Dark Circles: 3 Common Types and Their Causes

Dark circles are one of the most familiar skincare concerns, most people have experienced them at least once.

On particularly tired days, or when someone comments, “You look a bit exhausted today,” many of us instinctively check the area under our eyes first.

Although “dark circles” is a widely recognized term, the causes and types of dark circles are not as simple as they seem.

A useful analogy is headaches:

• A headache from lack of sleep is managed differently than one caused by stress or tension.

• Similarly, dark circles require different care depending on their underlying cause and type.

For this reason, instead of treating dark circles as a single symptom, it’s helpful to categorize them into three representative types, each with its own management approach.

① Dark Brown or Grayish Dark Circles?

[Pigmentation-Type Dark Circles]

Pigmentation-type dark circles occur when melanin production increases in the under-eye skin, causing the area to appear darker in brown or gray tones.

Common causes include:

• Frequent rubbing or touching of the eyes

• Repeated UV exposure

These repeated stimuli can activate melanocytes, leading to localized hyperpigmentation (Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, PIH).

Unlike shadows or structural issues, this type of dark circle is primarily due to the skin’s color itself becoming darker.

② Bluish or purplish Dark Circles?

[Blood vessel-type dark circles]

Blood vessel-type dark circles occur when the skin and subcutaneous fat under the eyes are thin, allowing the veins or vascular structures to show through, giving a bluish or purplish appearance.

They tend to become more noticeable when you’re tired, sleep-deprived, or experiencing blood flow congestion (venous stasis) due to nasal congestion (rhinitis), allergies, or under-eye puffiness.

• They appear darker or lighter depending on your condition

• Puffy in the morning, darker in the evening

• Difficult to conceal the bluish tone with makeup

This type of dark circle is influenced more by skin thickness and blood flow (congestion) than by pigmentation.

③ Shadow-like Undereye?

Structural dark circles are not caused by skin pigmentation or visible blood vessels. Instead, they appear due to hollows under the eyes and changes in facial structure, creating natural shadows that make the area look darker.

Common examples include:

• Tear trough (nasojugal groove)

• Palpebromalar groove (under-eye to midface boundary)

• Areas with excessive under-eye fat protrusion

Even if there’s little change in skin color, shadows from these structural features can emphasize dark circles.

Key characteristics:

• Appearance changes depending on lighting and angles

• Hard to fully cover with makeup

• Often gives a “tired” impression

This type of dark circle is more about facial structure and shading than skin tone.

Why Dark Circle Treatments Must Be Tailored

In reality, these three types of dark circles rarely appear in isolation.

They often overlap, meaning one person’s under-eye area may show signs of pigmentation, vascular issues, and structural shadows simultaneously.

This is why a method that works for someone else, like a friend’s recommendation or an SNS review, may not produce the same results for you.

The key point is that treatment and management should be personalized according to each individual’s dark circle type and condition.

In upcoming articles about dark circles, we will cover:

• Specific management points for each type

• Available treatment options and how to choose the right one

If you have any questions while reading, feel free to leave a comment.

Thank you for reading this long post all the way through!

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