Fact: Dark undereye circles happen to the best of us. I’ve personally been dealt with undereye circles since I was a child. From expensive eye creams to concealers, jade rolling, and facials—you name it, I’ve done it. Luckily, as I’ve lurched towards my mid to late 30s, I’ve mostly come to accept them. That said, even if you’re the kind of gal who skips concealer entirely, (couldn’t be me) it’s nice to have a few more tools in the arsenal when you want to tackle ye old eye darkness. Enter: undereye patches for dark circles.
As one of the most delicate parts of your face, it pays to give your undereye extra attention and patches are a great way to infuse some extra nourishing ingredients. They can be used on their own while you get ready or in tandem with other face masks and treatments on self-care Sundays. In a sea of beauty brands, however, we know how challenging it can be to find the right patches—one that also does what it says! So, I tapped a few experts in the field to give us the scoop on dark undereye circles: Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce of Westlake Dermatology, and dermatological nurse and celebrity aesthetician, Natalie Aguilar.
If you struggle with persistently dark under-eye circles, Geddes-Bruce says there’s a good chance it has nothing to do with your lifestyle and more to do with your genetics. And while prioritizing rest, minimizing stress, and making sure you have adequate hydration can help, the main causes of dark undereye circles takes a little more targeted effort to treat.
What causes dark undereye circles?
Aguilar agrees that a lack of proper sleep can make us more prone to dark circles, but she also points out other factors that can contribute as well: naturally thin skin and the normal aging process. The thinner the skin, the more visible the blood vessels are around the eye area, which creates a darker appearance.
Interestingly enough, allergies and excessive rubbing can also cause dark circles. Aguilar explains that when our body responds to an allergen, it naturally releases histamine. Histamine causes our blood vessels to dilate, and when paired with rubbing itchy eyes, the vessels are prone to breaking.
People with an iron deficiency (also known as anemia) may also experience dark circles, as proper iron levels are crucial for circulating oxygen throughout the body. Dark circles are a common side effect of a lack of oxygen reaching tissues in that area. Even certain eye drops, like the kind typically used to treat glaucoma, can be to blame for dark circles.
When should we use undereye patches for dark circles?
Dr. Geddes-Bruce finds that the best time to apply eye patches is in the evening so you have a long uninterrupted period to let them work. They also provide a mild compression which helps with lymphatic drainage to decrease puffiness. They are also occlusive which means they lock in moisture so the delicate skin appears more hydrated and plump. Additionally, Aguilar likes to use undereye patches while traveling and before events to ensure camera-ready undereyes.
Look for these ingredients in undereye patches for dark circles:
- hyaluronic acid
- ceramides
- caffeine
- niacinamide
- collagen
These can all help to brighten, hydrate, increase circulation, and strengthen the delicate eye area.
Now, the 13 best undereye patches for dark circles…
According to Aguilar, these beautiful eye masks (made of a pre-soaked, bio-cellulose material) are perfect for the delicate eye area. The powerful, active ingredients immediately lighten dark circles, reduce signs of fatigue and puffiness of the upper and lower eye area, and improve firmness and tone. She loves that these eye patches come with sets to apply on both the upper and lower eyelid areas making them an ultimate all-in-one solution. Keep them in the fridge for a cool boost to combat any inflammation around the eyes.
Buy it here.
Treat your peepers to these clinically proven undereye patches. They’re formulated with powerful marine actives and ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid that moisturizes, tightens, and leaves skin feeling smoother and brighter. All you need is 20 minutes to dramatically perk up the overall appearance of your delicate undereye skin.
Buy it here.
