What should you know about periorbital dark circles?

Brown or grey-brown colour can reflect increased pigment, including pigment left after irritation or rubbing. A blue or purple tone may be more noticeable when the skin is thin and vessels show through. A hollow under the lower eyelid can cast a shadow even when the skin itself is not darker; this is often called a tear trough hollow. Itching, scaling, redness, watering, or frequent rubbing can point toward eyelid irritation or an allergic skin condition such as atopic dermatitis. Dark circles that vary with sleep, congestion, or rubbing may look different from circles that remain similar over time.

Dark circles are not a reliable sign of one specific illness. A clinician can distinguish colour, surface change, swelling, and facial shadowing by examining the area in good light.

Avoid rubbing the eyelids and pause any product that stings, burns, or causes a rash. Use a gentle cleanser, moisturiser suitable for the eye area, and daily sun protection around—not inside—the eyes. Address nasal or eye allergy symptoms with advice from a pharmacist or clinician, especially if itching and watering are prominent. Regular sleep and treatment of congestion may reduce a tired or puffy appearance, although they cannot change inherited hollows or pigment on their own.

If the circles persist or bother you, a dermatology or aesthetic assessment can identify whether the main feature is pigment, vessels, laxity, or a hollow. Options may include treatment for irritation or pigmentation, or a discussion of under-eye filler when a tear trough shadow is the main contributor. The under-eye area needs careful assessment because swelling, skin quality, and anatomy affect suitability.

Arrange a medical review if the change is new and affects one side, develops with persistent swelling, or comes with pain, marked redness, a rash, vision change, or discharge. Seek urgent care for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, major swelling, or an injury around the eye. Itching, scaling, and repeated rubbing deserve assessment when they continue, because treating the underlying irritation can help prevent further darkening.

Ask which feature is most responsible: pigment, visible vessels, puffiness, or a tear trough shadow. Ask whether an allergy, eczema-like irritation, medication, or rubbing may be contributing, and which products should be stopped. If a procedure is being considered, ask what improvement it can realistically address, what swelling or bruising to expect, and which warning signs need prompt review.