Last Updated: October 28, 2021
Dark circles under the eyes may be a fairly standard part of adulthood, but that doesn’t mean you just have to learn to live with them. There are dozens of natural ways to get rid of dark under eye circles.
Let’s be honest: Dark under eye circles are a total pain to deal with. Unfortunately, they’re also pretty common. Most adults look in the mirror at some point and realize the eyes staring back at them look shadowy, tired, and maybe even a little bit puffy.
Dark circles under the eyes may be a fairly standard part of adulthood, but that doesn’t mean you just have to learn to live with them. There are dozens of natural ways to get rid of dark under eye circles and improve your skin health in the process.
Here, we’re breaking down what causes dark under eye circles and the best natural tips, tricks, creams, and serums to make dark circles go away.
First, let’s start with the good news: Having dark circles under your eyes usually isn’t a sign of a medical issue, according to the Mayo Clinic. Instead, dark circles are most commonly caused by being tired.
They can also be caused by:
Sometimes dark circles under the eyes can even occur as a result of under eye puffiness. Developing “bags” under the eyes is common as people age and the muscles supporting their eyelids weaken.
Age can also affect how the body deposits fat and fluids in the face, both of which can be additional culprits for puffiness under the eyes. In some cases, dark circles are actually shadows caused by this puffiness and inflammation.
There are a number of simple lifestyle changes and natural products you can use to get rid of under-eye circles.
Cold compresses can help constrict blood vessels under the eyes and slow down the fluid movement that leads to puffiness and dark shadows.
You can use a freezable eye mask, a handy ice roller , or even a spoon left in the freezer for a few hours.
Skin under your eyes is delicate, so limit cold exposure to five minute-intervals and stop if it feels uncomfortable.
We know — easier said than done, right? Sleep benefits your body in many ways, including helping to reduce dark circles under eyes.
For better sleep, try reducing electronic use before bed, meditation or deep breathing, or a sleep supplement to help you catch more Zs.
Learn more tips and tricks for a healthier bedtime routine here.
Sleep on a slight incline to decrease the pooling of fluid beneath your eyes and prevent morning puffiness and inflammation.
Allergy symptoms can cause swelling, inflammation, and discomfort, as well as dilate blood vessels under the eyes that make the under eye area appear darker.
A neti pot can be useful for clearing the sinuses. If allergy symptoms are a daily problem, consider a chat with your doctor for long-term treatments.
Caffeine acts as a diuretic, which means it helps eliminate fluid from your body and may decrease puffiness. It also helps to constrict blood vessels, which may help eliminate the appearance of visible blood vessels in the thin skin under your eyes.
You can get a dose of caffeine by:
Learn more about the benefits coffee and caffeine in skincare here.
Some dark circles are caused by sun damage. UV light can impact melanin production and thin the skin, causing some areas of the skin to appear darker, especially sensitive areas like under the eyes.
Use a facial sunscreen and wear UV-blocking sunglasses to avoid those harmful rays.
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Dark circles and puffiness can have a variety of causes, and that makes them tough to permanently eliminate. There isn’t a miracle cure that can magically get rid of dark circles for good, but implementing a regular routine to fight back against dark circles can make them less of an ongoing struggle.
Using a great natural eye cream or serum in combination with other changes, like getting more sleep and treating chronic allergy symptoms, has the potential to dramatically improve the health of the skin around your eyes, making it appear firmer, more supple, and brighter so dark circles aren’t a daily battle.
While ice rollers and extra sleep can help reduce dark circles under the eyes, creams and serums that contain naturally beneficial ingredients can pack an extra punch that helps eliminate several causes of dark circles all at once.
We combed through the many eye serums and skin products we carry to find the 7 best natural eye creams to make dark circles go away.
Why we love it: The Wake Up Eye Stick contains a boost of caffeine to help eliminate dark circles, fine lines, and eye puffiness. Plus, it’s unscented and is applied with a smooth roller to prevent eye irritation.
Benjamin T. says “I felt this product was able to do exactly what I wanted it to! It reduced my dark circles, and made the bottom of my eyes appear awake and refreshed. 10/10!!”
Why we love it: This lightweight, brightening eye cream uses eyebright extract, natural peptides, and antioxidants to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and firm the skin to prevent puffiness.
Sarah N. says “This cream is easy to apply, non-greasy, and lightweight. The vial looks small, but it truly takes a small amount to use.”
Why we love it: This elixir keeps it simple but gets big results. A concentrated mix of borage, coffee, cumin, and avocado oils team up to provide key vitamins A, C, and E that brighten and firm delicate under-eye skin.
Ashley G. simply stated “Leaves under my eyes hydrated and puff/dark free.”
Why we love it: The I-Waken serum uses natural ingredients like witch hazel and chamomile to soothe and hydrate the under-eye area and reduce the look of dark circles.
Melissa L. from Grove said “I love how gentle this product is! Most under eye awakening creams feel a bit to "Spicy" around my eyes and always make them water taking off the product I just applied! Not this! This goes right on soaks in quickly and really reduces the puffiness and dark circles around my under-eye!”
Why we love it: Retinol and hyaluronic acid are well-known powerhouse ingredients for improving skin’s appearance, but this cream has another secret weapon. It contains ginseng to naturally boost circulation and brighten the under-eye area.
Kristina A. writes “I like the way the product absorbs into my skin and appreciate how far a little goes. It is a small container for the price but it will last a long time. My skin seems to tolerate it very well, and I'm sensitive to most.”
Why we love it: This soothing and lightweight gel is specially formulated for sensitive skin. Aloe vera, vitamin E, and a shimmering mineral called mica come together to hydrate and brighten the skin under the eyes to lessen the appearance of dark circles.
Denise S. says “I love the way this makes my skin around my eyes feel. This will be my go to now!”
Why we love it: This gentle under-eye mask takes only 10 minutes to work and uses the gentle, natural benefits of cucumber, caffeine, and evodia fruit to brighten the under-eye area.
Enoma O. wrote “The formula works great on my sensitive eczema prone skin. It's very cool in temperature and soothing. i've even used these to take the edge off a migraine.”
Treating dark circles may require a mix of lifestyle and skincare changes. If you’re wondering where eye care fits into your skincare routine, here are the simple steps to take before bed to combat dark under-eye circles:
After cleansing in the morning:
On mornings when you’re feeling particularly tired or your eyes seem extra puffy, try applying a cool compress or even a hydrogel eye mask that has been cooled in the refrigerator.
This can help the under-eye area look and feel even more refreshed before you move ahead with the rest of your skincare routine.
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