Tips and Tricks for Brightening the Skin Under Your Eyes
Maybe they’re inherited from your grandmother, or maybe they’re from too many late nights, but here are a few reasons why dark circles may be haunting you and some things you can do to restore bright-eyed beauty.
Why You Might Have Them
Sleep Deprivation
With busy jobs and even busier personal lives, it can be hard to get eight solid hours of shuteye. Noticing dark circles? Blame it on puffy eyelids (caused by fluid accumulation), which cast a shadow.
Age
They’re not just from hitting the hay too late at night! As you age, skin loses collagen, making it thinner. Thinner skin equals more prominent circles.
Genetics
Dark circles are often caused by blood pooling under the eyes. If you have fair or thin skin, the circles will be more visible. (Thanks a lot, porcelain-skinned ancestors.)
Allergies
If you have seasonal allergies, they might be behind your dark circles. Allergies release histamines, which inflame blood vessels and cause swelling. As if a stuffy nose wasn’t bad enough!
Rubbing
Poking, prodding, and scratching at your eyes is a surefire way to induce dark circles. Try to find the root of the issue (are your contacts too dry?) and keep your hands away.
Some recommend placing brewed green tea bags over the eyes to prevent dark circles. Green tea is full of antioxidants that can reduce swelling and fluid retention. It’s worth a try!
How to Get Rid of Them
Use Creams
If your circles warrant a visit to the dermatologist, you may be prescribed a cream to reduce discoloration. If you don’t visit a doctor, using a collagen-building cream like retinol (available at drugstores) can help thicken skin.
Create a Chill
Apply a cold compress – either a freezable gel eye mask or a bag of frozen peas – to reduce blood vessels that are dialated or discolored.
Boost Pillows
One easy fix may be to simply boost up your pillows at night. Elevating your head can prevent fluid from pooling in your lower eyelids.
Get Some Sleep
Skimping on sleep can hollow your eyes, making shadows more prominent. Shoot for eight hours per night to stay looking rested.
Visit the Pharmacy
If it seems like allergies are the culprit of your shadowy circles, head to the pharmacy for an over-the-counter antihistamine. If you can take it before allergies begin, you might be able to skirt the circles altogether.
Camouflage with Concealer
If dark circles are only a mild irritant to you, you might just want to invest in a top-notch concealer. Most likely, you can cover them up, and no one will be the wiser.
It might sound ridiculous, but a sure-fire trick for camouflaging dark circles is playing with the color wheel. Orange is opposite blue, making the colors cancel each other out. It may take some experimentation to find the right orangey color for you, so play around with shades ranging from peach to nearly neon to find your match.
