An expert guide from the worlds of beauty and science
Introduction
Considered synonymous with tiredness and advancing years, dark circles are among the top beauty concerns customers raise with us at Cosmetics à la Carte.
Lynne Sanders, Cosmetic Scientist and Founder of Cosmetics à la Carte, and Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, Chelsea-based Consultant Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic Surgeon, combine their beauty and medical expertise to create a comprehensive guide to correcting dark circles.
Find out more about Dr Elizabeth Hawkes’ expertise in eye health and advanced facial aesthetics, and her extensive range of services.
What causes dark circles?
Despite the familiar association with tiredness, Dr Elizabeth Hawkes explains that dark circles are driven by a fact of anatomy:
“Uniquely in the body, there is no subcutaneous fat underneath the skin of the eyelid and under our eyes. For this reason, the skin around the eyes is prone to appear darker than the rest of the face, whatever our lifestyle.”
However, Dr Hawkes adds there are certainly contributing factors making dark circles more likely and more prominent.
The main causes are:
- Genetics – “either a family history of dark circles or higher levels of melanin in certain ethnicities leading to more deeply pigmented skin”
- Circulation issues - “eyelids are very vascular, but these vessels can become dilated due to poor circulation, and therefore more visible beneath the skin”
- Allergies – “conditions such as hayfever and eczema can cause hypertrophy and erythema of the skin which contributes to discolouration”
- Dehydration
- Smoking
- Ageing – “volume loss and descent of the structures around the eyelid as we age combine with atrophy in the bone of the orbit, causing the eyes to sit further back in the socket and appear sunken, enhancing the appearance of dark circles”
Can I conceal my dark circles?
Dr Elizabeth Hawkes and Lynne Sanders agree that a good quality undereye concealer can work wonders to minimise the appearance of dark circles during the day, whatever their cause.
Lynne recommends using fluid concealer formulas for the eye area such as Secret Light to give light to medium coverage.
Another expert tip, according to Lynne is to “Avoid going for a concealer that is too pale. This will risk looking ashy, may give you “panda eyes” and exaggerate the appearance of puffs.”
Melba is our bestselling shade for medium skin tones
Secret Light Melba
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Where should I apply concealer to cover dark circles?
Lynne advises: "If dark circles are the main concern, you should apply concealer around the whole orbital area, but avoid the outer part of the undereye area where “crows’ feet” or smile lines tend to form, as this is where the makeup is most likely to show.
When applying, remember to include the eyelid, as this is where a lot of discolouration can occur, and the area between the tear duct and the nose. As we age, this area can attract shadows.”
With the right tone and coverage of concealer, you should not need to apply an additional colour-correcting product before putting on concealer.
What technique is best for applying concealer?
Lynne Sanders recommends the “tap and pat” technique of tapping one or two dots directly from the concealer wand and patting gently into the skin with fingertips or a soft yet precise brush like the Cosmetics à la Carte Shadow Brush or Blending Brush.
She adds “Patting is better than rubbing or pulling the skin, which is very delicate around the eyes. Try to apply a little at first, then add more layers to get the right level of coverage. This will look more natural and last longer than applying a lot and blending it out.”
What is the best eye makeup for dark circles?
Smart choices in the rest of our eye makeup can also help us to look brighter and more wide-awake.
According to Lynne Sanders, the goal of makeup for dark circles is “as much about diverting attention away from shadows as covering them.”
To this end she recommends wearing a flattering and brightening colour of eyeshadow across the lid as part of your eye makeup look. This, she says, “will help you look fresher than if you simply used concealer on its own.”
Lynne prefers to use the dewy, sheeny shimmer of Luminous Cream Shadow for this effect – whatever your age! Her view is that: “while glitter is perhaps to be avoided as we get older, shimmer is your friend at every age.”
Get Personal Advice
Colour choice is personal, and creative, and, for optimal results, it's worth investing in a professional makeup artist consultation.
This will help with the colour of concealer and eyeshadow that flatter your skin tone and suit the shape of your eyes. Book in for a Makeup Playtime at the Cosmetics à la Carte boutique for 1-1 advice and helpful tips.
What skincare can help with dark circles?
According to Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, the research leads us to focus on core beauty tenets rather than “silver bullet” creams for dark circles:
“You should stay hydrated by drinking enough water, avoid smoking, get enough sleep and take steps to protect your skin from UV such as wearing sunglasses and SPF. It is also a good idea to apply a night cream at night to keep the delicate skin around the area moisturised.”
Among the Cosmetics à la Carte range, Lynne Sanders recommends Hydrasmooth Night Cream as a formula for the face that can also be used around the eyes. This light and easily absorbed cream features advanced active Renovage TM to boost the youthspan of your skin, and natural extract Acmella Oleracea to temporarily minimise fine lines.
Hydrasmooth
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However, if you also have puffiness as well as dark circles, consider avoiding eye cream at night as it can promote water retention. Instead use an oil-free eye serum in the morning.
How should I apply eye cream?
“The skin around the eyes is extremely delicate and for this reason you need to apply eye cream as gently as possible. You need to use a blob of eye cream approximately the size of a pea. After you've dotted it on, use the pad of your finger to pat, rather than rub, the eye cream to help it absorb. Keep patting until fully absorbed.
Take care to go all the way around your orbital socket - the bone that surrounds your eye. You can feel its circular shape. Eye cream needs to be applied to this entire area. You can use your sunglasses as a guideline and apply cream to any part of your face that is covered by them.”
The following morning, it’s important to remove residue with a refreshing cleanse. Lynne Sanders explains this crucial step will “prevent product build up and occlusion – often seen as white dots.” She recommends Cosmetics à la Carte Rosewater Tonic as a “gentle, pH balanced morning cleanse that won’t irritate the skin and will also actively hydrate the area.”
What are the medical treatments for dark circles?
According to Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, there are treatments for dark circles available but, before proceeding to a treatment of your choice, it’s vital that you first visit an oculoplastic specialist who will take a full medical history and perform a thorough examination to ascertain the underlying cause and ultimately determine the correct management.
Dr Hawkes adds: “There is a prescription only treatment that will help reduce the production of melanin in the skinand can be a useful tool in improving the appearance of dark circles, however it has to be used under the guidance of a specialist only.”
Other treatments for dark circles vary depending on the cause and include some or several of the following:
- topical prescription creams to provide allergy relief
- chemical peels
- dermal fillers to restore volume – called tear trough filler
- surgical lower eyelid blepharoplasty, or
- anti-wrinkle injections to the orbicularis muscle
But Dr Hawkes cautions us against self-diagnosing online: “A thorough ophthalmic examination is necessary to exclude an eye disease or allergy that could be affecting the skin such as allergic conjunctivitis.”
Visit Dr Hawkes' Website
Find out more about medical treatments for dark circles on Dr Hawkes' website.
