No one wants to be walking around with big dark circles under their eyes. It’s not attractive and makes you look tired and old beyond your years. The good news is that in many cases dark circles in men (and women) can be effectively treated.

Below, we’re going to take a look at the causes of dark circles and provide a range of home remedies, clinical remedies, and commercially available eye creams that help alleviate this most unwelcome phenomenon.

What Causes Dark Circles?

In most cases, dark circles in men don’t just appear out of nowhere. They have a cause. Some are health-related. Others are related to a person’s lifestyle. Here are some of the most common causes of dark circles under the eyes.

• Aging – Definitely one of the leading causes of dark circles under the eyes. As we age, collagen levels diminish and the skin becomes thinner, exposing blood vessels that cause dark circles.
• Lack of sleep – Guys who don’t get enough sleep often wind up with dark circles under their eyes. Skin needs time to regroup after a long day, just like your brain and your muscles.
• Allergies – The release of histamines is a natural reaction to allergens. But histamines can also trigger the dilation of blood vessels in the skin that makes some areas appear darker.
• Dehydration – Dehydration has a hand in most skin problems. Dry, pale skin can shrivel and pull inward. This causes your eyes to take on a dark, sunken appearance.
• Overexposure to the Sun – “Badly photo-damaged skin becomes mapped with veins” according to dermatologist Dr. Kenneth Howe. This can cause dark circles to appear under the eyes.
• Genetics – If one or both of your parents had dark circles under their eyes, there’s a good chance you will too.

How Do You Fix Dark Circles?

You can fix dark circles by using natural methods. Or you can opt for clinical treatments that often produce more satisfying long term results.

Can Dermal Fillers Work for Dark Circles?

Dermal fillers can work for dark circles but not in all cases. We’ll take a closer look at dermal fillers in a few moments.

How to Remove Dark Circles Naturally?

In most cases, dark circles under the eyes are not inevitable. But if you have noticed the darkness creeping in under your eyes, there are certain home remedies that may help alleviate them. Sure, they’re not very manly, but nobody has to know.

• Cucumber – This remedy is as old as the hills and remains popular because it often works. Cut a few cucumber slices and, if they’re not cool already, place them in the fridge for half an hour to cool them down. Then place them over your eyes for about 10 or 15 minutes. Do this every day.
• Cold milk cotton balls – Soak a couple of cotton balls in cold milk. Make sure they’re not dripping wet and then place them on the dark areas under your eyes for 5 minutes. Do this once or twice a day. The lactic acid in the milk should help reduce the darkness.
• Teabags – Use tea bags much the same way you employ cucumber slices and cotton balls. Steep a couple of tea bags in hot water. Then put them in the fridge until cold. Squeeze out any excess tea and then place them in the dark area.
• Coconut oil – This remedy has been gaining steam in recent years. Simply massage a bit of coconut oil into the dark skin under your eyes before going to sleep. Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants that are beneficial to your skin.
• Lemon juice – You don’t want lemon juice to get in your eyes. So try soaking your tea bags in it while they’re in the fridge cooling down. Then squeeze out any excess and lay the bags over the dark areas for about 10 minutes, once a day.

How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Permanently?

To get rid of dark circles permanently you will likely need to undergo a clinical treatment. Let’s look at some of the most effective ones.

Top 3 Clinical Treatments for Getting Rid of Dark Circles

Dermal Fillers

A dermal filler is a substance that is injected into the skin under the eyes. The goal is to restore volume by promoting collagen production.

This typically has the effect of lightening dark sunken areas, while simultaneously smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. Dermal fillers are very popular and are generally considered safe and effective.

Most fillers include a substance called hyaluronic acid. This is a compound that stimulates collagen production.

Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is another chemical compound sometimes used in dermal fillers. It too rejuvenates the skin and restores collagen levels. CaHA typically produces a longer-lasting effect than hyaluronic acid.

Chemical Peels

As the name implies, this treatment can be somewhat harsh. A specially formulated chemical solution is applied to the skin. The exact makeup of that chemical solution will change depending on what condition the clinician is attempting to treat. In the case of dark circles, the solution is applied directly to the affected area.

Over the course of several days following the application the old, tired skin will peel away. In its place, new, more vibrant skin that is not discolored will take its place.

