What should you know about really bad dark circles?

The appearance can look stronger after poor sleep, dehydration, rubbing, allergies, or prolonged screen use, but these factors are not the only possible explanations. A clinician can examine whether the main feature is colour, contour, or both.

Brown or grey colouring may reflect pigment, while blue or purple tones can be more noticeable when the skin is thin and vessels show through. A hollow beneath the lower eyelid can cast a fixed shadow that remains even when you are rested. Puffiness can add another shadow and may vary through the day.

Eczema or other irritation around the eyes can cause itching, dryness, rubbing, and post-inflammatory darkening. Atopic dermatitis commonly causes itchy, inflamed skin and may affect the eyelid area; see [Atopic Dermatitis](/conditions/atopic-dermatitis/) for related information. Dark circles themselves do not identify one diagnosis, and several causes can coexist.

Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser around the orbital bone, avoid rubbing or scrubbing, and protect the area from daylight with sunglasses and a suitable sunscreen that does not sting. Treating nasal allergies or itchy eyelid skin with professional guidance may reduce rubbing. Regular sleep and adequate fluids can make temporary dullness less prominent.

If the concern is persistent, start with an assessment that distinguishes pigment from a contour shadow. Options may include skincare for pigment or irritation, camouflage, or a procedure selected for the underlying feature. Tear-trough hollows are a structural cause; read [Tear Trough Hollows](/conditions/tear-trough-hollows/) and [Under-Eye Filler](/treatments/injectables/tear-trough-filler/) before considering an injectable treatment.

Arrange a medical review if the change is new and persistent, affects one side, or comes with eyelid swelling, redness, pain, a rash, marked itching, vision changes, or discharge. Seek urgent care for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, major swelling, or an injury to the eye.

A clinician may also help when darkening is accompanied by broader symptoms such as unusual fatigue or changes elsewhere on the skin. Do not apply strong lightening products, steroid creams, or acids close to the eyes without advice, because this skin is delicate and can be injured.

Ask: Is the main cause pigment, visible vessels, irritation, puffiness, or a tear-trough shadow? Could an eye or skin condition be contributing? Which products are appropriate for my eyelid area? If a procedure is being discussed, what change is realistic, what are the specific risks around the eye, and what alternatives could I consider?