An erratic sleep pattern doesn’t just take its toll on your physical health—your skin will be among the first to protest as the under-eye area develops dark circles. Once this discolouration has settled in, it can be a stubborn house guest to get rid of. Therefore, we asked a skincare expert to share her best tips for treating dark circles. Ahead, all the skincare advice that actually works:
Why do dark circles occur?
The easiest way to describe dark circles would be by the darkening of the skin under the eyes. But understanding what the cause of dark circles involves a wider net of possibilities—genetics, ageing, lifestyle habits, poor nutrition and skin conditions. “The skin under the eyes is thin and delicate, making it more susceptible to changes in blood flow, pigmentation and hydration levels. The hollowing of the eyes due to bone structure and excessive sun exposure in India can further aggravate this concern,” shares Dr Chytra V Anand, founder of Kosmoderma and SkinQ.
Heads up: Some everyday habits can make dark circles worse
While genetics can play a prominent role, those wondering how to remove dark circles will want to stay vigilant for certain everyday habits that are sneakily exacerbating the issue:
- Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality
- High salt intake, leading to fluid retention and puffiness
- Rubbing or scratching the eyes frequently
- Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking
- Prolonged exposure to screens without breaks
- Not wearing sunscreen or protective eyewear, when outdoors
Follow these eyecare tips to bid adieu to dark circles
Now that you have a handle on the causes of dark circles, it is time to consider your options. From developing a preventative eyecare routine to investing in the right eyecare products in India, here’s how you can stay one step ahead:
How to treat and combat dark circles:
Try this AM skincare routine
- Start by gently cleansing the skin in the under-eye area. The Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a great option to consider.
- Next, apply a hydrating and brightening under-eye cream containing ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, licorice, sodium hyaluronate and ceramides. We recommend using the Pilgrim Retinol Under Eye Cream With Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid for this.
- Follow this up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against UV damage. The Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen with multi-vitamins will do the trick.
- If you are looking for coverage, apply a light colour-correcting concealer as needed—like the Insight Cosmetics Pro Concealer Palette.
Try this PM skincare routine
- At the end of your day, remove makeup gently without tugging the skin with gentle wipes. You can use the Colorbar On The Go Makeup Remover Wipes for this.
- The best product you can have in your eyecare arsenal is a good under-eye cream for dark circles. A ceramide or squalene-based formula is considered among the top-rated under-eye creams for dark circles as they work on improving the skin barrier. We recommend using the Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Retinol Eye Treatment.
- Peptides can further promote collagen production and kojic acid can reduce pigmentation. However, it is helpful to start with a lower concentration and use it every other night to avoid irritation. Go for the Olay Collagen Peptide Eye Cream to begin with.
- Next, you will want to hydrate the under-eye area with a nourishing mask. As a weekly practice, you can apply an under-eye mask with hydrating, depuffing and soothing ingredients. The Patchology Moodpatch Chill Mode Eye Gel Patches are known to soothe inflammation and treat the delicate skin under your eyes to help you get a more relaxed appearance.
What else should you know?
Looking to fortify your skincare routine against dark circles? Some ingredients can help you in your noble quest and certain can do the opposite, cautions Dr Anand.
Try this:
- Vitamin C helps brighten the skin and reduce pigmentation.
- Peptides are known to increase collagen production and improve skin texture.
- Caffeine can reduce puffiness and improve circulation.
- Hyaluronic acid is your skincare bestie for hydrating and plumping the skin.
Not that:
- Skincare products with alcohol can irritate and dry out the delicate under-eye skin.
- Harsh exfoliants can damage the thin skin and worsen dark circles.
Want to keep dark circles at bay in the future? Here’s your action plan:
Apart from maintaining a regular schedule and ensuring adequate sleep, you must also stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants, avoid rubbing or pulling the under-eye area and take regular breaks from screens to reduce eye strain. Using sunscreen daily and wearing protective eyewear when outdoors is non-negotiable. Besides, manage allergies and sinus issues, as they can contribute to dark circles.
