The vascular dark circles are marked by purple to bluish pigmentation of varying intensity on the lower eyelid. This phenomenon reflects a failure of blood and lymph microcirculation in the fragile peri-orbital area. Indeed, the peri-orbital skin is extremely thin – often under 0.5 mm – and low in adipose tissue, making underlying vessels easily visible. When blood flow slows or is disrupted, pigments, mainly bilirubin and haemoglobin derivatives such as biliverdin, accumulate beneath the eyes. Poor drainage gives vascular dark circles their characteristic blue-violet hue. These pigment deposits result from incomplete degradation of red blood cells that escape fragile microvessels, a process sometimes worsened by innate capillary fragility. At the same time, insufficient lymphatic drainage prevents effective elimination of these pigments, exacerbating their buildup in the subcutaneous tissues
This type of dark circles is particularly common in individuals with fair or thin skin, as this skin permits vessel visibility. Heredity also plays a role in bluish dark circles: some individuals are born with a pronounced vascular network or translucent skin around the eyes. Ageing accentuates vascular dark circles since skin thins and vascular tone decreases, which worsens blood stasis and increases vessel visibility. In some people, hormonal fluctuations such as those linked to the menstrual cycle or pregnancy may promote periorbital venous congestion, temporarily intensifying bluish dark circles.
In addition to these intrinsic factors, several lifestyle-related factors contribute to exacerbating dark circles, such as sleep deprivation, which disrupts venous return and promotes capillary dilation; smoking, which impairs microcirculation and increases oxidative stress; alcohol consumption, which causes transient vasodilation; and repeated screen exposure, which promotes venous congestion.
Bluish under-eye circles can be reduced by acting on both lifestyle factors (restorative sleep, reducing stimulants...), through certain cosmetic actives (caffeine, Helichrysum italicum essential oil...) and, if necessary, by using aesthetic medicine techniques (laser, carboxytherapy, radiofrequency...).