Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — By Scott Frothingham — Updated on February 28, 2023
Dark circles may happen due to fatigue or as a natural sign of aging. If you find them bothersome, you can try reducing their appearance with cold compresses, tea bags, cucumber slices, skin-lightening cream, or treatment from a dermatologist.
Are dark circles a serious health problem? Not really, but many people feel that dark circles under their eyes make them look tired, older, or unhealthy.
There are a number of methods — both natural and medically prescribed — that people use to get rid of, or lessen the appearance of, dark circles under their eyes. Although not all of these treatments are permanent, with maintenance and consistency they will help reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Although dark circles under your eyes are most commonly caused by fatigue, there are other causes as well, including:
- allergies
- allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- atopic dermatitis (eczema)
- contact dermatitis
- heredity
- pigmentation irregularities
- scratching or rubbing eyes
- sun exposure
Another cause of dark circles is the natural aging process. When you age, you tend to lose fat and collagen, and your skin often thins. This can make the reddish-blue blood vessels under your eyes more prominent.
Also, as people age, they commonly develop puffy eyelids or hollows under their eyes. Sometimes these physical changes cast shadows that can appear to be dark circles under the eyes.
There are a number of ways that people report they’ve eliminated or reduced the appearance of dark circles under their eyes. Everybody is different, so some of these remedies might not work for you.
As with any treatment, it’s always a good idea to review your plans with your doctor before testing them out on yourself.
Sleep
Fatigue and a lack of sleep can cause dark circles under your eyes. It can also make you look paler, which might make your dark circles appear darker. Make sure you’re getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night and practicing good sleep hygiene.
Elevation
When you sleep, try extra pillows under your head to lessen the puffiness of fluid pooling in your lower eyelids.
Cold
Sometimes dilated blood vessels can darken the area under your eyes. A cold compress can cause the blood vessels to constrict, which may result in a lessening of the dark circles.
Sun
Reduce or eliminate sun exposure to your face.
Moisturizers
There are a number of over-the-counter moisturizers that might help you with the dark circles under your eyes. Many of them contain caffeine, vitamin E, aloe, hyaluronic acid, and/or retinol.
Cucumber
Proponents of natural healing suggest chilling thick slices of cucumbers and then placing the chilled slices on the dark circles for about 10 minutes. Then rinse the area with water. Repeat this treatment twice a day.
Almond oil and vitamin E
Natural healing advocates suggest mixing equal amounts of almond oil and vitamin E and then, just prior to bedtime, gently massaging the mixture into the dark circles. In the morning, wash the area with cold water. Repeat the process nightly until the dark circles disappear.
Vitamin K
A 2015 studyTrusted Source showed that placing a pad (which contained a mixture that included caffeine and vitamin K) under the eye resulted in a reduction in wrinkle depth and dark circles.
Tea bags
Natural healers suggest soaking two teabags — use caffeinated tea — in warm water and then chilling the bags in the refrigerator for a few minutes. Place a bag on each eye. After five minutes, remove the teabags and rinse the area with cold water.