Why do I keep getting dark circles under my eyes?
Summary
Dark circles are usually caused by a mix of thin eyelid skin, visible blood vessels, genetics, lack of sleep, nasal allergies, and lifestyle factors such as smoking or a high-salt diet. Less often they signal anemia, thyroid disease, or kidney problems. Identifying your personal driver—skin anatomy, pigment, or blood flow—guides the best treatment, from antihistamines to laser therapy.
What is the most common reason people develop under-eye dark circles?
The skin under the eye is the thinnest on the body; when it loses collagen or becomes dehydrated, underlying veins and residual blood pigment show through as a bluish-gray shadow. “About 8 in 10 patients we see have primarily structural dark circles, not pigment,” notes the team at Eureka Health.
- Thin dermis reveals underlying veinsThe lower eyelid dermis is under 0.5 mm thick, so even mild blood pooling looks dark.
- Genetics set your baseline pigmentFamily history explains up to 60 % of chronic dark circles, especially in people of South Asian or Middle Eastern descent.
- Age-related fat loss hollows the tear troughLoss of subcutaneous fat after age 30 creates a shadow even in well-rested adults.
- Dehydration exaggerates translucencySkin water content can drop by 10 % after one night of poor sleep, making vessels more visible.
- Aging thins under-eye skinCleveland Clinic reports that “the most common cause of dark circles is aging, which causes the skin under the eyes to thin and blood vessels to become more visible,” intensifying vascular shadows. (CC)
When are dark circles a sign of something serious?
Occasionally, periorbital darkness flags systemic disease that lowers blood oxygen or changes skin pigment. “Rapid-onset circles together with swelling should trigger a medical review within 24 hours,” says the team at Eureka Health.
- Sudden puffiness plus darkness needs urgent carePeriorbital edema with new dark circles can indicate kidney failure or severe hypothyroidism.
- Anemia often shows as hollow blue shadowsHemoglobin under 10 g/dL can reduce oxygenation, darkening vascular color.
- Persistent nasal congestion may hint at chronic sinusitisInfraorbital venous stasis, known as ‘allergic shiners,’ accompanies up to 82 % of perennial allergy cases.
- Bruising that won’t fade could be thrombocytopeniaPlatelet counts below 50 000/µL allow small bleeds that stain the lower eyelid brown.
- Liver or kidney disease can deepen under-eye shadowsUCLA Health notes that chronic disorders affecting detoxification—such as liver or kidney disease—can produce new dark circles, so sudden discoloration in people with these conditions warrants prompt evaluation. (UCLA)
- Post-injury orbital bruising signals possible bleedingAboutKidsHealth warns that dark circles appearing after a head injury may be due to periorbital bruising from internal bleeding, requiring emergency medical assessment. (AKH)
Which everyday habits make dark circles worse?
Lifestyle amplifiers are often overlooked but easy to fix. Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, explains, “Small behavior tweaks—like raising your head 10 degrees at night—reduce fluid pooling and lighten circles within days.”
- Allergic rubbing deepens colorEach rub may break tiny capillaries, increasing hemosiderin by up to 30 %.
- High-salt dinners cause morning shadowsSodium > 2 400 mg raises overnight eyelid fluid by roughly 15 %.
- Smoking slows collagen turnoverSmokers have 22 % thinner periorbital skin on ultrasound imaging.
- Screen time delays sleep onsetBlue light exposure past 11 pm halves melatonin and shortens REM sleep, worsening darkness.
- Skipping sunscreen sparks extra melaninMayo Clinic notes that unprotected sun exposure increases pigment production around the eyes, making existing circles appear darker. (Mayo)
- Flat sleep posture fuels morning puffinessSleeping with your head low lets blood pool under the eyes overnight, a habit Vogue reports can translate into darker, swollen circles by morning. (Vogue)
References
- Mayo: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/dark-circles-under-eyes/basics/causes/sym-20050624?p=1
- ClevClinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23128-dark-circles-under-eyes
- Cigna: https://www.cigna.com/knowledge-center/bags-dark-circles-under-eyes
- Vogue: https://www.vogue.in/content/these-10-habits-that-are-making-your-dark-circles-worse
What can you do at home today to fade dark circles?
Targeted self-care addresses both color and swelling. “Consistent nightly routines beat expensive one-off creams,” says the team at Eureka Health.
- Cold compress for 5 minutes shrinks vesselsA gel mask cooled to 4 °C reduces infraorbital blood flow by roughly 25 % for two hours.
- Use a caffeine eye serum each morningTopical caffeine 3 % constricts vessels and cuts color intensity by an average of 16 % in studies.
- Elevate the head of your bed by 1–2 inchesGravity limits overnight pooling and visibly reduces puffiness in over 70 % of users.
