also use beauty products that contain high concentrations of vitamin C. Another vitamin that should not be missing in your diet is vitamin K or beauty products that contain high amounts of it. A study of an anti-wrinkle and anti-dark circles patch containing 3% caffeine and 1% vitamin K showed an improvement in the appearance of dark circles after one month.
In summary, anything that improves your health helps give you a fresher appearance and fewer dark circles, plus allows you to live a longer, happier life.
Cold compresses, cucumber slices and tea bags. Especially if you suffer from increased blood vessels under your eyes, this could be just what you need. Anything that cools can shrink the blood vessels around the eyes, reducing their appearance on the skin's surface. In addition, cooling measures such as compresses can also reduce swelling and dark color. If you want to use something more natural instead of a boring compress, you can also place cooled cucumber slices or tea bags under your eyes. Cucumber is believed to reduce swelling due to sleep, eczema or allergies. If you want to try the tea bag variation, let them cool in the refrigerator and then apply them to your eyes. Some even recommend using caffeinated tea bags because caffeine constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow.
Apply sunscreen every day . A decisive factor in cases of hyperpigmentation is wearing sun protection. And this, every day! Sun exposure should also be kept to a minimum. It is best to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection. You can also wear sunglasses. If you want to both protect and cover your skin, you can also use a covering stick with a broad spectrum sun protection factor and thus kill two birds with one stone.
Skin Care Tips for Dark Circles
Now that you've got your lifestyle under control, let's move on to some expert tips for your skincare routine.
The concealer stick . As we've already mentioned, concealer is a good way to hide dark circles and make your face look fresh, at least temporarily. You can use a neutralizing concealer or, if you want to go even fancier, try a light-reflecting product, which reflects the light under your eyes and is perfect for the inner corners of the eye.
Makeup tips . If you want to go fast, you can apply makeup with a little makeup trick. Sounds easy? Yes, but the most important thing is color correction. First check which colors are visible before your eyes. If they are dark, blue or grayish, use peach-colored makeup to balance the tones. If the colors are more pink or reddish, neutralize them with a more yellow base. Proceed lightly when applying. If you only apply a small amount of the right shade, the effect will be much greater than if you apply a large amount of makeup, which will again accentuate the eye area.
Try new skin care products . There are a multitude of products that work against dark circles. We recommend products containing ingredients such as caffeine, hyaluronic acid, tri-peptides, moisture-locking ceramides as well as vitamin C. It's even better if vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are included. combined, because the first creates collagen, which causes separation between the veins and the skin, while the second plumps the skin to reduce transparency. Win-win!
What are the possible treatments to get rid of dark circles?
If none of the above works, there are still a few other possibilities. Below are different treatment options that you can try to finally get rid of your dark circles.
Chemical peeling . If you suffer from bags under your eyes due to hyperpigmentation, a chemical peel could provide relief. They are often used to treat various facial pigmentation problems, for example melasma or age spots. However, be sure to avoid deep eye peels to reduce the risk of scarring or even worsening pigmentation. Instead, use a light peel. These usually provide relief for a while. Typically, these peels are based on lactic acid, mandelic acid and glycolic acid, which cause the skin to gently peel off after treatment.
Laser treatment . Another option that may be worth trying. Special lasers allow targeted treatment of pigments around the eyes. However, this treatment should only be carried out by specialists in order to avoid eye damage! Generally, several treatments are necessary before obtaining a result.
Tear fillers . If nothing really works, you can also try injections or other similar treatments that reduce the appearance of your dark circles. Tear substitutes are a common, non-surgical treatment that improves the appearance of dark circles on the lower eyelid. These fillers contain hyaluronic acid which refills the area, lifting the skin.
Microneedling . Microneedling is another innovative but very effective method. It involves using small needles that penetrate the upper layer of the skin and thus nourish it from the inside. A combination of highly effective ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides are usually used, which are dissolved by the microneedling technique and help skin cells repair themselves and lighten dark circles. The combination with peeling is particularly effective, as it increases penetration and thus strengthens the effect of the peeling. If redness or swelling appears after treatment, let your skin rest and forgo cosmetics or makeup for a few days.
Andshine's Under-Eye Patch
About microneedling technology: we recommend the Under Eye Patch . A restructuring treatment under the eyes thanks to an innovative micro-needle structure that restores radiance to your eyes. The patch rejuvenates, purifies and brightens the sensitive area around the eyes - and all this while you sleep! It contains a patented combination of highly effective ingredients such as pure and cross-linked hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, vitamin B3, caffeine and anti-wrinkle peptide AHP-8, which dissolve in the skin and nourish it with the interior. So, dark circles are definitely a thing of the past!
Sources: MedicalNewsToday , MedicalNewsToday , Byrdie , Vogue , Healthline