Dark Circles Around Eyes Are Frustrating

Let’s face it; dark circles around the eyes can be frustrating. Whether you stayed up a bit too late last night or you’ve had circles all your life, there are potential solutions out there. You just have to know where to look.

Dark under-eye circles can be caused or accentuated by lack of sleep, lack of hydration, genetics, or even caused by too much sun exposure. Sometimes allergies can play a role as well.

So often, we hear that the only solutions are expensive laser treatments at the dermatologist, pricey eye creams, or intense chemical peels, and not all of us are willing to commit to that. Hydroquinone, hyaluronic acid, peptides—the list of skincare products that are supposed to help with circles is endless, but can get very confusing.

Because we at Journ are all about providing you with solutions to your skincare needs, we’d like to dive deeper into the possible causes of dark undereye circles and some simple ways that you can reduce their appearance while possibly ridding yourself of them once and for all!

What Causes Dark Eye Circles, and What Are Some Solutions?

If you’re looking to pump up your confidence and reducing the appearance of your circles is the way to do that, we have answers for you. These are some of the causes for dark under-eye circles and a few ways that you might be able to combat them.

Age

As we age, the fine, delicate skin around the eye area can become in need of special attention. The shapes and structures around the eyes can create under-eye hollowing due to collagen loss. As we age, collagen, the skin’s natural “filler,” breaks down, and the under-eyes begin to form hollows, causing dark circles or shadows appearing as dark circles.

The skin under the eye area is much thinner than that of the rest of the face. In some cases, this lessened density allows tiny blood vessels and veins the ability to shine through in those areas, all while giving the illusion of dark under-eye circles. Applying a cold compress like cold tea bags or cucumber slices might help the blood vessels constrict and reduce the appearance of your circles.

Genetics and Sun Exposure

Dark circles under the eyes are sometimes genetically inherited (periorbital hyperpigmentation). For those with deeper skin tones, hyperpigmentation can be more prominent than for those with lighter skin tones.

The sun causes the skin to produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment that provides your skin with its unique color. When deeper skin tones are over-exposed to the sun or incur trauma, the cells that produce melanin rapidly increase production and disperse melanin unevenly, thus causing the dark patches to become even darker.

In lighter skin tones, sun exposure can contribute to hyperpigmentation through visual freckling and sunspots. Lighter skin tones are more prone to sun burning as well.

If you’ve noticed dark circles underneath your eyes since early childhood, chances are, they are an inherited trait. In these cases, it’s worth trying out cold compresses to see if they’ll make any kind of difference.

Dehydration and Lack of Vitamins

When the body is dehydrated, it also affects the skin. Lack of hydration can cause the under-eye area to appear sunken. Not only should you drink plenty of water throughout the day, but there are also certain foods that are higher in water content and thus are beneficial.

Foods with high sodium levels, such as processed foods, can cause puffiness and dehydration. When the skin is dehydrated, it may appear sallow and ashy. Habits like excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can have a similar effect on your skin texture.

During the summer months, it is especially important to remain well hydrated. This is good for your overall well-being, and it may help to improve your dark circles.

Iron deficiency, also known as anemia, is the lack of the proper amount of red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. This iron deficiency can sometimes cause dark circles under the eyes and, in some cases, pale skin. Making adjustments to your nutrition plan and including foods with more iron might help in this case.

Eye Strain and Sleep Deprivation

There are many ways that your eyes can become strained and tired. Daily eye stress due to computer use, lack of sleep, fatigue, or not wearing sunglasses and sunscreen can contribute to dark circles in the eye area. A lack of sleep may also lead to fluid buildup under the lower eyelids, which can further lead to emphasized dark circles.

A proper night’s rest is one way to aid your eyes in the daily recovery that you need. The National Sleep Foundation advises that healthy adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. You can also try to prop your head up on extra pillows in order to reduce the risk of swelling around the eyes while you sleep.

Try to keep blue light out of your bedroom by removing computers, cellphones, televisions, and digital alarms. Blue light suppresses your body’s natural release of melatonin because it deceives your brain into thinking that it is earlier in the day than it actually is. This disturbance of the circadian rhythm affects the sleep pattern.

