Under-eye Dark Circles
One of the most common eye zone challenges for both men and woman, regardless of age, is the appearance of under-eye dark circles and bags. Below I am focusing specifically on under- eye dark circles, the multiple causes and influencing factors with helpful information and solutions for you.
Within the K Phyto-ceutical range, you can find four phyto-effective treatment products: the Nourishing Eye Balm, Anti-puffiness Eye Serum, Phyto Eye Contour Mask, and Collagen Eye Patches.
To treat under-eye dark circles, you must first understand the various causes and treatment solutions. Dark circles under your eyes are generally the result of blood vessels that have become more visible. This may happen when the skin and fat layer beneath your eyes thin or when the blood vessels in the area become enlarged and therefore visible.
Do you get different types of under-eye circles? Yes you do and each tone indicates a particular cause. If you have a bluish tone, then allergies and sleep deprivation can be the cause. Brownish-black is caused by genetics, sun damage & hyperpigmentation (pigmented dark circles). Purplish indicates a thinned skin with superficial blood vessels (vascular).
Ever heard of the term “raccoon eyes”? This is usually a symptom of an injury to the eyes or head. Injuries can stretch and tear tiny blood vessels called capillaries underneath the eyes, causing blood to leak into the skin, turning it a dark purple color. Because the skin under your eyes is very delicate, even a minor injury can cause a lot of blood to pool underneath. The solution? Use a topical application that contains ingredients that stimulate healthy blood flow.
Let’s unpack the typical causes and treatment solutions:
1. Genetics is one of the primary factors behind dark under-eye circles, typically resulting in thin skin under the eyes that reveals blood vessels and darker tissue. Anemia, a condition caused by a deficiency of red blood cells that leads to feelings of tiredness and weakness as well as iron deficiency, can cause under-eye circles even before anemia develops.
2. Under-eye dark circles are often linked to sleep deprivation, which causes the skin and face to look paler, making the blood vessels underneath the skin more visible. I recommend getting regular and sufficient sleep, typically 7-9 hours per night.
The treatment solution: When you sleep, your skin and body restore themselves, and the skin’s repair mechanisms spring into action as cells get rid of toxins. This is all part of your skin’s natural circadian rhythm, and therefore it is important to support the eye zone area with a topical evening treatment. I highly recommend the application of the Phyto Eye Contour Mask as it contains various phyto-actives to reduce and prevent the formation of dark circles.
This formulation contains:
• Dipeptide-2, which increases lymphatic circulation
• Caffeine extract to reduce the build-up of blood
• Licorice extract that reduces the formation of pigment underneath the eyes
• A flavonoid and saponin-rich compound (Ptychopetalum olacoides bark/stem extract, Pfaffia paniculata root extract, and Lilium candidum flower extract) that also reduces under-eye dark circles
The Anti-puffiness Eye Serum also contains Muira puama tree extract, which reduces the appearance of dark circles caused by periorbital hyperchromia.
3. Ageing: When the skin becomes thinner due to the decrease of natural collagen and elastin, the delicate network of blood vessels becomes more visible, and fine lines and wrinkles become more prominent. The loss of fatty tissue makes the blood vessel network more visible, appearing as reddish-blue blood vessels.
The treatment solution: De-Age Collagen Supplement. Supplement your skin with this bio-viable collagen. This formulation will boost your natural collagen, leaving your skin plump and hydrated. With increased collagen in the skin, the network of fine blood vessels will be less visible. The advanced formulations of the Nourishing Eye Balm, Anti-puffiness Eye Serum, and Phyto Eye Contour Mask can improve and reduce the signs of premature ageing around the eyes with ingredients that include Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, and Retinoids.
4. Dermal dehydration will influence the appearance of the under-eye zone, making it look dull and sunken. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day (the average daily water intake is about 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women). Remember, when you feel thirsty, you are already 70% dehydrated!
The treatment solution: Dramatically reduce visible dehydration by treating your eye zone with the Hydrating Collagen Eye Patches. Immediate benefits! They contain Ceramide NP, Milk Lipids, and crosslinked Hydrogel that instantly moisturise dull-looking skin. To optimise your treatment results, I recommend using the Anti-puffiness Eye Serum underneath the eye patch for optimal hydration! Daily, apply Nourishing Eye Balm in the morning and the Phyto Eye Contour Mask in the evening. This is your ultimate treatment solution to plump and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
5. Seasonal allergies or food allergies also impact the appearance of blue circles! Allergies can trigger histamine release, causing blood vessels to dilate and become more visible under the skin. Rubbing, stretching or scratching the eyes due to itching can also aggravate the appearance of dark circles.
