Why do we get dark circles around our eyes?

Dark circles under the eyes are a real problem for many people – and with today’s hectic life demands it’s no surprise. But what are the real reasons we get them in the first place? And can we do anything to prevent them? We’ll be exploring all this and more in today’s beauty-inspired blog…

Causes of dark circles

Late nights and a lack of sleep are the most common causes behind those dark circles around our eyes. However, genetics also have a role to play – meaning that while the lucky few will escape dark circles, some may suffer daily.

Other causes of dark circles include aging, dry skin, lots of computer work, stress and an unhealthy diet. Allowing time for sleep, minimising stress and developing a good work / life balance are all key to getting that healthy glow and getting rid of those unwanted dark circles.

Why dark circles?

You may ask why dark circles manifest in the way they do. It’s actually because of the thin layer of skin below your eyes showing the blood vessels and the blood they contain more clearly. As the skin in this area is much thinner than anywhere else on your body this is why dark circles appear here.

Beat dark circles with our top tips!

While dark circles don’t actually indicate a health or skin problem they can be embarrassing or frustrating for some. No one wants to walk around looking tired, ill and older than they actually are. With this in mind, we though we’d share some of our top tips for keeping those pesky dark circles at bay:

Sleep, sleep, sleep! Aim for at least 7-8 hours a night.

Exercise daily and incorporate meditation or yoga into your routine.

Ideally switch off all electrical items at least one hour before bedtime. Not only does your phone or laptop interfere with your sleep, it can also increase the risk of dark circles when used for a prolonged period of time.

Use a cream designed especially for dark circles twice daily. Vitamin E and almond oil are great ingredients to look out for and help to nourish the skin while brightening the skin around your eyes.

Wear suntan lotion when required and make sure you remember to apply it around your eyes. The exposure to UV rays causes premature aging, reducing the elasticity of your skin and its ability to regenerate as a result. As we said before – thinner skin equals exposure of blood vessels and dark circles as a result.

Whether you suffer from tired skin, dry skin, or you’d just like to look after your aging skin, why not make an appointment to see our skincare specialist today? She’ll be able to give you lots of advice and recommend items from our skincare range that will help you look and feel your best! To book an appointment contact us on 01254 297 000