The entire process may take a week or more and will often last for up to a year. It’s important you select an experienced skin care professional for this type of treatment.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

“There are now more than 12 companies (that produce) fractionated CO2 lasers” explains California plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Persky. The therapy itself falls into two different categories: ablative and non-ablative. Both are highly effective though they work in different ways.

Ablative resurfacing works in essentially the same way a chemical peel does. It removes the damaged, outer layer of skin and makes way for the healthier underlayers to come to the fore. Non-ablative laser resurfacing penetrates the outer layer of skin and stimulates collagen production. It is the more high-impact treatment. But it also tends to produce longer-lasting results.

Best 5 Products That Help Reduce Dark Circles in Men

Since the vast majority of the best eye creams are marketed toward women, guys are just going to have to bite the bullet and go where the quality is.

Clarasome Radiance Restoring Moisturizer, $49.99

Dark circles under the eyes are no match for clarasome by Dermaclara Beauty. It features a compelling combination of hyaluronic acid to promote collagen production and glycerin to restore moisture levels. In addition, there’s almond oil and aloe vera to enhance the luster and provide a smooth supple feel. This antioxidant-rich formula rejuvenates skin inside and out. It should be a staple of your skincare regime.

Pros

• Hyaluronic acid to promote collagen and elastin production
• Antioxidants to fight free radicals and restore skin integrity
• Intense hydration to prevent skin from lapsing back into disrepair

Cons 

• Can only be purchased through the official Dermaclara website

Olay Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream, $19

Olay Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream takes a well-rounded approach to the problem of dark circles under the eyes. It’s full of blemish-fighting ingredients such as niacinamide that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and peptides to stave off wrinkles. It also includes mineral pigments designed to provide instant, though temporary, lightening of dark areas. Over time, dark circles are considerably lightened and skin feels plumper and smoother.

Pros

• Provides both immediate and long-term benefits
• Regular use can lighten dark circles and help prevent their recurrence

Cons

• Dark circles can reappear pretty quickly if you stop using it

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème, $38

This Banana Bright Eye Crème from Olehenriksen has been generating a lot of buzz recently. Much of it well-deserved. It doesn’t waste any time lightening up dark circles under the eyes. An effect that is most often attributed to the mixture of vitamin C and some proprietary cosmetic ingredients.

The bottom line is that it will help you lighten up dark circles. But it’s not on par with something like Clarasome.

Pros 

• Brightens dark, tired-looking skin around the eyes
• Provides a workable base for your makeup
• Smooths out wrinkles and fine lines

Cons 

• Some of its lightening effects are purely cosmetic

Tata Harper Illuminating Eye Crème, $105

To a certain extent, Tata Harper Illuminating Eye Crème with diamond dust has “gimmick” written all over it. The thing is, however, it also includes hyaluronic acid to promote collagen production. And that diamond dust actually does provide some short term benefits you can enjoy while waiting for the collagen to do its work.

There’s also olive oil and other ingredients that leave a very pleasant supple feeling. So it’s not a true gimmick. But it is expensive.

Pros 

• The diamond dust does help offset the appearance of dark circles
• It contains hyaluronic acid to stimulate collagen production
• Does a good job restoring proper hydration

Cons

• Is it worth the price? Only you can decide that.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum, $69

In spite of the long-winded name, this Retinol based eye serum has a lot going for it. It stimulates collagen and elastin production, which alleviates that dark, hollowed-out look around the eyes. At the same time, the ferulic acid works to lighten dark spots. It also smooths out fine lines and wrinkles and leaves skin feeling moist and youthful.

Pros 

• Can help lighten dark circles, reduce wrinkles and restore firmness
• Vegan-friendly and guaranteed cruelty-free

Cons 

• It’s fairly expensive and it’s not widely available

Where Can I Buy Products to Deal With Dark Circles?

Some, though not all, the products we listed above are available at Amazon. Others are available via online beauty product retailers like Sephora. Most can also be found at high-end department stores as well as brick and mortar beauty shops.

Final Tips: How to Prevent Dark Circles

Of course, the best way to deal with dark circles in men is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Here are a few common-sense tips for preventing the development of dark circles under your eyes:

• Drink enough water – Proper hydration and skin health go hand in hand
• Use sunblock – UV rays penetrate the skin and affect collagen production
• Get plenty of sleep – Lack of sleep is a major cause of dark circles