DD (13) in tears again this morning because of her dark circles under eyes

[OccamsLadyshave]

I know teens this age often get obsessed about one aspect of their appearance that they hate, but it's the second morning this week that she's been in tears about this.

She does have very noticeable dark circles under her eyes. I have the same problem and so does my dad, so it's clearly hereditary.

I just wondered if anyone could recommend any diet / lifestyle changes that might help, or any better treatment that would get rid of them properly. She's not meant to wear make up at school but a good quality concealer might not be a problem.

[ActionManEyes]

I've had this problem all my life. Am resigned to concealer now (Collection 2000 one is cheap and brilliant, I discovered it thanks to MN).

It does get worse when I'm low on iron; when the circles take on an almost bruised look I know it's time to buy some Spatone and eat steaks!

[cressetmama]

Is she drinking enough water and getting enough sleep? The difference between DS after 10 hours sleep and eight hours is like Jekyll and Hyde!

[kelda]

Do any of you have allergies?

[clairewitchproject]

Food allergies can cause dark circles - wheat and dairy being most common. Maybe she could try a two week elimination of each food in turn and see if it makes any difference (usual disclaimers about need for balanced diet etc)

[hellsbellsmelons]

Oh bless her.
I have these as does my dad.
I wear glasses and this helps to hide them nicely!
Would she consider that?
It's amazing what they hide.
But at 13 will she be called 4 eyes etc...?

[AnnieLobeseder]

I've had this all my life too, and the Garnier under-eye pens have been working wonders for me. It's a concealer that really doesn't show once it has "soaked in" so should be okay for school.

[Nabootique]

Water and Eyesilix cream, and maybe a concealer in the meantime. I've been using Pixi eye primer as an under eye concealer.Really brightening, easy to apply and blend. It's rubbish being a teen. I had horrible acne at that age and used to try and avoid school because of the bullying. Hope she feels better.

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

Touché éclat? I've heard aldi do a v chap version if this.

I wore concealer and clear mascara from about 12 because of this. At that age, it's important to feel confident. If I don't wear any concealer, people immediately ask if I'm ill/worn out.

[Pantone363]

Depending on money situation, get her to Laura Mercier. Their eye concealer combined with eye brightening powder (it sets the concealer) is AMAZING.

Possibly some benefit high beam on the cheekbones and they'll be barely noticeable.

Products are £££, BUT they last for so long. I've had my tub of brightening powder over 6 months and there is loads left. High beam lasts really long as well.

Plus its not makeup makeup so shouldn't be any problem with school rules.

[Pantone363]

Really feel for her, being a teenage girl is the pits. You sound like a good mum though!

[seaoflove]

I'm fair skinned and have never got rid of mine. It's just one of those things.

All you need is a bit of concealer. Anything from Rimmel (the one that looks like a lipstick) to Benefit Boi-ing has worked pretty well for me in the past.

[MsTwankeyToYou]

Would she try having a veg-based smoothie for breakfast every day? (My usual one is: 1 cup boiling water, 2 handfuls chopped kale, 1 handful chopped celery, 1 handful chopped carrot, 1 handful chopped Bramley apple, 1 inch peeled ginger. A few times a week, I swap the ginger for mint leaves and kiwi or pineapple, for a change.) That, combined with lots of water and less refined sugar, seems to have helped mine (although it wasn't the reason I changed my diet).

There's a trick for coverage: tinted moisturiser (No7 is good), then a thin layer of orange lipstick applied to the dark areas with a clean finger, then Benefit Boi-ing applied thinly with a soft brush. Light dusting of face powder to set. Use waterproof mascara, or it's likely to smudge over the course of the day and contribute to the darkness.

[MsTwankeyToYou]

Sorry, should just clarify - the tinted moisturiser and finishing powder are for the whole face, the lipstick and concealer are just for the dark circles.

