Do you have to pile on concealer every day just to look like you’ve had a good night’s sleep? We’ve all been there: you walk into your office with a cup of coffee, and a blunt, peppy co-worker immediately remarks, “Wow, you look tired!” Except you’re not tired at all. You just have dark eye circles you can’t seem to get rid of (which, by the way, also make you look a few years older!). If you suffer from bags of dark skin under your eyes, you’re probably wondering if it’s just your beauty fate or if there’s anything you can do about them. Luckily, with a few easy lifestyle changes and some serious skin care, you can totally improve the appearance of the skin under your eyes and say 'goodbye' to pesky under-eye bags. Here’s what you need to know about what 5 common causes of dark circles and puffy bags under the eyes and natural solutions that can help fix this skin condition. Let's break this down: 5 most common causes for puffy eye bags and dark circles 5 best natural solutions you can do at home The right nutrients to beat dark eye-bags from the inside out Medical treatments for stubborn dark circles Here's your go-to guide for getting rid of dark circles and achieving that wide-eyed, youthful complexion you've been looking for! 5 Common Causes of Puffy Eye Bags and Dark Circles Under Your Eyes There are many causes of dark circles around eyes, also called periorbital circles. These telltale shadows appear when the skin under your eyes becomes thinner, allowing you to see some of the blood vessels reflected under your skin’s surface. As the blood accumulates within the blood vessels, they appear darker and hence the term "dark under-eye circles" or "dark eye bags". Let's take a look at the main causes of dark circles: 1. Not getting enough sleep or rest One of the most common causes of puffy eyelids is lack of sleep, especially when it's for prolonged periods of time. Studies show that continued poor quality sleep results in a serious drop in skin hydration and elasticity, which has disastrous effects for that delicate skin around your eyes. Loss of hydration and elasticity means that your skin becomes more prone to wrinkles (hello, crow feet eyes) as well as allowing your skin to look more dull and pale. This effect of lack of sleep allows the blood vessels to show and also causes fluid to build up underneath your eyes – the perfect recipe for puffy dark circles! More helpful reading from RenewSkin Inc.: What causes thin skin? 2. Eye Fatigue If you've ever worked a long day in the office in front of a bright computer screen, you'll know what we're talking about here. When you sit in front of your computer or have too much screen time, it can also cause a significant strain on your eyes that isn't just uncomfortable, it has knock-on effects on your beauty, too. What happens when your eyes are strained? It causes the blood vessels around your eyes to enlarge, which results in darker skin color. Too much exposure to screens can also cause blue light skin damage, which ages your skin and increases your chance of having dull, dry, and wrinkled skin around the eyes. So yes, too much time at your computer can cause dark circles, so make sure you take regular screen breaks and give your eyes a break! More helpful reading: Lines under eyes 3. Aging and Sun Exposure It's not just wrinkles and gray hair we have to worry about as we get older, the natural aging process causes dark circles, too. As you get older, your skin ages due to a gradual loss of collagen and elastin – the two essential proteins needed for skin strength and elasticity. When this happens, the skin becomes looser and thinner and you get more dilated blood vessels that become visible, making dark circles appear more significant as you get older. For women, the problem worsens with menopause, during the first five years of which our collagen levels drop by around 30%. 2 Sun exposure, especially without adequate SPF protection, also accelerates the decline of collagen and elastin in your skin, leading to further dilation of blood vessels and thin skin that can cause dark circles. More helpful reading: https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/menopause-symptoms-solutions 4. Allergies and Stress Whether it's to food, harsh ingredients, or an airborne allergen like dust or pollen, an allergic reaction triggers your immune system to release histamines in response to the supposed threat it is facing. These histamines cause what you'll know as typical allergic reactions like itching and redness, but what's important while we are talking about circles under the eyes is that histamines also cause puffiness and dilated blood vessels. To make things worse, if the allergic itching affects your eyes and you are rubbing and scratching the area, you will exacerbate the problem and cause more dark shadows and circles under your eyes. Other times, causes of dark