What Causes Dark Circles? The 3 Types, Explained

Dark circles are not one single thing. Some are brown, some are bluish, and some are really shadows cast by the shape of your face. In this guide, we walk through the three main types, what drives each one, and the everyday habits that make any of them look deeper, so you can build a routine that actually matches your under-eyes.

Why the under-eye area shows everything

The skin under your eyes is the thinnest on your face. It also has fewer oil glands and less cushioning fat than your cheeks or forehead. That combination makes it a bit like a window: whatever sits beneath it, from tiny blood vessels to the natural curve of the bone, shows through more easily than anywhere else.

This area also works hard. You blink thousands of times a day, you squint at screens, you smile, you rub your eyes when you are tired. All of that movement, plus sun exposure and time, slowly changes how the skin looks. So when people say they "look tired," what they are usually seeing is the under-eye area revealing a little more of what is going on underneath.

That is also why the same advice does not work for everyone. A brown shadow, a bluish tint and a hollow are three different things, and each one responds to different care. Knowing which one you have is the first real step.

Type 1: pigmented dark circles (brown)

Pigmented dark circles look brown, tan or grayish-brown. They come from extra melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, settling in the under-eye area. They tend to look the same color in any light and from any angle.

What drives them

• Genetics and skin tone. Pigmented circles are very common in medium and deeper skin tones, and they often run in families. If a parent has them, there is a good chance you will too.
• Sun exposure. UV light tells skin to make more melanin. The under-eye area is often missed when people apply sunscreen, so it can darken over the years.
• Rubbing and friction. Allergies, dry eyes or simple habit can lead to frequent rubbing. Ongoing friction and irritation can leave the skin looking darker over time.

Pigmented circles change slowly. They respond best to consistent daily habits: sun protection, gentle handling, and support for an even-looking skin tone, both on the surface and from within.

Type 2: vascular dark circles (blue or purple)

Vascular dark circles look blue, purple or reddish. They come from the network of tiny blood vessels just beneath the thin under-eye skin. When those vessels are more visible, or when blood flow slows and pools a little, the area takes on a cool, bruised-looking tint.

What drives them

• Thin, translucent skin. Fair skin and naturally thin skin let vessels show through more. Skin also gets thinner with age as it loses collagen.
• Poor sleep and fatigue. After a short night, circulation around the eyes can look sluggish, and the bluish tone tends to deepen.
• Congestion and allergies. A stuffy nose can slow drainage around the eyes, which is why some people get darker circles during allergy season.
• Low iron. Low iron levels can leave skin looking paler overall, which makes under-eye shadows stand out more. If you suspect this, ask your doctor about a simple blood test.

Vascular circles often look worse in the morning and better after you have been up and moving for a while. They are the type most likely to shift from day to day.

Type 3: structural dark circles (shadows and hollows)

Structural dark circles are not really a color at all. They are shadows. When there is a dip or groove under the eye (often called a tear trough), or when the lower lid is a little puffy, light hits the area unevenly and a dark line appears below it.

What drives them

• Bone structure. Deep-set eyes and the natural shape of the eye socket are inherited. Some people have had a visible hollow since childhood.
• Changes with age. Over time, the fat pads and support around the eyes shift, and hollows can become more noticeable.
• Puffiness. Swelling in the lower lid can cast a shadow right beneath it, which reads as a dark circle.

Here is the honest part: hollows are structural. No supplement and no cream changes the shape of the bone or the volume under the eye. Hydrating products can make the skin look smoother and plumper, and puffiness can look calmer, but if a true hollow bothers you, a board-certified dermatologist is the right person to talk to about your options.

Everyday factors that make any type look darker

Whatever your type, a few habits can make dark circles look deeper. None of them cause circles on their own, but they add up.

• Short or broken sleep. Tired skin looks duller and paler, which makes any contrast under the eyes more visible.
• Dehydration. When skin is low on water, it looks thinner and less plump, and the area can look slightly sunken.
• Salty meals and alcohol. Both can lead to morning puffiness, which casts shadows.
• Screen time. Long hours of close focus often mean squinting, rubbing and less blinking.
• Skipping sunscreen under the eyes. A small gap in your routine, but it matters over years.

We go deeper into these in our guide to daily habits that make under-eyes look tired.

Most people have a mix: where to start

In real life, most people have a combination. You might have a brown tone from genetics, a bluish tint after a bad night and a slight hollow that deepens with age. That is completely normal, and it is why a single product rarely feels like the whole answer.

A simple way to find out what you are working with is the pinch test combined with a light test. It takes a few seconds in front of a mirror. We explain it step by step in The 10-Second Pinch Test.

Once you know your mix, think in two layers:

• The surface. Cooling patches, a light eye cream and daily sunscreen help the under-eye area look fresher, smoother and more rested. This is where you see quick visible results.
• What is underneath. Pigment and circulation are influenced by what happens inside the skin. Nutrients like vitamin C, iron and B vitamins reach the skin through your bloodstream, which is why we created The Eye Complex to complete a topical routine rather than replace it.* You can read more about why in Why Your Eye Cream Can't Reach the Color of Your Dark Circles.

Frequently asked questions

Can dark circles be caused by lack of sleep alone?

Sleep rarely creates dark circles from nothing, but it makes existing ones look more obvious. Tired skin looks paler and duller, and puffiness and a bluish tint tend to show up more after a short night.

Why do my dark circles look worse in the morning?

Fluid can collect around the eyes while you lie flat, which leads to puffiness and shadows. Circulation also picks up once you are moving. For many people, the under-eye area looks brighter by mid-morning.

Are dark circles a sign of a nutrient deficiency?

They can sometimes be linked to low iron, which can make skin look paler. But dark circles have many causes, and most are not about deficiency. If you are concerned, a doctor can check your levels with a blood test.

Which type of dark circles is hardest to change?

Structural circles caused by a hollow or tear trough. Because they come from the shape of the face, products cannot change them. A dermatologist can explain in-office options if you want to explore them.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This article is for general information and is not medical advice.