Bluish Dark Circles: Causes, Lifestyle Factors, and How to Improve Blood Circulation
Why Do Bluish Dark Circles Make You Look Older?
As mentioned in the previous article, dark circles under the eyes have different causes depending on their color. Lack of sleep is not the only reason.
Bluish dark circles (vascular dark circles) appear when blood circulation becomes poor. This article explains why they make you look tired or older, and how to improve them.
What Are Bluish Dark Circles?
Bluish dark circles have a blue or purple tone.
The skin around the eyes is very thin and has many tiny blood vessels.
When blood flow slows down, dark venous blood becomes visible through the skin, creating a bluish shadow. This is why bluish dark circles often give a tired or aged impression.
Main Causes of Bluish Dark Circles
The root cause is poor blood circulation.
Several factors can make circulation worse.
Lifestyle Factors That Reduce Blood Flow
- Cold sensitivity or anemia
- Lack of sleep, which causes fatigue and slows circulation
- Smoking, which narrows blood vessels
- Stress, which activates the sympathetic nervous system and tightens blood vessels
Stress also lowers body temperature, which further reduces blood flow and makes dark circles more noticeable.
Structural Factors Around the Eyes
The skin under the eyes is naturally thin.
People with fair skin or thinner skin tend to show bluish dark circles more easily.
This is not something to give up on. Improving circulation through daily habits can make a visible difference, even gradually.
Self-Check: Are You Prone to Bluish Dark Circles?
You may be more likely to have bluish dark circles if you:
- Feel cold easily or have anemia
- Often have headaches related to poor circulation
- Have thin, fair skin
- Notice darker circles in winter
How to Improve Bluish Dark Circles
The key point is simple: improve blood circulation throughout the body, not just around the eyes.
Inner Care: Improve Circulation from Within
- Take warm baths instead of only showering
- Increase overall metabolism with light exercise or stretching
- Breathing methods:
There are many types of breathing, and any method that feels comfortable and warms your body is fine.
I focus on the area around the solar plexus , inhale through the nose, and exhale through the mouth for more than twice as long, fully breathing out with the image of the navel and back drawing closer together. - Get quality sleep to support recovery and balance the nervous system
Outer Care: Gentle Eye Care
- Warm the eye area with a warm towel to improve blood flow
- Use gentle massage or acupressure when applying eye cream
(Avoid rubbing the skin too hard.)
Dietary Support for Bluish Dark Circles
Nutrition is the foundation of improvement. Focus on iron, vitamin E, and biotin.
- Iron (heme iron): supports oxygen delivery
Foods: tuna, bonito, liver, lean red meat - Vitamin E: improves circulation
Foods: avocado, nuts, pumpkin - Biotin (Vitamin B7): supports skin health and metabolism
Foods: mushrooms, liver, egg yolk, soy products
Important Points
- Eat eggs cooked, not raw. Raw egg whites contain avidin, which blocks biotin absorption.
- Support gut health, as biotin is also produced by gut bacteria. Eat fermented foods and fiber regularly.
- Avoid excess intake at once; small, consistent intake is most effective.
Summary: The Most Important Point
Improving bluish dark circles does not start with special cosmetics.
It starts with improving circulation throughout the entire body by adjusting daily habits and diet.
Do not focus only on the eyes.
With steady care and patience, a healthier and brighter eye area is achievable.
Next article: the most common type after your 40s — black dark circles caused by sagging.