How to Get Rid of Undereye Circles, According to Dermatologists and Makeup Artists

We don’t quite remember the first time we had dark circles. And yet, one day, they took up residence underneath our eyes—uninvited, mind you—and just never left. Although there are several causes of dark circles (we’ll get to those below), there are also several ways we can address them, from eye cream to filler, and even just really good concealer when all else fails. Ahead, find out more, courtesy of N.Y.C.-based dermatologist Carmen Castilla, and Birmingham, Alabama-based dermatologist Corey L. Hartman/

What Causes Dark Circles?

“Dark circles can be caused by numerous factors, the most common being aging, your genetics and your lifestyle,” explains Hartman. But let’s dive into the specifics:

1. Pigmentation: “The cause of pigmentation can be variable: It can be genetic—which is more common in certain ethnicities, or rashes such as eczema—which in certain skin tones appears as dark circles,” says Castilla. In addition, she says, chronic rubbing “either from allergies, rashes or habit” can exacerbate pigmentation.
2. Aging: “As we age, there is a shift, or shrinking, of the fat pad that sits underneath the eye and resorption of the orbital bone,” says Castilla. “This process leads to a hollowing and shadow underneath the eye that appears as a dark circle.” Beyond that, she says, “As we age, our skin also thins, which makes blood vessels more visible underneath the eye.”
3. Vascular congestion: “Allergies or a cold can also lead to exacerbated dark under eye circles,” says Hartman. Congestion creates pressure all over—including under your eyes. “This congestion puts pressure on blood vessels making it difficult for blood to drain away from the face to the heart, so it pools underneath the eyes,” explains Castilla.
4. Lack of sleep: This one may seem obvious, but it’s true. “If you are not getting enough sleep, or work long hours, you may find that those factors lead to dark circles,” says Hartman.
5. Underlying medical issue: “Our skin is a reflection of our overall…