Dark Under Eye Circles? How to Eliminate the Most Common Cause of Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

Dark under eye circles embarrass you? The only instant answer is makeup. But there are better, much longer-lasting solutions. Here's what you need to know about dark circles under your eyes, and how to eliminate them without surgery or risky side effects.

First, better rule out major medical problems

Dark circles under the eyes just might be symptoms of a medical condition. Iron deficiency anemia is the first suspect. Medical treatment is available for this condition. But there could be other medical issues behind the problem, too. So it's wise to see your doctor, if only to rule out serious disease.

But disease is not the most common cause of under eye dark circles.

By far the most common cause of dark circles under the eyes is blood leaking from tiny blood vessels called capillaries, under the skin.

Here is how the dark blue or purple color builds up:

Delicate blood vessels under the skin leak small amounts of blood. The hemoglobin in the blood is packed with iron, which is bright red when saturated with oxygen. Blood that escapes the capillaries loses oxygen fast and turns a bluish or purplish color.

A bruise happens the same way. The difference is that a bruise typically comes from a nasty bump or blow to the skin, breaking many blood vessels. The blood lost under the skin loses oxygen fast and turns bluish or purple. The amount of blood that leaks from the vessels under the eyes is tiny by comparison -- but it continues month after month.

The skin under your eyes is thinner than anywhere on your face. That makes any discoloration under the skin more visible. Sometimes puffiness from poor circulation makes your eyes look even worse. The tissues here are delicate, and easy to damage -- so try to avoid rubbing hard around your eyes!

Some people inherit the tendency to dark circles under the eyes. But even if it "runs in the family," don't think you just have to live with it. Dark under eye circles can be treated effectively, almost always.

The ingredients that can eliminate dark circles under your eyes

Look for a good under happinesslifetime.com eye cream or eye serum -- they are the same product called by different names. What's important are the active ingredients. Three in particular have proven themselves in clinical trials:

-- Eyeliss improved the circulation of lymph under the eyes to reduce the puffiness; improved both firmness and elasticity of the skin in this area; and reduced the leaking from the tiny blood vessels.

-- Halyxyl reduced the dark under eye circles by more than 60 percent. It helped to remove the discolored hemoglobin and other waste products under the eyes. It also rebuilt the delicate skin and strengthened the blood vessels.

-- Homeo Age, an extract from Canadian algae, stimulated the growth of new skin cells and reduced wrinkling around the eyes.

The eye serum I recommend on my website has all three of these ingredients, and several others that work in synergy with them.

Kathryn Lane is a longtime health and nutrition researcher. The best skincare products she has found have never been the most expensive or the most heavily advertised. Her website names them: www.health-and-skin-site.com www.health-and-skin-site.com/