Under-eye
Dark circles under the eyes: what causes them and what helps
Updated 12 October 2026
Dark circles are very common in Indian skin, and most are inherited: extra pigment under the eye, or thin skin that shows the blood vessels beneath.
Creams help pigment and puffiness. They cannot change the shape of the face, so set expectations at softer, not gone.
The kinds of dark circles
- Brown: extra pigment, often runs in the family, worse with sun and rubbing.
- Blue or purple: thin skin over veins, worse when tired.
- Shadow: a hollow under the eye that catches shadow; creams do little here.
- Puffy: fluid, from salt, sleep, allergies or crying.
What helps
- Sunscreen right up to the lower lash line, and sunglasses outdoors.
- An eye cream with niacinamide, vitamin C, caffeine, peptides or retinol (gently, at night).
- Treating allergies and not rubbing the eyes.
- Sleep, less salt at night and a cold compress for puffiness.
- A check for anaemia if you also feel tired and look pale.
