How to Get Rid of Dark Circles: Causes, Prevention & Treatments

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Dark circles under the eyes can make you look tired even when you feel perfectly awake. The good news? With the right habits and targeted treatments, you can both prevent dark circles from forming and improve the ones you already have.

What Causes Dark Circles?

The skin under your eyes is much thinner than the rest of your face, which makes blood vessels and pigmentation changes more noticeable. Common causes include:

• Lack of sleep — Slows circulation, allowing blood to pool under the eyes and appear darker.
• Aging — Natural collagen and fat loss make skin thinner, revealing blood vessels.
• Genetics — Some people naturally have thinner under-eye skin or more pigmentation.
• Lifestyle factors — Stress, dehydration, smoking, alcohol, and poor diet can all make circulation and therefore shadows worse.
• Allergies — Lead to rubbing, inflammation, and long-term darkening of the skin.
• Sun exposure — Increases pigmentation and collagen breakdown.

For more on common causes, the American Academy of Ophthalmology offers helpful expert guidance.

How to Prevent Dark Circles

You can’t change your genes, but you can take steps to protect the delicate under-eye area and keep it looking bright:

1. Get Quality Sleep:Aim for 7–9 hours per night. Sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated to reduce fluid retention.

2. Protect From UV Damage:Use a daily SPF and wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from harmful rays. This helps prevent pigmentation and collagen loss.

3. Stay Hydrated and Nourished:Drink plenty of water and include vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidant-rich foods in your diet for skin health — commonly found in citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, and peppers (vitamin C); leafy greens like kale, spinach, and broccoli (vitamin K); and colorful produce such as blueberries, tomatoes, carrots, and green tea (antioxidants).

4. Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes:Gentle care prevents micro-tears and irritation in thin under-eye skin.

How to Treat and Brighten Dark Circles

If dark circles have already appeared, targeted care can help improve their appearance over time.

1. Strengthen and Hydrate the Skin

Eye creams containing hydrating and barrier-strengthening ingredients — like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane — help plump the delicate under-eye skin, making shadows less noticeable. Our Eye Rescue Lidstick was specially formulated for this sensitive area, combining these powerful hydrators with Kakadu Plum — nature’s richest source of vitamin C — to help brighten and revitalize the look of tired eyes.

2. Boost Circulation and Collagen

Amber LED light therapy stimulates collagen production and improves microcirculation, helping to reduce both pigmentation and hollowness. Including gentle massage can enhance results, our Heated Eye Wand LED+has both LED and massage modes.

3. Brighten Pigmentation

Ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, and licorice root extract help fade brown or blue tones caused by pigmentation and visible blood vessels.

4. Repair Overnight

Night treatments with peptides support collagen renewal, while retinol (used carefully under the eyes) can thicken skin and smooth discoloration over time.

Final Thoughts

Dark circles are caused by a mix of lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors. The most effective approach is a combination of prevention — like sun protection, good sleep, and hydration — plus correction through targeted skincare and treatments. With patience and consistency, your under-eye area can look brighter, smoother, and more refreshed.