Dark circles are not one condition — they are three distinct conditions that happen to look similar. Pigmentation-type circles respond to depigmenting ingredients. Vascular-type circles respond to caffeine and thickening actives. Structural-type circles are caused by volume loss and cannot be meaningfully improved by skincare. Identifying your type before choosing products is the single most important step — it determines whether your routine will work at all.
Dark circles are three different conditions: pigmentation-type (brown/warm, responds to vitamin C and niacinamide), vascular-type (blue/purple, responds to caffeine and peptides), and structural-type (shadow from volume loss, requires professional treatment). Skincare can effectively address the first two types; structural dark circles are beyond the scope of topical products.
Pigmentation type: Brown or warm-toned colour. Present regardless of lighting angle. Worsened by sun exposure and eye-rubbing. Most common in deeper skin tones. Responds to brightening actives.
Vascular type: Blue or purple colouring. Most visible when tired or lacking sleep. Pinching the skin between fingers temporarily lightens the area. Caused by thin under-eye skin allowing blood vessels to show. Responds to caffeine and thickening actives.
Structural type: Shadow, not colour. Varies with lighting angle. Caused by age-related volume loss in the tear trough creating a hollow. Skincare does not fix this type — professional volumising treatment (fillers) is required.
Always use the ring finger — the lightest touch of any finger. Gentle patting only; never rubbing or dragging. Apply eye products before heavier moisturisers. A pea-sized amount covers the entire orbital area for both eyes — more is not better on this 0.5mm-thin skin.
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