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Common eye-area concerns include fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, and under-eye bags. Although these are different issues with different causes, they are all related to the natural anatomy of the eye area itself. The skin around the eyes is thinner than skin on other areas of the face—and it drapes over the eye socket, which is a hollow, empty space. These factors make the eye-area more likely to develop visible age-related changes sooner.
WHAT ARE DARK CIRCLES?
When you develop dark circles, the color of the skin beneath the eyes can have a blue, purple, or brown appearance that does not match the skin tone of the rest of the face. Dark circles under the eyes can be the result of shadows or skin discoloration, and they often lead to a tired or fatigued appearance.
WHAT CAUSES DARK CIRCLES?
Many people associate dark circles with a lack of sleep, and although this can be a main cause there are other factors that can cause their appearance. Dark circles can also be due to genetics, allergies, fatigue, skin dehydration, or lifestyle choices—and they can appear at any age.
Genetics: If one or both of your parents have dark circles, you may be predisposed to them as well. This inherited trait can often be seen as early as childhood, and genetic dark circles can get lighter or darker over time.
Sleep deprivation: A lack of sleep can make the skin more dull and pale, which allows darker tissues and blood vessels beneath the skin to become more visible. Sleep deprivation can also allow fluid to accumulate beneath the eyes, and visible dark circles can actually be the result of shadows cast by puffy lower eyelids.
Skin aging: The natural aging process can cause dark circles to become more pronounced as the skin becomes thinner due to collagen and fat loss. This allows underlying blood vessels to become more visible, and potentially lead to a blue or purple hue beneath the eyes. Dark circles can also be the result of a decrease in microcirculation, which limits blood flow to the under-eye area.
Sun exposure: Dark circles that are brown in color are generally caused by excess pigment that develops after unprotected sun exposure. People with darker skin tones may be more prone to dark circles caused by skin discoloration.
Screen time: Eye strain caused by staring at your phone or computer screen can enlarge blood vessels around the eyes and lead to a darkening of the skin.
Allergies: The red, itchy, puffy eyes associated with allergies are caused by the body’s release of histamines. This immune-system reaction can also make dark circles more apparent by causing blood vessels to dilate, which makes them more visible in thin skin beneath the eyes. Rubbing itchy eyes can also cause swelling that exacerbates dark shadows.
Dehydration: When the body is dehydrated, the skin can become dull and the eye area can develop a sunken appearance that creates dark circles.
WHAT ARE UNDER-EYE BAGS?
As opposed to dark circles that are due to the color of the skin under the eyes, under-eye bags cause puffiness or bulging pockets beneath the lower eyelids.
WHAT CAUSES UNDER-EYE BAGS?
Under-eye bags can develop as early as the 20s. Similar to dark circles, the causes of under-eye bags include genetics, allergies, fatigue, and lifestyle habits. The same decrease in microcirculation that can contribute to dark circles may play a role in under-eye bags as well. Sluggish blood circulation can cause lymph fluid to accumulate under the eyes, and since the skin is so thin in this area it can become especially noticeable.
The natural aging process can also cause the pockets of fat that surround the eyes to descend and become more prominent. Lifestyle factors such as consuming too much salt or alcohol can also contribute to puffiness and under-eye bags.
TIPS FOR HOW TO FIX DARK CIRCLES AND UNDER-EYE BAGS
For some, a few simple lifestyle changes can help get rid of under-eye bags and dark circles. In addition to getting more sleep, staying hydrated, and reducing screen time, sleeping in a more elevated position can help promote blood circulation. Cold compresses may help reduce puffiness and the shadows that contribute to dark circles as well.
TREAT DARK CIRCLES AND UNDER-EYE BAGS WITH SKINCEUTICALS
SkinCeuticals offers several treatments that are formulated to target the most common eye-area concerns while being gentle on thin, delicate skin around the eyes. Even though the root causes of dark circles and under-eye bags are different, products designed specifically for the eye area often help address both concerns.
SkinCeuticals offers several eye-area products that can help treat the appearance of dark circles and under-eye bags. Formulated to improve the appearance of puffiness and discoloration, they include ingredients that help fortify the skin to address wrinkles, loss of firmness, and laxity; provide hydration to plump and smooth; and enhance the look of radiance.
Dark circles can also be due to genetics, allergies, fatigue, skin dehydration, or lifestyle choices—and they can appear at any age.
AOX+ Eye Gel: Offering effective environmental protection and improvement in the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, crow’s feet, and visible signs of fatigue, this potent morning-use gel combines 5% L-ascorbic acid, 1% phloretin, and 0.5% ferulic acid for superior antioxidant protection. It also helps reinforce aging skin to minimize the appearance of discoloration and under-eye bags
A.G.E. Eye Complex: Ideal for dark circles, crow’s feet, and puffiness this advanced hydrating and corrective formulation helps target visible signs of aging and age-related skin thinning that are linked to the glycation process. In addition to Proxylane™, blueberry extract, and a complex of flavonoid antioxidants and synergistic peptides, this eye treatment also contains optical diffusers that instantly brighten the eye area.
HOW TO FIX DARK CIRCLES AND UNDER-EYE BAGS WITH PROFESSIONAL TREATMENTS
Depending on the root cause of your unique eye-area concerns, there are several office-based treatments that may be able to help get rid of dark circles and under-eye bags. For dark circles due to thinning skin that allows blood vessels to become visible, hyaluronic acid injections can help conceal discoloration by adding volume to the skin. When dark circles are the result of excess pigment, chemical peels or laser resurfacing can help eliminate damaged cells and reveal fresh, radiant, healthy-looking skin.
To discover how to reduce dark circles or how to get rid of under-eye bags, use our online Regimen Finder, visit one of our SkinCeuticals SkinLab locations, or schedule an appointment with a SkinCeuticals Skincare Professional for a one-on-one consultation.
