If you’ve ever noticed, doctors check your eyes when testing for an iron deficiency, you should know that the eyes and the skin around them can reveal a lot. In fact, studies show that your dark circles are most likely caused by an iron deficiency.

But why exactly does this happen? Let’s understand

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.

Iron in the blood is closely linked to the production of haemoglobin, the compound responsible for transportation of oxygen to the body’s tissues. Low blood iron or anaemia directly impacts haemoglobin and hampers the delivery of oxygenated blood to the body. This causes melanin — the pigment that gives skin its color — to go into overproduction. Since the skin under the eyes is extremely sensitive, the pigmentation shows up here first.  

How to combat dark circles?

Combating dark circles caused by an iron deficiency requires a pronged approach of lifestyle changes, nutritional changes as well as changes to the skincare routine by using high-science formulas that have been clinically proven to combat dark circles. 

If you have a history of low blood iron, it is advised to take the help of a physician and nutritionist to ensure you’re consuming enough iron. In addition to that you want to use an expert-back formula that contains a combination of niacinamide, polypeptide*1, retinol and retinyl propionate, and bio saccharide gum to effectively combat the appearance of dark circles.

Niacinamide has been proven to inhibit transfer of Melanosomes from Melanocytes to Keratinocytes, which lead to a reduction in pigmentation.

Alongside this, Retinol, retinyl propionate, and polypeptide*1 — which consists of 1% Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 & Palmitoyl tripeptipde-7 — help boost collagen production, resulting in firmer, thicker skin with reduced fine lines and wrinkles. And finally, bio saccharide gum helps in soothing the skin and boosting reconstruction.

While iron supplements and lifestyle changes will help combat the issue from the inside out, the long-term solution lies with these clinically proven skincare solutions. Not only will it help you heal your skin but also help in reducing the appearance of dark circles.

Key Takeaways

Iron deficiency is the leading cause of dark circles and while it requires you to work on your nutrition and lifestyle, once your dark circles appear, it’s not possible to get rid of them just through these changes. A wise idea is to consult a dermatologist and start incorporating expert-backed solutions that have been proven to reduce pigmentation around the eyes in your routine.