Here’s a rare photo of me without my sunglasses because, for once, my under-eyes were looking pretty good, thanks to my little tricks!
I’ve had dark circles under my eyes for as long as I can remember. Even as a baby, it looked like I needed more sleep. My parents took me to numerous doctors over the years, trying to figure out why I always seemed to have dark circles, like I’d been punched in both eyes. The general opinion was allergies, so doctors recommended Benadryl, but that didn’t work for me. So I’ve spent my life dealing with these circles.
Honestly, my dark circles make me very self-conscious. They bothered me when I was a kid and still do now. At eight years old, I even asked my parents about surgery to remove them (not even sure if that’s possible!). Now, I prefer to keep my sunglasses on most of the time. These circles aren’t the result of allergies, lack of sleep, or a vitamin deficiency—I wish it were that simple.
Unfortunately, I’ve inherited a lovely set of genetic under-eye circles. Unlike circles caused by other factors, these aren’t fixable by getting more sleep, drinking water, or taking allergy meds. No cream can get rid of genetic circles; trust me, I’ve tried them all.
So, how can you tell if your under-eye circles are genetic or situational? Stand in front of a mirror, gently pull the skin under your eyes and watch for changes in color. If the skin lightens, your dark circles are likely not genetic. If the color remains the same, welcome to the club! After lots of trial and error, I’ve found a few things that help—although they’re not miracle cures, they do make a difference.
Here’s what actually works for my genetic under-eye circles:
1. **Gua Sha Under-eye Massage**: I swear by Gua Sha! While it won’t fix genetic circles, it helps a lot with the appearance. Since I have extra thin skin under my eyes, any blood pooling in that area is more visible, which contributes to the darkness. Under-eye massage helps move that blood away. I usually do a Gua Sha massage before applying makeup to get the circulation going.
2. **Foreo Iris Illuminating Eye Massager**: This is another tool I love. It’s a bit pricier than Gua Sha but easier to use and very effective. After cleaning my face and applying oils at night, I use the Foreo Iris for a long under-eye massage. It helps move the blood out of the area and plumps up the skin to reduce the appearance of dark circles.
3. **Becca Cosmetics Undereye Brightening Corrector**: This is hands down the best makeup for under-eye circles I’ve tried. It covers discoloration beautifully without needing an extra step, like using an orange concealer. My routine involves moisturizing, applying the corrector, my foundation, and then “baking” the area with loose powder. This technique works wonders.
4. **Under-Eye Fillers**: While not accessible for everyone due to cost, fillers have been effective for me. They don’t fix the discoloration but plump up the eye area, reducing shadowing that makes circles look worse. They’re pricey, and for me, they don’t last as long as for others because I metabolize fillers quickly.
5. **Ice Cubes**: I’ve discovered the magic of ice cubes for skincare. After my skincare routine, I rub an ice cube on my face, especially under my eyes. It constricts blood vessels, reducing color and puffiness. You can also use a mini ice roller if you prefer not to get wet, but I personally love the feeling of an ice cube.