Here are the best ever tips on getting rid of dark circles and puffy eyes for good!
Every beauty-obsessed girl has at one point or another googled ‘how to get rid of dark circles’.
I myself have done it more times than I’d like to admit, usually at 1am while ironically creating said dark circles.
And then of course, someone has to go ahead and ask, “Did you not sleep well last night? You look so tired.”
Yeah, that’s the last thing a woman wants to hear.
I started getting my dark circles in my teen years. I chalked it up to fatigue from studying all the time, but even after I fixed my routine, the stubborn circles stayed.
Fixing your sleep schedule can help avoid dark circles, there are plenty of other factors that can still cause them.
Genetics, dehydration, thin under-eye skin causing blood vessels to show, and of course, aging.
I hated my dark circles like any woman would. It was only after proper research and talking to my dermatologist (multiple times) that I finally got rid of them.
In this post, we are going to look at what actually helps get rid of dark circles, what’s just marketing fluff, and what you can do to give your eyes a well-rested glow.
There is a bonus section at the end of this post where I’ve shared a golden morning de-puffing routine. Make sure to read till there!
How To Get Rid Of Dark Circles
1. Fix Your Sleep Schedule
I know it’s not sexy advice, but if you are serious about getting rid of dark circles, sleep is the first thing you need to work on.
You should be sleeping at least 7 hours a night and going to bed at a sound time (like, no later than 11pm).
Avoid scrolling before bed as screens can mess with your eyes, head, and sleep.
If you have trouble falling asleep, then magnesium glycinate or a calming tea like chamomile before bed can help if you’re tossing and turning.
You can also try elevating your head with an extra pillow. It will keep fluid from pooling under your eyes, which means no morning puffiness.
2. Don’t Let Yourself Be Dehyrated
Dehydration can make your skin dull and your dark circles darker. Not cute at all.
So, please, for the love of healthy under-eyes, start drinking your water.
Keep a cute water bottle on your desk and one in your bag, and drink from it throughout the day.
Aim for about two-three litres of water per day, and more if you’re active or drink coffee/tea.
Your skin (and literally every other part of your body) will soak up water like the goodness that it is.
Now, if your skin is extra dry, then you might want to use an under-eye product for some extra hydration.
I love The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream. It’s lightweight, cheap, and actually works on hydration your under-eyes.
You can try gel eye patches too. They sound bougie but are actually very hydrating.
3. Pick The Right Eye Cream
So, you have fixed your sleeping scheduling and are also confident about your daily hydration, but the eye bags are still persistent.
In this case, eye creams become important.
But if I am being honest, most eye creams can seem like overpriced moisturizers that don’t really do anything.
That’s why it’s important to look for ingredients that actually do something, like:
- Caffeine: de-puffs and constricts blood vessels
- Vitamin C: brightens and helps with pigmentation
- Retinol (if your skin tolerates it): boosts collagen and thickens skin
- Hyaluronic acid: hydrates and plumps
If you want results, you need to look for products that target your specific concern: discoloration, puffiness, or thinning skin.
Let’s look at each of these situations one-by-one so that you can pick the right eye cream for yourself.
FOR pigmentation
Pigmentation under the eyes is common in mediumk to deep skin tones. It often looks like light to dark brown discoloration.
This is causes by genetics, sun exposure, rubbing your eyes too much, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
You can try:
- Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector (vitamin C goodness with a touch of brightening tint)
- Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème (legit brightens over time, not just instantly)
FOR thin or hollow UNDER-EYES
This category is for you if there is hollowness or a shadowy look under your eyes. It’s common in…well, everyone, actually, especially as we age.
It can be causded by loss of fat or volume under the eyes (a part of aging) and may also be because of your bone structure.
Eye creams you can try:
- RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream (drugstore retinol that boosts collagen without being too harsh)
- Versed Smooth Landing Advanced Retinoid Eye Balm (gentle and buttery, great for sensitive babes)
FOR PUFFY EYES
If your undereyes appear puffed out, this section is for you.
Puffiness under the eyes is caused by lack of sleep, allergies, or crying (a girl can’t even cry without messing up her beauty, eh?).
You can safely try this Caffeine Solution from The Ordinary. It’s affordable and actually effective, especially in the AM.
4. Use Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is a chef’s kiss for de-puffing and constricting those under-eye blood vessels.
Cold reduces swelling around your eyes and makes you look instantly more awake in the morning.
My favorite cold therapy medhod is to use an ice roller in the morning with special attention under the eyes.
You can also keep reusable eye patches in your fridge and use them weekly. I love the Dieux Forever Eye Mask (it’s eco friendly and kinda fab).
And then of course, you can also use the good old metal spoon. Stick one in the freezer overnight and press it under your eyes in the morning. Cheapest cold therapy ever!
5. Tackle Allergies
If you wake up stuffy, itchy, or always have under-eye puffiness, allergies could be playing a role here.
They can cause inflammation and poor drainage under the eyes, which is what leads to puffy circles.
In this case, I’d suggest you talk to a doctor, obviously. They’ll be able to prescribe the appropriate treatment to calm down the puff and discoloration.
Allergies should only be tackled with the help of a doctor.
Other than that, you should rinse your face after coming from outside to get rid of clingy pollen.
Using an air purifier in your bedroom may help too.
6. Color Correct If You Want To
I know this post is titled ‘how to get rid of dark circles’, and makeup doesn’t rid you of anything, but it does mask it.
I felt it important to include this tip because sometimes we do need a little makeup to feel confident, and that’s just alright.
Start by using a color correcter in peach or orange color, especially if your dark circles are purple or blue-toned.
I recommend the color corrector from Bobbi Brown. It is creamy, blendable, and doesn’t cake.
Then, use a good concealer that matches your skin tone.
The corrector will cancel out the darkness, and the concealer will brighten and blend everything seamlessly.
Set it with a light dusting of translucent powder, and you’ll have your bright-eyed queen mode.
Bonus: My Morning Under Eyes De-Puff Routine
As a bonus part of this section, I am sharing my morning depuffing routine for under eyes that I do at least once a week.
- Splash your face with cold water
- Apply The Ordinary Caffeine Serum
- Pop on cold Dieux eye masks for 10 min while sipping coffee
- Massage your face and under eyes with an ice roller
- Lock all the goodness with an eye cream and SPF
- Use a concealer if you feel like it, but I personally like to go bare
And that’s it!
You might be interested in: Morning Skincare Routine For a Glowy and Rosy Look
My Takeaway On Dark Circles
Dark circles are so common and nothing to be ashamed of.
But if you’re on a mission to brighten things up, consistency and self-care go a long way.
Treat your under-eyes with love, and always remember that you’re stunning, circles or not.
Hope the post helps!
