Moisture For Dark Circles & Under Eye Bags

The skin around your eyes is the thinnest skin on your body, and notoriously delicate. If you have eye bags and dark circles, however, the problem isn't just skin deep. It may have more to do with your body's fluid balance and hydration level. As you age, the skin around your eyes also loses its youthful elasticity. You may never make those dark circles disappear completely, but there are several things you can try.

Anatomy

Dark eye circles are technically called periorbital hyperpigmentation. According to science writer Wendy Zukerman, this condition is caused by blood vessels that run just under your skin's surface. Because your periorbital skin -- the skin around your eyes -- is so thin, it is somewhat translucent and the blood vessels become visible. Some people also have visible muscle, which produces a purple color.

Dehydration, Nutrition and Eye Problems

According to Zukerman, scientists don't fully understand why eye circles get darker when you're dehydrated. However, it may be that dehydration lowers your blood pressure, which causes blood to move more slowly around your eyes. Your blood can collect in the vessels near your eye, causing them to look darker. Zukerman suggests that iron deficiency may have a similar effect, as it lowers your blood pressure and makes your skin look more pale.

Causes of Puffiness

If you often wake up with puffy eyes, you're not alone. Opthalmologist Mary Stefanyszyn, M.D. explained to MotherNature.com that puffy eyes are the result of your body fluids pooling overnight. The puffiness will subside, but it can stretch your skin. Too many puffy mornings might result in bigger, saggier eye bags. To avoid that unpleasantness, avoid drinking too much water before bed, staying up too late and eating too much salty food. Puffiness is also related to dehydration: a 1992 study in the Indian Journal of Pediatrics found that severely dehydrated children tended to have swollen periorbital skin once they were rehydrated.

Aging, Heredity and Eye Problems

You can't fight time: As you age, the bags around your eyes will grow inexorably. Your facial skin will lose fat and collagen, causing it to become thinner and retain less moisture. This weakens the visual barrier hiding your periorbital blood vessels, and they tend to show through clearer and darker than when you were young. According to the Mayo Clinic, dark eye circles can also run in families.

Solutions

To lighten dark eye circles, Zukerman recommends a brief nap. Lying down can help the collected blood flow away from your eyes. Avoid rubbing your eyes, and drink plenty of water.

To fight puffiness, avoid alcohol, salty foods and drinking too much water at bedtime. If you wake up with puffy eyes, try splashing your face with cold water or applying cool tea bags to your eyes. The coolness will help reduce swelling.

To keep your eyes looking as young and smooth as possible, try a moisturizing eye cream. However, don't over-apply: Dr. Fredric Haberman told MotherNature.com that anti-wrinkle creams can actually work too well, puffing up the entire eye area.

For permanent dark circles, you may need a concealer. According to "CBS News," some concealers can also act as healing creams, providing moisture while helping to lighten the appearance of your dark circles.