circles may include stress, nutritional deficiencies, prescription medications, or kidney and liver issues. If you think your dark circles are caused by a medical issue, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or a board-certified dermatologist. More helpful reading: https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/how-liver-impact-your-skin 5. Heredity Your family history plays a big part in the condition of your skin, so if your parents had prominent dark circles and hyperpigmentation around the eye area, you may inherit them too. Hyperpigmentation occurs when the cells that contain melanin are damaged or over-stimulated. This condition seems to affect women and men with darker skin tones vs lighter skin tones. Genetic predisposition to certain medical conditions like thyroid disease or anemia can also cause dark circles under the eyes. Wondering how to get rid of age spots on face? RenewSkin Inc. has the answers. 5 Natural Treatments to Prevent & Reduce the Appearance of Dark Circles and Puffy Eye Bags Whatever the cause, if you’ve got dark circles under your eyes, you’re probably looking for a way to get rid of them that doesn’t involve makeup, laser treatments, or going under the knife. Thankfully, a dark circle under eye treatment doesn’t have to be invasive or difficult. So if you're wondering how to get rid of dark circles, rest assured that there are plenty of home remedies and medical treatments that can help you. Here's our pick of the best 5 treatments to prevent and reduce the appearance of dark circles under your eyes: 1. Eye Massage When you’re trying to get rid of dark circles under your eyes, rubbing your eyes is a big no-no. (Rubbing the skin around your eyes can cause inflammation, swelling, and damaged blood vessels that will only make your problem worse.) However, regular gentle eye massage can help increase blood flow and prevent blood from pooling in the capillaries under the skin around your eyes. Try gently tapping the skin around your eyes with one or two fingers several times daily, best with a good eye cream that contains caffeine or ingredients that can help lighten the skin and remove water. If you’re nervous about doing your own eye massage, splurging on a professional masseuse can help you get the results you’re looking for. More helpful reading: Sunday scaries meaning 2. Cold Tea Bags Putting tea bags on your eyes is a time-honored remedy for tired fashion models. But how can tea help get rid of your undereye bags? Does this remedy really work? We say yes, and so does the science! The secret is caffeine, which is actually a powerful antioxidant that can boost blood circulation, constrict blood vessels, and reduce liquid retention and inflammation. A 2017 placebo-controlled, double-blind study found topical caffeine to be an effective means of reducing the appearance of dark circles. Another study from 2010 proved caffeine to be effective at reducing puffy eyes, too, thanks to its ability to shrink blood vessels and reduce swelling. 3, 4 So if that information has you reaching for the teabags, follow these simple tips. Soak two green tea bags in hot water for a few minutes, squeeze out the excess water, and then chill the tea bags in the refrigerator. Make sure they get nice and cold! When they are properly chilled, place them over your eyes for 15 to 30 minutes while you relax. The cold compress of the tea bags and caffeine helps to temporarily constrict the blood capillaries under your eyes, while also stimulating circulation. The result? The skin surrounding your eyes will look fresh and awake. Top tip: If you don't have any tea, you can always soak a washcloth in cold water, squeeze out the excess then apply it to your eyes for a few minutes. This cold water compress won't give you the same antioxidant and caffeine-related benefits, but it will still help decrease some puffiness! 3. Improve Your Diet A diet lacking necessary vitamins and minerals can be one of the causes of dark circles under your eyes. A study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology found that 50 percent of study participants with dark circles had iron deficiency anemia. When their anemia was corrected, the patients found that the appearance of their undereye circles improved. 5 Iron is a mineral essential for healthy blood circulation, bringing oxygen to your muscles and your vital organs – including your skin. You can maintain a healthy iron intake with a diet rich in foods like red meat, seafood, nuts, vegetables, and iron-fortified cereals. Make sure you pair these foods with vitamin C-rich ingredients such as citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, and leafy greens. Vitamin C is an essential part of your body's iron absorption process. If you’re not getting enough iron in your diet, you can also consider taking an iron supplement. However, in this case, it's possible to have too much of a good thing. Excessive iron supplementation can be damaging to your health, so make sure you speak with your doctor before opting for an iron supplement. Many people find that reducing the amount of salt in their diets can also help prevent and reduce dark circles under their eyes. Salt makes you retain water, which can lead to puffy bags under your eyes. So steer clear of packaged junk foods, and opt for fresh fruits and veggies as often as possible. What are the best foods for healthy skin? RenewSkin Inc. investigates. 