Bye-Bye, Tired Eyes: 10 Esthetician-Approved Ways to Eliminate Dark Circles

Are Your Dark Circles Making You Look More Tired Than You Actually Are? If You're Tired of Looking Tired, This Is For You!

Dark circles under the eyes can make you look tired, stressed, or older than you feel. But DON'T PANIC—dark circles are incredibly common, and with the right techniques, you can brighten your under-eyes and restore a refreshed appearance.

From lifestyle adjustments to expert product picks, here’s how to eliminate dark circles, according to licensed estheticians:

1. Identify the Root Cause of Your Dark Circles

Before treating dark circles, it’s crucial to understand what's causing them. Common culprits include:

  • Genetics
  • Lack of Sleep
  • Dehydration
  • Poor Circulation
  • Allergies
  • Too much Sun Exposure
  • Thinning Skin of Loss of Fat

Knowing the cause will help you target the issue more effectively with the right skincare and habits.

2. Prioritize 7–9 Hours of Quality Sleep

Sleep deprivation is one of the leading causes of dark circles. During sleep, your body repairs skin tissue and boosts circulation.

✅ Esthetician Tips:

  • Stick to a consistent sleep schedule.
  • Elevate your head slightly with an extra pillow to reduce fluid pooling.
  • Avoid screens 1 hour before bed to support melatonin production.

3. Use Cold Therapy to Constrict Blood Vessels

Cooling your under-eyes helps shrink dilated blood vessels, which reduces the appearance of blue or purple discoloration.

✅ Esthetician Tips:

  • Apply cold spoons, chilled cucumber slices, or gel eye masks in the morning.
  • Use (Electric) Gua Sha Tool or Jade Roller stored in the fridge to depuff, brighten, and encourage lymphatic drainage.

4. Hydrate Inside and Out

Dehydration can cause under-eye hollowness and make blood vessels more visible. Keeping your body and skin hydrated is key.

✅ Esthetician Tips:

  • Drink at least 8 cups of water per day.
  • Apply hydrating eye creams with hyaluronic acid or glycerin.

🛍 Our Recommended Products:

  • The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
  • Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream

5. Add Caffeine-Based Eye Treatments

Caffeine constricts blood vessels and helps reduce inflammation, making it a go-to ingredient for dark circles and puffiness.

✅ Esthetician Tips:

  • Use Caffeine eye creams in the morning for a brightening effect.
  • Combine with gentle massage to stimulate circulation.

🛍 Our Recommended Products:

  • The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
  • Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

6. Brighten with Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps lighten pigmentation and protects against oxidative stress that can deepen discoloration.

✅ Esthetician Tips:

  • Apply a vitamin C serum or eye cream once daily.
  • Be consistent—results take several weeks to show.

🛍 Our Recommended Products:

  • Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème
  • La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Eye Cream

7. Protect with Sunscreen (Yes, Even Around Your Eyes!)

Sun exposure can worsen hyperpigmentation under the eyes and thin the skin over time. Be sure to protect your eyes with Eyewear, and SPF lotions specific for your eyes.

✅ Esthetician Tips:

  • Apply mineral SPF around the eyes to avoid irritation using a very gentle dab of your ring finger (you are more likely to apply harder pressure using index finger or middle finger).
  • Wear UV-protective sunglasses when outdoors.

🛍 Our Recommended Products:

  • EltaMD UV Elements SPF 44
  • Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35

8. Try Retinol to Thicken Skin Over Time

As we age, the skin under our eyes becomes thinner, making dark blood vessels more visible. Retinol can help increase collagen and reduce visible darkness.

✅ Esthetician Tips:

  • Use low-strength retinol eye cream 2–3 nights a week.
  • Follow up with moisturizer and SPF the next morning.

🛍 Our Recommended Products:

  • RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
  • Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum

9. Use Gentle Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Poor lymphatic circulation can cause fluid buildup and dark shadows under the eyes. Gentle massage can help detox and lift the area.

✅ Esthetician Tips:

  • Use your ring finger or a chilled tool to lightly sweep from the inner to outer eye area
  • Use a Gua Sha tool/device cautiously and gently (or with the guidance of your esthetician) to increase the effectiveness of massaging under your eyes.
  • Repeat daily for best results.

10. Consider Professional Treatments for Stubborn Dark Circles

For more severe cases, professional options can target pigmentation, thin skin, or under-eye hollowness.

💆‍♀️ In-Clinic Treatments Include:

  • Professionals Gua Sha and Lymphatic Massages
  • Microneedling with PRP
  • Chemical Peels
  • Laser Treatments (e.g. IPL)
  • Filler Injections (Hyaluronic Acid)

Speak to a licensed esthetician or dermatologist to determine the best approach for your skin type and concerns.

About the Author

Elena Hart

Lead Esthetician & Product Testing Director
With over 14 years in the skincare industry, Elena blends clinical precision with holistic intuition. Specializing in advanced skin treatments and product formulation analysis, she leads our product testing protocols and ensures every review meets our standards.
Elena is the calm voice of reason in a noisy industry. Her reviews are thorough, data-driven, and always focused on real-world results. She believes great skin isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency, knowledge, and the right ingredients.