What causes dark circles?

There are a few different causes for dark circles, such as:

• Lack of sleep: This can leave your skin looking pale and dull, giving the appearance of dark under eye circles. Sleep deprivation can also cause the veins under your eyes to dilate slightly, leading to temporarily darker skin under your eyes
• Genetics: Some people are simply predisposed to dark circles despite getting a healthy amount of sleep due to genetics
• Diet and alcohol: Dehydration from alcohol consumption or a diet that is high in sugar and salt can worsen the appearance of dark circles if the skin is not getting enough nutrients
• Sun exposure and air pollutants: Sun damage and free radicals found in air pollution worsen the appearance of dark under eyes

How to reduce dark circles

We recommend a three-step approach.

1. Give yourself a health check
   Are you getting enough sleep? Are you drinking enough water? Could you potentially cut back on alcohol, smoking, or caffeine? All these habits can exacerbate dark circles, so try and create healthier habits for brighter, more wide-awake eyes.
2. Use a targeted eye cream for dark circles to reduce puffiness, brighten and tone the under eyes
   We recommend storing your eye cream in the fridge for the ultimate cooling treat for tired eyes and to soothe puffiness.
3. Use a brightening concealer to cover up dark circles under eyes
   We recommend opting for a high coverage concealer such as the Everlasting Concealer that is hydrating, feels light on the skin and lasts all day.

What is the best eye cream for reducing dark circles?

For the ultimate brightening and lifting effect, we recommend our iconic Total Eye Lift. This nourishing gel-cream is packed full of powerful ingredients — such as Cassie Wax and Harungana extract — which visibly reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles in the eye area. Used both morning and evening, this gel-cream texture replenishes, smoothes, and gives the appearance of a lifted effect around the eye contour for a well-rested look, no matter how much sleep you’re getting. This gel-cream for dark circles is ideal for a brightened, lifted look.

To tighten and reduce puffiness around the eye area, we recommend our V Shaping Facial Lift Tightening & Anti-Puffiness Eye Concentrate. This is the go-to eye product for a visibly brighter, wide awake look.

For oily and combination skin types, we recommend our Total Eye Contour Gel, our cooling eye gel which helps to reduce puffiness and dark circles. Infused with purifying plant extracts and caffeine, it helps to erase signs of tiredness.

For an intensive and hydrating treat, our Total Eye Hydrate eye mask provides instant hydration in a nourishing balm formula for brighter, more comfortable-feeling eyes.

And for men, our ClarinsMen Line-Control Eye Balm is the perfect choice for reducing puffiness and dark circles, leaving eyes fresh and rejuvenated — like 8 hours of sleep in a bottle.

Read more expert tips for reducing dark circles over on Clarins’ Beauty Daily site.

Shop our range of eye care to reduce dark circles now