The days are short, the nights are long and the dark circles under our eyes seem to be growing more pronounced by day. If you’re concerned about dark circles and want to know A. Why they’re there and B. What you can do about it then you’re in the right place. Read on to find out the real reasons for dark circles and what you can do to ease the effects for eyes that sparkle.
Why do we have dark circles under our eyes?
Start a conversation with friends about their skincare woes and it’s virtually a guarantee that at least one will mention dark circles. Dark circles have the ability to make us look tired, miserable and like we’re not taking care of ourselves. But did you know that dark circles are rarely down to tiredness? Nope, there are all sorts of reasons why we get dark circles and tiredness usually isn’t it. So, if you’re heading to bed earlier and earlier in a bid to rid them then panic not, there’s another way (and it doesn’t involve cancelling your entire social life).
4 reasons you have dark circles
1. Hyperpigmentation
The number one reason why you have dark circles under your eyes is hyperpigmentation. Now, admittedly, poor sleep can contribute to this but it’s more likely that this is down to sun exposure or poor skin care. Pimples and overly dry skin can cause hyperpigmentation so it pays to look after yourself. A great eye cream can help tackle hyperpigmentation so read on!
2. The time of year
Feel like your dark circles get worse as the weather dips? You’d be right. Seasonal allergies and congestion can lead to poor circulation which can lead the veins under your eyes to become darker and more pronounced. Who’s in that same camp where hay fever takes over your life for half of the year?
3. Too many screens
It’s not easy to avoid screens these days. Not only do the majority of us use screens for work and have a little life-sapping screen that lives in our pocket (or hand) but we also come face to face with them in every day encounters. Self-service checkouts, registering at the doctors, heading to the bank… Too much exposure to high-energy blue light can cause all manner of complications including skin barrier damage.
All hope is not lost though. Try our LIFE DEFENCE High Protection Moisturiser which creates a protective barrier for your skin against blue light and damaging free radicals.
4. Getting older
Apologies for this, getting older is hardly something you can stop (and why would you want to? Maturity = wisdom, darling!) but as we age, we tend to lose fat and collagen in our skin which can lead to thinner skin (and more prominent veins) and a paler appearance. Rather than giving up all hope though, it could simply be a matter of mixing up your skincare regime to ensure you’re providing your skin with all the love and support it needs at this stage in your life.
5 ways to improve the appearance of dark circles under your eyes
The good news is, improving the appearance of dark circles under your eyes is very possible and you can start right away. Check out our top five tips for improving the appearance of dark circles.
1. Be realistic about your health and habits
There are certain lifestyle choices that really do play havoc with your skin. Smoking and even inhaling second-hand smoke can make dark circles more pronounced. Similarly, having a poor diet and not consuming enough water can all impact your skin. Take a look at your health and consider what you could do to improve your body and soul health. If there’s something you could reduce or cut out completely which you know is harming your body and health, then set yourself up for the challenge this year.
2. Wear sunscreen daily
Ask any dermatologist and they’ll tell you that the secret to youthful, healthy skin whatever your age is daily sunscreen. It’s widely considered to be one of the most beneficial things you can do to keep skin healthy and youthful! Look for a broad-spectrum protection that provides both UVA and UVB protection as this will cover you for both types of sun rays that cause burning and ageing. Bonus points if it also provides an environmental filter to protect against environmental factors and blue lights such as our LIFE DEFENCE SPF 30 or SPF 50. For added protection for the delicate skin around the eye, consider wearing sunglasses – especially on bright days, they’re not just a fashion statement!
3. Shake up your cleansing regime
If you’ve used the same wash off cleanser and non-specific moisturiser since you were 16 then it’s likely your skincare regime is due an upgrade. If dark circles are a particular worry for you then consider using a gentle eye make-up remover such as EASY ON THE EYE which removes even the most stubborn waterproof mascara whilst also refreshing tired, gritty eyes. Pump a generous amount onto a cotton pad and gently press and sweep over the skin.
Once your eyes are feeling suitably cleansed and refreshed then it’s time to choose the right eye cream. A lightweight anti-ageing eye cream such as WINDOWS OF THE SOUL is designed to hydrate the delicate eye area whilst also reducing puffiness and treating dark circles. The luxury gel cream is packed with Edelweiss to encourage cell renewal; echinacea to protect the eye area against environmental stress; and eye bright which calms the skin and reduces redness or inflammation.
And if you’re looking to amplify the effects of your eye cream, it might be time to….
4. Add lymphatic drainage massage to your skincare routine
Eye massagers such as the EYE THERAPIST Eye Massagers have been backed by science to tone and tighten the eye area whilst reducing puffiness and revealing brighter and more radiant eyes. A lymphatic drainage massage ritual can help reduce facial tension and prevent puffiness and dark circles – it’s a lovely moment of self calm too. Using an eye massager rather than your fingers helps to take the guesswork out and ensure that you apply delicate pressure without dragging or stretching skin.
For an invigorating skincare boost, pop your EYE THERAPIST in the fridge overnight. Look to our Eye Yoga blog for some quick and easy movements you can add to your routine.
5. Try incorporating diamonds into your routine…
If you’re looking to take your under eye skincare regime to the highest level then consider investing in a premium eye cream that contains some of the world’s finest ingredients. The wonderfully luxurious EYE TRUFFLE 24-Hour Eye Rejuvenation combines light-reflecting crushed diamond powder, soothing sapphire and Syn-Coll™ – a biomimetic tri-peptide that mimics the human body’s own ability to generate collagen. A youthful glow guaranteed!
And if you’ve tried everything and nothing works then darling, embrace your eyes as they are. When you look at your best pal or a dear loved one, you don’t focus in on the things they dislike about themselves – who on earth would do that? Try to treat yourself with the same love and respect that you’d give to a loved one. You’re perfect exactly the way you are.