Having bags or dark circles under the eyes is not something serious or uncommon. But let’s be clear, these little skin inconveniences are far from aesthetic and we would like to be able to get rid of them as soon as possible… Yes, but how? Because to be able to deal with it, you still have to know the cause. However, dark circles and puffiness are often the subject of many misconceptions. Here’s what you need to know about the causes of these disorders and the solutions to alleviate them.
Puffiness vs dark circles: what are the differences?
Puffiness resembles edema of the lower eyelids. They are formed of fatty deposits more or less waterlogged, giving an impression of swelling under the eye.
Dark circles refer to the variation in the color of the skin located under the eye. It is because of the extreme thinness of the skin in this area that a congestion of the vascular system can be seen by transparency, darkening this area giving it a blue/purple tint.
What are the causes ?
The first appearance factor may simply be age. It is also almost inevitable… Indeed, the eye is protected from the bone wall by fatty pads. These are covered by a thin membrane called the septum. With age, this membrane becomes more refined and loosens, giving way to puffiness and dark circles. The gradual loss of collagen in this area is also an important factor: with the lack of elasticity, the orbicularis muscle tends to slide down and no longer perform its function of maintaining under the eye. The skin thus tends to distend more and form a pocket.
You will probably notice that you are more surrounded in the morning. Indeed, the lying position (implying an immobile horizontal position of the neck) slows down the circulation of blood and lymphatic vessels. These become congested during this period of inaction, which causes the ring to swell. To fight against this stagnation, it is advisable to change position regularly and/or to sleep with several pillows so as to raise the head slightly and thus promote the drainage of fluids down the face to avoid the “puffy” effect on the skin. awakening.
Second aggravating factor: poor lifestyle. Lack of sleep, stress, fatigue, but also alcohol and tobacco, can be the cause of blood circulation disorders causing the appearance of dark circles or puffiness. Indeed, the consumption of tobacco disrupts the circulation of fluids which creates these edemas under the skin and weakens the area below the eye. Alcohol, on the other hand, promotes the swelling of blood vessels giving the look a sleepy look. It also maintains water retention, which greatly contributes to the appearance of puffiness under the eyes. It is also this water retention that contributes to the appearance of puffiness in the event of stress and anxiety.
Finally, be aware that heredity plays a very important role, as do hormonal changes in women. These phenomena can predispose you to the appearance of puffiness and dark circles.
How to mitigate them?
Sleeping well is essential to avoid puffy eyes upon waking. But diet also plays a decisive role. For example, it is advisable to reduce salt intake to avoid water retention. Also, it is important to drink at least 1.5L of water per day, in order to avoid dehydration resulting in swelling of the blood vessels under the eyes.
Despite all this, if the appearance of puffiness and dark circles persists, there are some makeup tips to camouflage them:
To reduce the “pocket” effect, use a foundation that matches your skin tone (especially not a lighter shade that would accentuate the volume of the pocket). With a brush, apply your foundation on the pocket to the root of the eyelashes. Then, use an illuminating pencil in the furrows of the pocket, blending with the tip of your finger. This technique will bring light into the hollows in order to reduce the rounded aspect of the pocket thanks to a play of shadow and light. Do not hesitate to accentuate the make-up of the upper eyelid with a mascara and/or a colored blush in order to divert the attention from the pocket.
Regarding dark circles: start by unifying the skin under the eye with a concealer that matches your skin tone. Apply it under the eye area and blend the product with a ball brush. Finally, tap with your finger to perfectly melt the product. Then recolor the ring with a lighter concealer this time, to camouflage the slightly darker line that serves as a line of demarcation under the eyes. Apply this lighter concealer with a small angled brush, gently following the darker line and blending downwards to blend with the concealer. If the dark circle persists, avoid wearing eye shadow that is too dark, which would accentuate the shadow.
This period of confinement is conducive to rest and care. Remember to treat your eye contour with creams and patches designed specifically for this area. And also take the opportunity to resume good eating habits if necessary!
