What Causes Dark Circles Under Your Eyes?

Did you know that not all dark circles under your eyes are created equal? There are four different types of dark circles; each has its own distinct cause and treatment. Today we are going to look at each of them, how to prevent them, and what you can do if you already have them.

Bluish Circles

Take a look in the mirror. Are the circles under your eyes blue? If so, it is most likely because of your lifestyle. Blue under-eye circles can be caused by either lack of sleep, allergies, or stress. The reason it turns blue is because the circulation slows down near this area and causes the blood to turn a dull blue color.

How To Solve

These under-eye circles are the easiest to prevent. First, figure out what is triggering them.

• Are you getting enough sleep?
• Are your allergies acting up?
• Have you been stressed lately?

If it is sleep and/or stress related, try to calm yourself at least two hours prior to getting into bed. You may find that cutting back on caffeine makes this easier.

Reddish Circles

If you look in the mirror and see red or shades of violet under your eyes, aging or genetics are most likely to blame. The red you are seeing is the blood vessels under your skin. It could mean that the upper layer of skin is starting to become thinner. It can be even more noticeable in people that have fair skin, as it makes the blood vessels more visible.

How To Solve

In order to reduce the redness under your eyes, you need to maintain the health and resiliency of the skin around the eye area. Luckily, if you invest in the right eye cream, it can be possible.

Brownish Circles

The most common cause for brownish circles under your eyes is due to a disorder called "Periorbital hyper pigmentation” that causes dark circles as it produces an abundance of melanin around your eyes, giving them a slightly darker color. Solar induced brown spots can also develop. While many people wear sunglasses to prevent their eyes from harmful UV rays, they can also help prevent the brown circles under your eyes.

How To Solve

Brownish circles are one of the hardest to treat of the four. We recommend combining a high quality eye crème with a diet rich in antioxidants such as niacinamide and vitamin C, and also botanicals such as arbutin and soy.

Dark Shadow Circles

While these are not an actual discoloration of the skin, some people find them unappealing. The darkness is caused by nothing more than the contours of your face and how the light hits it.

How To Solve

Unfortunately, no skin crème or diet will change these circles. However, it may be worth changing the lighting in front of your mirror to face you rather than be above you. This will decrease the shadows and allow you to see your face how it actually looks.

Bonus Tips

Along with the above-mentioned causes of dark circles under your eyes, there are a few miscellaneous causes that we have noted below:

• Medications that increase blood flow can often lead to darker circles around your eyes. Since the skin there is thin, the blood shows through much easier.
• Anemia, or a lack of nutrients, can also cause dark circles.

To help alleviate general eye contour fatigue we recommend a product such as our Phyto Contour Crème as the rosemary, aloe vera, and vitamin E will help improve dark circles, puffiness and signs of tiredness around the eyes.

For a treating mask, apply in a thick layer and simply rinse with water after 15’ minutes. Your eyes will sparkle with energy and it’s a perfect option to get ready for a special evening out. To prevent morning eye fatigue, apply a thin layer of Phyto Contour to eye contours after your evening cleansing ritual. Your eyes will awaken refreshed and alive and you may just feel that way too!

• Face and eyes cleansing gel.
• Purifying and smoothing anti-blemish cream.