Forget eye cream - experts say the right diet can get rid of dark circles

Ageing

Ageing can take its toll on your under-eye skin. Annie Davies, clinical nutritionist at Body Fabulous Health Clinic, reveals: ‘As we age, skin loses collagen and becomes thinner, making dark circles more visible. Fat loss around the eyes can also cause a hollowed appearance, casting shadows.’

While we can’t stop the clock, we can do certain things to slow the ageing process. Eating a healthy, balanced diet, staying hydrated, reducing stress and lessening or avoiding bad habits, like alcohol and smoking, will all help.

Diet

It’s often said that you are what you eat, and the same is true for your skin. The food we put into our bodies plays a significant role in skin health, including the delicate under-eye skin. Ensuring you get all the necessary vitamins and minerals is essential to reducing dark circles.

Since your diet directly affects skin health, it makes sense that this also includes the skin under your eyes, too. ‘Improving your diet and getting the right nutrients can help reduce the appearance of dark circles, especially if they’re related to poor circulation, thin skin, or nutrient deficiencies,’ explains Clinical Nutritionist Annie Davies.

Stress

Stress is often the culprit behind many problems, both mental and physical. Occasional stress is a normal part of life, but it can still affect your skin. As Annie Davies warns, ‘High cortisol, often due to stress exposure, can increase blood volume, making blood vessels under the eyes more prominent, which can contribute to the appearance of dark circles.’ To minimise stress, ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, exercise, and maintain other healthy habits, like practising mindfulness.

6. Allergies

Allergies can cause our eyes to become red and itchy, but this is usually temporary. However, Annie Davies advises, ‘Allergies can trigger the release of histamines, which cause blood vessels to dilate and become more visible. Rubbing your eyes can also worsen dark circles.’

If you suspect you might get hayfever or you know the pollen count is high, it’s best to take an antihistamine right away, and use hydrating eye drops throughout the day to stop you rubbing your eyes.

7. Sun exposure

It’s well documented that UV rays are harmful to our skin, especially to the delicate under-eye area. ‘UV exposure can increase melanin production, causing pigmentation to darken under the eyes,’ Annie Davies explains.

It’s important to use an eye cream with high SPF protection, ideally one formulated specifically for the delicate skin around the eyes. When out in the sun, wearing sunglasses can also help protect your eyes from harmful rays, just make sure they offer UV protection.

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