Reviews Under-Eye Circles: What Causes Under-Eye Circles and How to Get Rid of Under-Eye Circles

Under-Eye Circles: What Causes Under-Eye Circles and How to Get Rid of Under-Eye Circles

Reviewed by Danielle on September 23, 2014

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What Are Under-Eye Circles?

Under-eye circles, or the darkened appearance of the preorbital skin, can make you look tired and sick, when often that is not the case! The skin beneath the eyes is much thinner anywhere else on our bodies, and certain conditions and circumstances can cause the blood vessels beneath the skin to become more visible, giving you that dreaded raccoon eye look.

What Causes Under-Eye Circles?

Lack of sleep, smoking and untreated allergies can all lead to unpleasant circles beneath the eyes. If you find that you’ve been getting sufficient sleep, already abstain from smoking and have addressed any potential allergic reactions, yet you still suffer from dark circles, there is a good chance that the cause is hereditary. Though, even if this is the case, there are still effective solutions you can try.

How to Prevent Under-Eye Circles

To rule out allergies or sinus-related issues as the cause, a nasal decongestant spray may be best to try first. When the nose is stuffed up, it can cause the veins surrounding your sinuses to darken and become dilated. If you are using retinol cream, this can be causing the capillaries beneath the eyes to become overstimulated. While hemorrhoid cream is sometimes recommended to diminish the appearance of dark circles, it contains petrolatum and is much too harsh for the delicate under-eye skin. Vitamin K and C creams are also suggested as a solution, but these can both have a drying effect on the skin, and there is little research to back up the claims of vitamin K for this purpose.

Effective Ingredients and Solutions for Under-Eye Circles

There are four key ingredients that have been found to be quite effective in treating existing dark circles. Hesperidin methyl chalcone is derived from citrus fruits and encourages less blood to flow through the capillaries that are close to the skin’s surface, reducing discoloration. It has also been shown to help strengthen capillaries and prevent any leaking from the veins below the eyes. Bioskinup Contour 3r is a combination of Brazilian ginseng, lily, and a Brazilian tree called p.olacoides, and long-term use of this ingredient is found to diminish dark circles while also reducing puffiness and wrinkles. Haloxyl is a peptide formulation that also fades dark circles, as well as the peptide Eyeseryl.