Does exfoliating help dark circles?

Author: Kathlyn Pollich  |  Last update: Friday, August 15, 2025

Using gentle, well-formulated skin care products, from a nourishing cleanser to a leave-on AHA or BHA exfoliant, a retinol, a serum, and a sunscreen, along with a dark circles under eye cream, will give you consistent, incremental improvements in the appearance of undereye circles.

Is it OK to exfoliate under the eyes?

It is absolutely safe to exfoliate, carefully, around your eyes. If you are not prone to broken capillaries try a small amount of a manual microdermabrasion cream, hold the skin and gently polish the area. Use your pinky and very light pressure with small circular motions.

What is the fastest way to get rid of dark circles?

Self-care
  1. Putting something cold on the undereye area. ...
  2. Using products made to treat dark circles. ...
  3. Raising your head with pillows. ...
  4. Sleeping more. ...
  5. Using sunscreen. ...
  6. Avoiding drinking too much alcohol. ...
  7. Stopping smoking. ...
  8. Treating any underlying medical conditions.

What cancels out dark circles?

Dark circles, a peach or orange color corrector helps. Blue/purple tones, it neutralizes. Blemishes, a green corrector counteracts redness. Apply sparingly. Foundation, before. A natural finish, it creates. Popular options include the LA Girl Pro Conceal or Bobbi Brown Corrector.

Does exfoliating help with dark areas?

By incorporating exfoliation into your skincare routine, it can lessen the symptoms of hyperpigmentation and often clear up your skin altogether. Exfoliation's primary role in this process is to reduce excess melanin by breaking up pigmented cells and shedding dead skin cells faster.

How I got rid of HYPERPIGMENTATION with this simple change to my routine!

Why do I look darker after exfoliating?

You might be tempted at this point to over-exfoliate in an attempt to speed up the process even more. Don't. Harsh chemicals or excessive scrubbing can create irritation, which will trigger more inflammation and make dark spots darker.

Is rubbing dead skin off bad?

“The best practice is to avoid over-scrubbing because you want to maintain a healthy and intact skin barrier,” Dr. Khalifian notes. Going too hard can leave your skin red and irritated. Use it after cleansing, and always follow with moisturizer to lock in hydration.

What makes dark circles look worse?

Dark circles under the eyes are usually more noticeable when you're tired. Other lifestyle factors that may contribute to dark circles under the eyes are smoking, drinking too much alcohol and stress.

How to color correct dark eye circles?

Dark circles tend to have a bluish undertone, so shades of peach and orange are ideal for canceling them out. Those with lighter skin tones should reach for a peach color corrector.

What should I apply overnight to remove dark circles?

Widely known for its medicinal properties, Aloe vera works well in reducing dark circles. Applying aloe vera gel to your face every day before going to bed can help in hydrating the skin and lessen the appearance of dark circles.

What deficiency causes dark circles?

What Deficiency Causes Dark Eye Circles on Skin? Vitamin deficiencies that are associated with dark circles include vitamins E, D, K vitamin, A, and B12. In addition to that, iron deficiency is also a root cause of dark circles.

Does vaseline remove dark circles?

While, unfortunately, Vaseline won't do much to help erase deep-set wrinkles or brighten dark circles, Sarkar says the product can provide some of the same hydrating effects as your go-to eye cream — especially when it's paired with a moisturizing cream. "Vaseline is something that's called an occlusive," she says.

Does exfoliating remove dark circles?

Skin Exfoliation Using Face Scrub

When you use a gentle face scrub 2-3 times a week, it can remove dead skin cells and help you inch closer to the skin of your dreams while taking care of dark under eyes.

Is toothpaste good for under eyes?

Soothing tired eyes: If you have puffy, dark eyes in need of some revitalisation, dab a tiny amount of toothpaste under your peepers before going to bed to wake up bright-eyed and bushy tailed.

What is the best exfoliator for the eye area?

The best type of exfoliant for your eye area is glycolic because it is able to be formulated to fit any type of skin, including delicate eye areas.

Can you actually brighten dark circles?

Medical treatment options for dark circles under your eyes may include: Topical creams and bleaching agents. Topical creams, like vitamin C, and bleaching agents, such as hydroquinone, can help lighten the appearance of dark circles under your eyes.

What is the best dark circle corrector?

Our Top Undereye Concealers
  • Best Overall: Nars Soft Matte Concealer, $32.
  • Best for Sensitive Skin: Tower 28 Swipe Serum Concealer, $22.
  • Best for Redness: Kosas Revealer Concealer, $32.
  • Best for Dark Circles: Tarte Shape Tape Radiant Concealer, $32.
  • Best Blurring: Benefit Cosmetics Bright On Boi-ing Concealer, $28.

How do you fix genetically dark circles?

Treating Genetic Dark Circles

The most common non-surgical treatment of dark circles includes the use of dermal fillers. You can customize your treatment to meet the unique needs of your particular case. Dermal fillers are considered a reliable treatment option for most types of dark circles.

Why can I still see my dark circles under my concealer?

The reason concealer alone cannot address dark circles is that it often creases and makes the issue much worse. Moisturizing and applying color corrector can help minimize the look of dark circles.

How to remove dark circles in 2 minutes?

Cold Compress

A cold compress is a simple yet effective home remedy for reducing dark circles by constricting blood vessels and reducing puffiness around the eyes. Soak a clean washcloth in cold water or refrigerate it for a few minutes to make a cold compress.

Who is more prone to dark circles?

If your parents or siblings have darker skin beneath their eyes, it is more likely that you will have or develop it as well. Facial structure, where someone has a deep or pronounced depression beneath their eyes, can cause a shadowing effect. So can sudden or significant weight loss and age-related changes to the face.

When I rub my neck, black stuff comes out.?

The “black stuff” when you rub your skin is nothing but dead cells, dirt and surface grime. It comes off due to friction caused by rubbing your skin.

What is a Korean body scrub?

A Korean body scrub, or seshin, is a traditional exfoliation treatment performed in Korean bathhouses. Using textured mitts, the skin is vigorously scrubbed after a steam or soak to remove dead skin cells and reveal smooth, rejuvenated skin.

What is the GREY stuff coming off my skin?

The grey stuff that comes off after rubbing your skin is a mixture of dead skin cells and dirt. The body sheds around 500 million particles of skin every day as the epidermis produces a new layer.

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