Why Do Dark Circles Appear Under the Eyes?

The short answer: the skin under the eyes is the thinnest on the body, so the vessels beneath show through easily. Short sleep makes them more obvious, but it is rarely the whole story.

Common causes

• Too little or very irregular sleep
• Genetics — in many families it is simply how the face is
• Skin thinning with age
• Long hours on screens and eye strain
• Allergies and repeated rubbing of the eyes
• Dehydration
• Sun exposure
• Anaemia

Do they signal a deficiency?

Sometimes. In anaemia the face looks pale and the area under the eyes can look darker. That is worth considering particularly when tiredness, weakness and easy breathlessness come with it — in which case a blood test is sensible.

What actually helps

• Regular, adequate sleep — this is where the real difference comes from
• Looking away from screens briefly every twenty minutes
• Treating allergies, so the rubbing stops
• Sun protection when you go out
• Enough water and balanced meals

What helps least is an expensive cream — particularly when the cause is sleep or genetics.