Why is the skin around my eyes darker than the skin on the rest of my face?

Question

It's a light light brown, I'm white. People sometimes ask me if I'm wearing eyeshadow.

Answer 1

Because the skin is thinner.Alot of times that is where pools of blood fill up.You can help this by sleeping with your pillow higher,so your head sits up more.That way the blood can not fill up that area.

Answer 2

HEREDITY
Like varicose veins, dark circles under the eyes are usually an inherited trait. If you have dark circles, there is a good chance that others in your family also have them. The skin under the eye is very thin. When blood passes through the large veins close to the surface of the skin it can produce a bluish tint. The more transparent your skin, also an inherited trait, the darker the circles appear.

EXPOSURE TO THE SUN
Even in darker skinned people, exposure to sunlight, especially during the summer months, can cause a higher-than-normal level of skin pigmentation (melanin) under the eyes.

People get sun tans because exposure to the sun increases the natural pigmentation of the skin and draws that pigmentation to the surface. The same principle applies to the skin under the eyes.

ALLERGIES, ASTHMA and ECZEMA
Any condition that you have that causes your eyes to itch can contribute to darker circles under the eyes because rubbing or scratching the skin can darken the skin. Hay fever sufferers particularly will notice under-eye "smudges" during the height of the allergy season. Some food allergies can also cause the area under the eyes to appear darker.

MEDICATIONS
Any medications that you are taking that causes blood vessels to dilate, can cause circles under the eyes to darken. Because the skin under the eyes is very delicate, any increase blood flow shows through the skin.

NUTRITION
The lack of nutrients in the diet, or the lack of a balance diet, can contribute to the discoloration of the area under the eyes.

FATIGUE, LACK OF SLEEP
A lack of sleep or excessive tiredness can cause paleness of the skin, which again allows the blood underneath the skin to become more visible and appear more blue or darker.

PREGNANCY and MENSTRUATION
The skin can also become more pale during pregnancy and menstruation, which again allows the underlying veins under the eyes to become more visible.

AGE
Sometimes dark areas under the eyes worsen as you age.


Hope that helps.

Answer 3

I have this problem too, especially under my eyes, and everybody always asks me if I'm tired. It's got nothing to do with sleep, because however much sleep I have, they are always there!!

It is probably because the skin is thinner there with no fat cells. My doctor gave me a nasal spray for allergies to make them lighter. I have heard that they may have to do with your tonsils and adenoids too. Ask your doctor why it is darker and see what he can do for you.

Try white or lighter than normal concealer in that area under your regular makeup.

Answer 4

It may be because of high capillary fragility,that makes tiny capillaries rupture easily,pouring blood under ur skin.As the skin around the eyes is special=has no fat layer,thinner.Tiny amount of blood gets oxidized easily giving this darker appearance.

Answer 5

because the skin under your eyes is the thinnest most sensitive skin on your body.. the darkness could be from many of different things, like you not drinking enough water, not getting enough sleep. try putting cold tea bags on them. if not a good base concealer does the trick!! <333333goodluckgirl!

Answer 6

It could be lack of sleep or you may need to put an eyemask on at night. My under eyes are like that. I put hydrogen peroxide on sometimes or an eyemask on, it helps. You can put white shadow or foundation on to cover it up as well.

Answer 7

My guess is that either the light isn't hitting your skin the way you want it to, or you're not getting enough sleep. Possibly the latter, in my experience.

Answer 8

if u wear ANY eye makeup at all, then thats probly why.... maybe you need more sleep and excersize? if it bothers you THAT much then u can apply light eyeshadow or foundation/powder the color of ur skin

Answer 9

are you getting enough sleep? put some foundation over it.

Answer 10

i actually want that...

it might be the lighting tho-