Dark circles and puffy eyes: what helps

Tired-looking eyes are one of the most common things clients ask us about. Sometimes it’s a few late nights. Sometimes the shadows stay no matter how much you sleep.

The honest answer is that dark circles and puffiness usually have more than one cause, so there’s rarely a single quick fix. The good news is that gentle habits, the right products and smart makeup can make a real difference.

What causes dark circles and puffy eyes?

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, so whatever is going on underneath tends to show more. Common contributors include:

• Genetics. Some people simply inherit darker under-eye areas or more prominent hollows.
• Thin skin. Where the skin is fine, blood vessels underneath can show through as a bluish or purple tone. Skin also tends to become thinner with age.
• Pigmentation. Some dark circles are more brown than blue. This can be extra pigment in the skin, and sun exposure can make it more noticeable.
• Sleep. Short or broken sleep can leave skin looking dull and shadows looking deeper.
• Fluid. Puffiness is often fluid sitting under the eyes. It’s usually worse first thing in the morning and after a salty meal, a few drinks or a good cry.

Colour and timing give you clues. Puffiness that settles through the day is often fluid. Shadows that never change may be more about genetics, skin thickness or pigment.

Everyday habits that help

Small things done consistently add up.

• Protect your sleep. A regular bedtime and enough rest help your whole face look fresher.
• Wear SPF every day. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ right up to the orbital bone, and add sunglasses when you’re outdoors. This helps protect against pigmentation.
• Be gentle. Avoid rubbing your eyes, and pat rather than drag when you apply or remove products.
• Try a cold compress. A cool, clean cloth or chilled spoon held gently against closed eyes for a few minutes can help a puffy morning settle.
• Remove makeup carefully. Our Rejuvenating Foaming Cleanser is oil-free, but the label says to avoid contact with eyes, so cleanse your face around the eye area rather than over it, and take off eye makeup gently.

Caring for the eye area at home

An eye product doesn’t need to be complicated. What matters is using it consistently and gently.

Our Hydra-Lift Eye Gel ($59) is made for the eye area and sits in the third step of our recommended routine, after cleansing and serums. Use your ring finger to tap a small amount along the orbital bone, morning and night, without getting too close to the lash line.

Hydration helps the rest of your face too. If your skin feels tight or looks dull overall, our guide to dry vs dehydrated skin will help you work out what it needs.

Skin treatments that can help

Professional treatments won’t change your genetics, but they can help improve the overall quality and brightness of your skin, which helps the whole face look more rested.

• LED. Painless with no downtime, LED is a relaxing way to support overall skin health. Read more in our guide to LED light therapy.
• Pigmentation care. If your circles look more brown than blue, pigmentation may be part of the picture. Your therapist can talk you through options, and our pigmentation guide is a good place to start.
• Skin needling. Needling can help with skin texture and fine lines, and some clients ask about it for overall skin quality around the eye area. The skin here is delicate, so this is only something to consider if your therapist advises it’s suitable for you.

Not sure where to start? A Skin Discovery Treatment includes an in-depth skin assessment and a homecare plan. It’s $180, or $99 for new clients.

Makeup tips for brighter-looking eyes

• Prep first. Apply your eye gel and SPF, then give them a minute to settle so concealer doesn’t slide.
• Colour correct if needed. A peachy tone can help balance bluish or purple shadows before concealer.
• Use a light hand. Mineral makeup is easy to build in thin layers. A little of our Cream Mineral Foundation with SPF15, dabbed on with a fingertip, works well as a light concealer. Find it in our online shop.
• Focus on the inner corner. Shadows are often darkest there, so a little goes a long way.

When to see your GP

Most dark circles and puffiness are cosmetic. But if swelling comes on suddenly, affects one eye, is painful or itchy, or doesn’t go away, please see your GP. It’s always best to rule out anything that needs medical attention.

Keep your skin on track with a Skin Club

The best results come from looking after your skin regularly, not just before a big event. Our Radiance Club is $135 a month (usually $180) for a Radiance Skin Treatment every month, tailored by your therapist, plus 20% off Australian Skin Institute and Tugun Compounding Pharmacy retail. That includes your eye gel. There’s a 6-month minimum, then you can continue month to month. Compare your options in our guide to Skin Club, Beauty Pass or a package.

Ready to book? Book online or visit one of our six Brisbane clinics.