Say Goodbye to Those Under-Eye Circles and Bags — Finally!

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At dinner the other night, one friend was complaining about her under-eye bags. “They look like trunks, not bags,” she lamented. “Well, I have deep purple circles under my eyes, so it looks like I was at the losing end of a punch,” my second pal said. But I had them both beat — I have under-eye bags AND discoloration — making me the winner of a contest I never wished to be in.

Genetics plays a significant role in those purple circles — some people have thinner skin under their eyes or more pronounced blood vessels. Lack of sleep, dehydration and allergies can make circles — and bags — more noticeable. Salt and too much alcohol contribute to puffiness. And then there’s the inevitable age-related loss of volume and sun damage.

I’ve been writing about beauty for over 30 years, and here are some of the potions and procedures that dermatologists and cosmeticians say really work if those circles and/or bags are bothering you. Short of surgery, there are steps you can take besides wearing oversized sunglasses 24/7.

A chilled spoon held against the eye area for 30 to 60 seconds can temporarily reduce puffiness and discoloration by constricting blood vessels. For a more sustained effect, keep two metal spoons in the refrigerator overnight and use them in the morning. Similarly, cold cucumber slices or chilled green tea bags can provide relief — the tannins in green tea have the added benefit of reducing inflammation. Keep eye cream in the refrigerator for an extra de-puffing effect.

Eye products containing caffeine can reduce the appearance of bags and dark circles by constricting blood vessels. Vitamin K has been shown to help with circulation and can reduce the appearance of dark circles. Vitamin C serums help brighten the under-eye area and strengthen collagen production over time. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) strengthens the skin barrier and can help with pigmentation.

And hyaluronic acid serum is extremely moisturizing and can add some plump.

Retinol-based products specifically formulated for the eye area can help thicken the delicate under-eye skin and improve its appearance. However, start with a low concentration (0.025-0.05 percent) and use every other night to avoid irritation. Apply any of these products with your ring finger, using a gentle tapping motion rather than rubbing, which can irritate the delicate eye area.

Sleep position plays a role in preventing under-eye woes too. Elevating your head with an extra pillow prevents fluid from pooling around your eyes overnight. Memory foam pillows designed with a slight incline can be particularly effective. If you're a side sleeper, try training yourself to sleep on your back to prevent gravity from pulling fluid to one side of your face.

Hydration is crucial but timing matters. While staying well-hydrated throughout the day is important, reducing fluid intake two to three hours before bedtime can help prevent morning puffiness. Aim to consume most of your daily water intake before 6 p.m. if you typically go to bed around 10 p.m.

Dietary changes can make a difference. Foods rich in vitamin K, like spinach, kale and other dark leafy greens, help strengthen blood vessel walls, reducing the appearance of under-eye circles and bags. Similarly, foods high in flavonoids, such as berries and citrus fruits, can help improve circulation around the eyes. Iron deficiency can make dark circles more pronounced, so ensure adequate iron intake through foods like lean meats or supplements if recommended by your healthcare provider.

Regular exercise improves overall circulation, which helps prevent fluid accumulation. Even simple exercises like yoga inversions (legs up the wall pose for five to 10 minutes) can help drain excess fluid from the face. Morning facial exercises, such as gently squinting and releasing 10 times, can help tone the muscles around the eyes.

Professional treatments can provide dramatic results. Radiofrequency treatments, like Thermage, can tighten the skin around the eyes. These treatments typically require three to four sessions spaced a month apart, with results lasting up to two years. Dermal fillers can address volume loss that makes bags appear more pronounced.

Juvederm, Restylane and Belotero are all hyaluronic acid fillers designed for the delicate under-eye area. Results last six to 12 months, but these treatments all require an experienced injector to avoid complications. Laser treatments target melanin and help with pigmentation issues. Multiple sessions are usually needed, spaced four to six weeks apart. If you go this route, using any of these treatments, make sure you go to a board-certified dermatologist who has a lot of experience using these methods.

And then of course there’s makeup. Apply eye cream first. Then apply a color corrector followed by a concealer. Purple-tinted correctors help with yellow discoloration, while peachy or orange-toned correctors neutralize blue-purple under-eye circles. If needed, layer a concealer in a shade lighter than your skin on top of the color corrector. Pat, don't rub, products into the skin using your ring finger or a damp makeup sponge.

Remember that some degree of shadowing under the eyes is natural and varies with factors like sleep, stress and hormones. Focus on improvement rather than perfection. And if you need affirmation that bags and under-eye circles can be beautiful — look no further than teens and Gen Xers who a few years ago started emphasizing these “flaws” with brown eyeshadow.

This is a flawed look I have mastered without any help from makeup!

 
What beauty product or treatment would you recommend to the rest of us? Let us know in the comments below.