Dark circles under the eyes can often be a sign of tiredness and lack of sleep – but they can also have other causes. We have five effective tips that can help with dark circles, depending on the cause.

How do dark circles under the eyes actually develop?

The skin under our eyes is very thin. When we sleep at night, lymph circulation slows down, and lymph fluid can accumulate under the eyes. When lymph circulation is impaired, puffiness occurs under the eyes.

Dark circles under the eyes can have various causes. Common reasons include lack of sleep, stress, and fatigue. Smoking also ages the skin, thinning it and thus contributing to dark circles. Additionally, due to the thin skin under the eyes, a muscle can easily show through. Increased skin pigmentation is another possible cause.

However, organ or blood disorders can also cause dark circles under the eyes. Therefore, you should seek medical advice if the shadows under your eyes worsen or if you experience repeated swelling or even bruising.

Dermatologist Dr. Julia Hölker explains to ÖKO-TEST: As soon as swelling increases, the skin becomes inflamed, or the eyes themselves are persistently dry, you should seek medical advice. You should also consult a doctor if your vision is impaired.

Important tips for reducing dark circles under the eyes

If you are prone to dark circles under your eyes, you can follow some tips to prevent them. Dermatologist Dr. Hölker also assesses how effective home remedies can be against dark circles.

Effectively prevent dark circles under the eyes

The best way to prevent dark circles from forming in the first place is to avoid them altogether. The classic remedies for dark circles are: sufficient sleep, enough exercise, and a healthy diet . It’s also well-known, but important: adequate and, ideally, restful sleep prevents dark shadows under the eyes. In the long run, you should aim for at least seven hours of sleep .

Proper facial care before bed can support skin regeneration. ÖKO-TEST last had night creams tested in the laboratory in 2023. You can find all the creams and results in the ePaper – click on the following box:

Next up: exercise . It gets our circulation going and stimulates blood flow – even a long walk helps. Both contribute to preventing dark circles from forming in the first place.

How to get rid of dark circles under your eyes: with vitamins and water

Our diet also influences the development of dark circles under the eyes – and a balanced diet helps prevent them:

• Vitamin C : It is found in many fruits and vegetables, for example in oranges, kiwis and blackcurrants, as well as in bell peppers, spinach and cabbage varieties such as Brussels sprouts, kale and broccoli.
• Vitamin K is important for blood clotting and is found in cabbage, green leafy vegetables and herbs such as chives and parsley.
• You can get zinc from whole grain products, nuts and cheese.
• Iron – ideally in combination with vitamin C – is found in wheat bran, millet , oat flakes and buckwheat, as well as in kernels and nuts.

It is especially important to drink enough fluids to prevent the skin from drying out – preferably water and unsweetened (organic) tea . Alcohol, on the other hand, has a negative impact on our sleep and thus promotes the formation of dark circles under the eyes.

Caffeine also makes the eyes more alert.

Caffeine not only wakes you up, but can also tighten the skin. Caffeine constricts the blood vessels under the eyes, making them less visible through the thin skin. According to Dr. Julia Hölker, caffeine can help with dark circles if they are caused by dilated blood vessels.

You can use coffee or black tea to experience the effects of caffeine.

Black tea for dark circles: Briefly soak two tea bags in cold water, gently squeeze them, and then place them on your closed eyelids. The tannins in black tea have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and soothe puffy eyes. Dermatologist Hölker recommends compresses soaked in black tea, especially for eczematous skin conditions.

Coffee for dark circles: You can either gently pat strong, cooled coffee directly under your eyes with your fingertips and rinse it off after about ten minutes. Or you can soak a cloth or cotton pad in coffee and leave it on your closed eyelids for ten to fifteen minutes.

 

Can potatoes lighten dark circles under the eyes?

Potatoes contain anti-inflammatory, skin-soothing, and bleaching properties. But can they therefore also help with dark circles under the eyes?

Dr. Julia Hölker explains to ÖKO-TEST that potatoes can have a moisturizing effect on the skin. However, whether the tubers are effective against dark circles depends on the cause of the dark under-eye area. She considers it “to a small extent” likely that potatoes can moisturize the skin and possibly even very subtly lighten hyperpigmented skin.

Proceed as follows:

• Grate a raw potato very finely and carefully apply it under your eyes. After about 15 minutes, wash off the residue with lukewarm water.
• You can also cut a thicker slice of raw potato into a half-moon shape and place it under your eyes for 15 minutes.

Cucumber mask for dry skin

Cucumbers contain a lot of water, but also vitamins and minerals . Cucumber slices on the eyes and the sensitive skin underneath provide moisture and have a soothing effect. It’s best to use organic cucumbers, as the peel, with its valuable nutrients, should remain on.

 

Effectively conceal dark circles

Concealers don’t permanently remove dark circles, but they can make them disappear painlessly. They not only hide dark circles but also visually conceal minor blemishes. We recently tested concealers: nine out of 20 failed the test. Read more: