Dark circles under the eyes are one of the most common skincare concerns we hear men ask. It's also one of the main phrases search in google when it comes to men's skincare.

Your dark circles can be from a range of things, late nights, stress, genetics, but whatever the reason they can make you look more tired and older than you are feeling.

The good news is that most under eye concerns can be improved with the right combination of lifestyle habits, skincare products and targeted treatments. The key is understanding what is causing them and then choosing the most suitable product or treatment.

Why dark circles happen

Before we try and fix the problem it helps to understand why they appear in the first place. The skin around the eye is one of the thinnest areas on the body which means blood vessels and pigmentation underneath can easily show through. Which means we should also treat the area gently when cleansing and apply products to the area.

Common causes of dark circles & solutions include:

Lack of sleep - poor sleep can make blood vessels more visible, creating a darker appearance under the eyes.
Look at sleep habits - might seem obvious but try and get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Rest allows the circulation around the eyes to normalise and reduce dark shadows. Try a sleep mask to block out unwanted light or distractions if travelling. The silk fabric of the mask can also help eliminate some of the wrinkles caused from friction on the pillow. Try our 3D Sleep Mask. You could also try the restorative eye stick before bed and in the morning to help with dark circles and fine lines. Also the recipe for men under eye gel is perfect for tired eyes. Store in the fridge for add cooling and de-puffing after a bad nights sleep.

Genetics - some men naturally have thinner under-eye skin or dark pigmentation in the area.
Eye creams & concealers - The Aussie Man intensive eye cream which has the potent extract of native Lemon Aspen is a game-changer for reducing the appearance of dark circles. By strengthening capillary walls, Lemon Aspen works to brighten the delicate skin around your eyes, giving you a more vibrant and youthful look. You can also apply a men's eye concealer, dab it on with the ring finger (so you use light pressure) under the eye in the areas that are dark. Dab until it feels blended. You are best to apply an eye cream first so the eye is hydrated before applying the concealer. Try Gentlehomme men's concealer stick.

Ageing - as men age collagen levels decline and the skin becomes thinner, making dark circles more noticeable.
Eye Creams for anti ageing - one of the best anti-ageing products is sunscreen and sun protection. Make sure you are always wearing sunscreen and sunglasses when possible. In the evenings after cleansing the face and removing the SPF, apply an anti-aging eye cream. Try The Aussie man intensive eye cream

Dehydration - when skin lacks hydration it can appear dull and sunken, emphasising shadows under the eyes
Hydration - this includes internally and externally, make sure you are drinking enough water. Include electrolytes to make sure you are retaining the water. To retain the hydration externally, apply a hyaluronic acid to face and under eyes after cleansing and then apply a eye cream to help lock in moisture to the area. Try Gentlehomme hyaluronic acid and Thalgo anti fatigue eye cream.

Screen fatigue - long hours on the phone or computer can lead to eye strain which can increase blood flow around the eye area
Regular breaks - it's important to have regular breaks from your screen. Look away into the distance, get your eye muscles focusing on a new distance. You can also close your eyes for a few minutes or take a walk away from your desk. If it's in the evening, you could try blue light glasses to help reduce the amount of light entering the eyes, which will also help you sleep at night. Try these from Baxterblue.

Lifestyle habits - alcohol, smoking, stress and poor diet can all contribute to darker under-eye circles.
De-puff & hydrate - What we put into our body's is reflected on the outside. You know yourself if you have been over indulging or not looking after your body from the inside. If you have had a big night, the best way to get going and feel refreshed is to de-puff your body and help it eliminate the toxins. (hydrate with water and electrolytes) Invest in a body dry brush, or a body Gua Sha and a face Gua Sha (try this one). In the shower Gua Sha your body and your face (read this blog on how to gua sha) , at the end of your shower, turn the water cold for a least 30 seconds, take deep breaths. You'll jump out feeling 1000 times better. For those that really want to help eliminate eye puffiness, apply these eye masks (leave in the fridge for a cooling affect) for 10 minutes, and you'll be feeling and looking so much better.

If you consistently apply a skincare routine, you will start to notice a difference in 14-21 days. If you want to read more about under eye dark circles read our other blog click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q) Do eye creams actually work for men?

A) Yes. Eye creams containing caffeine, peptides or vitamin C can reduce puffiness, brighten dark circles and improve firmness. Make sure you are always gentle with the skin under the eye area by patting OR dabbing the cream into the skin rather than dragging or rubbing it in.

Q) What ingredient is best for dark under eyes?

A) Caffeine and Vitamin C are best. A retinol can also be good, but gradually introduce this into your routine over time.

Q) Why do men get dark circles even when they sleep well?

A) Read our blog post above for more information about why we get dark circles.But most of the time if you are still getting dark circles and you are looking after your skin and sleeping well it's most likely genetics and sometimes allergies can inflame the area.

Q) Is men's skin different to women's, and do we need different products?

A) Yes, mens skin is biologically different to women's, which means some formulations will work better with male skin in mind. But it doesn't mean men need to use completely different products, but men's skin is generally thicker and will respond better to products suited to that.

Q) What is a basic men's skincare routine?

A) A basic skincare routine for men is to cleanse, moisturiser and wear facial SPF sunscreen. If you want to target a specific skin concern such as pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines or brightness, you could then add a serum after cleansing and before moisturising. This is the most simple routine to get results from.

Q) How do I start a skincare routine?

A) Check out our blog "what skincare should I be using" for men.