How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles

May 14, 2021 | Expert Advice

While dark circles are common and perfectly natural, they can make you look older and feel self-conscious. If you’d like to reduce the appearance of your puffy under-eyes, keep reading. We explain how to get rid of dark circles, what causes them and the lifestyle changes that help you to achieve more youthful and radiant-looking eyes.

What Are Dark Circles?

Dark circles appear when excess melanin is produced around the eyes, causing hyperpigmentation, or when dark veins become more visible below the skin. Depending on your skin tone, these circles can appear purple, brown or even black.

But why do they appear?

What Causes Dark Circles?

There are many reasons why you might have dark circles under your eyes.

  • Age: As you age, the collagen levels in skin naturally deplete, causing it to thin. Blood vessels then become more visible, leading to the appearance of dark circles.
  • Sun Exposure: UV rays can damage the skin, resulting in a loss of elasticity. This can cause eye bags and dark circles to form.
  • Dehydration: When the body is dehydrated, skin begins to look dull and pale, making dark veins under the eyes more visible.
  • Sleep deprivation: Sleep deprivation also makes skin look dull and pale, enhancing dark circles.
  • Excess eye strain: When you’re tired, blood vessels dilate and blood flow increases, causing dark circles to form.

But don’t worry! We explain how to remove dark circles below.

Related: Do Firming Body Lotions & Butters Really Work?

How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles

How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles

Try these 5 top tips to help reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Use a gentle makeup remover

To avoid harming the fragile skin under your eyes when washing off makeup, always use a gentle makeup remover.

We recommend our gentle yet effective Foaming Micellar Cleansing Water. Blending soothing Rose Water and nourishing Argan Oil with micelles, it gently lifts away makeup, without irritating or damaging the skin.

Pump once or twice onto a cotton or reusable pad, then gently wipe across the face and neck to lift away impurities and makeup.

Protect skin from UV damage

Protecting your skin from sun exposure is key to combatting the appearance of dark circles, as sun damage causes skin to lose its elasticity, making dark circles and eye bags more prominent.

Our Protect and Illuminate SPF15 Moisture Lotion instantly hydrates, leaving skin looking more youthful. SPF15 provides 24-hour protection against sun exposure and free radical damage, while hydrating Shea Butter, radiance activating Pink Pomelo and revitalising Vitamins E and A blur and refine the skin’s appearance, creating a silky-smooth finish.

After cleansing, massage the lotion onto the face, neck and décolletage to keep skin protected and hydrated all day.

Apply a brightening eye serum

A brightening serum with Hyaluronic Acid and stimulating Caffeine is another great way to help get rid of dark circles.

We recommend our Power Peptide Awakening Eye Serum. Formulated with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, stimulating Caffeine and plumping Matrixyl Synthe 6™, it visibly revitalises the under-eye area, brightening tired-looking eyes.

Morning and night pump a small amount of serum onto your fingertips, then gently tap around the eye and undereye until absorbed.

Keep it cool

A top tip on how to get rid of dark circles? Apply ice or cool skincare products to the under-eye area to help shrink dilated blood vessels and reduce signs of puffiness.

We recommend storing eye serums and eye products in the fridge for an even more refreshing and soothing effect.

Improve the quality of your sleep

Sleep deprivation and lack of rest can enhance the appearance of dark circles, so always try to get a full 8 hours. If you struggle to nod off, try using a relaxing sleep spray.

sanctuary sleep mist spray

Scientifically-proven to help you fall asleep faster and for longer, our Sleep Spray is infused with Jasmine, Patchouli and Frankincense to help relax the body and mind, and reset a healthy sleeping pattern. Its soothing formula also enhances your skin’s natural glow, as plumping Hyaluronic Acid, blue light protection and cell-renewing Queen Of The Night extract help to revitalise and brighten dull skin.

Spritz lightly over the face before settling down for the night or spray onto the pillow before climbing into bed for a deep sleep.

To help get rid of dark circles, keep your body and skin hydrated, try to get a full 8 hours of sleep, and use brightening skincare to fight dullness. Explore more of our brightening skincare and wellness range on our website!

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