Where Do Dark Circles Come From? Understanding the Causes and Solutions

Hi there! I’m from EFE Glasses, your trusted partner in eye health and stylish eyewear. At EFE Glasses, we believe good vision is more than just seeing clearly—it’s about looking confident and feeling your best every single day.

Over the years, many of our customers have reached out to us online, not only asking about lenses or frame styles but also sharing a common frustration:

“Why do I always have dark circles under my eyes?”

“Can my glasses make dark circles worse?”

Let’s clear up one major myth right away: wearing glasses does NOT cause dark circles. However, as a brand that cares deeply about your eye appearance and health, we completely understand how under-eye shadows can affect your confidence and overall look.

So today, we’re diving into what really causes dark circles under the eyes, why they appear, and most importantly, how to reduce them.

What Are Dark Circles, Exactly?

First things first—dark circles aren’t just a sign of tiredness. Medically speaking, they’re areas of darker pigmentation or visible shadows under your eyes. And not all dark circles are the same.

At EFE Glasses, we usually see three main types:

 Vascular Dark Circles

This type appears bluish or purplish and happens when blood vessels under the thin skin around your eyes become more visible. The skin here can be less than half a millimeter thick!

When you’re sleep-deprived, stressed, or spend long hours staring at screens, blood flow slows down and oxygen levels drop—causing darker coloration beneath the surface.

That’s why, after a late night or too much screen time, you might notice those infamous “raccoon eyes.”

Pigmented Dark Circles

These are usually brownish in tone and are caused by melanin buildup, the pigment responsible for your skin color. Common causes include:

• Frequent rubbing of the eyes (often due to allergies)

• Sun exposure without UV protection

• Inflammation or irritation

• Not removing eye makeup properly

At EFE Glasses, we’ve observed that people with darker skin tones tend to experience pigmented circles more often due to naturally higher melanin activity.

Structural or Shadow Dark Circles

Sometimes, dark circles aren’t about color at all—they’re about shadows. As we age, the skin loses collagen and elasticity, creating hollow areas known as tear troughs.

When light hits these hollows, it casts a shadow, giving the illusion of dark circles. That’s why they often look worse in certain lighting or from specific angles.

Why Do Dark Circles Form?

From years of hearing from customers at EFE Glasses, we’ve found there are several major causes of dark circles:

Lack of Sleep

No surprise here—insufficient sleep slows blood circulation and makes the skin paler, increasing contrast between skin tone and the darker vessels underneath.

Excessive Screen Time

Staring at phones or computers for hours causes eye strain, slows blood flow, and contributes to vascular dark circles. Our EFE anti-blue-light glasses can help reduce this strain and protect your delicate under-eye area.

Genetics

Some people are naturally more prone to dark circles due to inherited traits—like thinner skin, deeper tear troughs, or more visible veins. If your parents have dark circles, you might, too.

Allergies and Rubbing

Allergies often make your eyes itchy, and rubbing them only worsens the problem by damaging skin tissue and stimulating melanin production.

Aging

As collagen decreases with age, the skin becomes thinner and more translucent. At the same time, fat loss around the eyes creates hollows that cast shadows—making dark circles more noticeable.

Do Glasses Cause Dark Circles?

We get this question at EFE Glasses all the time. The answer is simple: no, glasses don’t cause dark circles.

However, certain frame shapes can cast shadows under your eyes depending on lighting, making existing circles look darker. On the flip side, choosing the right frame style can actually help draw attention away from that area.

For example, EFE’s lightweight, larger-frame designs can help balance facial proportions and subtly conceal under-eye shadows—while keeping your style sharp.

How to Reduce Dark Circles — EFE Glasses’ Expert Tips

At EFE Glasses, we care about your vision and your confidence. Here’s what we recommend to help minimize dark circles naturally:

Prioritize Sleep

Aim for 7–9 hours of quality rest each night. Good sleep restores circulation and helps reduce puffiness and darkness under your eyes.

Protect Against UV Rays

Sun exposure worsens pigmentation. Always wear UV-protection sunglasses, like those offered by EFE Glasses, to safeguard both your eyes and the delicate skin around them.

 Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes

If your eyes itch, use a cold compress or talk to a doctor instead of rubbing. Rubbing accelerates pigment formation and skin damage.

Use Cold Compresses

A quick and effective trick—cold compresses help constrict blood vessels, reducing the appearance of bluish vascular circles.

Keep Skin Hydrated

Dehydrated skin exaggerates darkness. Use eye creams with vitamin C, caffeine, or hyaluronic acid to brighten and plump up the area.

Choose Frames That Complement You

While glasses don’t cause dark circles, they can change how light hits your face. Frames with lighter rims or a more open lower edge, such as EFE’s minimalist series, can help brighten your look instantly.

EFE Glasses’ Commitment to Your Brightest Eyes

At EFE Glasses, we understand that dark circles aren’t just about appearance—they affect how you feel about yourself. That’s why our mission goes beyond vision correction: we help you protect your eyes, enhance your confidence, and look your best every day.

Dark circles are not the enemy—they’re signals from your body. Once you understand what causes them, you can take control with the right care, habits, and protection.

So whether your dark circles come from late nights, genetics, or digital stress, remember this: with better eye care and the right eyewear, you can always look—and feel—refreshed.

EFE Glasses: helping you see clearly, look radiant, and shine with confidence—inside and out.