Are My Dark Circles Just Genetic?

You’ve tried every eye cream. You sleep over 8 hours, ice your face, and follow the most viral under-eye hacks. But those dark circles? They’re still there. You may have heard someone, possibly even a doctor, say they’re just genetic. That you’ll always have them.

At some point, you started to believe it. You thought it was just your bone structure or that your skin was too thin. You felt helpless, thinking no cream or habit could ever fix it. You began to see those tired, shadowy circles as part of who you are and accepted that the only “real” solution was a needle.

But what if that’s not the whole story?

Here’s the truth no one tells you:

Dark circles and puffy under-eyes are multifactorial.

That means they’re not caused by just one thing. Not always genetics, not always lack of sleep, and not always hormones. When a problem has multiple causes, it also has multiple solutions.

Understanding Under-Eye Issues

Dark circles? Puffy eyes? Eye bags? Not all “under-eye issues” are the same, and not all of them require the same treatment.

• If you notice bluish or purple circles, it’s often due to thin skin and poor circulation, especially when you’re tired or stressed.

• Brown or grey circles usually indicate hyperpigmentation, often triggered by sun exposure, friction, or inflammation.

• A hollow or shadow under your eyes is often structural. It could be due to a lack of volume or tension pulling the skin inward.

• Waking up with puffy bags? This is usually caused by fluid retention or lymphatic stagnation, not permanent fat.

  
  

Understanding the specific issue is step one. The next step? Taking action. Naturally.

What Causes Under-Eye Shadows and Puffiness?

There is no one-size-fits-all. Here are the most common factors that might worsen your under-eye appearance:

1. Poor sleep and bad sleep posture

It’s not just about how long you sleep. The position matters too. If your head is too flat or twisted, it can slow lymphatic drainage, leaving you puffy by morning.

2. Chronic stress

High cortisol levels contribute to inflammation, poor circulation, and skin fragility. Even if you get enough sleep, stress may still show under your eyes.

3. Water retention from diet

Excess salt, sugar, or processed foods—especially at night—can lead to facial puffiness. Your eyes often show the effects first.

4. Hormonal fluctuations and conditions like PCOS

Hormones affect many aspects: from water retention to inflammation and pigmentation. If you notice increased puffiness pre-menstruation, this could be the reason.

5. Facial tension and poor posture

Tight jaws, clenched teeth, and tension in your cheeks restrict circulation around your eyes. Poor body posture can exacerbate this issue, creating persistent puffiness. If you're dealing with this, check out our Royal Posture Guide, which includes a 12-minute daily routine to address it.

6. Mouth breathing and nasal congestion

When your nose is blocked at night, or if you breathe through your mouth, lymphatic drainage becomes difficult. This results in swollen under-eyes each morning.

7. Harsh skincare or makeup removal

Aggressive rubbing, irritating ingredients, and sun protection neglect can all lead to skin irritation and darkening over time.

Solutions to Reduce Dark Circles and Puffiness

Let’s be clear: no cream will fix a system that’s stressed, stagnant, or inflamed. However, consistent and gentle strategies can significantly improve the appearance of your under-eyes.

- Elevate your sleep.

Sleeping poorly, or in the wrong position (like on your stomach), can impede lymphatic drainage. Consider adding an extra pillow to encourage better drainage overnight.

- Support your lymphatic system daily.

Using tools like Gua Sha or cold therapy can be beneficial as long as you're consistent and gentle. This is particularly effective when combined with techniques for addressing facial tension. (Look out for our upcoming Model Face Method launching May 30; it'll guide you through this step-by-step.)

- Try mouth taping at night.

Breathing through your mouth can reduce drainage and worsen puffiness. Transitioning to nasal breathing is vital for achieving a rested, sculpted appearance.

- Cut back on salty, sugary dinners.

You don’t have to completely eliminate these foods. Just reducing excess sodium and sugar in the evening can lead to less puffiness by morning.

- Release tension in your face.

Dark circles and puffiness often stem from deep, hidden tensions in muscles. Focus on areas like the suboccipitals, neck, jaw, and even shoulders. Releasing this tension can improve circulation and lymphatic flow to your face. This is central to our daily Royal Posture Routine. We also delve deeper in our upcoming Model Face Method with full-body release techniques and face-specific exercises.

- Use skincare products as supplementary support.

Ingredients like caffeine, niacinamide, peptides, and vitamin C can help strengthen and brighten the skin. However, this is only effective if your internal systems are balanced too.

The real glow is more than skin deep; it’s about your body’s workings beneath the surface. Aligning your sleep, posture, muscle tension, and internal flow can shift your facial appearance. Even areas you thought would never change can begin to respond.

xx

that grl