[specialsubject]

is she getting bullied at school because of this? Teens can be little shits about appearance.

she has thin skin under her eyes and blood vessels running close to the surface. Nothing that she eats will change that provided that she eats a decent diet.

beyond the obvious of eating properly and getting enough sleep, it's a bit of makeup or learn to live with a healthy functioning body. Which I realise is not easy at 13.

[PrimalLass]

Wheat gives me and DD (age 6) dark streaks under our eyes. Someone once asked if I'd been punched

I don't eat it now.

[OccamsLadyshave]

Thanks so much for all this. I'll have another really careful read through and maybe take her to the big Boots this weekend to try a few options.

Re getting bullied - I'm not sure but that's what I'm worried about. She says it's "friends" who comment on it, so I don't know if it's bullying or her being sensitive to it being pointed and no harm being meant. Who'd be a 13 yo?!

I think improvements could be made to her diet. She has a balanced evening meal, but she's hopeless at eating breakfast and school lunches are mainly junk. She's having a massive growth spurt at the moment, no periods yet but I think it could be any day (although I've been saying that for 2 years!) She's going through a real hollow legs phase and is permanently hungry, but still really skinny. I made her some flapjacks yesterday to try to stop her just eating sweets and crisps. She eats far too much sugar imo but no caffeine (or alcohol I hope!) and I know they are the things that affect me the most.

There's absolutely no way she'd contemplate a kale smoothie though!

[MrsGSR]

If money is an issue, [[http://www.muastore.co.uk/pro-base-prime-conceal-palette this] is only £4 from Superdrug.

I've got bad circles which appeared when I was pregnant. Normal concealer seemed to make it more obvious but after playing around with the different colours on this, I can hide them really well.

[MrsGSR]

Oops, this

[scotswoman]

I've been meaning to post about this for ages! I get dark circles/bags under my eyes and agree with the person who mentioned iron, when I'm bad at taking supplements they definitely get worse, lack of sleep also makes mine worse but I think that's one thing we all know already!

However I came across this video on lymphatic facial massage a year or two ago and did it out of interest, it's supposed to be for when you have a cold type feeling or are a bit blocked up but it makes a marked improvement to my under eye area! At first I thought it was a coincidence or I was imagining it but after trying a few times I know if absolutely helps mine. They don't go away but they are so much better so also easier to conceal. Certainly worth a try.

[highlighta]

OP, just a thought. If the dark circles have always been there, and it isn't related to allergies or diet, maybe it is just upsetting her now due to her hormones being all over the show. I remember that in the 6 months prior to dd starting her periods (she was only 10 ), if you just looked at her sideways she would burst into tears and get upset at a drop of a hat.

Does she have sinus problems at all? My dd does have rings under her eyes but she also had sinus issues. I know when they are flaring up as i see it straight away in her eyes.

I would consider concealer though.

[OccamsLadyshave]

Well she has allergies - pets, dust, pollen etc. They can result in really puffy red eyes, and she does have a permanent cold at the moment, but the dark circles have always been there and you're right this is definitely a sensitivity issue rather than the circles getting worse.

I think they are better in the summer months when she's got a bit more colour and is outdoors more.

Maybe a half term holiday to the Caribbean is the only solution!

[toffeeboffin]

Nothing really helpful to add but reading with interest as I have the same problem. I'm sure your daughter isn't a coffee drinker yet but I think les caffeine helps.

[MakeMeWarmThisWinter]

I think lots of red meat and water and sleep will help - she is probably low on iron, lots of young women are. A good daily multivitamin with iron in it might help - even if it doesn't help the dark circles it will help her general health and mood, especially if it contains B vits. Can she cut sugar right down? Even try for a week to see if she feels better.

My favourite undereye concealer is the Collection one from Boots - it's about £2 and is perfect. Doesn't clag up at all, manages to tone down circles without being visible, even with no foundation on top. This one

[MakeMeWarmThisWinter]

Or yes a holiday to the Caribbean would definitely help!

[OccamsLadyshave]

At least compared to a week in the sun, even Touche Eclat seems fairly affordable!