WHAT ARE DARK EYE CIRCLES & WHAT CAUSES THEM?
Dark eye circles are darker areas that appear beneath the lower eyelids, often in shades of brown, blue, purple, or grey, depending on skin tone. They can be occasional or persistent, influenced by a range of internal and external factors. Since the skin under the eyes is thin and delicate, pigmentation and blood vessels tend to appear more visible there.
Dark circles can also appear in different types, each linked to specific underlying causes.
Pigmented Dark Eye Circles
Pigmented dark circles appear as brown or dark brown discolouration beneath the eyes, and are more commonly seen in individuals with deeper skin tones. They are largely influenced by excess melanin production, sun exposure, genetics, and repeated rubbing of the eye area.
Vascular Dark Eye Circles
Vascular dark circles present as bluish or purple hues caused by visible blood vessels beneath thin skin. They tend to become more noticeable with fatigue, dehydration, or stress, and are linked to poor blood circulation, causing blood to pool in the under-eye area.
Structural or Shadowed Dark Eye Circles
Structural dark circles are caused by the shape of the facial bones and the way light falls on the under-eye area. Rather than pigmentation or vessels, it is the hollowness beneath the eye, often due to ageing or loss of skin volume, that creates a shadowed appearance.
Mixed-Type Dark Eye Circles
Mixed dark circles combine two or more of the above, such as pigmented and vascular concerns, together. They may show variations in colour and depth, and because multiple factors are involved, a personalised approach is key. A professional can help identify the dominant concern for a more targeted care routine.