Does tanning help to conceal dark circles?

Between a sun-kissed complexion, a radiant glow, and a moment of relaxation, the benefits of a tanning session are numerous. However, be careful to always protect yourself from UV rays when you expose yourself to the sun by generously applying broad-spectrum sunscreen beforehand on all parts of the body directly exposed to UV rays.

When we tan, our skin pigments due to the synthesis of melanin and takes on a darker hue. At first glance, one might think that this process allows us to even out the colour of our skin, particularly around our eye contour, and thus to camouflage our dark circles. In fact, the effects of tanning on dark circles largely depend on their type.

Often of genetic origin, brown dark circles are the result of melanin accumulation around the eye contour. The skin in this area is very thin (about 4 to 5 times more than the rest of the face), which facilitates the penetration of the sun's UV rays. Upon entering the epidermis, these rays stimulate melanogenesis, thus contributing to the brown colouration of dark circles. Therefore, tanning tends to exacerbate pigmented dark circles rather than diminish them.

The bluish dark circles form as a result of a slowdown in blood and lymphatic circulation. The blood pigments transported by these routes then accumulate at the level of the lower eyelid and are poorly evacuated, which gives a blue-purple colour. Tanning provides a brown colouration to the skin which, in the case of vascular dark circles, helps to camouflage them. Indeed, the brown slightly counterbalances the blue of the dark circle in order to unify the complexion.

Hollow under-eye circles naturally form over time, as the supporting fibres of the dermis weaken. This weakening, coupled with gravity, leads to the sagging of fat cells and the appearance of a shadow under the eyes. Tanning does not help to conceal this type of under-eye circles, which are more characterised by a structural change than a colour change. Moreover, exposure to UV rays promotes hollow under-eye circles by damaging the fibres of the dermis and accelerating skin ageing.

Tanning thus appears to be a rather uncertain and limited method for concealing dark circles, in addition to being dangerous for skin health. If you wish to effectively mask them, we instead recommend that you turn towards a tinted product such as a concealer.

At Typology, we offer a 2-in-1 product that provides instant visual correction and helps to reduce dark circles over time. Our tinted under-eye concealer comes in six shades and offers a natural finish. It is enriched with caffeine and cornflower hydrosol (INCI: Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water), ingredients that have a draining and decongesting effect and help to improve microcirculation.