Are you wondering how to get rid of dark circles under eyes? Those purplish little half-moons afflict a lot of people — some on a seasonal basis (really!), others practically year-round. The causes for them are many and varied and range from genes to thinning skin.

If you want to combat the problem, you should have an idea of the cause, so take a look at the possible causes below and try the appropriate solution for yours. You cannot really do anything about your genes, of course, but there is usually another cause worsening that factor, so you can address that one instead.

Just remember that you may not be able to achieve perfectly circle-free eyes no matter what you do, though. There are people for whom dark circles are not totally removable. When that is the case, just try to mitigate it as much as you can. You can just hide any remaining “bruises” with some well-placed concealer when necessary then.

Vascular Problems

Sometimes, dark circles can be caused primarily by weaknesses in your capillary walls or vascular health. They get formed when blood floods the fine net of capillaries under your eyes and those capillaries break. If you find yourself getting worse circles under your eyes when you sleep without a pillow, this may be your problem.

Try sleeping with higher pillows to keep your head up at night. Simple gravity should help keep the blood from rushing into the capillaries we mentioned. It may also be wise for you to apply a cold compress to your eyes in the morning, to constrict those tiny little blood vessels there. Try cucumber chilled in the fridge, for instance, or an eye mask specifically designed for this — they really can help in a lot of cases.

Other standbys for people suffering from dark circles of this sort are eye creams with caffeine in them. Caffeine helps because it can constrict blood vessels.

Try not to give those vessels cause to leak blood throughout the day, though. If you have a habit of rubbing your eyes, for instance, try to break yourself out of it. The pressure you are exerting around that area may actually be causing some capillaries to break and giving you the dark circles you dislike so much. This is also part of why you should use a good makeup remover, aside from its value in leaving skin properly cleaned: a good makeup remover will not require added pressure from you just to achieve its cleansing abilities.

Take note that there are now also invasive treatments for dark circles. Laser treatments exist, for example, although you should still be wary of them. When done wrong, they may do far more harm than good, so you want to go to only the very best practitioners before you even start considering the option.

Allergies and Inflammation

This is why we noted that some people seem to get dark circles on a seasonal basis — when their allergies are seasonal, that is. Some people do not realize that their allergies are being triggered lightly by something in the environment. The resultant inflammation is so mild that it barely sets off warning alarms for them. Where it does show is under the eyes.

This is related to the earlier cause in that the allergy inflames blood vessels slightly. The smaller blood vessels tend to be less elastic than the larger ones (because of their size, they have less “give”), so they eventually break or leak. This causes the bruise-like circles.

If you suspect that allergies are responsible for your dark circles, go see a doctor and run some tests. You can also pick up a prescription for an antihistamine afterwards.

Thin, Unhealthy Skin

If your skin is dry, thinning due to age, or losing its suppleness, this may be your problem. Unhealthy skin is thin skin, and that means it tends to show what is underneath quite readily. This actually tends to work in tandem with one of the other issues here — like the two above, for example — for the worst cases. The solution here is to build up the skin’s health, of course.

Start by feeding your skin the nutrients it needs the traditional way: through your mouth. Look up programs like the Ageless Beauty System and use them as guides for that. Look for skin-building products and supplements that let your skin produce more collagen. A lot of eye creams have those. You should also get yourself a good sunscreen to fight off the harm caused by the sun.

If you feel that your skin is also dry in addition to being thin (and this is usually the case), make sure you are drinking enough water. Cut down your alcohol and salt intake just to be safe. Most dehydrated people tend to have puffy eyes in the morning and this only makes the circles look worse. Get some hydrating creams and cleaners if this is the case for you, and try looking for good day wear eye creams, too. Take note that a lot of good eye creams can also serve as replacements for correctors or pre-concealer cosmetics.

If you have dry skin, try not to wash in hot water too often, by the way. It strips oil from the skin and makes puffy and dark areas look worse.

Hyperpigmentation

Sometimes, it may actually be a case of hyperpigmentation — in which case you really will need a waterproof sunscreen, stat. Look for the ones that come with stick applicators to make it easier to use and ensure that what you are getting has an absolute minimum SPF of 25.

Those with the worst cases will need products that contain hydroquinone. Not everyone can use it without irritation, though, so test it first. Others suggest vitamin E instead, but some are allergic to that, too. Another ingredient to try is retinol, which can reduce pigment quite effectively.

Unfortunately, it also tends to irritate some users. Try the lower-concentration ones first. There are also options that use a time-release formulation to slow down the effects, like La Roche-Posay’s Redermic Eyes treatment. Alternatively, try something more natural and accessible: use raw, grated potatoes as a gentle rub/mask under the eyes instead.