WHAT CAUSES DARK CIRCLES UNDER THE EYES?

Dark circles around eyes tend to be lumped with tiredness – but causes can range from genetics to skin volume and environmental stress. While a lack of sleep can certainly be a motivating factor, to properly address it you’ll need to define your specific cause of dark circles under eyes.

The good news is that with the right approach, you can lessen dark circles and promote a brightened and youthful eye area. So, what causes dark circles around eyes? Ahead we show how to identify the reason behind your dark circles, and the best luxury skincare approach to regain radiant skin.

UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES OF DARK CIRCLES UNDER THE EYES

The color of your under-eye circles is one of the biggest clues as to what causes the dark circles under your eyes. Each physiological cause links to a different hue, so your first step is to check the tone under or around your eyes. The placement of circles will also vary. They can sit at the corners of the eyes, directly underneath, or around the eye area, appearing blue, brown, or purple in tone. Once determined, you can match one of the following causes of dark circles to your specific concern:

-Blue Circles: Often caused by a lack of sleep, poor circulation, or thin skin revealing underlying blood vessels.

-Brown Circles: Commonly due to hyperpigmentation, sun exposure, or genetic factors.

-Purple Circles: Typically a result of aging, allergies, or the pooling of blood under the eyes.

1. Sun exposure

In Malaysia's tropical climate, consistent sun exposure is a significant factor contributing to premature aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and under-eye circles. The intense UV radiation can cause the skin to overproduce melanin (the pigment that gives skin colour), resulting in dark patches not only under the eyes but also across the face. This cumulative effect often leads to brown under-eye circles and generally starts appearing in the 30s. Using sunscreen daily and wearing protective accessories can help mitigate these effects.

2. Lack of sleep and stress

Skincare, diet, and healthy lifestyle habits are crucial for radiant skin. The concept of "beauty sleep" is important because inadequate sleep can lead to dark circles. Consistent sleep schedules support physical and mental health, while disrupted sleep patterns weaken the skin. Stressful lifestyles and insufficient sleep often result in paler skin, making blood vessels more visible and causing blue or purple dark circles along with under-eye bags and puffiness. Incorporating relaxation techniques and maintaining a regular sleep schedule can help.

3. Genetics

If you’ve had dark under eye circles as long as you can remember, they’re likely hereditary. Your genetic disposition can cause skin to be naturally thinner, paler, or more pigmented. Thinner or paler skin will make blood circulation more pronounced – resulting in blue or purple toned dark circles. Skin which in prone to increased pigmentation may develop brown circles around the eye area. Even if genetics is what causes the dark circles under your eyes, skincare products like eye creams can make visible improvements in brightening the eye area.

4. Aging

Aging leads to a natural loss of volume in skin due to declining collagen, elastin and sebum. Around the eye area is soft tissue called suborbicularis oculi fat (SOOF), which helps to promote fuller, firm and bright looking skin. As we age SOOF shrinks and declines, leading to less volume under the eye area. This can motivate a ‘shadow’ affect and is one of the most common causes of dark circles around eyes. In Malaysia's humid climate, using lightweight, hydrating eye creams can be beneficial. To reduce the appearance of dark circles as a result of aging, brightening under eye creams can be implemented in your routine.