When it comes to treating dark circles, there are really only three courses of action you can take to reduce their appearance. Before we get into how to treat your dark circles, take into into account that dark circles are often genetic, can be an indication of a food allergy, and will never 100% disappear. *This post is not addressing hyperpigmentation under the eyes but darkness that is caused by blood vessels and loss of volume underneath the skin- although tip number two is applicable any kind is discoloration under the eyes. Dark circles are completely normal and most, if not all, women have some sort of discoloration. A biological female's skin is often thinner than a biological male's skin due to less testosterone in the body (which studies say causes a male's skin to be 25% thicker.) Because a female's skin is thinner and under eye skin is thin to begin with, blood vessels and tissue underneath the skin tend to show through more, creating dark circles. Now that we've gone over the science and established that you are completely normal, let's get into the tips and tricks.
Invest in an eye cream with the right ingredients
Plumping up the under eye area with a good eye cream can work wonders. Although, be wary of products and companies that claim that they can get rid of your under eye circles completely - that's a straight up lie. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C draw moisture to and temporarily plump up the skin, creating a barrier between the skin and blood vessels underneath which aids in correcting discoloration.
Color Correct with Concealer
Makeup is straight up magic- with some science and color theory involved. Using makeup to color correct before applying a concealer is a game changer. We've all been the person who can't seem to cover up their dark circles, no matter how much concealer we've applied.
When it comes to artistry, whether it be painting on a canvas, adjusting tones in a photograph, or applying product to a face, colors across from each other on the color wheel cancel each other out or neutralize one another. Orange sits directly across blue on the color wheel. So, in the makeup world, layering an orange colored product over blueish-purple discoloration under the eyes neutralizes the area and will prevent under eye darkness from showing through underneath your concealer. When selecting a color corrector for under the eye, fair skinned individuals should choose a very light peach color corrector, while medium to dark skinned individuals should opt for a more pigmented orange product. I've even seen women use orange-based red lipsticks as color correctors!
Consider dermal filler
I want to preface this by stressing that I am not suggesting that you need or should get filler. This is an incredibly personal choice; one that requires research and a lot of consideration.
Dermal filler injected under the eyes, often called "tear through" filler, is a guaranteed way to correct under eye circles. Just like the hydration from eye cream creates a barrier between the skin and blood vessels beneath, filler creates the same barrier. People often choose this option because it is a longer lasting solution. This is an excellent choice for individuals who notice volume loss in the face or have exhausted all other options and are really bothered by their dark circles.
I hope that these tips equip you to make the best and most educated decision for yourself. Keep an eye out (pun) for a future FAQ Friday blog post that goes more in depth about color correcting areas of the face.
Have a wonderful weekend and see you next week for another FAQ Friday! XO,
Rachel