The Real Reason You Get Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

All of us have had those spells in our lives where we're not getting enough sleep. It could be from having too much fun, or dealing with too much stress, or maybe just from the 'one episode more' mentality of your latest binge-worthy series. But the lack of shut-eye may start to become noticeable to yourself and to others. Like those dark circles that have formed under your eyes, for example. They may be a telltale sign that it's time to make your head hitting the pillow a priority. There are other causes of dark circles under the eyes, but before you start worrying or spending a chunk of money on "miracle" creams, try sleeping more to erase this latest facial feature.

Dark circles suddenly appearing under your eyes are usually produced from being tired, says Mayo Clinic. Sometimes these dark circles may be an illusion caused by shadows cast from puffy eyelids. As Healthline states, not getting enough Zzz's can cause fluid to build up underneath your eyelids, making them puffy and start to form shadows.

Mayo Clinic shares other causes for dark circles under the eyes. It may be from: allergies, eczema, skin pigment irregularities, and sun exposure. You may also be able to thank your parents for the dark circles. Paul Jarrod Frank, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City explains to Allure, "The undereye area is one of the thinner areas and is easily neglected in basic skincare," he says. "There is a strong genetic component to dark circles, which is out of people's control."

It may not be the most pleasing thing to admit, but those dark circles under your eyes may just be a sign of natural aging. According to Healthline, as you get older, your skin becomes thinner. The fat and collagen needed to maintain your skin's elasticity can start to diminish over time. As this happens, the dark blood vessels beneath your skin become more visible beginning to make the area below your eyes darken.

So whether it is lack of sleep, genetics, or just the natural process of aging, the good thing is that these dark circles aren't normally a sign to start worrying about your health. So just try and get enough sleep while you enjoy the latest binge-worthy series.