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 dailyUV exposure stimulates melanocytes; sunscreen lowers pigment-related dark circles by 20 % after 3 months.
- Treat allergies promptlyOnce-daily oral antihistamines reduce ‘allergic shiners’ within one week in most patients.
- Get 7–9 hours of sleep to limit shadowing“Getting more sleep” is highlighted by Cleveland Clinic as a first-line home treatment because restored circulation overnight lessens pooled blood that shows through thin under-eye skin. (ClevelandClinic)
- Use blue-light filters to ease screen-induced dark circlesSEDermatology Specialists recommend you “invest in blue light filtering glasses and adjust your screen's lighting settings” to reduce eye strain, a common trigger for under-eye darkness. (SEDermatology)
Which lab tests or prescription treatments actually help?
Lab work clarifies uncommon medical causes, and certain in-office treatments address structural or pigment issues. “Matching the right intervention to the underlying driver is key,” notes Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.
- Complete blood count rules out anemiaLook for hemoglobin under 12 g/dL in women or 13 g/dL in men.
- Thyroid panel detects hypothyroidismTSH above 4.5 mIU/L can associate with periorbital puffiness and darkness.
- Topical retinoids thicken dermis over monthsPrescription tretinoin 0.025 % increases collagen density by 15 % at six months but must be used under guidance.
- Hyaluronic-acid fillers correct tear-trough hollowsA 0.3 mL injection can raise the depression by 1–2 mm and last 9–12 months.
- Q-switched laser reduces excess pigmentThree sessions cut melanin index scores by about 30 % in darker-skinned patients.
- Prescription hydroquinone creams lighten epidermal pigmentMayo Clinic reports that dermatologists often start 4 % hydroquinone or a triple-combination lightening cream, with many people seeing noticeably brighter under-eye skin after 8–12 weeks of consistent use. (Mayo)
- Ferritin testing pinpoints iron-deficiency contributorsMedical News Today lists iron deficiency anemia as a reversible cause of dark circles, so ordering a serum ferritin panel can reveal patients who will benefit from iron supplementation rather than cosmetic procedures. (MNT)
How can Eureka’s AI doctor personalize your dark-circle plan?
Our AI clinician reviews your symptoms, photos, and lab results to pinpoint vascular, pigment, or structural causes, then proposes evidence-based steps. “Patients appreciate receiving a tailored action list in under two minutes,” says the team at Eureka Health.
- Image analysis distinguishes vein vs. pigmentComputer vision scores color channels and recommends vascular creams or pigment lasers accordingly.
- Symptom triage flags red-flag combinationsIf you report eyelid swelling plus foamy urine, the AI suggests a same-day kidney function test.
- Medication review catches hidden culpritsThe tool identifies drugs like chlorpromazine that can cause periorbital hyperpigmentation.
Why users trust Eureka’s AI doctor for ongoing skin support
The platform stores your skin photos securely, tracks treatment response, and can route prescriptions to a pharmacy when clinically appropriate. Women using Eureka for menopause rate the app 4.8 out of 5 stars, reflecting its patient-centered design.
- Privacy comes firstAll images are end-to-end encrypted and deleted on request.
- Free access lowers barriersNo subscription is needed for core symptom checks and follow-ups.
- Real clinicians review sensitive requestsEvery prescription or lab order is double-checked by licensed MDs before release.
Become your own doctor
Eureka is an expert medical AI built for WebMD warriors and ChatGPT health hackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can iron supplements alone clear my dark circles?
Only if blood tests confirm iron-deficiency anemia. Taking iron when levels are normal will not lighten circles and may cause side effects.
Are dark circles permanent once I turn 50?
Age makes structural shadows more likely, but dermal fillers, retinoids, and lifestyle changes can still produce visible improvement.
How long should I try an eye cream before deciding it doesn’t work?
Give any topical product at least 8 weeks; collagen remodeling and pigment turnover are slow processes.
Will drinking more water help?
Good hydration plumps the dermis slightly, but the effect is modest; combine it with other strategies.
Can I use makeup right after laser treatment?
Most dermatologists advise waiting 24–48 hours to avoid trapping bacteria in micro-injuries.
Is surgery ever needed for dark circles?
Lower-lid blepharoplasty is reserved for severe fat herniation or excess skin when non-surgical options fail.
How often should I reapply sunscreen under my eyes?
Every 2 hours when outdoors; mineral sticks are less irritating near the lash line.
Do cucumbers on the eyes do anything?
The cool temperature can reduce swelling briefly, but they offer no specific anti-pigment effect.
Are under-eye lights on phones harmful?
The light itself is negligible; lack of sleep from late phone use is the bigger issue.