Short answer: Dark circles have several common causes, and more than one is often at work: shadow from hollows that develop with age, extra pigment, blood vessels showing through thin skin, tiredness, rubbing and genetics. Which ones apply to you shapes what can change. A suitable eye product, used consistently, can improve the look of dryness around the eye, and some formulations are designed to improve the look of uneven tone. Daytime sun protection helps protect the area from further sun exposure.
A dark circle can be shade, pigment or a visible vessel, and each looks a little different in the mirror.
Why the under-eye area shows so much
The skin under your eyes is thin, and it can loosen and thin further with age, so whatever sits beneath it is closer to the surface than it would be on a cheek. Light matters too. The brow and the socket throw shadow downward, which is why the same face can look rested by a window and tired under a bathroom ceiling light.
The common causes
These are common causes, not a complete list, and they often overlap. Nothing here is a way to diagnose yourself.
Shadow from hollows. With age, the area under the eye can develop a hollow, sometimes called a tear trough, and puffy lower lids can cast a shadow of their own. What looks like dark skin is often shade.
Pigment. Some people have more pigment in the skin under the eyes. Sun exposure can add to it. This kind tends to look brown rather than blue or purple.
Visible blood vessels. As the skin thins and loosens with age, the vessels underneath can show through more, giving a bluish or purplish tone.
Tiredness. A short night can make circles look darker.
Rubbing. Itchy eyes lead to rubbing, and repeated rubbing of thin skin can darken the area. Ask a pharmacist or doctor about the itch.
Genetics. Circles can run in families.
Smoking and excessive alcohol use are also commonly listed.
What can help, cause by cause
The cause, and the formulation you choose, decide what a product can do.
Dryness. Dry skin around the eye can look crepey and more shadowed. An eye product that hydrates and conditions this thin skin can help it look smoother and reflect light more evenly, so dryness-related shadow may look less obvious.
Uneven tone and pigment. Some formulations are designed to improve the look of uneven tone with consistent use, on a timeline that varies with the cause, the product and the person. Daytime sun protection belongs alongside them. Dark Spots and Uneven Skin Tone covers realistic expectations.
Shadow and visible vessels. Hollows, the shape of the eye area and the vessels beneath the skin are anatomy. Skincare can improve the look of the skin over them, but it does not change what lies underneath. Professional treatments for the area are a separate class from home skincare, selected and administered by qualified practitioners.
Eye products differ in where and how they are applied, so follow the directions for the one you use. Apply it with a clean fingertip, and use a clean spatula for anything taken from an open jar. More product, or more frequent use, will not bring faster results. Do Eye Creams Work? goes through the whole category.
Sun, sleep and gentle habits
Sun protection. The under-eye area is easy to miss, and sun exposure can deepen pigment. Use daytime sun protection, and around the eyes follow the product label, which tells you to keep sunscreen out of the eyes. Sunglasses and a hat add shade in strong sun.
Sleep. Adequate sleep supports your overall health and helps your face look rested. Sleep, Exercise and Your Skin covers what sleep does and does not change.
Gentle makeup removal. In the evening, remove eye makeup with a dedicated eye makeup remover before you cleanse your face, and go to bed with a completely clean face. Removal should never mean scrubbing.
Concealer and light
Concealer changes how the area looks for the day and sits alongside your skincare, without addressing the causes underneath. If your eyes also look swollen first thing, Puffy Eyes in the Morning covers that separate question.
When to see a professional
If darkness or swelling appears under one eye only, appears suddenly, or comes with itching, pain, a rash or any change in your vision, see a healthcare professional. Do not try to work out the cause yourself.
Victoria’s approach
Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator. She draws on her professional experience at Younger You Clinique when evaluating skincare products and their performance. Victoria’s philosophy has always extended beyond what goes into a jar. “Mindful Living, Ageless Skin” reflects her belief that maintaining your best skin over a lifetime involves both appropriate skincare and thoughtful lifestyle habits. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, appropriate hydration, balanced nutrition and sensible sun protection all form part of that broader approach. None replaces a well-designed skincare regimen, and skincare doesn’t replace healthy living. When Victoria evaluates the appearance of the eye area, she also considers lifestyle factors such as sleep, hydration and sun exposure, rather than treating skincare products as the only consideration.
For the eye area, Esenté formulations include the Eye Contour Complex, the Defining Eye Serum and the Youthful Eyes Set. These are examples, and other Esenté formulations may suit your eye area depending on your regimen. For the Eye Contour Complex, follow its directions: after cleansing, gently pat a small amount around the entire orbital eye area with a clean fingertip, morning and night. Its directions also allow use around the lip area for fine lines. Do not extend that direction to other eye products, which have their own directions. Esenté works with boutique manufacturers to develop and select formulations that meet the brand’s ingredient, performance and quality criteria. Unsure which suits your circles? Ask through the Ask Victoria page.
Frequently asked questions
Common causes include shadow from hollows that develop with age, extra pigment, blood vessels showing through thin skin, tiredness, rubbing and genetics. Several often combine.
It depends on the cause and the formulation. Hydration can make dryness-related darkness look less obvious, and some formulations can improve the look of uneven tone with consistent use. Circles caused by shadow or visible vessels come from anatomy that skincare does not change.
Not necessarily. Tiredness can make circles look darker, but plenty of well-rested people have them because of genetics, pigment or the shape of the eye area.
Sun exposure can deepen pigment, so daytime sun protection helps protect the area from further exposure. Around the eyes, follow the label and keep it out of your eyes. It will not change circles caused by shadow or structure.
If darkness or swelling appears under one eye only, appears suddenly, or comes with itching, pain, a rash or a change in your vision, see a healthcare professional rather than guessing at the cause.
About the author. Victoria Nash, founder of Esenté Skincare, has been a licensed aesthetician since 2003. She also owns and operates Younger You Clinique and is an experienced skincare educator.
Reviewed by Victoria Nash, licensed aesthetician, founder of Esenté Skincare and owner of Younger You Clinique. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Ask your dermatologist or licensed skincare professional about products appropriate for your own skin and medical history.
