PROVEN Team
PROVEN Team includes Stanford scientists and dermatologists who combine their expertise with cutting-edge technology to bring you the best for your skin.
Dark Circles: A Science Backed Approach
Discoloration under your eyes? Science may have a solution. Read on to learn all about dark circles.
Resource by: PROVEN Team
Dark Circles
Dark circles under the eyes are a common skin concern. Whether attributed to stress, allergies, or other causes, they can make you look perpetually sleep-deprived. Contrary to popular belief, fatigue isn’t the main culprit behind them, but it can exaggerate their appearance. To brighten this delicate area of skin, it’s important first to identify the causes.
Dark Circles Under Eyes: Causes
There are a variety of reasons that dark eye circles can develop. This beauty woe is more noticeable in those with fairer skin, but anyone can get them. Here are some of the common causes for dark circles.
Hyperpigmentation is one of the chief causes of dark circles under the eyes. This excess pigment produces a shadow beneath the eyes and can result from sun exposure since UV rays cause the body to produce melanin.
The most obvious cause of dark circles is a lack of sleep. If you find yourself reaching for the concealer after a rough night to cover up those dark circles -- you’re not alone! This happens because sleep deprivation causes your skin to look dull and pale -- allowing the tissue and blood vessels underneath the thin under eye skin to show more prominently. Another common skin issue that’s associated with a lack of sleep is puffiness around the eyes. This issue could cast a shadow underneath your eyes and make this area appear darker.
Genetics play a significant role in dark circles under the eyes as well. People with darker skin tones are predisposed to having not only extra pigmentation beneath the orbital sockets but thinner lower eyelid skin -- which allows the tiny blood vessels to show more.
Facial anatomy also factors in. A prominent nasojugal groove, or tear duct, can cause a shadowing effect and magnify the appearance of under eye circles. The natural aging process can exacerbate this effect since the skin gets thinner and less elastic over time with the gradual depletion of subcutaneous fat, collagen, and elastin.
Some people can thank seasonal allergies and nasal congestion for their dark circles. An allergic reaction triggers the release of histamines that dilate veins, making them look larger and darker. Rubbing the itchy eyelid skin can worsen the issue, leading to inflammation and broken blood vessels.
Dark circles could be the result of dehydration. Our body generally and our skin specifically need water to look and feel good. Dehydration can cause the skin to dull and dry out, effectively thinning itself and sitting closer to the bone near your eyes. In return, you could have the appearance of dark circles in this area.
While the sun can benefit the body, it can also wreak havoc if you’re not careful. Dark circles are simply one skincare concern that can result from long-term sun exposure. This is because sun exposure can affect the production of collagen and elastin within the skin, causing it to appear thinner and dryer. Hyperpigmentation from sun exposure can also affect this area.
Spending long hours in front of a computer screen contributes to eye strain, which causes blood vessels to dilate, creating dark shadows. In sum, dark circles under the eyes can be caused by hereditary components as well as environmental and lifestyle factors.
Dark Circles Under Eyes Treatment
How do you reduce the appearance of dark circles? While these under eye shadows can be inherited, some lifestyle changes and skincare actives can help. Dermatologists recommend the following tips:
As you now know, exhaustion can contribute to the development of dark circles and make existing dark circles look worse. Experts recommend that you aim for a minimum of eight hours of slumber on a regular basis. Additionally, you may want to try sleeping on your back propped up with pillows to reduce under-eye puffiness.
Allergies could be contributing to the dark circles under your eyes along with a whole host of other undesirable side effects. We recommend consulting with your doctor about your allergy struggles and potentially getting skin tests to identify your allergic triggers. Your doctor may recommend treatment with over-the-counter antihistamines or may even prescribe a prescription medication for more severe cases that aren’t easily managed with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter treatments.
Sun protection is a key component to treating dark circles under your eyes and can go a long way towards preventing things like premature aging or the appearance of hyperpigmentation on the skin. You should be wearing at least SPF 30 on a daily basis no matter the weather or your outdoor plans for the day. This is because the sun can still damage the skin when it’s cold, cloudy, or when you’re indoors. You should also take further steps to protect the delicate skin around your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses when outside in the sunlight.
Be gentle with the delicate tissue around the eyes, taking care not to rub this area. Experts recommend using your ring finger -the weakest finger -- to apply products like makeup or skincare products to this delicate area.
Increase your intake of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Other key components to a skin-healthy diet include things like omega-3 fatty acids, healthy oils, and vitamins. At the same time, you should avoid consuming high amounts of sugar, sodium, unhealthy fats, unhealthy oils, and dairy.
Lifestyle habits like smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol can negatively affect the skin around your eyes. This is because the chemicals in cigarettes can damage the composition of your skin cells and cause them to lose collagen and elastin. Alcohol, on the other hand, can dehydrate your body, suck out moisture from your skin, and cause dark circles to develop under your eyes.
Studies indicate that ceramides, green tea extract, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Vitamin C, and Kojic Acid can calm down inflammation, lock in moisture, and brighten the appearance of the skin under the eyes.
Vitamin A boosts collagen levels and promotes cell regeneration, helping to get rid of dark circles.
Customized skincare for dark circles
The right skincare ingredients can go a long way towards improving the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. But how can you properly and effectively incorporate all of these ingredients into your skincare routine? Scouring the shelves at the store for the right products can seem like a scavenger hunt gone wrong.
Thankfully, PROVEN has come up with a solution to this problem through our customized, clinically-backed skincare formulas.
PROVEN Skincare is elegantly formulated with clean ingredients that are backed by years of clinical testing and data gathered from consumer reviews, skincare formulations, skincare ingredients, and scientific papers. Our multi-functional products are personalized for you by you based on the results from your skin quiz. If you are ready for eyes that look bright and rested, take our skin type quiz today.
Based on the results of your skin quiz, you will receive three totally customized products to help you build the best possible skincare routine for your unique skin concerns.
First, you will receive a cleanser that also has exfoliating and toning properties for an amazing 3-in-1 effect. Second, you will receive a moisturizer that also includes SPF 40 protection to hydrate the delicate skin under your eyes and protect it from damaging sun exposure. Finally, you will receive a night cream that’s able to fight your dark circles while you sleep!
With PROVEN, these three easy steps make up your entire skincare routine -- simple, but effective. That means more time for doing the things you love as well as making time for habits that will further benefit your skin like sleep, drinking enough water, and eating healthy!
Here is why personalized skincare is better
Personalized skincare comes with a host of benefits
  |   | |
|---|---|---|
| Formulated and made-to-order for you | No | |
| Targeting your unique hyperpigmentation needs | No | |
| Optimized for your lifestyle + environment | No | |
| Easy 3-step system for all your skin needs | No | |
| Made by Stanford scientists and AI tech | No |
OUR TEAM
We're industry leaders in skincare
Dr. Yuan is a Computational Physicist from Stanford University
Proven co-founder, Dr. Amy Yuan, fixed her skincare woes by using her computer science background to analyze the effectiveness of more than 20,238 skincare ingredients, 100,000 products, 20 million testimonials, and more than 4,000 scientific journal articles. Now she is applying that to create the perfect skincare for you.
Your Skin Routine In 3 Simple Steps
Your Personalized Cleanser
Ensures any dirt from the day is removed to reveal glowing, healthy and fresh feeling skin
Your Personalized Day Moisturizer
Helps prevent the skin from drying out, while targeting other issues you may have.
Your Personalized Night Cream
Restores elasticity and delivers intensive nourishment to repair, plump and firm skin while you get your beauty sleep.