4. Get enough sleep and minimize eye fatigue No matter how many home remedies you try in order to help reduce the appearance of dark circles around the eyes, you probably won't be able to resolve the problem without a good night's sleep. Never underestimate the power of having a good night's rest or investing in hours of doing nothing but sleep. Why is sleep so important? Your body activates its cell repair processes at night when you are in a deep sleep, and this process of repair works to boost your immune system, repair your muscles, and rejuvenate your skin – which is why we call this beauty sleep. When your body gets enough sleep, you will find your skin rejuvenated and refreshed. So if you want to reduce the appearance of dark circles, don't forget the value of a good 8 hours of sleep! What's the link between sleep and beauty? RenewSkin Inc. explains. 5. Use Eye Creams Regularly Although a fancy eye cream won't necessarily remove dark circles overnight, continued use of eye creams can help prevent and reduce the appearance of dark circles over time. Because the skin around the eye area is sensitive and delicate, eye creams are specially formulated to be gentle and non-irritating while adding some much-needed hydration and nutrients to the area. This helps prevent thinning, which is one of the biggest causes of dark circles under the eyes. Look for an eye cream containing hydrating humectants and emollients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, as these ingredients will help attract and seal water into the dermis. An eye cream with brightening antioxidant ingredients like vitamin C or vitamin E will also help keep the eye area bright and fresh. Top tip: Use a cold compress over the eye area to reduce puffiness before applying your eye cream with your pinky finger in a gentle tapping motion, for a bright-eyed and wide awake feeling! More helpful reading: https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/best-skin-care-products 3 Supplements with The Right Nutrients to Beat Dark Circles From the Inside Out Although topical products like eye cream can help reduce their appearance, the best treatment for dark circles starts from within. Armed with nutrients like antioxidants and collagen, you can help prevent dark circles by treating their root causes. Why antioxidants and collagen? Let's find out! 1. Strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation with Masquelier's French Pine Bark OPC One of the best ways to minimize under-eye circles and puffy eyes is from the inside out with powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants work to neutralize dangerous free radicals in the body, which are molecules that damage your collagen and elastin, causing your skin to dry out, wrinkle, and thin. Antioxidants can also help reduce inflammation, strengthen your blood vessels and improve your circulation, reducing the blood vessel dilation that makes dark circles appear. Taut’s Masquelier French Pine Bark Extract is a potent and effective antioxidant supplement that can provide all of these benefits and more! French Pine Bark is a natural plant extract with very strong antioxidant properties, and its many benefits include: Reducing inflammation Protecting the dermis from UV radiation Reducing signs of photo-aging (including hyper-pigmentation) Improving circulation and strengthening blood vessels Protecting collagen and elastin from free radicals By improving circulation and strengthening blood vessels, French Pine Bark extract reduces blood vessel damage showing through the skin and helps prevent dark circles under the eyes. By protecting your precious collagen and elastin against free radical damage, this supplement strengthens the structure of your skin from the inside out, helping to prevent thinning, wrinkles, and dark circles. Our customers often tell us how much they love what our French pine bark extract does for their complexion. One user mentioned how much he enjoyed our product’s tangible results: "Co-workers and friends remark my face looks much younger than my middle age. I let a few of them in on the secret of the French pine bark!" 2. Reduce Hyperpigmentation and Dark Eye Circles with Taut Bright Bye-Bye Dark Spots Taut Bright is our best pigmentation-fighting supplement that helps protect against cellular damage, inhibit melanin production, fade hyperpigmentation and age spots, and lighten your skin naturally. It's absolutely brimming with powerful antioxidants to help your complexion glow from within. Natural ingredients like L-Glutathione, L-Cysteine, vitamin C, olive leaf extract, artichoke leaf extract, grape seed extract, and alpha-lipoic acid work to fight damaging free radicals. This helps protect and repair your skin from damage, leaving your complexion looking more youthful and luminous. Taut Bright also helps erase dark spots and imperfections—including those pesky dark eye circles. According to a study published in 2017, L-Glutathione has noticeable anti-aging and skin-lightening properties when taken as an oral supplement. 