This 5 Second Hack Determines The Difference Between Dark Circles And Under Eye Bags

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This 5 Second Hack Determines The Difference Between Dark Circles And Under Eye Bags

In news that may shock you, dark circles and under eye bags are not actually the same thing. While the two terms are often used interchangeably to describe our tired, puffy eyes, it’s time to get our facts straight. And who better to help guide us through deciphering the difference than dermatologist and skin care founder, Dr. Dennis Gross?

Speaking to Sali Hughes Beauty, Dr. Gross revealed that while one undereye concern is the result of discolouration the other can be attributed to thinning skin. 

“The truth of the matter is, there are two basic categories [of dark circles and bags] – one is actual pigmentation in the skin, the other is skin that’s thin and shows the dark veins and fat pads underneath, they’re two problems,” explained Dr. Gross. 

Which leads us to our next question, how can we tell which is which? 

“What you want to do is take your skin [under the eye] and gently lift it up. When you lift it up, look at what happens to the colour of the skin at the dark circle,” he instructed. 

“If when you lift it up off the skin’s structure, the pigmentation does not change and it stays brown, it’s telling you that pigmentation is the primary problem” – AKA, dark circles.

If this is the case, you should be using an eye cream rich in brightening and skin tone-balancing ingredients, like vitamin C. 

We recommend the La Roche-Posay Redermic Vitamin C Anti-Ageing Eye Cream ($43.95, Chemist Warehouse) and Kiehl’s Line Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate ($80, Kiehls).

On the flipside, “if when you lift it up, it all of sudden comes back to a normal colour, you know it’s because the skin is too thin and more transparent,” said Dr Gross.

 In other words, you have under eye bags, which are best treated with collagen-stimulating treatments like the Skin Republic Collagen Under Eye Biodegradable Patches ($5.99, Chemist Warehouse) and John Plunkett’s SuperLift Collagen Eye Lift Treatment Cream ($41.49 at Priceline). 

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Comments 53

  1. This is interesting. I’m the thin skin type of under eye bag! Fitting really, a bit thin skinned in general. In having a play with the new Nude by Nature Revitalising Eye Cream. Really like it.

  2. Arghhh eye bags and dark circles are the bane to my existence!! Puffiness can be hard to combat and for me it’s usually a combination of fluid retention and tiredness. I love a good eye cream that targets all my eye concerns

  3. Great article it will help me differ between Under Eye Bags and Dark Circles so many great Products to try like La Roche-Posay Redermic Vitamin C Anti-Ageing Eye Cream and John Plunkett’s SuperLift Collagen Eye Lift Treatment Cream.

  4. Got to try Clairns serum. Unsure if I need it, as all serums and creams and oils I use, they get smeared all over face, eye area and lip areas included. And they work. Do like the eye serum using atm though.

  5. I’ve used a few different Skin Republic eye masks – they work quite well at reducing my eyebags for hours. I’ve got the Collagen Hydrogel ones pictured, but I haven’t used them yet.

  6. I have darkness on the side of my left eye. I have noticed it recently, it definitely wasn’t there earlier in the year. I’m not sure what it is or how to improve it. It’s more blackish that brown. Anyone have any ideas?