Whether you’re stressed, have late nights at school or work, or are just a night owl, constant insomnia is real. You’ve probably Googled “how to get rid of eye bags and dark circles” more than once and will do just about anything to get rid of them. Even if you try a million expensive treatments, they usually come back.
The fact is, your puffy eyes and dark circles may be hereditary. “The eye area is one of the thinner areas and it’s easy to be neglected when it comes to basic skin care,” says Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. “Dark circles have a strong genetic component, which is something people can’t control.” Yes, a big part of the reason you have dark circles is because your parents have thin skin (thanks, mom).
You may also have dark circles under your eyes because of increased pigmentation in that area. But don’t run to your doctor and ask him for expensive laser or needle treatments. Here are ways to reduce the appearance of dark circles without breaking the bank. These affordable tips go far beyond putting cucumbers on your eyes.
If your dark circles are due to thin skin, use a retinoid.
“With repeated use, retinol can stimulate collagen production, which can thin the skin and improve dark circles. They are readily available at the drugstore,” says Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Retinoids help rebuild dermal collagen, which helps with vascular support in the area and restores skin volume and firmness,” adds Dr. Patricia Ceballos, a board-certified dermatologist in New Rochelle, New York.
Sleep on your back and use an extra pillow.
“If dark, puffy eye bags occur in the morning, consider sleeping on your back and using an extra pillow to prevent fluid buildup during the night. If allergies are to blame, protecting your pillow from allergens (dust and dust mites) with a cover may also help,” says Rebecca Tung, a board-certified dermatologist in Florida. When it comes to pillowcases, nothing is more luxurious than Slip’s soft, cool silk pillowcase.
If you have dark circles due to increased pigmentation, use brightening products and sunscreen.
“Sometimes, dark circles under the eyes are caused by increased pigmentation, either from friction or sun damage,” says Dr. Nazarian. “The best treatments for this include topical brighteners, such as vitamin C, kojic acid, and licorice extract. Over time, these ingredients help reduce skin pigmentation, which can eventually lead to lighter dark circles.” “Invest in a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide,” advises Dr. Tong.
Take an antihistamine.
“Most people get dark circles due to allergies and don’t realize it. Antihistamines will help eliminate these symptoms; I like to take Zyrtec at night,” says Dr. Kavita Mariwalla, a board-certified dermatologist in West Islip, New York.
Be careful with your makeup remover.
“Even if your skin isn’t necessarily sensitive, the skin under your eyes should be considered sensitive. The skin under your eyes is one of the thinnest on the body, so any trauma or irritation can cause inflammation of the skin. ” Joshua Zeichner is the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “If you use cleansing wipes, try fragrance-free wipes, such as Neutrogena’s fragrance-free makeup remover wipes, and rub gently in one direction rather than back and forth.”
If you don’t want to use a disposable product, we recommend using a cleansing oil, which gently washes away makeup without excessive rubbing or pulling.
Sleep more, or at least more restful.
“The best way to reduce eye bags is to get seven to eight hours of regular sleep a day. Don’t drink alcohol a few hours before bed,” advises Dr. Chiu.
Try tea bags.
“Caffeinated tea contains natural tannins and is a mild diuretic that has long been used by grandmothers and runway models to reduce puffiness under the eyes,” says Dr. Karen Hammerman, a board-certified dermatologist from Long Island, New York. “Soak two tea bags in warm water and then put it in the refrigerator for a few minutes, then place one tea bag over each eye for five minutes, and your eyes will feel refreshed and look brighter.” ”
If all else fails, you can still wear makeup.
As you work on improving under-eye bags and dark circles, you can combat dark circles and puffiness with concealer, foundation, and even primer. Shop some of our favorite concealers to conceal dark circles.
Best Products for Eye Bags and Dark Circles
According to Dr. James Y. Wang, a Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist and the author of SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex, it’s a must-have for tired eye areas because of its hydrating feel and the exfoliating benefits of blueberry extract. This ingredient is also rich in antioxidants that fight skin-damaging free radicals, boost hydration, and stimulate collagen production.
Dr. Wang is also a fan of Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream, which is packed with antioxidants from naturally derived extracts. “It also contains caffeine, which helps shrink some of the underlying veins that give the area a blue appearance,” says Dr. Wang.
Dr. Revision D.E.J Eye cream can also soothe tired, dehydrated eye areas. Dr. Wang’s favorite eye cream. It contains prebiotics, an ingredient that, according to Dr. Wang, helps treat general inflammation.The applicator can also be used to gently apply eye cream under the eyes without tugging or pulling on the skin.
Although retinol can irritate sensitive skin, Dr. Wang says the Allure Best of Beauty award-winning RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream is a signature eye cream that firms sagging skin, treats discoloration, and fights fine lines and wrinkles. He says the cream contains a gentler concentration of retinol to help boost collagen production in the area without irritation, and also contains an antioxidant-rich mineral complex of zinc, copper, and magnesium to further nourish your skin.
Dr. Wang says those with sensitive skin should opt for the La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream. This cream contains anti-inflammatory caffeine and niacinamide, an ingredient known for its brightening and soothing properties, to reduce the appearance of sagging skin and dark circles in one go. Not to mention, their formula is also infused with mica-based pearlescent pigments that provide a brighter, more radiant look immediately after application.
Neocutis Lumière Brightening Eye Cream fights off dark circles and restores radiance to your eyes. This special eye cream contains a host of key skin-boosting ingredients, including firming peptides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and free-radical-fighting antioxidants, to provide nourishing care for your delicate eye area. Its brightening benefits are so impressive that Marissa Garcick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure that this luxurious cream is actually part of her morning skincare routine every day.
Sun protection is an important part of your skincare routine, and Morgan Rabach, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told Allure that Supergoop’s Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40 is especially good for delicate, sensitive skin. “It contains only mineral sunscreen, which is gentler and less irritating for the delicate skin around the eyes, and it also contains caffeine, so it helps reduce dark circles,” she said.
BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector won a 2021 Allure Best of Beauty Award for its gentle yet effective fragrance-free formula. Its fortified formula contains 5% pure, stabilized vitamin C (also known as L-ascorbic acid) and antioxidant-rich green tea to even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Allure readers and editors love the brightening benefits of Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream—after all, it won a 2022 Allure Readers’ Choice Award. Enriched with vitamin C, this pudding-like moisturizer evens out skin tone, leaving your eyes looking refreshed and fully awake (even if you’re getting your beauty sleep neglected).
