What Causes Dark Circles Under Eyes? Causes and Care

What actually causes dark circles?

Dark circles are not a single condition — they are an appearance that can arise from several different underlying mechanisms:

Pigmentation (melanin). The skin under the eyes can contain more melanin than surrounding skin, producing a genuinely darker color. This is especially common in people with medium-to-darker skin tones, often runs in families, and is considered a form of periorbital hyperpigmentation. Sun exposure can worsen it by stimulating additional melanin production.

Blood vessel visibility. The skin under the eyes is among the thinnest on the body. When blood vessels close to the surface show through, they can appear blue, purple, or brownish. This tends to be more visible in fair-skinned individuals and often becomes more noticeable with fatigue, dehydration, or when the skin thins further with age.

Volume loss and shadowing. As people age, fat in the mid-face and under the eyes decreases, creating a hollow groove (the tear trough) that casts a shadow — particularly in certain lighting. This structural shadowing can look like darkness even when the skin pigmentation itself is normal.

Sleep and fatigue. While commonly cited, sleep deprivation is not a universal cause of dark circles. It can cause pallor that makes underlying vessels more visible, and puffiness can cast shadows. But persistent dark circles in someone who sleeps adequately are more likely explained by the factors above.

Allergies and chronic rubbing. Nasal congestion from allergies causes blood to pool in the veins under the eyes (called allergic shiners). Chronic rubbing or irritation of the under-eye skin can also worsen pigmentation over time 1Ref 1Amescua G (lead), Ahmad S, et al.; Mah FS, Varu DM (co-chairs); AAO PPP Cornea/External Disease Committee (2024).Dry Eye Syndrome Preferred Practice Pattern® 2023.Periorbital skin changes and allergic eye disease as factors in under-eye appearance changes.

Does sleep really help?

Sleep helps somewhat — particularly when blood vessel visibility and puffiness are the primary contributors — but it is unlikely to fully resolve dark circles driven by pigmentation or structural volume loss. Adequate sleep is important for general health 2Ref 2Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al. (2015).Recommended Amount of Sleep for a Healthy Adult: A Joint Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society.Adequate sleep as important for general health and appearance, contextualizing the role of sleep in under-eye appearance, and being well-rested often improves overall skin appearance and color, but it is not a cure for dark circles that have a primarily pigmentary or structural cause.

What can actually be done about dark circles?

Because causes differ, approaches need to match the mechanism:

For pigmentation: Topical treatments that can lighten excess melanin include sunscreen (protecting against worsening from UV), niacinamide, vitamin C, and in some cases retinoids or hydroquinone [3, 4]. These require consistent use over weeks to months and are best discussed with a dermatologist for the under-eye area, which is sensitive. Sunscreen is the most accessible first step to prevent worsening from sun exposure.

For blood vessel visibility: There is no topical ingredient that changes blood vessel appearance from the outside. Cold compresses temporarily cause vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) and can briefly reduce the appearance. Elevating the head of the bed slightly can reduce fluid pooling overnight.

For volume loss and shadowing: This is a structural concern that topical products cannot address. Dermatologic or cosmetic procedures — including hyaluronic acid filler placed in the tear trough — can restore volume and reduce shadowing. These are medical procedures with their own considerations and should be discussed with a qualified dermatologist or cosmetic physician.

For allergies: Treating the underlying allergy (with antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, or allergen avoidance) can reduce congestion-related darkening. If you have significant nasal allergies, a primary care provider or allergist can help you manage them effectively.

Over-the-counter eye creams: do they work?

Eye creams make many marketing claims, but their actual evidence base varies. Ingredients with some scientific support for reducing periorbital pigmentation or improving skin texture include:

• Niacinamide — shown in clinical research to inhibit melanin transfer and improve uneven skin tone 3Ref 3Boo YC (2021).Mechanistic Basis and Clinical Evidence for the Applications of Nicotinamide (Niacinamide) to Control Skin Aging and Pigmentation.Niacinamide as an evidence-supported topical ingredient for reducing melanin transfer and improving skin pigmentation
• Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) — with evidence for improving skin texture and pigmentation, though the under-eye skin requires caution due to sensitivity 4Ref 4Sitohang IBS, Makes WI, Sandora N, Suryanegara J (2022).Topical tretinoin for treating photoaging: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Retinoids as topical agents with evidence for improving skin pigmentation and texture, relevant to periorbital hyperpigmentation
• Vitamin C — an antioxidant that may reduce pigmentation over time
• Caffeine — causes temporary vasoconstriction; any improvement in appearance is brief
• SPF/sunscreen — the most reliably effective step for preventing pigmentation from worsening

Ingredients with little to no meaningful evidence: collagen applied topically (too large to penetrate skin), most "brightening" plant extracts at the concentrations used in cosmetics.

When should dark circles be evaluated by a doctor?

Dark circles are rarely a medical concern, but a few situations are worth mentioning to a clinician:

• Sudden new puffiness or darkness that was not previously present and came on relatively quickly — could reflect an allergic reaction, thyroid issue, kidney problem, or medication effect
• Associated symptoms — fatigue, weight changes, or swelling elsewhere — that suggest a systemic cause
• Discoloration or swelling in one eye only — particularly if the eyelid is also drooping or the eye feels uncomfortable

For persistent cosmetic concern, a dermatologist can assess the underlying cause more precisely and discuss evidence-based treatment options 5Ref 5Sarkar R, Handog EB, Das A, Bansal A (2023).Topical and Systemic Therapies in Melasma: A Systematic Review.Dermatologic assessment and treatment of periorbital hyperpigmentation; topical approaches to facial pigmentation.