Why you get them

A variety of factors can cause puffiness and darkness under the eyes, including:

• Lack of sleep. You might assume that lack of sleep causes under-eye circles, but that’s only part of the story. Lack of sleep disrupts blood flow around the eyes, which can cause swelling and dark circles.
• Too much sleep. Moderation is key when getting your sleep, because too much of it can also contribute to circles. Specifically, when we lie down, fluids can pool under the bottom eyelid due to gravity, causing puffiness and dark circles.
• Aging. As we age, the skin beneath the eye naturally gets thinner and blood flow to the eye region may slow down, causing dark under-eye circles to appear.
• Genetics. You can inherit dark under-eye circles from your family.
• Other factors. Many other sources can cause puffy eyes, including:
  • Stress
  • Dehydration
  • High blood pressure
  • Crying
  • Hormonal fluctuations
  • Increased salt intake
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Chronic skin disorders like atopic eczema
  • Menstruation
  • Pregnancy
  • Sun exposure
  • Allergies

How to get rid of them

Fortunately, you have many options for preventing and treating dark circles and puffiness. Follow these simple steps to keep your eyes beautifully bright and puffy-free.

• Change your lifestyle. A great place to start is your daily routine. Try tweaking the following habits:

  • Diet. Watch your salt intake and drink at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water each day. If heading out for a night on the town, limit your alcohol intake. Even one night of cocktails can cause water retention.
  • Sleep. Get around eight hours of sleep every night. To help you do that, avoid stimulating substances before bed (such as nicotine and caffeine); leave work out of the bedroom; and keep the computer and television out, too.
  • Sun protection. Be diligent about applying sunscreen around the eyes every day. This helps prevent skin pigment from darkening.

• Control allergies. Because allergy symptoms can also affect dark under-eye circles, it’s important to treat these symptoms. For instance, treating nasal congestion helps drain the fluid from under the eyes to the nose. To help the process, the Mayo Clinic suggests raising the head of your mattress or adding an extra pillow. Also, make sure to avoid rubbing or scratching your eyes to prevent irritation.
• Conceal circles. Under-eye circles can be tough to tackle, but with the right cosmetics, you can conceal them in just a few minutes. iVillage recommends the following:

  • Buy gold-based concealer that matches your skin color.
  • Apply the concealer all around the eye area.
  • Set it with translucent powder.
  • Avoid applying makeup to your lower lashes, which draws attention to the darkness.
  • To cover up any darkness around the inner corner of the eye (typically the darkest part), apply a white or bluish pencil.

• Try home remedies. If your eyes become swollen, you can turn to several at-home remedies.

  • Cucumbers or potatoes. Chilled cucumber slices or even potato slices, both natural astringents, are known to reduce swelling.
  • Tea. The tannins in tea can tone the eye area and improve circulation. While cool tea bags are most commonly used, experts now say that warm tea bags will also do the trick. Whether you use cool or warm bags, make sure to keep them on your eyes for 10 minutes.

Product picks

Don’t have time to cut cucumbers or peel potatoes? According to the Mayo Clinic, products that contain vitamins C or K, alpha hydroxy acid or kinetin can keep bags at bay. For reducing dark circles and puffiness, try Revision Skincare Teamine Eye Complex.

You can also find products that do double-duty by combating dark circles and lines and wrinkles. Try SkinCeuticals Eye Balm, a multi-tasking eye cream that contains an advanced combination of phytochemicals to stimulate collagen production and protect against free radical damage.

Special considerations

In extreme cases, puffiness or swelling under the eyes and dark circles might be a sign of kidney or thyroid problems. If you’re experiencing these symptoms along with swelling in other parts of your body (fingers, toes, ankles), see the doctor immediately.

Remember, taking care of yourself on the inside is just as important as the products you use to treat your skin on the outside. Strive to get enough sleep, wear sunscreen daily and manage any allergies, and you’ll drop that eye-baggage in no time.

See also:

Develop an Eye for Eye Cream

All Made Up: Eyes

3 Tips to Soothe Stressed-Out Skin

Idebenol and Idebenone

Eyebrow Grooming Made Easy