Dark Circles Under Eyes: Causes and Treatment for Indian Skin

Dark circles under the eyes are caused by one or more of four things: extra pigment in the skin, blood vessels showing through thin skin, hollowing below the eye that casts a shadow, or puffiness. In Indian skin, the pigmented type is especially common and often runs in families, which is why treatment works best when it matches the type you have rather than relying on a single under eye cream.

Dark circles are one of the most searched skin concerns in India, and also one of the most misunderstood. This guide explains the different types, the everyday habits that make them worse, and the treatments with reasonable evidence.

What are the types of dark circles?

Dermatologists often describe dark circles, also called periorbital hyperpigmentation, in four main types. Indian research has shown that many people have more than one type at the same time.

Type	What it looks like	Simple check
Pigmented	Brown or dark brown colour on the lower lid, sometimes upper lid	Colour stays when you gently stretch the skin
Vascular	Bluish, pink or purple tone, often worse in the morning	Colour fades a little when you stretch the skin
Structural (hollowing)	Shadow from a groove or tear trough under the eye	Looks better when you look up into a light
Puffy	Swelling or bags casting a shadow	Worse after salty food, crying or poor sleep
Mixed	Combination of the above	Most common in practice

What causes dark circles in Indian skin?

Several factors contribute, and they often overlap:

• Genetics. Pigmented dark circles commonly run in families in South Asian skin.
• Eye rubbing. Allergies, dust, pollution and habitual rubbing irritate the skin and lead to more pigment.
• Allergies and eczema. Allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis are linked with darker under eyes.
• Sun exposure. UV increases pigment around the eyes, which many people skip when applying sunscreen.
• Thin skin and visible vessels. Under eye skin is among the thinnest on the body.
• Ageing. Loss of fat and collagen deepens the tear trough and creates shadows.
• Lifestyle. Lack of sleep, long screen hours, smoking and alcohol can make circles look worse.
• Health factors. Anaemia, thyroid disease and some medicines may contribute in some people.

What can I do at home for dark circles?

Home care will not change your genetics or bone structure, but it can make a real difference to pigment and puffiness.

These simple steps help many people, whatever the type:

1. Stop rubbing your eyes. If they itch, treat the cause, for example allergies, rather than rubbing.
2. Wear sunscreen around the eyes. Use a gentle, fragrance free sunscreen suitable for this area, along with sunglasses outdoors. See our sunscreen guide for India.
3. Moisturise. A simple fragrance free eye cream or moisturiser supports the skin barrier.
4. Sleep and hydrate. Adequate sleep and sleeping with your head slightly raised may reduce morning puffiness.
5. Cool compresses. A cool, clean cloth for a few minutes can reduce puffiness temporarily.
6. Limit salt and alcohol if puffiness is your main concern.
7. Use makeup if you like. A colour corrector with a peach or orange tone, followed by concealer, can neutralise pigment on brown skin.

Which ingredients may help pigmented dark circles?

Under eye skin is delicate, so choose gentle products and introduce one at a time.

• Niacinamide, often well tolerated.
• Vitamin C, in eye friendly formulations.
• Retinol at low strength, a few nights a week, for pigment and fine lines.
• Caffeine, which may help temporarily with puffiness.
• Azelaic acid, kojic acid or similar agents, only if your dermatologist suggests them for this area.

Avoid strong exfoliating acids, harsh scrubs and lemon around the eyes. Never apply steroid creams near the eyes on your own; prolonged use near the eyes can thin the skin and is linked with serious eye problems such as glaucoma and cataract. Our article on topical steroid misuse explains why.

What treatments might a dermatologist consider?

Depending on the type, your dermatologist may consider:

• Prescription topical agents for pigment, used carefully on this thin skin.
• Very superficial chemical peels, such as lactic or mandelic acid, for pigmented circles. See our chemical peels guide.
• Lasers or light based treatments in selected cases, at conservative settings for darker skin.
• Hyaluronic acid fillers for hollowing of the tear trough, done by an experienced doctor, because this area has a higher risk of complications.
• Platelet rich plasma (PRP) or microneedling, which some dermatologists use, although evidence is still developing.
• Referral for eyelid surgery in people with significant bags or excess skin.

Results are usually partial and gradual, and maintenance is often needed. Your dermatologist should set realistic expectations before any procedure.

Could my dark circles be a sign of something else?

Most dark circles are harmless, but you should see a doctor if:

• One side is much darker or more swollen than the other.
• There is new swelling, redness, pain, or itching around the eyes.
• You also feel very tired, breathless or pale, which could suggest anaemia.
• Dark circles appeared with other skin changes, such as dark patches on the neck, which may suggest acanthosis nigricans.

If you also have patches on the cheeks, it may be worth reading about melasma, which sometimes extends towards the eyes.

What under eye habits should I change?

Small daily habits can make a noticeable difference over time:

• Remove eye makeup gently with a mild remover rather than rubbing with tissues or cotton.
• Avoid sleeping in kajal or eyeliner, which can irritate the lid skin.
• Take screen breaks. Long hours on phones and laptops lead to eye strain and rubbing.
• Treat allergies. If your eyes itch with dust, pollen or pollution, ask your doctor about appropriate allergy treatment instead of rubbing.
• Check new products. Fragranced creams, hair dyes and nail polish can cause eyelid dermatitis, which leaves the skin darker.
• Do not smoke, as smoking damages collagen and worsens under eye skin.

Are expensive under eye creams worth it?

Many under eye creams make bold claims, but there is limited evidence that any cream removes dark circles on its own. A simple, affordable routine of sun protection, a gentle moisturiser, and one evidence based active ingredient is usually as effective as a costly product. If a cream stings, causes redness or makes the area itchy, stop using it, since irritation can deepen pigment.

When to see a dermatologist

Please consult a dermatologist if:

• Your dark circles are not improving with sun protection and gentle care.
• You are unsure which type of dark circles you have.
• You have itching, eczema or allergies around the eyes.
• You have used steroid or fairness creams near your eyes.
• You are considering fillers, peels or lasers and want a safe, appropriate plan.

Understanding your type of dark circles is the first step toward choosing what will actually help. If you would like personalised advice, you can book an online consultation with Dr. Maria Ansari.