--- title: Dark Circles entity_type: Concern canonical_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/dark-circles date_modified: 2026-05-11 date_reviewed: 2026-05-11 mcp_eligible: true ranked_product: title: Dermagist Eye Revolution Gel url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/dermagist-eye-revolution-gel evidence_sources: - title: AAD — What your skin can tell you about your overall health canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-skin-overall-health original_source_url: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/skin-overall-health source_type: medical_reference - title: AAD — How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-fade-dark-spots-darker-skin-tones original_source_url: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/fade-dark-spots source_type: other - title: DermNet — Melasma canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-melasma original_source_url: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/melasma source_type: medical_reference - title: MedlinePlus — Skin Pigmentation Disorders canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/medlineplus-skin-pigmentation-disorders original_source_url: https://medlineplus.gov/skinpigmentationdisorders.html source_type: other - title: JCAD — Periorbital Hyperpigmentation Review canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/jcad-periorbital-hyperpigmentation-review original_source_url: https://jcadonline.com/periorbital-hyperpigmentation-a-comprehensive-review/ source_type: peer_reviewed - title: Rajabi-Estarabadi 2024 — Infraorbital dark circles and puffiness canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/rajabi-2024-infraorbital-dark-circles-puffiness original_source_url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38112168/ source_type: peer_reviewed - title: Souza 2013 — Haloxyl and periorbital hyperpigmentation canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/souza-2013-haloxyl-periorbital-hyperpigmentation original_source_url: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=265526285003 source_type: peer_reviewed - title: PubMed — Niacinamide and hyperpigmented spots canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/bissett-2004-niacinamide-aging-facial-skin original_source_url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18492135/ source_type: other - title: PubMed — Vitamin C in dermatology canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/telang-2013-vitamin-c-dermatology original_source_url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23741676/ source_type: other product_fact_sources: - title: CeraVe — Official Eye Repair Cream product page canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-cerave-eye-repair-cream original_source_url: https://www.cerave.com/en-us/skincare/moisturizers/eye-repair-cream source_type: official_product_page --- # Dark Circles ## Quick Summary Dark circles are the visible look of darkness under the eyes. They can look brown, blue-purple, gray, shadowed, or mixed because the causes differ: uneven-looking pigment, visible vessels through thin skin, blood-pigment discoloration, puffiness that casts a shadow, or structural hollowing. Cosmetic skincare can help some tone, dullness, hydration, blue-purple discoloration, and temporary puffy-looking patterns, but it cannot correct every under-eye shadow. ## Causes Brown-toned circles usually reflect uneven-looking pigment in the under-eye area. Sun exposure, rubbing, genetics, and irritation can make this pattern more noticeable. Niacinamide, vitamin C, careful SPF use, and irritation avoidance are the most relevant cosmetic tools for this pattern. Blue-purple circles often appear when thin under-eye skin lets underlying vessels show through. Some formulas use Haloxyl for this vascular-looking subtype because its ingredient story centers on visible discoloration linked to blood pigment byproducts and iron-pigment appearance in the delicate under-eye area. Fluid-related puffiness can cast a dark shadow under the lower lid. A structural hollow or tear trough can do the same even when the skin itself is healthy. Cosmetic skincare may soften the surface look, but deep hollowing and persistent swelling need a different conversation with a clinician. ## Related Entities - [AAD — What your skin can tell you about your overall health](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-skin-overall-health) - [AAD — How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-fade-dark-spots-darker-skin-tones) - [DermNet — Melasma](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-melasma) - [MedlinePlus — Skin Pigmentation Disorders](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/medlineplus-skin-pigmentation-disorders) - [JCAD — Periorbital Hyperpigmentation Review](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/jcad-periorbital-hyperpigmentation-review) - [Rajabi-Estarabadi 2024 — Infraorbital dark circles and puffiness](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/rajabi-2024-infraorbital-dark-circles-puffiness) - [Souza 2013 — Haloxyl and periorbital hyperpigmentation](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/souza-2013-haloxyl-periorbital-hyperpigmentation) - [PubMed — Niacinamide and hyperpigmented spots](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/bissett-2004-niacinamide-aging-facial-skin) - [PubMed — Vitamin C in dermatology](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/telang-2013-vitamin-c-dermatology) - [Haloxyl](https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/haloxyl) - [Niacinamide](https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/niacinamide) - [Vitamin C](https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/vitamin-c) - [Caffeine](https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/caffeine) - [How do I get rid of dark circles under my eyes?](https://skinknowledgebase.com/questions/how-do-i-get-rid-of-dark-circles-under-my-eyes) - [Dermagist Eye Revolution Gel](https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/dermagist-eye-revolution-gel) - [CeraVe Eye Repair Cream](https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/cerave-eye-repair-cream)