How to Minimize The Appearance of Dark Under-Eye Circles

Even with a consistent skin care routine, many of us have had that moment where we’ve looked in the mirror and seen dark circles hanging out underneath our eyes, and it can be hard to know just what’s causing that under-eye darkness. 

The good news is there are actually some steps in your skin care and makeup routine that you can take to help how to get rid of dark circles under the eyes. Here, we’ll let you in on the best treatment for dark circles, as well as what you need to know about permanently getting rid of under-eye darkness.

What Causes Dark Circles Under Your Eyes?

Per the Mayo Clinic, the most common cause of dark circles is a lack of sleep, but if you notice your dark circles are persistent even after a full night of sleep, it’s likely due to one of the following:

1. Allergies

Allergies can often lead to congested sinuses, and the pressure can make your eye area appear dark and puffy.

2. Genetics

Mayo Clinic reports that sometimes dark circles can run in families, and may be due to your bone structure.

3. Eczema

Eczema and other kinds of skin inflammation can cause the blood vessels under your eyes to become larger and show through your skin, causing darkness.

4. Rubbing Your Eyes

Excessively rubbing your eyes can cause your under-eyes to swell and break blood vessels, which will make the area under your eyes look darker.

5. Sun Exposure

As per the Cleveland Clinic, being in the sun without SPF can cause your body to produce more melanin, leading to hyperpigmentation on your face, including under the eyes.

6. Thin skin

Having thin skin under your eyes makes it easier to see the blood and tissue underneath, which can make your under-eyes appear dark.

How to Reduce Under-Eye Circles

These three easy tips will help you get rid of dark circles under the eyes.

1. Add an Eye Care Product to Your Skin Care Routine

Using an eye cream or eye serum as part of your daily skin care routine is one of the easiest ways to address the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. The L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Rosy Tone Anti-Aging Eye Brightener Paraben Free has a unique whipped texture to instantly blur and help visibly color correct dark circles so your eye area will look smoother and brighter.

The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid + 1% Caffeine Eye Serum is another great option, as the combo of hyaluronic acid to hydrate and caffeine to depuff will combat dark circles and puffiness, as well as fine lines and crow’s feet. 

You can also reach for the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Eye Treatment, a lightweight eye cream with a cooling applicator that helps reduce the appearance of both dark circles and under-eye bags. Your skin will also look brighter with continued use.

2. Apply a Cold Treatment to Your Under-Eyes

Once you’ve picked out the right eye cream to address the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, think about storing it in the fridge. As Mayo Clinic reports, when cold, eye creams can cause short-term vasoconstriction (i.e. tightening of blood vessels), which will lessen the look of under-eye darkness, as well as puffiness. You can also use a cold compress or cold spoons under your eyes as well. Just apply the cold item to your under-eye area and lay back for about 10 minutes. After that, move on to your skincare or beauty routine as usual.

3. Use Makeup to Camouflage Dark Circles

You may also be wondering what you can do to help get rid of dark circles immediately. Minimizing the appearance of dark circles under the eyes can be done temporarily with the right color corrector and concealer. 

How to Conceal Dark Circles With Makeup

These four simple steps will help you conceal dark circles with makeup.

Step 1. Color Correct

Use a color correcting concealer like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Color Correcting Crayon. Pick the orange, peach, or bisque shade to counteract the dark circles, then apply it under your eyes and softly blend it out.

Step 2. Apply Foundation

Apply a medium- or full-coverage foundation like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation, which comes in 47 shades and has a skin-like finish that won’t make your skin look cakey.

Step 3. Conceal

Reach for the L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer, 0.5% hyaluronic acid. The concealer offers instant dark circle coverage, and the hyaluronic acid in the formula offers lasting hydration, much like an eye cream. Apply it in a dot pattern under your eyes, and blend out with a makeup brush or sponge like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender.

Step 4. Set Your Makeup

Layer the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Sweep & Lock Loose Setting Face Powder over your concealer to lock in your makeup and further blur your dark circles and any lines. To set by baking, apply the powder directly under your eyes with a makeup brush or sponge, and let it sit for five to ten minutes before dusting away the excess. Finish off the routine with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Make-Up Oil-Free Setting Spray.

How Do I Get Rid of Dark Circles Permanently?

If these methods don’t work for you or you want a more permanent solution, there are a number of cosmetic treatments you can undergo to remove your dark circles. 

1. Laser Treatment

As the National Center for Biotechnology Information reports, laser treatments can help reduce and remove dark circles because they resurface the skin and reduce wrinkles and pigmentation. 

2. Fillers

Hyaluronic acid filler is another option if your dark circles are a result of the shape of your tear troughs or thin skin. Talk to a professional to find out which treatment option is best for you.

Next: The Best Under-Eye Concealers for Banishing Dark Circles

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Production Assistant: Jason Parigian, Digital Tech: Sam Kang, Photo Assistant: Hannah Lewis-Lopes, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Melina Kemph, Wardrobe Assistant: Kayla Martinez, Prop Stylist: Katrina Rozeville, Prop Assistant: Zach Molina, Model: Avery McMahon