To reduce dark circles, first work out the cause. Cold compresses help when visible blood vessels are to blame, sleeping with your head raised reduces morning puffiness, and daily broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or more stops pigment getting darker. Eye products with caffeine, vitamin K or kojic acid can help a little. Circles caused by genetics or under-eye hollows rarely disappear with creams; make-up or treatment from a dermatologist works better.
Dark circles are usually harmless, but they can make you look tired even after a good night's sleep. Because several different things cause them, one product rarely fixes everyone. Identifying your type saves time and money, and fits into the rest of your skin care routine.
What Causes Dark Circles?
| Cause | What it looks like | What helps most |
|---|---|---|
| Genetics | Circles you have had since childhood, often shared with family | Colour-correcting concealer; a dermatologist for treatment options |
| Pigment changes | Brown discolouration, more common in brown and Black skin | Daily SPF, brightening ingredients, professional treatment for stubborn cases |
| Visible blood vessels | Bluish or purple tint, worse when tired | Cold compresses, caffeine-based eye products, more sleep |
| Hollows or puffiness | Shadows cast by puffy lids or hollows that deepen with age | Raising your head at night for puffiness; fillers or surgery are medical options for hollows |
| Allergies and eczema | Darkness with itching, sneezing or rubbing, often seasonal | Treating the allergy or skin condition and not rubbing your eyes |
| Lifestyle | Worse after late nights, alcohol or stress | Sleep, less alcohol, not smoking |
This list follows the Mayo Clinic's guide to dark circles, which notes that a lack of sleep alone does not usually cause them, but makes existing circles more obvious.
Home Steps That Help
- Use something cold. Hold a cold, wet cloth, a chilled teaspoon or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a soft cloth against the area to help shrink visible blood vessels.
- Raise your head at night with an extra pillow, so fluid does not pool in your lower eyelids.
- Wear sunscreen every day, SPF 30 or more, right up to the eye area, to stop pigment darkening. Our guide to the best SPF for daily use covers what to look for.
- Look for helpful ingredients. Caffeine, vitamin K and kojic acid have been shown in studies to reduce the appearance of dark circles to some degree.
- Stop rubbing your eyes, especially if you have hay fever or eczema, and treat the cause.
- Cut down on alcohol and stop smoking, both of which can contribute.
Quick Fixes for the Morning
Colour Correct
A peach or orange corrector cancels out blue and purple tones on lighter skin; a deeper orange or red suits darker skin.
Conceal Lightly
Dab a creamy concealer only where the darkness is, rather than covering the whole under-eye area.
Moisturise First
A little moisturiser stops concealer settling into fine lines and drawing attention to the area.
Chill and Roll
A cold roller or chilled spoon for a minute can make puffy, tired eyes look fresher.
A Cooling Tool for Tired Eyes
Facial Ice Roller
A freezer-friendly roller that gives a cold, refreshing massage in seconds, with no batteries or charging. Rolling it gently under the eyes is an easy way to apply the cold that helps with puffiness and visible blood vessels. Available on its own, gift-boxed or with a gua sha tool.
View ProductWhen to see a doctor: if the darkness or swelling affects only one eye and gets worse over time, if it appears suddenly, or if it comes with itching, pain or changes in your vision, speak to a GP or pharmacist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dark circles be permanently removed?
It depends on the cause. Circles from tiredness, allergies or puffiness often improve. Those from genetics or under-eye hollows usually need make-up or professional treatment.
Does lack of sleep cause dark circles?
Not usually on its own, but tiredness makes existing circles and shadows more obvious.
Do eye creams work for dark circles?
Some help a little. Products with caffeine, vitamin K or kojic acid have shown modest effects in studies. They will not change circles caused by bone structure or hollows.
Why are my dark circles worse in spring?
Hay fever. Nasal congestion and eye rubbing can cause darkness known as allergic shiners. Treating the allergy usually helps.
Sources: Mayo Clinic, Dark circles under eyes: causes and home remedies.