Let's face it, when it comes to under-eye circles, there's no easy fix. And if there was a miraculous solution, we wouldn't still be talking about them. And now as cold and flu season sets in, we're feeling even more puffy and stuffy than usual - especially under the eyes. So, here's the spoiler: I don't have a magical cure for what is mostly a result of genetics and anatomy. However, I do have some helpful suggestions for minimising the appearance of under-eye dark circles and puffiness.
The Skin is the Culprit
If you have translucent, thin skin, consider using a topical retinoid to slightly thicken and improve the integrity of your skin, reducing its translucency. If full-strength retinoids are too harsh for your delicate eyelid skin, opt for an eye cream with Retinol. Hydration is key. Try using Hyaluronic Acid followed by a thick cream or petrolatum to make your skin feel less thin and fragile. And don't forget the importance of prevention. Protect your thin skin from further damage by using sunscreen consistently and practicing sun protection.
If you have hyperpigmentation, address any active inflammation from conditions like atopic dermatitis or allergies beforehand. Then, you can use topical creams containing ingredients like Arbutin, Azelaic Acid, and Kojic Acid to address the remaining hyperpigmentation.
Too Much Fluid, You Say?
Fluid retention is a common culprit behind under-eye puffiness. Alongside addressing any underlying issues like diet, allergies, or colds, there are temporary fixes to minimise fluid buildup.
Caffeine-infused eye creams can temporarily constrict blood flow and reduce puffiness. In fact, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at the University of Texas has confirmed that caffeine-based gel can penetrate the lower eyelid skin and diminish localised oedema (puffiness) and pigmentation.
Now, you can’t put a latte on your eyelids, so you'll need this eye cream. Cold compresses, facial rollers (like this one), and under-eye masks also work by constricting blood vessels and providing temporary improvement.
It's All About the Bone Structure
If you're one of the lucky ones with pronounced concave under-eye hollows, also known as tear troughs, you're in for a treat. This is the easiest under-eye issue to address. Hyaluronic Acid can be used to add volume to the tear troughs, instantly minimising the concave hollow and improving under-eye circles caused by this anatomical variation.
The Bottom Line: The best approach is part skincare, part makeup
There are numerous treatments that can help with this common and challenging problem, but it's important to have realistic expectations. Under-eye circles are a natural part of our anatomy. We all have them! The right eye cream containing targeted, proven ingredients will help to address your under-eye concerns but they're not a miracle cure. Besides, if all else fails, there's always concealer to save the day.
Try this 2-step concealing hack for eye-opening results:
Start with a ‘pre-concealer’ to the whole area (Beauty Pie Super Luminous Under Eye Genius always delivers) which will ‘knock out’ dark circles or blue undertones, ready for you to apply a tinted eye brightener on top. Beauty Pie created the Superluminous Tinted Under Eye Serum to give exactly this light, dewy effect. Apply with the Pro Angled Concealer Brush, which gives a really radiant, bright-eyed effect.
Then, for any particularly deep set shadows, dot on minimal amounts of your concealer to the very specific areas of shadow in order to lighten them up to match your true skin colour. Try this once and you’ll never apply concealer any other way.
