what causes dark circles

Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by various factors, including aging, genetics, fatigue, allergies, rubbing or scratching your eyes, skin changes that happen with aging, sun exposure, and certain medications. Dark circles can also be a sign of an underlying health condition such as anemia, malabsorption syndromes, or poor thyroid function, although this is less common. The skin under the eyes is thin and sensitive, and as you age, it tends to sag and become thinner, making the blood vessels beneath your skin more visible, which can cause the area below your eyes to darken. Lack of sleep, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and stress can also contribute to dark circles under the eyes. Dark circles under the eyes are usually not a medical problem, but if you notice changes under just one eye that get worse over time, talk to a healthcare professional. Some self-care remedies that may help reduce the appearance of dark circles include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol and tobacco use, and using cosmetics to cover up dark circles.