How to get rid of under eye circles

"Wow, are you okay? You look tired!" We've all heard it. That concerned, but slightly offensive question. Yes, everything's fine, and yes, I am quite tired. As a busy mom of two and entrepreneur, under eye circles have become a part of my daily look, just like yoga pants and top knots. So I was especially excited to speak with dermatologists and beauty experts about their best tips for ditching those under eye circles.


While I won't be signing up for surgery any time soon, there are plenty of other easy and cheap ideas for looking more youthful and rejuvenated.

Know the cause

First, it's helpful to know what's causing your under eye circles. Once you know the cause, it will be easier to find the right solution. New York oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Brett Kotlus, MD told me those pesky under eye circles are the most common reason patients come to his practice. "The most common causes of under eye circles are protruding under eye fat pads and under eye fat loss or hollowing (also called the tear trough)," he explained. These fat pads can protrude and cast a shadow around the eyes. People who have under eye fat pads usually have them due to genetics. Take a look at your parents and grandparents. If they had dark or protruding under eye circles, that's most likely where yours are coming from.


Age is always a factor

Unfortunately, if you're not thrilled with your under eye circles, they're not going anywhere naturally. They actually worsen as we age. As we get older, we lose fat in our faces. When that happens, the fat pads under our eyes can look more pronounced, making us look even more tired.

"As we age, we lose fat in our face along with bone," Dr. Jill Waibel, owner of the Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, tells me. "This causes the depression and sunken look in our faces."

You may have also noticed this effect if you've ever lost weight. Losing fat throughout the body means less fat in your face, causing an older appearance.

Focus on prevention

The health and beauty experts I spoke with had a variety of ways to get rid of under eye circles, but they all agreed on one thing: it's easier to prevent them than to treat them. "The best way to prevent under eye circles is to consistently use a revitalizing eye treatment," Chalet Cosmetics cofounder Andrea Rodriguez told me. "And of course to be sure to get plenty of rest and drink lots of water." Rodriguez recommends using an anti-aging cream like Chalet Green Apple Eyes every day. A good eye cream should provide the skin nourishment and moisture it needs to maintain its elasticity.

Sleep will help

The reason we hate our under eye circles is because they make us look tired. One of the easiest ways to improve your bags is to not be tired for once. That means it's crucial to get plenty of restorative sleep.

"Get your beauty rest," owner of Blu Skin Care, LLC Zondra Wilson told me. "It's not completely clear why not enough sleep results in dark circles under the eyes, but a lack of sleep tends to cause the skin to become paler (thus increasing the appearance of darkness under the eyes), and reduces circulation."

And while you're getting your restorative sleep, try doubling up on your pillows. When we light flat all night, fluid pools under our eyes. If you sleep at a slight incline, that fluid drains down and won't pool as much.

Wash your face before bed

Before going to bed every night, make sure to wash your face with a gentle cleanser. This is one of the easiest ways to keep a wide-awake, youthful look every day. Be sure to remove all your makeup before bed. "If you don't [remove your makeup] as you age, you will constantly look tired," says Zondra Wilson. "Yikes! Nobody wants that." New York esthetician and consultant Liz Donat, LE agrees. "Never sleep in your makeup!" she told me.

Read More