If you’ve ever had dark circles or are sporting them currently, you’d be all too familiar with the universal experience that comes with it. Yes, I’m talking about people asking about your sleep patterns, offering advice that’s mostly unsolicited (and usually unhelpful), and making you hyper-aware of your appearance.
Dark circles have managed to hoodwink a sizeable number of people into thinking their only possible cause is a lack of sleep. This is far from the truth. Just like acne isn’t always a result of poor hygiene, there are a multitude of reasons that could be responsible for dark circles. It logically follows that there would also be a corresponding set of solutions to target different kinds of dark circles.
Can eye serum actually help with dark circles? Let’s find out.
In this article, we’ll explore one of the most popular solutions: eye serums. They may not look like much, but they sure do pack a punch. But before getting into the nitty-gritty of eye serums, let’s look at what dark circles are. (Shh, keep reading to find out one of our top picks in the vast sea of eye serums on the market.)
Dark Circles 101
To understand how eye serums could potentially minimise dark circles, we need to understand the different ways in which they may come about in the first place.
Did you know that dark circles don’t always mean the skin around your eyes is actually darker than the rest of your face? There are several factors that can contribute to the development of dark circles; some of them cause actual hyperpigmentation (darkening) in the skin, some make it thinner, and some just result in the appearance of dark circles created by shadows. Factors like irregular sleep patterns can be within our control; on the other hand, some root causes, such as genetics and ageing, are not.
So, What Kinds of Dark Circles Do Eye Serum Help With?
An eye serum is like a lightweight, high-impact moisturiser packed with ingredients that work together to address skin concerns around your eyes. The good news is that a handful of the different types of dark circles can be managed with well-formulated eye serums.
Wondering which ingredients can help with what kind of dark circles? We understand that this process can be confusing and frustrating. That’s why we have created this handy list of ingredients to look for in the best eye serum for you, based on the root cause of your dark circles:
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Hyperpigmentation: If your dark circles are caused by hyperpigmentation, eye serums that contain brightening ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide can help.
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Visible blood vessels: Thinning under-eye skin, lack of sleep, and fatigue can cause the blood vessels underneath to peek through and appear as dark circles. Look for eye serums that contain vasoconstrictors like caffeine, which help reduce these dark circles by constricting the blood vessels. Ingredients like peptides and hyaluronic acid, which improve skin elasticity and hydration, can repair thinning skin.
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Sun damage: Harmful sun exposure is another reason for excess melanin production, premature ageing, and subsequent dark circles. Antioxidants like vitamin C brighten the skin and inhibit melanin production. To prevent sun damage around your eyes, use an eye SPF product with a rating of at least SPF 30.
- Ageing: The natural process of ageing causes structural changes around the eyes, resulting in thinning, sunk, or loose skin. Eye serums that contain ingredients such as peptides and hyaluronic acid promote skin repair and hydration, thus minimising the appearance of dark circles.
- Genetics: If you are more likely to develop dark circles due to your genetic makeup, eye serums can’t prevent that from happening. However, the eye serums that help with ageing-induced dark circles can be helpful in reducing their appearance.
What If We Told You That There’s One Serum That Covers All Bases?
If you think that’s too good to be true, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. There is, in fact, an eye serum that contains an impressive combination of ingredients.
We’re talking about the Dr Sabrina™ Perfect 360 Eye Illuminate, an under-eye serum that has been carefully crafted by Dr Sabrina, M.S., FRCS (Ed), one of the UK’s most coveted ophthalmic plastic reconstructive surgeons.
Here’s why we love the Dr Sabrina™ Perfect 360 Eye Illuminate:
- Contains the Kiara Molecule (patent pending), an innovative and powerful synergy of seven active ingredients
- Supported by additional hero ingredients
- Created by an award-winning doctor with decades of experience in the field
- Suitable for all skin types
- Effective across skins of different ethnicities (this is rarer than you might think!)
- More than two-thirds of the participants in a CompLife independent study noticed visible differences after 6 weeks of using the eye serum twice a day.
- 86% of participants said it gave them an even-toned complexion.
- 76% of participants said it made their undereye skin look and feel healthier.
- 71% of participants said it instantly brightened their undereye skin and rejuvenated their tired eyes.
- Opaque packaging to avoid light exposure that affects the efficacy of active ingredients
- A smooth steel rollerball applicator that glides across your skin and has a cooling effect
- Innovative mechanism to dispense the right amount of product at the press of a button
- A look at the full ingredient list explains how it can tackle a wide range of skin concerns around your eye, including but not limited to dark circles.
The 7 active ingredients that constitute the ground-breaking Kiara Molecule™ (patent pending):
- Niacinamide: Prevents pigmentation
- Coenzyme Q10: Evens skin tone and protects
- Marine Plant Extract: Reduces fine lines, smooths and firms skin
- Curcuma Extract: Targets blemishes and evens skin tone
- Natural Arbutin: Brightens and evens skin tone
- Tranexamic Acid: Fades dark spots and prevents sun-induced pigmentation
- DHEA Derivative: Combats papery skin and improves texture
Additional Hero Ingredients:
- Vitamin C: Brightens dark spots
- Caffeine: Reduces dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness
- Glutathione: Smooths creases and repairs fragile skin
- Probiotics: Maintain skin barrier for a healthy and radiant glow
The Dr Sabrina™ Perfect 360 Eye Illuminate is priced at £90.
How Do You Apply an Eye Serum?
Do you know the dos and don’ts of how to apply eye serum? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. These are some general thumb rules for eye serum application:
- No aggressive eye-rubbing: This one’s a no-brainer. Tugging at the skin and rubbing the product vigorously damages the delicate skin around your eyes. Instead, gently tap the product into your skin using your finger.
- Use the ring finger: Among all your fingers, your ring finger is usually the weakest one, also making it the gentlest one. For this reason, it is recommended to use your ring finger to apply your eye serum.
- Apply after cleansing and toning: Knowing how to incorporate an eye serum into your existing skincare routine can determine its effectiveness. Generally, you should apply eye serum to clean skin after toning it (if you use a toner). Once it is fully absorbed, you can move on to the next steps of your skincare routine.
- Follow product instructions: Eye serums come with a recommended frequency of use and quantity to be used for each application. Most eye serums can be safely used twice a day. Due to their composition of high-concentration active ingredients, a very small amount suffices for your eyes.
- Start at the inner corner: When you apply an eye serum, start at the inner corner and make your way to the outer corner along your orbital bone (the bone around your eye), gently patting the product in as you go.
- It’s never too early to start: Last, but not least, remember that you don’t have to wait for dark circles to show up and set camp around your eyes before starting to use an eye serum. Using an effective eye serum can delay or prevent the development of dark circles.
Eye Serums for Dark Circles: A Quick Recap
Eye serums can be an effective weapon in your arsenal in the fight against dark circles. Depending on the root cause of your dark circles, you might need different ingredients to see visible results. Choose the right eye serum for you and follow the dos and don’ts of eye serum application for optimal results.
It’s important to note that some causes, like ageing and genetics, are not fully in your control and cannot be completely avoided. Remember, you are beautiful as you are!
