What diet causes dark circles?

Author: Fabian Swift  |  Last update: Monday, August 18, 2025

Watch your intake of salty foods, particularly ultra-processed foods, which contribute to swelling. The skin beneath your eyes is thin and delicate, so be gentle. Rubbing your eyes can stretch the skin and damage to the fragile capillaries that supply food and oxygen to the underlying tissues.

What foods cause dark circles?

Salt/sodium in your diet can also affect dark circles. Alcohol and tobacco use can contribute, as well. Your family history could also make you prone to dark circles.

Which 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.

What is the biggest cause of dark circles?

Some of the most common causes of dark circles under the eyes are:
  • Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
  • Contact dermatitis.
  • Fatigue.
  • Genetics.
  • Rubbing or scratching your eyes.
  • Skin changes that happen with aging.
  • Changes in skin color. ...
  • Sun exposure.

Which vitamin is best for dark circles?

Vitamin K, vitamin C, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. You can get these nutrients from a healthy diet or by taking a supplement.

Fix the Root Cause of Dark Circles Under the Eyes

Which food is best for dark circles?

Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are high in iron and vitamin K, which help improve blood circulation and reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Does low iron cause dark circles?

The following symptoms of iron deficiency in the eyes may occur: Dark circles under the eyes. Burning or painful eyes. Blurred vision.

How to stop dark under eyes?

Visible blood vessels may contribute to dark circles under your eyes. Try holding a cold, wet cloth against the area to help shrink the blood vessels. Or use a cold teaspoon or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a soft cloth. Using products made to treat dark circles.

Do dark circles under eyes mean liver problems?

Signs of liver disease:

About 20% of people with liver disease have noticeable dark circles around their eyes and other exposed areas of their body. If you notice these symptoms, it's important to see a doctor for proper treatment. Additionally, changing your diet and daily habits can help.

What autoimmune disease causes dark circles under eyes?

There are several types of lupus, including systemic lupus erythematosus — the most common type — and cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which affects only the skin. If you suspect a connection between the dark circles under your eyes and your lupus diagnosis, you could be right.

What do dark circles say about health?

If you have dark circles under your eyes, it's probably just a sign of aging, lack of sleep or another common cause. It's usually not caused by a medical problem. But if you have a dark circle or swelling under just one eye, call a healthcare provider.

What hormone causes dark circles?

Dark circles under the eyes may be related to cortisol deficiency. If your eyes are constantly dry or watering unexpectedly, it may be due to an inability to build the fatty layer of your tears.

Can sugar cause dark circles?

Too much sugar can damage elastin and collagen molecules in the skin, which can lead to dark circles, wrinkles, dehydrated skin and can fast-track the aging process.

What am I lacking if I have dark circles?

Iron Deficiency

Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by anemia, which makes the skin look pale and the area around the eyes look darker. The most common cause of anemia is from not getting enough iron in the diet to make the right amount of red blood cells the body needs.

What neutralizes dark circles?

It may seem complicated but it's actually quite simple. “For lighter skin tones, a warm peach will cancel out the blueish purple in under-eye darkness, and a true orange/red will work best for darker complexions,” says celebrity makeup artist Nick Lennon who counts Charli XCX as a client.

Do carbs cause dark circles?

Certain foods are more likely to cause puffiness and dark circles than others. These include: Refined carbs: Refined carbs are found in foods like white bread, pasta, pastries, and desserts. They are high in sugar and low in fiber, which can cause inflammation and fluid retention.

What organ is associated with dark circles?

It is possible, though, for the appearance of darker skin in the area under the eyes to arise from an existing health problem. This can include asthma, allergies, poor circulation, hormonal shifts, malnutrition, anemia and diseases that affect the liver or kidneys.

What do liver eyes look like?

If there are symptoms of liver disease, they may include: Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice. Yellowing of the skin might be harder to see on Black or brown skin.

Can gut issues cause dark circles?

If you are struggling with dark circles under your eyes, it might be a sign of gut problems. One study found that people with dark circles had a higher level of gut inflammation than those without dark circles.

Can 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.

Can vitamin D deficiency cause dark circles?

Vitamin deficiencies, including vitamin B12, E, K and D, have been associated with dark circles. 4- Volume Loss: Hollowness or the sunken appearance of the eyelids is the final primary cause of dark circles.

What drink has the most iron?

The following drinks high in iron for anemia can supplement your diet:
  • Prune juice. Prune juice is high in iron and is an excellent supplement to heme (animal-based) iron. ...
  • Beetroot juice. ...
  • Spinach, cashew, and raspberry smoothie. ...
  • Cocoa and beef liver smoothie. ...
  • Pea protein shakes. ...
  • Pumpkin juice.

What do anemia eyes look like?

Yellowish sclera – In other types of anemia, such as hemolytic or sickle cell anemia, the whites of the eyes can develop a yellowish color. Pale inner lower eyelid – Iron deficiency anemia can cause the inside of the lower eyelids to become yellowish or pale instead of a healthy red.

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