Wear sunglasses while outdoors and blue light glasses while working from a computer. This can help relieve unnecessary eye strain. Take frequent breaks to look away from the glare of other electronic screens also.

The common at-home practice of applying cool cucumber slices or tea bags that you chilled in the refrigerator to the eye area for a few minutes while lying down can help ease eye strain and redness temporarily.

The caffeine in the tea bag contains powerful antioxidants that will encourage blood circulation and help de-puff the eye area. Plus, this kind of cold compress just plain feels good—just be sure to rinse the skin afterward.

Allergies & Pollutants

There are various allergens that people are sensitive to, and they are actually one of the common causes of dark circles. Depending on the climate or region you live in or the pets you or your loved ones own, hay fever and allergies could play a large role in the appearance of dark under-eye circles.

Allergic shiners are dark circles under the eyes as a result of sinus congestion and allergies, as the body releases histamines in response to bacteria. These shiners cause blue or purple-colored tints under the eyes, and they may also lead to swelling or itchy eyes, which can sometimes be alleviated by antihistamines.

Check with your doctor if you have concerns about how your allergies or other lifestyle factors might be affecting your dark circles.

All of the above topics are subtle yet important things you consider and home remedies to help provide your eyes with daily, tender loving care. All the while, you’ll be possibly aiding in the appearance of those pesky dark circles.

Journ Has Another Solution to Your Dark Under-Eye Circles

Are you personally concerned about dark under-eye circles? Do you want the appearance of flawless skin with the opportunity to improve your complexion over time? Color correction might be the answer. The theory behind color correction is simple: colors that sit on opposite sides of the color wheel will cancel each other out. By this logic, you can counteract the deep purples and blues that might appear under your eyes with products that utilize peachy and orange tones.

Journ has created color-correcting products that address your cosmetic needs in reducing the appearance of dark circles and helping you achieve flawless, natural-looking skin, but that’s not all. They’re also formulated with quality ingredients that will bring you skincare benefits over time.

Because each of us is unique, we are all in need of our own individualized skincare routine. The skincare experts at Journ have created a simple Skincare Quiz just for you. This quiz will direct you to our line of Correct & Perfect makeup for your skin tone and skincare needs.

Whether you have a light, medium, or deep skin tone, there is a product for you. Each Journ Correct & Perfect product gently enrobes the skin with nurturing ingredients and improves the skin’s appearance over time for a flawless look.

These two versions of Correct & Perfect may be able to help you with your dark circles:

• Kauai color corrects light to medium skin tones.
• Over time, it minimizes the appearance of dark circles around the eyes and other pigmentation concerns.
• This is formulated with White Lily (contains Antioxidants), Kukui Nut (contains Vitamins A&E), and Noni (contains Vitamins B3 and Vitamin C). The Kauai color corrector helps to tone, smooth, and reverse the signs of aging.

• Marrakech color corrects medium to deep skin tones.
• Over time, it minimizes the appearance of dark circles around the eyes and other pigmentation concerns.
• It is formulated with Sweet Almond (contains Omega 6 & 9 Fatty Acids), Carrot Seed (contains Beta-Carotene), and Rose (contains Vitamin A, B3, C, E). The Marrakech correcting makeup not only reduces the appearance of dark spots, but also helps to rejuvenate, hydrate, and support the skin’s elasticity.

All of our Journ Correct & Perfect neutralizing products contain nurturing formulations that pamper the skin. By using these products, you can help reduce dark under-eye circles, skin discoloration, and scarring while minimizing their appearance over time.

All products are vegan, gluten-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral-free, and fragrance-free. Let your natural beauty shine through, and kick those dark circles goodbye. Read reviews and see what our customers have to say by viewing tutorials page.

Sources: 

How Much Sleep Do We Really Need? | Sleep Foundation   

How Electronics Can Alter Your Sleep | National Sleep Foundation 

Tea Bags for Eyes: Benefits, How to Use, Tea Types, Risks, and More | Healthline