6 Ways I Minimize Dark Circles Without Makeup

I’ve had a nice pair of dark circles for as long as I can remember—and after years spent searching (and buying) concealer or foundation to make them disappear I’ve decided to embrace my under-eyes’ slight shadow. After all, you just need to know how to make the most of them—or at least know how to wear them the right way. Instead of masking the appearance of discoloration, the trick is to keep this area well-hydrated and supple.

Like many of skin’s concerns, treating dark circles is complex. “There is currently not one universally effective treatment for under eye circles,” as Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist previously explained. Getting real results requires a bit of strategy. Ahead, a few tips to minimize dark circles at home, from my own experience. These are small habits to incorporate into your daily life—they don’t require major changes or upheavals, just a little extra attention to the choices you make—but they can work in favor of your skin and its health.

The first good daily habit to minimize dark circles without makeup is to stay properly hydrated. Simply put, you need to drink plenty of fluids, because when the body isn’t well-hydrated, the skin under the eyes—which is thinner—can appear dull, darker, and sunken. This is a good habit that benefits the entire body and helps keep your skin firm and hydrated.

Diet is also important—make sure to include foods rich in iron, vitamins K, C, and B12 in your daily meals. Think: leafy green vegetables (spinach, lettuce, Swiss chard, etc.), nuts, citrus fruits, lentils, as well as eggs and fish. A look at what each ingredient does, below.

How much—and how well—you sleep is also important if you want to reduce dark circles. Ideally, you should get the standard eight hours of sleep per night, avoid using screens (computers, smartphones, tablets) for at least one hour before bedtime, and try to sleep in a dark, cool room. Your sleeping position is also important; for example, for those who can manage it, sleeping on your back with your head slightly elevated is a excellent for your skin, and helps prevent fluid from pooling under your eyes. It’s a small adjustment that helps reduce puffiness and dark circles.

Finally, I didn’t believe it until I tried it myself: sleeping on a silk pillowcase is the beauty touch you don’t realize you want until you look in the mirror the next morning. This fabric not only protects your hair but is also good for your skin: it improves skin texture, minimizes pores, prevents wrinkles, keeps the skin well-hydrated, plump, and smooth—and, as a result, doesn’t accentuate dark circles but actually helps to reduce them.

In order to really minimize dark circles, pay close attention to the composition of your favorite skin-care products. You don’t need to completely change your habits, but rather choose the right ingredients to help that area stay healthy. In this case, eye cream and eye patches are absolute must-haves for caring for the eye area. Of course, the choice of product also depends on the type of dark circles and their color.

In my case, since my dark circles aren’t too pronounced, I use peptide, ectoin, and hyaluronic acid-rich eye creams to reduce signs of fatigue, puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. Generally speaking, however, it’s best to choose an eye cream based on the appearance of your dark circles:

Applying moisturizer and refreshing eye patches—made of fabric, silicone, or hydrogel—can also be an excellent way to minimize dark circles. This is a quick fix to leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, whether before heading out or as a little pampering treat during your evening skincare routine. To enhance the effect, we recommend using them in combination with a jade roller, which helps the active ingredients in the patches penetrate the skin more effectively while also providing the roller’s draining action.

And, of course, choose the eye patches based on their ingredients—such as vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine—as well as aloe vera or cucumber if you’re looking for a boost of freshness and hydration.

Finally, a crucial step in your regimen that helps minimize dark circles is using sunscreen. As it happens, under-eyes not protected can worsen in sunlight, which contributes to skin hyperpigmentation and the formation of dark spots. To protect this area, choose an eye cream with built-in SPF—no less than SPF 30—or a specialized product suitable for this sensitive area of your face.

What’s more, when your facial skin takes on that beautiful, golden summer glow, dark circles tend to blend in more with the rest of your face and fade almost naturally. And that’s yet another good reason to protect this area well and safely enjoy a few rays of sunshine.

Finally, wearing sunglasses with UV protection goes a long way toward keeping this part of your face well-protected and healthy. Not to mention that a nice pair of sunglasses—especially this season—almost automatically completes any look.