Fed up with stubborn dark circles under your eyes? Why it’s worth checking your liver health

Dark circles are instantly associated with poor sleep, excessive screen time or even tiredness. However, many other lesser-known triggers can lead to this unwanted pigmentation under your eyes.

“They usually happen because of a mix of reasons,” explains Dr Rupika Singh, founder and chief dermatologist at Akiya Aesthetics. One unexpected reason is your liver, which might be why you have those dark circles.

“When the liver is under stress or not functioning at its best, it can show up on the skin,” Dr Singh tells indianexpress.com. Since the liver is responsible for flushing toxins from the body, poor diet, alcohol intake, and lack of sleep, all of which may make the liver sluggish, may lead to dull, tired-looking skin, making the under-eye area appear darker.

However, the dermatologist clarifies that the liver is rarely the sole reason behind dark circles. “Most people with dark circles have a mix of reasons like genetics, fatigue, or dehydration along with internal causes.”

With age, as we lose collagen and fat around the eyes, the area starts to look hollow, and shadows become more noticeable (Image: Pexels)

But how can you differentiate between harmless dark circles and liver-related ones?

“It is not always easy to tell, but other signs like overall dullness, puffiness, or a yellowish skin tone often accompany liver-related dark circles. You may also notice tiredness, low energy, or mild digestive issues,” Dr Singh explains. On the contrary, typical dark circles are more localised and often respond well to good sleep, hydration, and under-eye care.

While Dr Singh confirms that lack of sleep, excess screen time, and frequent eye rubbing are very common factors, genetics might also play a major role. The under-eye skin is thinner, making veins and underlying pigmentation more visible.

Dehydration, low haemoglobin levels, sun exposure, allergies, and deep-set eyes are some other culprits. “With age, as we lose collagen and fat around the eyes, the area starts to look hollow, and shadows become more noticeable and in smokers, it can also appear way before,” Dr Singh adds.

Reducing dark circles starts with identifying the cause. Pigmentation-related dark circles may benefit from eye creams containing vitamin C, niacinamide, kojic acid, or caffeine.

“These ingredients help brighten and improve circulation,” Dr Singh notes. Similarly, hollowness may require dermatologist-led treatments such as fillers or PRP.

Meanwhile, lifestyle habits also remain essential, including proper sleep, hydration, sunscreen use, gentle under-eye care, light massage to improve circulation, and regular screen breaks. “If the darkness stays even after addressing these, it is best to get your blood work and liver function checked to rule out any internal reason,” the dermatologist cautions.

For persistent cases, laser treatments or mild chemical peels under professional supervision can offer visible improvement. As Dr Singh notes from her clinical experience, treatment for dark circles is often most effective when it addresses multiple causes together.