Didn’t get much sleep again? Dark under-eye circles can afflict even the most youthful and well-rested skin, so it’s no wonder mums can often be seen wearing those tell-tale shadows, despite their best efforts to stay looking good. It’s not just mums who suffer. The condition is widely complained about, with around 80% of us suffering at some point, yet there is no sure-fire way of treating them – or is there?

The Science

Under-eye-circles are officially known as oxidised haemoglobin, and work in a similar way to bruises. They occur when the delicate capillaries (tiny blood vessels) around the eye area break, causing cells to ‘leak’ out. When this happens, enzymes break down the blood cells, including the haemoglobin (the molecules which give blood its red colour). When haemoglobin is broken down, the remaining components give off a dark blue-black colour, creating those infamous dark under eye circles.

The capillaries around your eyes sit close to the surface of the skin – the combination of thin, translucent skin and capillaries sitting close to the surface makes the slightest discolouration apparent.

What causes them?

dark circles can strike for a number of reasons. It could well be that you are sleep-deprived, but in fact many of us get loads of sleep yet still suffer from dark rings. So what are we doing wrong?

Smoking, drinking, a high sodium diet, or simply not drinking enough water can all have an effect, so a simple lifestyle change could make a difference. A major cause, however is heredity. Do your parents or grandparents have dark circles? If so, your own shadows could simply run in the family, but there are still a few things you can do to ease the problem.

Lifestyle changes

Before you invest in expensive under eye creams and treatments, its worth asking yourself:

• Do you get enough sleep (at least eight hours a night)?
• Do you drink enough water (at least eight glasses a day)?
• Do you smoke or drink alcohol?

Lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on those pesky circles, not to mention your health. Even something as simple as lowering your salt intake or taking multivitamins (vitamin K is said to help) can make a difference. Treat your everyday habits as prime suspects before considering alternative cosmetic remedies.

Be natural

• Cucumber - The old cucumber trick is still a top pick as it’s known for its soothing, cooling and lightening properties (slice them up and place on your eyes for 10-15 minutes when the kids are in bed).
• Tea bags - Tea bags are another option as the caffeine helps drain water from the tissue around the eyes, reducing puffiness and treating shadows. Tea also contains antioxidants which are beneficial to the skin. Use black, white or green tea, making sure bags are cooled, and squeezing out any excess liquid before placing them on your eyes for 15 minutes.

Do your research

If you find the natural approach just doesn’t cut it and you’re willing to invest in the latest creams or cosmetic procedures, do your research. Word of mouth is more reliable than any ad you’ll see, so look online for advice in blogs or forums before you spend your hard-earned cash.

Cover it up

If you’re still not getting the desired effect, or simply don’t want to splash too much cash, invest in a good concealer. Concealers can work wonders, transforming ‘racoon’ eyes into bright, rested sparklers at a fraction of the cost of some ‘magic’ creams. Be careful to avoid anything too light in colour, as this will just draw attention to the unnatural shading under your eyes. Apply all around the eye – not just under – finishing off with a light dusting of translucent powder to help the concealer last longer.

Last, but not least, don’t make comparisons between your (very real) eyes and those of magazine models. It’s easy to forget, but airbrushing removes a multitude of sins. Dark circles are just a part of life for many of us, so dab on a bit of concealer, and don’t lose any sleep over it!