Get rid of those stubborn panda eyes with these eye creams

Let’s face it: there are too many things that can make us appear older or more tired than we actually are. And on the top of that list? Dark eye circles.

Dr Calvin Chan, medical director of Calvin Chan Aesthetic & Laser Clinic, fills us in on the cause of dark circles, the best treatment options, and which eye creams can help diminish their appearance.

What is the definition of dark eye circles?

Dark eye circles, also known as dark eye rings, refer to the condition where the skin beneath the eyes appears darkened.

What are some of the main causes?

The causes of dark eye circles are varied and can include any, or a combination of the following:

1) Excessive pigmentation
This can be either due to congenital or environmental causes. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of the lower eyelid skin is not uncommon in those with allergies. Excessive sun exposure and intake of certain drugs can cause such pigmentation as well.

2) Skin thinness and circulation
The thinner the skin on the lower eyelids, the more translucent it is and this causes the underlying muscles and prominent blood vessels to show through, resulting in a dark purplish appearance. Poor circulation and overactive circulation around the eye area both can contribute to a darkening effect too.

3) Shadowing due to tear trough
A depression near the inner side of the lower bony eye socket can cause a shadowing effect on the under eye area making it appear darker. 

4) Volume deficit
Loss of underlying fat and thinning of skin over the eye socket creates a hollowness and emphasises the appearance of a dark curvilinear line under the eye.

5) Overactive under-eye muscles
This translates to a lot of movement of the skin from facial expressions causing stretching and wear and tear of the skin so the area bulges more and looks more tired.

Is there anything we can do to stop them from developing?

1) Avoid rubbing and scratching the skin around the eyes

Rubbing or scratching can cause the tiny blood vessels around the area to rupture, contributing to a darkened appearance of the under eye skin. It can also cause the fragile skin to loosen and sag, which can worsen the look of bags and dark circles.

2) Do not drag or pull the skin around the eyes

Dragging or pulling the skin may cause it to stretch and due to the delicate and thin nature of the skin around the eyes, this can quickly lead to wrinkles and fine lines as well as skin sagging.

3) Get enough sleep

The amount of sleep one needs depends on various factors, especially age. Sleep needs vary significantly among individuals (influenced by factors like sleep quality, accumulated sleep deprivation and sleeping patterns); but in general, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night.

Once they appear, what are the best treatment options?

Concealing dark circles with makeup can only get you so far. Fortunately, there are methods to treat dark circles with aesthetic medicine. However, the administering of these should only be done after personal consultation with a doctor as treatment differs based on the root causes of the problem.

1) Chemical peels can slough off the upper layers of the skin thus reducing the appearance of dark pigmentation.

2) Laser skin treatments like Laser Genesis and Pro Yellow can safely treat and reduce pigmentation around the eyes and also rejuvenate the skin to improve collagen production and skin thickness so dark circles are minimised.

3) Dermal fillers can be injected to restore volume and counteract the hollow effect. I would recommend fillers that are specially formulated for use on the eye area, such as Teosyal Redensity II and Rejuran I as they are more suitable in terms of consistency, viscosity and molecular weight to be injected into the delicate and thin skin of the eye area.

4) Botox can help to relax overactive under-eye muscles and give the under-eye area a refreshed, smoother and lifted appearance.

Are there any potential complications as a result of treatment?

With chemical peels and laser treatments, the common side effects are temporary, and include redness, dryness, stinging or burning sensations, and slight swelling of the treated skin. More serious risks include scarring and the darkening of the treated skin (hyperpigmentation), which is more common in people with darker skin.

With dermal fillers and botox, common side effects include temporary pain, swelling and infection. In serious cases where the physician accidentally injects an artery, it can affect facial nerves temporarily or even permanently.

Can a good eye cream help?

For a good eye cream you should be on the look out for ingredients like vitamin K to strengthen and thicken the delicate skin around the eye area, hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump out fine lines and alleviate dryness, and peptides to reinforce, plump and smooth the skin.

To help combat dark circles in particular, look for ingredients that boost microcirculation and plump and brighten the under-eye area, such as caffeine, vitamins C and K, ginseng, and peptides.

