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Whether they be hereditary or simply from exhaustion, dark under eye circles and puffiness can be difficult to cover and even more frustrating to try to permanently get rid of. Although earlier this year TikTok saw a trend romanticizing under eye bags with women drawing on dark circles of their own, many people who actually struggle with this issue are conversely looking for ways to fade the signs of sleepless nights from their skin for a brighter, more even complexion.
While there are a variety of products on the market which all claim to be the one you need to try to eliminate dark circles for good, we consulted with Dr. Troy Pittman, Board Certified Washington and DC Plastic Surgeon to get the rundown on which ingredients are actually worth including in your skincare lineup to fade dark circles and reduce puffiness. This is what he suggested.
Hyaluronic Acid
An ingredient commonly found in anti-aging products, hyaluronic acid also has the potential to increase the luminosity of your skin which will offset any dark circles you may struggle with. “[Hyaluronic acid] plumps and hydrates the skin, which gives you a radiant and youthful glow. With brighter skin, it can mask the darkness under the eyes,” explains Pittman. “The hyaluronic acid helps pull moisture into the epidermis from the environment above and the dermis below.”
Vitamin K-1
Interacting well with all other ingredients already in your skincare routine, vitamin K-1 can help to reduce dark circles by healing the blood vessels which may cause them to appear under the skin. “[Vitamin K-1] activates blood-clotting proteins that help prevent unchecked bleeding or hemorrhaging throughout the body. Applied topically, it penetrates the skin’s pores and deep into the dermis and targets any damaged capillaries,” says Pittman.
Peptides
“[Peptides are] known as the building blocks of collagen, which is what keeps your skin firm and smooth. Peptides can help stimulate the growth of collagen as your skin’s production slows down,” explains Pittman. This can help to reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes by improving circulation and elasticity in the skin. Peptides can also ultimately help to keep signs of aging at bay for an overall younger looking appearance.
Vitamin C
Although not to be mixed with retinol products, vitamin C is one of the most effective anti-aging serums you could use which will also fade discoloration and dark circles under the eyes. “As an antioxidant, [vitamin C] lessens oxidative damage from pollution. It decreases the production of melanin and can brighten the skin as well,” says Pittman. If you do want your vitamin C serum to co-exist with retinol, make sure to keep this product to usage in the morning, and only use your retinol based products before sleep.
After determining which ingredient is right for you and your skin’s needs, Pittman says that with regular use you can expect to see results within 4-6 weeks. “However, ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C can have your skin looking brighter and plumper in minutes,” he adds. “But you will have to be patient when it comes to anti-aging and the fading of hyperpigmentation.”
