Every Trick I've Learned To Get Rid Of Dark Circles
As you guys can probably imagine, my life is pretty hectic. I’m usually between the office, photoshoots, and trying to spend every minute I can with my family and my daughter, Nour. So basically, my beauty sleep sometimes takes a hit. For such a long time, I struggled with my sleep (until I learned some amazing tricks), which means dark circles have always been a beauty issue of mine. It also means I’ve learned almost every trick in the book to improve their appearance, from how to prevent them with natural remedies and lifestyle choices, to how to conceal them with makeup.
So, I wanted to pass on my tips and tricks, so even if you’ve been up all night – working, studying, babysitting, or partying – no one will be able to tell that you missed a minute of beauty sleep. Here’s everything you need to know:
What Causes Dark Circles
Dark circles can be caused by three things: genetics, poor circulation, and lifestyle choices. In the case of genetics, it can be caused by a type of hyperpigmentation in your skin (AKA an overproduction of melanin, which is what gives your skin its color). Genetically, some people typically have thinner skin here (it’s usually 0.5mm, whereas the rest of your body is 2mm), which makes blood pooling in this area more obvious. This can also be down to poor circulation.
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Lifestyle choices can also contribute to this, so because of thin skin, when your veins become dilated, they expand and this makes them look darker. There are a number of reasons why your veins may become dilated – not enough sleep, stress, dehydration, dietary factors, alcohol, even allergies. To work out the main culprit behind your dark circles, gently pinch the skin and lift it off the surface. If the skin remains dark, it is hyperpigmentation, if not, it’s most likely poor circulation or down to lifestyle circumstances.
How to Prevent Dark Circles from Forming
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1. Sleep Well
I know this may sound super simple, but this sleeping hack can make a huge difference. When your pillows are too flat, all of the blood will collect around your eye area, so to help drain the blood and to make sure it doesn’t pool overnight, sleep on your back with an extra pillow. I also like to take a digital detox two hours before I go to sleep (although I admit, this doesn’t always happen), to limit my blue light exposure. If I do have to be on my phone, I set it to nighttime mode to reduce the amount of blue light emitted, which can otherwise prevent sound sleep. It makes such a difference to your sleep quality, I swear.
For more sleep tips, check out these hacks from a sleep expert.
2. Cut Back on Salt
As you guys probably know, sodium, AKA salt, causes your body to retain water, but it can actually cause puffiness in your eyes as well. Cutting back on sodium will help combat puffy eyes, helping you look less tired.
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3. Stay Hydrated
If your body is dehydrated, it tries to compensate for the lack of hydration by retaining as much water as possible, resulting in puffiness and under-eye bags. This is why making sure you drink the recommended amount of water is super important (around two liters a day), as it not only keeps your skin looking good, but it keeps dark circles at bay. I keep a liter bottle of water on my desk at all times!
Another great way to boost hydration is by using a supplemental hydration drink. I’m obsessed with Humantra’s hydration sachets. Inside each sachet, there are six essential electrolytes that help hydrate your body four times more effectively than water alone. Choose from two flavors, Himalayan Lime, $27, and Berry Pomegranate, $27 – both are so delicious!
How to Get Rid of Dark Circles
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Use eye cream twice a day: An eye cream is an obvious solution for undereye circles but it’s important to find a formula that contains effective ingredients that actually target dark circles, as well as any other common concerns like wrinkles or dullness. Look for ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C to minimize dark circles caused by hyperpigmentation, and those containing caffeine, like matcha, which is a vasoconstrictor (it tightens blood vessels) thereby improving dark circles caused by poor circulation.
Our new WISHFUL Eye Lift & Contour Serum, $45, has been our go-to ever since we finalized the formula. The supercharged serum is infused with matcha, bakuchiol, and peptides to sculpt, tighten, and brighten. Plus, it comes in a bottle with a cooling Zamak tip applicator to evenly distribute the formula while taking down inflammation.
Sweet almond oil: There are so many amazing natural remedies for dark circles, but I’ve got to admit that I think sweet almond oil is my fave. It’s rich in vitamin E and K, both of which help to brighten the undereye and improve circulation. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce morning swelling.
All you need to do is gently pat in a drop of sweet almond oil under your eye using your fourth finger. Do this every night to see the benefits.
Green tea: Green tea is packed with caffeine, which can help to shrink the blood vessels in your under eyes by reducing inflammation in the veins and skin. The caffeine and EGCG in the tea also restrict the blood capillaries, improving the appearance of dark circles and reducing swelling in puffy eyes. You can simply place green tea bags (brewed and then chilled in the fridge) under your eyes, but I find the method of mixing brewed green tea leaves with a little Vaseline (or honey) to be really effective and easy.
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Potato: Not only do potatoes contain both vitamin A and C, which brighten and hydrate, but they also contain starch and other enzymes that help reduce the appearance of dark circles. For a quick and easy DIY, I like to combine potato juice (grate half a potato and strain the juice) with a teaspoon of honey. Honey will make the application easier and hydrate the undereye area as well. Once applied, leave it on for 30 minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth.
Ice: To reduce swelling and efficiently drain the blood from your under eyes, apply something cool. By cooling this area, the blood vessels will constrict. You can use anything you have in your fridge, from cucumber slices to a cold spoon. Jade rollers are also amazing at depuffing, and you can store yours in the fridge for a quick de-puff in the mornings. You can also freeze coffee ice cubes, which will help depuff and awaken the under eyes. Just be mindful to not hold ice on the skin in one place for too long.
How to Conceal Dark Circles
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Color correct: When it comes to concealing dark circles, you can balance them out by using opposite shades to ‘cancel’ the color. It’s all about finding the right tone to color correct the particular shade of your dark circles. If your under eyes have a red or pink undertone, you can neutralize the area with a concealer that has a yellow undertone. If your dark circles have a blue or grey tint, use a peachy concealer to counteract the undertones. We actually recently became obsessed with this TikTok hack that uses a pink-toned baking powder to brighten dark circles. It’s literally magic! Check out the results here.
Conceal: Naturally, concealer is the easiest way to say buh-bye to dark circles. With that said, concealer can be a tricky product to master. There are soo many different formulas with different levels of coverage and different finishes, so finding the right one and then learning how to apply it is crucial. Check out these three common concealer mistakes for a quick crash course.
Of course, I have to mention our brand NEW concealer, #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Concealer, $29. It’s honestly the most blendable, effortlessly buildable, comfortable, and pigmented concealer I’ve ever used!
Now you know all of my dark circle tips, share yours in the comments below.
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