What vitamin am I lacking if I have dark circles under my eyes?

Author: Miss Kylee Witting III  |  Last update: Sunday, June 1, 2025

Dark circles under the eyes can indicate health problems. Dermatologists advise checking for deficiencies in vitamins D, K, and E, and recommend lifestyle changes.

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.

Is vitamin C or E better for dark circles?

Dr. David adds that hyperpigmentation—which can be a result of an inflammatory condition like eczema, seasonal allergies, or even a reaction to certain skincare products—can also cause dark circles. If your dark circles are caused by hyperpigmentation, then vitamin C can do the trick.

What are the two major causes of dark circles?

Dehydration. The skin under your eyes can start to look dull when you don't drink enough water. Lifestyle factors. Other factors such as stress, excessive alcohol use and smoking can cause dark circles under your eyes.

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.

Fix the Root Cause of Dark Circles Under the Eyes

How can I fix my dark circles?

Mild to moderate dark circles often respond well to habits and home remedies, such as:
  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.

Does B12 help with dark circles?

Vitamin B12

It may contribute to a healthier complexion and lessen the appearance of dark circles.

Which multivitamin is best for eyes?

Vitamin A — Crucial for good vision, vitamin A helps protect the cornea and is essential for low-light vision. Vitamin C — An antioxidant that is believed to protect eyes from oxidative stress. Vitamin E — Protects the eyes from free radicals and is vital for healthy skin and immune function.

Can magnesium help with dark circles?

One overlooked tip for managing dark circles is to incorporate more magnesium-rich foods into your diet.

What foods 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.

Does anything really work for dark circles under eyes?

Laser therapy or chemical peels can be helpful to some people. Injectable fillers can smooth the hollows that cause shadows. Other options are platelet-rich plasma injections and surgery to reduce puffy lids.

Which vitamin capsule is best for dark circles?

Vitamin E, known for its antioxidant properties, works to reduce puffiness and rejuvenate the delicate skin under your eyes, leaving you with a refreshed and youthful appearance.

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.

What is the number one vitamin for your eyes?

Vitamin A is absolutely essential for vision, Johnson says. A deficiency can cause night blindness, particularly among older individuals, and if it progresses, permanent blindness can result.

How do you know if your vitamin A is low?

Symptoms
  • Difficulty seeing in the dark or night blindness (Nyctalopia).
  • Dry corneas or the whites of the eyes (Xerophthalmia)
  • Bitot spots in the whites of the eye.
  • Sores in the corneas (Corneal ulcers)
  • Cloudy corneas (Keratomalacia) If left untreated, these symptoms can lead to blindness.

Which fruit is best for eyes?

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruit are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the body form and maintain connective tissue, including collagen found in the cornea of the eye. Vitamin C also supports the health of blood vessels in the eye.

What are the facial signs of B12 deficiency?

The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].

What am I deficient in if I have dark circles?

In fact, studies show that your dark circles are most likely caused by an iron deficiency. How blood iron affects the undereye skin. The skin around your eyes is ten times thinner than the skin on the rest of your body. This means it is more susceptible to damage, irritation, and any sort of pigmentation as well.

How to remove dark circles under eyes permanently?

Some of the common treatments for dark circles are:
  1. Laser surgery to re-surface the skin and enhance skin tightening.
  2. Chemical peels to decrease pigmentation.
  3. Medical tattoos to inject pigment into thinning skin regions.
  4. Tissue fillers to conceal blood vessels and melanin causes skin discoloration beneath your eyes.

Why did my dark circles get so bad?

Dark circles under the eyes happen when the skin beneath both eyes becomes darker than usual. 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.

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.

Can coffee remove dark circles?

Caffeine naturally tightens the blood vessel wall muscles. This can lighten under-eye circles. When blood vessels clamp down, less blood passes through them. The combination of tightened blood vessels and less blood flow translates to lighter under-eye circles.

Previous article
What deficiency causes rapid weight gain?
Next article
How do I return to original skin color?