Tired eyes? Top tips to instantly brighten dark circles

Feeling fatigued and showing it around your eyes? I feel you! As a busy working mum of two I often find myself looking in the mirror in the morning and being shocked at how tired I look! Unfortunately dark circles can make us look older and more tired than we actually are too! But fear not, I’m here to tell you there are quick and easy ways to brighten up your under-eye area! Keep reading as we discuss why you might be waking with dark circles daily and our expert tips on how to restore a youthful glow in next to no time.

So why are you waking with dark circles?

While we can all probably do with a little more sleep than we are getting, dark circles are often misunderstood as simply a result of poor quality or lack of sleep, but they can actually arise from various other factors too;

1. Dehydration

Not drinking enough water can make your skin look dull and can even cause the area around your eyes to darken, as the skin here is delicate and reacts quickly to fluid levels.

2. Genetics and skin tone

Some people are more prone to dark circles due to their genetics (thanks parents!), especially if they have fair or thin skin, which can make blood vessels under the eyes more visible.

3. Allergies or sinus congestion

Allergies and sinus issues can lead to inflammation and swelling in the blood vessels around the eyes, which may worsen dark circles.

4. Ageing

As we age, the skin loses collagen and becomes thinner, which can make dark circles more noticeable due to the skin’s reduced ability to cover blood vessels.

5. Lifestyle Factors

High-stress levels, excessive screen time, and frequent rubbing of the eyes can also contribute to darkening around the eyes.

Top tips on improving dark circles

1. Chill out with cold compresses

Cold compresses are a classic trick for a reason! The cold helps constrict blood vessels, reducing puffiness and lightening dark circles. You can use anything from chilled spoons to a gel eye mask, or even cucumber slices. Place them on your eyes for about 5-10 minutes, and you’ll notice an immediate difference in the appearance of dark circles and puffiness too. 

2. Use brightening eye products with key ingredients

Eye gels and creams can be highly effective when they contain ingredients specifically designed to target darkness and puffiness. Look for formulas that include:

• Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that brightens skin and reduces pigmentation.
• Caffeine: Known for its ability to reduce puffiness by shrinking blood vessels.
• Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and plumps up the skin, making dark circles less noticeable.
• Niacinamide: Brightens skin, strengthens the skin barrier, and reduces pigmentation and inflammation, which can make under-eye circles less noticeable.

Using an eye product daily, especially one formulated with these brightening ingredients, will help your under-eye area stay hydrated and refreshed.

We highly recommend; Vie Collection’s Chrono Eyes Puffiness-Dark Circles Wrinkle Cream. It’s a mouthful to say, but a product that does exactly what it says! This beautifully fine cream is enriched with moisturising and brightening ingredients including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin c to deeply nourish and repair the delicate eye area while reversing puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles! Oh and it instantly brightens the eye area too!

3. Try gentle massage with a gemstone roller

By doing so you’ll help improve circulation, remove toxins from the eye area significantly improving dark circles and bags under the eyes, reduce inflammation, refresh the skin and tone your face! In fact gemstone rollers offer a multitude of other benefits too to your skin too. Click here to find out more.

4. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

Dehydration can make dark circles appear darker and cause fine lines under the eyes. Make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated.

5. Limit screen time and take breaks

If dark circles are a recurring issue, you might want to consider reducing your screen time! This is because too much of staring at your screen (and I’m sure many of us are guilt of this whether it be during the day or late into the night!) can cause eye strain and fatigue. Why is this you might be wondering! Because our screen emits blue light which is damaging to our eyes and can actually encourage fatigue and exacerbate dark circles!

Try following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to rest your eyes. Taking regular breaks from screens will reduce strain and keep your eyes looking brighter and fresher.

6. Stress less

Yes, that’s right, stress is a contributor to those dark circles of yours! So try to stress less! Easier said than done when you are trying to juggle so many balls, however, try to introduce a little me time into your life, time for you to relax and unwind. Read a book perhaps, listen to soothing music or even practice yoga or meditation every day. Every little helps you and those dark circles of yours!

7. Watch your diet

Try to eat a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats. Foods like leafy greens, citrus fruits, nuts, and seeds all help promote skin health, making you look and feel more rested!

8. Use green tea bags for an antioxidant boost

Green tea is rich in antioxidants and tannins, which can reduce puffiness and dark circles. Simply take two (used) green tea bags, place them in the refrigerator, and once they’re chilled, place them over your eyes for about 10 minutes. This quick and natural remedy helps tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of under-eye darkness. Really!

9. Get your beauty sleep

We don’t all need hours and hours of sleep like some but getting enough good quality sleep is essential for keeping dark circles at bay. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality rest each night to allow your body to repair and refresh itself. Sleep with your head slightly elevated to prevent fluid buildup around the eyes, which can lead to puffiness and dark circles in the morning. Remember there is NO substitute for a good night’s sleep!

10. Conceal smartly

Concealer can work wonders for tired eyes when applied the right way. A good undereye concealer can give you complete coverage as well as make you look bright-eyed in seconds!

Choose a creamy concealer in a shade that matches your skin tone or is slightly peach-toned to neutralize the blue or purple tones of dark circles. Dab a small amount on the inner corners and blend it outward for a natural look. To avoid a cakey appearance, use a lightweight, hydrating formula and only apply where you see shadows.

Try  ELES Dual Action Concealer. This is my personal secret weapon for concealing dark under eye circles and helping me look like I’ve had 8 hours of blissful slumber as opposed to only 5!

11. Use sunscreen daily

Protecting skin from sun damage can prevent darkening and worsening of circles caused by pigmentation. You’ll also want to religiously wear your sunglasses as this can make a huge difference.

Just remember dark circles don’t have to be a permanent fixture! By incorporating these quick fixes and lifestyle adjustments into your routine, I promise you’ll notice a fresher, more radiant under-eye area in no time.