Here, the best eye creams to effectively combat dark eye circles, no matter what your budget is:

Dermalogica BioLumin-C Eye Serum

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Drunk Elephant C Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream

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PETER THOMAS ROTH Potent-C Power Eye Cream

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Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream EX

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Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40 PA+++

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Tatcha Pearl Tinted Eye Illuminating Treatment

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Vichy Mineral 89 Eye Contour Repairing Concentrate, $41 (15 ml)

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Made with pure caffeine which relieves fatigue, and dermochlorella to help depuff, the Vichy Mineral 89 Eye Contour Repairing Concentrate is a multi-benefit eye serum which repairs, strengthens, plumps and brightens the eye contour area.

Its lightweight texture absorbs easily, bringing relief to those who experience dehydration, dark circles, eye bags and fine lines around the eye contour. The formula is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of dark circles up to two times in four weeks.

SK-II R.N.A. POWER Eye Cream, $149 (15ml)

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Powered by SK-II’s signature ingredient, Piterra™ (known for enhancing the skin’s natural function to improve clarity), R.N.A. Power Eye Cream is specially formulated to care for skin around the delicate eye orbital area. Eye-specific ingredients such as Lupine-Alfalfa extract and Palmitoyl Dipeptide7, help to restore skin suppleness and reduce the appearance of fine lines caused by dehydration.

Garnier Light Complete Multi-Action Brightening Eye Roll-On, $19.90 for 15ml

Credit: Garnier

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This counts vitamin C, caffeine and Pro-Vitamin B5 as key ingredients to target pigmentation, puffiness and improve skin resilience respectively. Plus, it has a cooling metal tip roller-ball applicator to help massage and decongest the area for instantly refreshed eyes.

Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream, $30 for 14g

Credit: Mario Badescu

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Great for soothing and depuffing the delicate eye area, this cooling eye cream contains hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and improve skin density.

PureHeals Centella 80 Eye Cream, $32 for 30ml

Credit: PureHeals

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Formulated with an impressive 80 per cent Centella Asiatica extract, this eye cream supports cellular rejuvenation around the eye contours. This in turn improves skin resilience and density so darkened blood vessels appear less visible.

Caudalie VineActiv Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream, $49 for 15ml

Credit: Caudalie

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Perfect for those dealing with dark circles, puffiness and a loss of elasticity, this lightweight eye cream packs potent ingredients to soothe, depuff, firm and brighten the eye contours. At the same time, it is rich in polyphenols to strengthen skin against external aggressors and is also enriched with vitamins C and E to condition the fragile skin around the eyes.

La Roche-Posay Redermic C Eyes, $61.90 for 15ml

Credit: La Roche-Posay

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Suitable even for those with sensitive skin, this powerful anti-ageing eye cream combats all visible signs of ageing, including dark circles, wrinkles and puffiness. A combination of dermatological ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and mannose work hand in hand to brighten, firm and depuff the area to take years off your face.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream, $72 for 15ml

Credit: IT Cosmetics

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Working with plastic surgeons, this quick-absorbing formula contains niacinamide, botanical oils and copper peptides to repair, brighten and condition the under eye area gently and effectively.

Eve Lom Radiance Antioxidant Eye Cream, $115 for 15ml

Credit: Eve Lom

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Packed with antioxidants, peptides and plant extracts, it restores skin firmness and reduces the appearance of dark circles. Thanks to a multi-pronged approach, these active ingredients improves microcirculation and reinforces skin’s barrier layer so that your eye contours look smoother and more energised.

Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Eye Cream, S$109 for 15ml

Credit: Peter Thomas Roth

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Thanks to a powerful vitamin C derivative, it also counts on vitamin E and Ferulic Acid to strengthen the delicate eye area and diminish the look of fine lines gradually over time. Caffeine works to reduce the look of eye bags while Filmexel forms a protective veil over skin to firm and tighten so makeup glides on after.

Valmont Moisturizing Eye-C-Gel, $153 for 15ml

Credit: Valmont

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Thanks to a unique anti-ageing molecule called Triple DNA, it is able to retain 10,000 times its weight in water to effectively hydrate the eye area. Meanwhile, it also contains a refreshing agent which stimulates microcirculation and energises the eye area while plumping sugars smooth out wrinkles for a youthful appearance.

La Mer The Eye Concentrate, $330 for 15ml

Credit: La Mer

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Besides the brand’s deeply rejuvenating properties, this potent eye treatment contains hematite, a magnetically charged mineral which triggers microcirculation to alleviate the look of dark circles. With continued use, the eye contours look brighter, smoother and firmer.