No
area seems to get as much atttention—or have as many beauty products
devoted exclusively to it—as the eyes. It makes sense: The eyes are said
to be the first feature people notice, and the skin around them is also
sensitive and thin, making it vulnerable to a host of vexing issues.
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But
there's one problem in particular that most of us struggle with at some
point: dark circles. "They're among the most common cosmetic
complaints," says Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., a dermatologist in Miami.
And that's regardless of age. (Related: Why Elizabeth Moss Actually Likes the Dark Circles Under Her Eyes) Here's a look into three main causes of dark circles—and what you can do about them now.
Under Eye Shadows
What
looks like dark skin may actually be a shadow cast from puffiness
caused by lack of sleep, eating too much sodium and processed food,
drinking too much alcohol, or allergies. "Systemic changes are often
noticeable around the eyes first," says Paul Jarrod Frank, M.D., a
cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. A healthy diet and adequate
hydration and sleep can help de-puff eyes, as can a cold compress. (Or
try one of these 7 foods you can slap on your eyes to get rid of dark circles.)
But if you're already treating yourself well, try taking a daily
antihistamine like Claritin or Zyrtec for two weeks as a test, says
Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D., a dermatologist in Washington, D.C.
If
puffiness and dark shadows still don't improve, the problem may be
hereditary or age related. Over time, "fat pads under the eyes can shift
to where they cast a shadow," Dr. Tanzi says. In that case, a surgical
procedure called a blepharoplasty to reposition or remove the fat pad is
the most effective option. The good news: It's a relatively common and
straightforward procedure with little downtime and no scarring.
Sometimes, however, you may simply have been born with deeper eye
sockets and less fat underneath. Injecting the area with a hyaluronic
acid filler, such as Restylane or Juvéderm, will help reduce the
hollowness—and the shadow.
Hyperpigmentation
Even if
allergies don't make you puffy, they can bring on dark circles by
triggering the production of excess pigment under eyes. "It actually has
a name: an allergic shiner," says Jeremy Brauer, M.D., a clinical
associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center
in New York. "Repetitive rubbing and itching can cause irritation or
inflammation that results in postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH),
seen as dark patches."
Try to avoid rubbing your eyes, and use
gentle products like mineral-based sunscreens and fragrance-free,
nonirritating eye products. (And try tips for getting rid of seasonal allergy symptoms.)
Hydrating eye creams with lighteners like kojic acid, licorice extract,
niacinamide, and vitamin C can improve mild hyperpigmentation, but for
more stubborn cases, lasers may be advised. Try Dr. Dennis Gross
Skincare C+ Brighten & Firm Eye Cream (sephora.com) with vitamin C and niacinamide.
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Thin Skin
Thin
skin allows blood vessels and veins to show through, producing bluish
or dark circles, Dr. Brauer says. These circles are often hereditary,
but aging and sun exposure can make things worse by thinning skin even
more and weakening blood vessels. (Here are 5 more weird side-effects of too much sun.)
If you'll be out in the sun, don a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and
dab on a gentle, hydrating eye cream with titanium- or zinc oxide–based
(i.e., extra-mild) sun protection, such as SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV
Defense SPF 50 (skinceuticals.com).
Otherwise, opt for moisturizing creams or serums with caffeine (known
to constrict blood vessels) or vitamin K (which strengthens vessel
walls).
Ingredients that help hydrate and shore up skin are also
smart choices. If skin isn't sensitive, try a product with retinol to
stimulate collagen production, which may help thicken skin. Dr. Dennis
Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum (drdennisgross.com)
contains caffeine, retinol, and lightening licorice extract.
Niacinamide and peptides, like those in Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting
Eye Swirl (ulta.com), also help brighten.
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