Dark under-eye circles

• Why they happen:

• Blood leaks out of small, burst blood vessels, creating a bruise-like appearance.
  
• Rubbing or scratching your eyes can make blood vessels more likely to burst, cautions Francesca Fusco, M.D., dermatology professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in Allure.
  
• People with darker complexions have more melanin — the pigment that gives skin its color — so they’re more likely to have dark circles than lighter-skinned people.
  
• Fluid pooling around your eyes may be to blame, particularly if you suffer from allergies or sinus infections.
  
• Not getting enough sleep can contribute to dark circles because it affects blood flow, explains dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., on Yahoo! Health.
• How to fix them:
• Use a treatment with retinol and vitamin K, also known as phytonadione, suggests Dr. Baumann. A great choice is Quintessence Clarifying Under Eye Serum.
  
• Fight back with hydroquinone. It inhibits melanin production, especially in dark-skinned or Mediterranean women, Neil Sadick, M.D., dermatology professor at Weill-Cornell School of Medicine, tells Allure. Abella Enliten Skin Bleaching Cream contains 2 percent hydroquinone to reduce melanin production, and is safe to use on dark under-eye circles. Note, however, that not all bleaching creams are safe to use around the eyes.
  
• Try an eye cream with caffeine to minimize swelling or puffiness associated with dark circles. SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex also contains natural peptides and plant extracts, which may strengthen blood vessels to prevent blood from leaking out and pooling.
  
• Cut down on alcohol and salt.
  
• Take an oral antihistamine if you have allergies. But check with your doctor first before taking any medications. He or she may also recommend prescription allergy medication.

Dryness

• Why it happens:

• Moisture loss is to blame. It’s especially problematic in the winter, with cold, dry weather outdoors and turned-up heaters indoors. Because skin around the eyes is very thin, it’s unable to hold in much moisture, so this area is prone to drying out easily, celebrity stylist David Evangelista tells CBS News.

• How to fix it:

• Apply rich eye cream with humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin. They enable skin to retain moisture better. You’ll find both of these ingredients in Pevonia Evolutive Eye Cream.
  
• Run a humidifier indoors to put moisture back into the air.
  
• Bundle up outdoors with hats, sunglasses or ski goggles. They help protect your eyes from frigid temperatures and strong wind that can cause dryness.

Lines and wrinkles

• Why they happen:

• Facial expressions repeated over time etch lines and wrinkles around our eyes. These lines are often referred to as “crow’s feet.” Such expressions include smiling, frowning or squinting.
  
• Smoke, UV rays, pollution and other environmental factors.

• How to fix them:

• Use an eye cream containing peptides, like BABOR Sensational Eye Cream, or zinc, such as Ole Henriksen Fresh Start Eye Cream, advises Dr. Baumann. Peptides stimulate collagen formation to fill in fine lines and wrinkles. Zinc can raise elastin production to improve skin’s texture.
  
• Keep your prescription current if you wear glasses or contacts. Wearing the wrong prescription will make you squint as you strain to see, contributing to lines. Wear sunglasses for protection against harmful UV rays, too.
  
• Apply sunscreen. We often forget that the sun can also age the eye area. In fact, “There isn’t as much collagen and elastin there to begin with, which means once you start acquiring some sun damage, it’s one of the first areas on the face to wrinkle,” dermatologist David E. Bank, M.D., tells Glamour. Slather on sunscreen daily with SPF 15 (or SPF 30 for prolonged use). Be sure it doesn’t irritate the eyes. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Eye Moisture Cream SPF 15 shields the eyes with broad-spectrum protection without causing irritation. Plus, it plumps lines and wrinkles and hydrates the skin for a smoother appearance.
  
• Look for an eye cream packed with antioxidants — such as coffeeberry, green tea or grape seed extract — which can make skin less sensitive to the sun, according to Glamour. The magazine recommends Priori CoffeeBerry Radiance Eye Serum, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles, tightens and brightens the eye area and diminishes darkness and puffiness.
  

Loose, sagging skin

• Why it happens:

• Continually rubbing the skin around your eyes using a lot of pressure can break down components that keep skin firm. Remember, this skin is very thin and fragile, so it’s prone to damage.

• How to fix it:

• Use a one-two punch with an eye cream containing peptides and retinol, like Jan Marini Age Intervention Eye Cream.

Puffy eyes

• Why they happen:
  
• Fluids accumulate while we sleep, building up under our eyes and causing puffiness when we wake up in the morning. This is lymph fluid, which is “clear fluid that removes waste from the cells and helps prevent disease and infection,” writes Dr. Baumann on Yahoo! Health. Lymph fluid is produced in organs and tissues, and travels via lymph vessels throughout the body.
  
• A diet high in salt or alcohol.
  
• Genetics.
  
• Poor sleep.

• How to fix them:

• Look for eye creams with caffeine, which constricts blood vessels to help push out built-up fluid. Perricone MD Advanced Eye Area Therapy features caffeine plus a bevy of vitamins to diminish the look of puffiness and swelling.
  
• Apply teabags to puffy lids. Tea contains beneficial ingredients, and even the pressure of the teabag itself is helpful. “The caffeine constricts the blood vessels, the tannins reduce inflammation and the pressure tamps down the puff,” writes Sarah Van Boven in Allure.
  
• Try cool compresses, cucumber slices or bags of frozen veggies — the cold temperature reduces swelling.
  
• Give your eyes a mini-massage to stimulate lymph flow. Writes Dr. Baumann, gently apply eye lotion or cream “starting from the outer corner of the lower lid” and move “toward your nose.” In fact, this massaging motion is the major premise behind some new roller balls, eye pods and other devices designed to reduce puffiness.
  
• Hydrate your body. Although it might seem contradictory, drinking water actually combats water retention and under-eye puffiness by flushing out your system.
  
• Take deep breaths and exercise to get the lymph flowing.
  
• Reduce your salt intake.
  
• Prop your head up on extra pillows overnight to prevent fluid accumulation.

So before you start picking out an eye cream, be sure to identify your concerns first. Fortunately, whether you’re struggling with bags, dryness, puffiness or crow’s feet, you can find a specialized solution. And remember that while an effective eye cream is key, your habits also matter. Getting enough sleep, attending to your allergies, cutting down on sodium, cutting out smoking, wearing sunscreen and leading a healthy lifestyle also work wonders!

Learn everything you need to know about anti-aging skincare in our Anti-Aging Handbook.