6 Our customers are raving about what Taut Bright does for them. Here’s what one of our verified buyers had to say about Taut Bright and dark circles: “I have been taking two pills a day…and the dark circles under my eyes are improving each day plus some dark spots from adult acne on my face.” "I have used Taut collagen and Taut bright for almost two years! Love both the products! My hair and skin look amazing at 64! My dark spots are gone along with dark circles under my eyes! Plus their service is as good as their products! I get my shipment timely and I get great customer service when I need it!" More helpful reading from RenewSkin Inc.: L-Glutathione benefits 3. Increase Skin Collagen Density with Taut Premium Collagen Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and it is absolutely essential to the structure and strength of your skin. Collagen production slows down as part of the natural aging process, leaving our skin more prone to damage and wrinkles as we age. Thinning and sagging are also a big part of this decline in skin health, which leads to more prominent puffy eye bags and dark shadows around the eye area. To combat collagen loss, it's important to replenish your supplies and nourish your skin with collagen boosters. The most effective and reliable way to get more collagen is to take high-quality collagen supplements containing hydrolyzed collagen peptides. Taut Premium Collagen Drink is a deliciously drinkable collagen supplement that works to supercharge your skin's collagen content and give you a dramatic, visible transformation in as little as 3 weeks. A daily dose can visibly improve skin firmness, fullness, and radiance, and reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Each tiny bottle contains the highest potency of marine collagen peptides (13,000mg) plus 6 clinically studied skin-loving ingredients proven to do wonders for your complexion: hyaluronic acid, elastin, grape seed extract, ceramide, vitamin C, and DNA. Together, these ingredients work synergistically to increase skin density, elasticity, and moisture, for a more youthful, radiant complexion. Time to say goodbye to dull skin and dark circles and embrace a healthy glow! Here’s what some of our verified buyers had to say about Taut Liquid Collagen: I love this stuff! "I am a 47-year-old woman and I have used many wrinkle creams and other collagen supplements in my day. However, none have worked as good as Taut! My fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes have been hugely reduced and my smile lines are almost invisible. This stuff is the best and I never want to be without it again. I love my Taut!!! " Cheryl from Boston Yes, You're Worth It! "I have been using Taut Collagen for about a year now. Loving the results along the way - smoother, brighter, and yes, TAUTer skin. Just invested in another three boxes - great feeling to have a supply on hand! Don't wait - invest in yourself today - your skin, your whole body will thank you!" More helpful reading: https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/liquid-collagen-drink-supplement-benefits Medical Treatments To Help Reduce Dark Circles Around The Eyes If home remedies and lifestyle changes simply aren't doing enough for your dark circles, there are a few medical treatments available that many people use to help reduce the appearance of dark circles under their eyes. Here's the scoop: Chemical Peels Chemical peels are exfoliating treatments that remove a layer of dead skin for a fresher and brighter complexion. These treatments use exfoliating acids such as kojic acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid, which also have a brightening effect on your skin, reducing the appearance of pigmentation. These procedures are useful for reducing pigmentation under the eyes, removing dead cells, and brightening up the skin for a more bright-eyed look. If you decide to go in for a glycolic acid treatment for dark circles, make sure you visit a board-certified dermatologist who's up to the task. Luckily, a chemical peel is a non-invasive treatment, and recovery time is quick. However, you may experience some redness and tenderness in