# Avoiding darkness under eyes?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avoiding-darkness-under-eyes/329980>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 7, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avoiding-darkness-under-eyes/329980 "2005-11-07T23:36:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avoiding-darkness-under-eyes/329980/1 "2005-11-07T23:36:39Z")

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For the longest time, my relatives have remarked that I seem to have an area of darkness around my eyes that make them look a little ‘sunken’. It’s never really bothered me until today, for some reason. I’m wondering if there’s something I should be doing (short of wearing make-up) that might lessen or prevent this condition? Any good advice would be appreciated.

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**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2005, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avoiding-darkness-under-eyes/329980/2 "2005-11-08T04:09:21Z")

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“While dark circles are often genetic,” [Mario Cuomo?] “they can also be the result of poor circulation, alcohol or toxins. Because the skin is so fine underneath the eye, the bluish tint of the underlying blood vessels can sometimes be seen. While companies such as Chanel and Estée Lauder have products to fight dark circles, the most effective strategy is to conceal them. Do not dismiss wet tea bags and cucumber slices as old wives’ tales if you suffer from baggy eyes. They act like a poultice to draw out excess fluids and work wonders the morning after the night before.”  
—Juliet Cohen, _Vogue Make-Up_, p. 45.

For undereye care, I apply cotton pads soaked in Thayer’s Rose Petal Witch Hazel to the area, very gently. Always handle under your eyes very gently, and if you apply eye cream there, pat it in tiny motions with your fingertips. Actually, Juliet Cohen _ibid._ quotes a British plastic surgeon who said applying too much eye gel, more than can be absorbed, makes the dark bag problem worse. You’re safest with the cucumbers, dude.

Also, I really think you shouldn’t rule out using a good concealer. It’s the only real solution. Try visiting a makeup counter, ask for a concealer for dark undereyes, and see if they don’t match you with something that you could use.

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**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2005, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avoiding-darkness-under-eyes/329980/3 "2005-11-09T04:25:22Z")

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Also, if you’re going to use makeup there, make sure you get the gentlest possible eye makeup remover. I use Kiss My Face _démaquillage pour les yeux_.