The treatment solution: Treating underlying allergies with antihistamines and avoiding known food allergens can prevent or reduce histamine-induced dark circles. Know the triggers. For immediate relief, apply the Nourishing Eye Balm around your eye zone as it is formulated with various powerful ingredients to soothe and calm irritated skin around the eyes. Ingredients such as Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone (Vitamin P) and Dipeptide-2 reduce puffiness around the eyes. Dipeptide-2 also reduces fluid retention underneath eyes. Hydrating Collagen Eye Patches, place these in a fridge and when cool, place it underneath your eyes. This will constrict blood vessels and reduce puffiness, making dark circles less noticeable.
6. Sun exposure directly affects melanin production in the skin, leading to hyperpigmentation and darkening of the under-eye area.
The treatment solution: Taking all the necessary precautions, such as wearing sunscreen like the Solar Defense Fluid 50, sunglasses, and even a hat, can protect the delicate skin around the eyes from UV damage and prevent further pigmentation. Pigmentation irregularities underneath the eye may be due to the overproduction of melanin in the skin or to constricted blood vessels.
7. Your lifestyle habits also contribute significantly to visible dark circles, including poor diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, or chronic medication. Smoking, for instance, disrupts sleep due to nicotine and can lead to sleep apnea. It is also dehydrating, which may contribute to dark under-eye circles.
The treatment solution: Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports overall skin health. Foods high in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, can improve skin tone and reduce discoloration. Quercetin is a plant pigment and flavonoid found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and plants. It can be consumed orally as a supplement and applied topically through skincare products for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Cruciferous vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, and brussels sprouts, are rich in Vitamin K, which plays a role in blood clotting and reducing under-eye blood stagnation. Vitamin K may help alleviate this issue.
The ideal home treatment course:
MORNING: Anti-puffiness Eye Serum then apply Nourishing Eye Balm over the serum.
EVENING: Phyto Eye Contour Mask, apply with tapping movements until the product has penetrated. Product can be used every evening for maximised results.
OPTIONAL: Cold Hydrating Collagen Eye Patches can also be incorporated if needed by placing over the Anti-puffiness Eye Serum for a 20-minute treatment.
Supplements that reduce under-eye dark circles:
Iron: Anemia typically causes under-eye circles and supplementing with iron will help reducing the appearance. (Ferrous sulfate)
B12: This supplement is found in animal foods therefore vegans, in particular , need to ensure they’re getting sufficient B12 via supplementation. In many cases, even meat eaters can benefit from taking B12. You can find B12 in the B Supreme nutritional supplement.
Vitamin K: This vitamin increases blood coagulation and improves circulation. The combination of caffeine and vitamin K has shown to reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles. (Vitamins K1 (phytonadione) and K2 (menaquinone) are commonly available as supplements.)
Vitamin C: Vitamin C has multiple benefits and one of them is promoting your body’s ability to produce collagen. It also reduces and protects against photodamage, which is important if your under-eye circles are caused by sun exposure.
Professional Eye Zone Treatments offered by K Phyto-ceuticals
By incorporating professional treatments with homecare, you can accelerate your treatment results! Connect with your professional K Phyto-ceutical skincare specialist to explore the 2 professional treatment options to improve the treatment results of the delicate eye zone.
Vitamin C Eye Zone Treatment: Boost the eye zone area with a natural, organic antioxidant, Vitamin C, that will accelerate rejuvenation and cell turnover. On application the phyto acid medium will form a firm film onto the treatment area that will improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles up to 72 hours.
Hyaluron Eye Zone Treatment: Experience the luxurious sensory Hyaluron Eye Zone Treatment. This comforting treatment includes the application of the alginate mask formulated with brown Sea Kelp, Hyaluronic Acid and Rose essential oil. This cooling treatment will alleviate puffiness, irritation, and reduce fine lines, leaving the eye zone visibly relaxed and hydrated.
Medical Treatments: For persistent dark circles, consulting a dermatologist may be beneficial. Treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, and fillers can effectively reduce the appearance of dark circles by targeting pigmentation and increasing skin volume.
Your final take-away
Under-eye dark circles are a cosmetic concern, but with the above information, you can reduce, improve, and significantly prevent their appearance. Always keep in mind that it is the combination of lifestyle changes, professional eye zone treatments, and homecare treatments that will yield the results you desire! Individuals’ responses to dietary changes, supplementation, and treatments may vary.