the days after the treatment. Tissue Fillers This is an effective treatment often used to combat thin skin in the eye area – once you're not afraid of needles! Dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Belotero, or Restylane can be used to treat thin skin and hollowing under the eye area. The treatment involves inserting a very fine needle under the skin, injecting a filler substance (often hyaluronic acid) to smooth and even out the surface of the skin below each eye. This helps even out the texture of your skin in the eye area, reducing the hollowness that can cause shadows and dark circles. The good news about this procedure is that it is minimally invasive, and you can walk out of the dermatologist's office with little to no after-effects. The bad news? The effects only last 6 to 9 months, so you'll need regular (expensive) trips to the dermatologist's office to maintain your bright-eyed appearance. What are fillers? RenewSkin Inc. explains. Medical Tattoos This slightly unusual-sounding treatment works kind of like a long-term concealer for the eye area, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years. It involves tattooing pigment into the skin below your eyes, covering up any dark pigment below. The procedure uses a cosmetic tattoo gun and non-irritating pigments, but unlike regular tattoos, the titanium dioxide pigment used is not totally permanent. Results will fade over time because the molecules in the ink are smaller and made to suit the delicate eye area. You might need a few sessions to see a difference, as well as top-up sessions every few years to maintain the results. Laser Resurfacing Laser resurfacing is a more invasive treatment than the above-mentioned procedures, but it is an option for reducing the appearance of dark circles. In this process, a doctor will use lasers to focus intense heat and light onto the skin surrounding your eyes. These lasers can be ablative or non-ablative. Ablative lasers work to remove and resurface outer layers of skin, and these are the layers containing excess melanin that causes pigmentation. Once removed, the eye area should appear brighter and dark circles should fade away. Non-ablative lasers work to tighten skin and boost collagen production, promoting thicker skin that reveals less of the blood vessels and capillaries below. Surgical Implants Perhaps the most invasive and extreme treatment available for treating dark circles is surgical face implants. For under-eye bags and shadows, the procedure used is tear trough implants. These are generally used when under-eye bags extend and run down onto the cheek, creating a significant hollow dip that casts shadows below the eyes. This treatment uses a silicone implant to cover the bone mass under each eye, filling out the hollow area and significantly reducing dark circles. Feel Ms. Magnifique With Our Dark Circle-Busting Transformation Program The best way to treat dark circles is to take a holistic approach that addresses the nutritional needs of your skin. Our transformation programs have been designed to deliver the right nutrients to your skin for optimal dermal health, and if it's dark circles you're struggling with, then our Ms. Magnifique Transformation Program is the perfect bundle for you! Ms. Magnifique combines a three-week supply of Taut Premium Collagen Drink with a box of Taut Bright and five of our luxurious Taut Collagen Masks. Together, these three skincare heroes work synergistically to strengthen your skin, fight pigmentation, smooth out uneven skin texture, and brighten your complexion for a seriously radiant glow. Taut Premium Liquid Collagen works to boost your natural collagen production for stronger, smoother, and more resilient skin. Taut Bright is packed with antioxidants and vitamin power to reduce pigmentation and brighten up the eye area. Taut Collagen Mask is our sheet mask packed with hydrolyzed marine collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and botanical squalene. It's a soothing and relaxing treatment that hydrates and brightens the skin any time you need an extra lift. It takes just one 15 minute treatment to look and feel like you've had 12 hours of sleep! Dark circles under the eyes are a major beauty problem for so many people, as they make you look so much more stressed and older than you really are. These natural remedies—including Taut’s amazing beauty supplements—can help you erase your dark circles. You’ll be amazed at how young and refreshed you can look! Take that, you pesky dark circles! Fancy a browse? Shop our Collagen and Antioxidant Collections References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31692145/ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4924417/ https://skinsmart.co.za/pdf/Amnuaikit.pdf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3969674/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5413479/