Vascular dark circles and pigmented dark circles: identify your type of dark circles for the best course of action.


"Oh, you look tired, didn't you sleep well?" I you sleep like a baby yet regularly hear this phrase, it's probably down to your dark circles.

Getting rid of your dark circles is not easy. There are actually several types of dark circles. This means that there are different solutions for different types.

What are the different types and causes of dark circles?

The result of various factors, dark circles are a very common beauty problem among women in particular. They appear as a darker color and/or puffiness around the lower eyelid. We often talk about tiredness or stress, but these are not the only causes of dark circles.

Vascular dark circles are due to poor microcirculation of the blood and lymphatic liquid around the eye. Lymph ensures that blood drains and circulates properly, as well as nourishing skin tissue. If the lymphatic system is disrupted, it no longer eliminates pigments in the blood properly. These will then build up to accumulate under the thinnest layers of the skin. This malfunction is increasingly common with age, or, as we know, if we are tired or stressed.

Pigmentary or pigmented dark circles are the result of an overproduction or poor distribution of melanin which is responsible for the color of the skin. As the epidermis and dermis are very thin around the eyes, any excess pigments are very visible. Dark circles tend to occur more often in people with dark or mixed-race skin.


How to recognize them

Vascular dark circles or pigmented dark circles? It's hard to tell the difference. And yet it's important to differentiate them so you can deal with them! So here's a little tip for identifying your type of dark circle:

With your face free of make-up, gently pull your lower eyelid to the side to bring out the color.

-       If your dark circle is more of a blue/purple color, it is a vascular dark circle cause by the congestion of the lymphatic and vascular vessels.

-       If it is a dark brown/black color, this is due to a localized build-up of pigments, meaning that it is a pigmented dark circle.

Vascular circles vs pigmented circles

Choose the right product to suit the type of dark circle

It's great that you've identified the type of dark circle, but that's just the first step. Next you need to choose the right products for the problem.


-       Vascular dark circles

Cebelia has developed and innovative 2-in-1 product to fight vascular dark circles. Doubling as skincare and make-up, LCE Regard contains active ingredients that help reduce puffiness (aescin and blackcurrant extract, as well as a patented Cebeline active ingredient) to treat the color and volume of the dark circles and cover them with pigments to even out the eye area. As an added bonus, LCE Regard also works on the fine lines around the eyes!

-       Pigmented dark circles

If you want to see the back of your pigmented dark circles, you'll need a specific depigmenting product. Cebelia's latest patented innovation Eye Brightening contains powerful depigmenting active ingredients such as Vitamin C and Vitamin B3, combined with the patented active ingredient Pekaline which disrupts the melanin production process at each maturing stage to regulate pigmentation and reduce the existing color on the surface of the skin.

It has a refreshing applicator tip making it easy to apply. Use small circular movements from the inside of the eye towards the outside.


Further advice

A healthy lifestyle and taking care of your eyes are important in helping prevent dark circles from appearing. Spending hours in front of a computer or mobile phone screen, pollution, climate, bright light, stress and fatigue can all accentuate your dark circles and dull your complexion.

Always make sure you thoroughly remove all your make-up. Using oil, lotion or micellar water, slowly cleanse away the impurities that build up on your skin and around your eyes.

Don't forget to also massage the eye area to activate blood and lymph circulation. Press lightly on the inner corner of the eye, smooth the lower eyelid and slowly relax your muscles and skin. Are you interested in massage techniques? Find out more here.


In addition, we also recommend applying Cebelia LCE Balm every evening before bedtime. Its helps break down bruises and puffiness to boost micro-circulation, whilst reducing the color and volume of dark circles. With the same formula as LCE Regard, this non-pigmented balm is applied in small quantities for an invisible, non-greasy finish. Perfect for an effective dark circles routine!

Expert advices



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