Dark circles happen. It happens to all of us, dark circles are discoloration in the hollow socket under the eyes that gives off a sunken, sleepy, worn and generally unpleasant appearance. Here we teach you how to permanently erase your dark circles.
Sleep
YES, we know it’s obvious. Dark circles will appear darker with sleep deprivation, so get some rest. But the main reason they appear this way is because lack of sleep exacerbates dryness, making the skin under your eyes appear thinner. The thinner skin shows the blood vessels more clearly, which is the cause of the discoloration.
If you know you’re going to be getting less sleep than you should, be sure to slather on a generous layer of eye cream or oil before you sleep. Skip the heavy face creams, though, and only use eye products. Anything too heavy or greasy could have the opposite effect and cause you to wake up with puffy eyes due to retention.
cold compress
Speaking of puffy eyes, we often think a cold compress for puffiness will help, and of course it works fantastic. However, a cold compress like an ice pack, an ice roller, tea bags, or even some ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth can also help with the color of dark circles because it helps shrink dilated blood vessels. Inflammation of the blood vessels isn’t always the number one cause of dark circles, but it can be, especially if you had poor sleep or had too much to drink the night before.
Color correction
Makeup, obviously! But don’t just use your favorite concealer. Color correction is a science. It depends on your skin tone, so for darker skin tones, think deep orange or a coppery shade and for those who suffer from more blue-toned dark circles. Choose a concealer that is yellow or even soft green if you have a medium skin tone, and pink if it is lighter. Put them on first, then a skin-matching concealer or foundation, and finish with pressed powder.
Liver detox
One of the main culprits for dark circles is the liver. When your liver is bogged down and unable to detoxify your body at a regular rate, symptoms can show up on your skin, including dark circles under your eyes. Antioxidant-laden herbs like broccoli, spinach, and carrots can help give your liver a boost so it can properly detox, and you’ll notice the difference in your skin.
Retinoids
Using a retinoid will help with any skin discoloration by speeding up cell regeneration. However, you have to commit to the process, as cell turnover ultimately means exfoliation, so your skin will initially react by thinning. After using it for four to six weeks, your skin will begin to thicken as collagen production increases. Since we’re talking about the eyes here, it’s good to use a mild and gentle retinol cream, or a retinol product marketed specifically for this delicate area.
Illuminate and protect
For some, it’s not so much about lack of sleep, too many cocktails, or an overloaded liver, but about genetics. Color correction is your best friend if you’re determined to fight what nature gave you, but brightening products can help, and the simplest brightening ingredient is vitamin C. We recommend a vitamin C eye cream, such as OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Eye Crème. If pigmentation is the problem, make sure to use sunscreen daily to help prevent sun damage.
