There are a lot of different types of blemishes that can develop on a person’s skin. For example, we tend to be incredibly conscious of dark rings or circles underneath our eyes. These marks can develop with little warning, making us appear tired and much older than we currently are. As such, we need to be ready to combat these blemishes if we want to maintain a healthy, glowing complexion. But first, you should understand what factors could be contributing to them. Here are some of the most common causes of dark circles and how to avoid them in your daily life.

What Are Dark Circles?

Dark circles form when the skin underneath a person’s eyes starts to thin and become translucent. This effect makes the small blood vessels in this area much more visible and creates a purplish hue, almost like a bruise, across the surface. Since the skin under our eyes is already much thinner than that on other parts of the body, dark patches can develop quite quickly here. As such, they’re a common problem that most people have dealt with at one point or another. Unfortunately, once you get them, they can be increasingly difficult to treat, so it helps to know what could be causing yours.

Factors Contributing To Dark Circle Blemishes

A multitude of factors can cause this thinning effect on a person’s skin. For this reason, it often takes a few instances of trial and error to determine the correct course of treatment for dark circles. You’ll want to take some time looking into each factor on the following list so that you can correctly interpret what your specific skin is lacking. Here are the most common causes of dark circles to explore during your treatment process.

Excessive Sun Exposure

The sun is the number one factor contributing to dark circles—in addition to many other skin issues. UV rays beat down on your cells and cause damage that penetrates much deeper into the tissues. Eventually, the skin’s natural source of elasticity, collagen, begins to break down as well, and the surface becomes thinner and looser than it once was. As such, the individual will start looking older, and their chances for developing dark spots increase.

Lack of Sleep

Failing to get enough sleep can be a problem as well. Rest is essential to revitalizing the cells and supplying them with energy to perform their characteristic functions, so when you aren’t getting enough each night, your skin can start to lose its ability to bounce back from damage. This is what makes the skin around your eyes thin and sparks the creation of dark rings along your eyelids. Dark circles are often a universal, almost clichéd sign of a sleepless night. As such, getting your eight hours in every night is a great place to start treatment.

Smoking or Alcohol Consumption

Another thing you should consider is how often you smoke cigarettes or partake in alcoholic beverages. Though it might not do lasting harm to indulge yourself every once in a while, these products have very little nutritional or health value—if any at all. For this reason, should you consume them instead of other things, you risk depriving your body of what it needs to keep your skin healthy. Therefore, it’s typically best to eliminate these things from your lifestyle if you want to see timely and noticeable improvements in your skin.

Poor Diet or Dehydration

Not maintaining a healthy diet or drinking enough water can have a similar effect. Skin cells need various nutrients—such as vitamin C, A, and E—and ample hydration to remain plump, supple, and durable. Without these things, the skin sustains damage at a much faster rate and visible deterioration sets in much quicker. Dehydration is the biggest issue to avoid here because it will cause your skin to lose density and appear thinner within a short period.

General Aging

You can also develop dark circles quicker as you age due to the faster deterioration of your collagen. As mentioned, collagen is what helps your skin maintain its youthful structure. As it breaks down, you’ll begin to notice thinner skin around your eyes and the development of fine lines or wrinkles. It’s during this time that dark rings become prevalent as well.

How To Avoid Potential Causes

Now that you know what to be on the lookout for, you’ll need some tools to help you avoid these problems effectively. Since many of the previously listed factors have to do with your individual lifestyle, this is the first thing that you should consider targeting. Eating healthier, staying in shape, and getting the proper amount of rest each night are also excellent places to start. Then, should none of these seem to help, you can turn your attention to other possibilities.

When it comes to aging, on the other hand, the process can get a little bit more challenging. Not only is it impossible to stop yourself from aging, but you also can’t control your genetics or what your skin is sensitive to. As such, you’ll need to put extra effort into honing a quality skincare regimen for yourself. Though you can’t stop the aging process, investing in your skin’s health is the best way to slow down the visible signs. Don’t be afraid to talk to a dermatologist to see what more you can do to fight these blemishes.

Unfortunately, skincare isn’t an exact science. It often takes time and experimentation to find the right products and approaches for your specific skin. At Flawless Beauty and Skin, we understand this all too well and will do our best to make this process a little more straightforward for you. We strive to go above and beyond when formulating our lightening and whitening skincare products and supplying you with information on how best to use them. We’re confident that we can be an excellent resource for you as you navigate treatment for your dark circles—or any other type of blemish you may struggle with.