Dealing with the Dark Under Eyes Pregnancy Can Cause

Ah, pregnancy. The bringing in of new life. The growing nourishment of an infant. The magical wonder of change. Aaand some seriously weird body stuff...

That’s right: as gorgeous and lovely as being pregnant is, if you’re expecting, you better expect some pretty major bodily shifts.

Yep, there’s the hair loss, stretch marks, morning sickness, seriously itchy skin, and backaches (just… keep… thinking… about the cute baby at the end).

When you’re pregnant, you might also notice some seriously dark circles pop up under your eyes.

If you’re living with dark circles under eyes during pregnancy, here are some of our favourite products and tips to help.

Check out the video below as Dr Michelle Rodrigues takes us through everything we need to know about pregnancy skincare.

How to Remove Dark Circles in Pregnancy.

To help remove dark circles during pregnancy, it’s a good idea to switch up your skincare routine a bit.

As hormones take over your body and your priority shifts to keeping you and your baby safe, you might want to swap out some of your usual products for pregnancy-safe options.

There are a lot of chemical ingredients you should skip when you’re preggers! Explore our comprehensive list of questionable pregnancy products so you know what’s what.

While you might not be able to completely erase your dark pregnancy circles forever, you CAN bring your skin back into balance with a solid and safe routine.

Gentle exercise, winding down before bed, and picking up some new products for your skin (we’ve listed some great options below) will keep you feeling healthy and fresh.

Psst, These Are the Best Products for Dark Pregnancy Circles...

• With an impressive 10% Vitamin C, this formula helps firm and brighten skin that’s looking a little lacklustre. Offering all the benefits of the original serum in a featherlight gel, this blend features many antioxidant ingredients to help prevent environmental damage from showing up on your skin. The 2% Phloretin and 0.5% Ferulic Acid penetrate instantly along with the Vitamin C to help (almost) eliminate fine lines, dark spots, and shadows.

• Changing your skincare routine while you're pregnant can be confusing. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel helps keep things crystal-clear. As your hormones kick off and the changes show up, this gel serum is safe to use and helps leave skin looking fresh, radiant, and clear. Suitable for all skin types, the formula leaves behind a smooth, protective barrier when it dries, so environmental aggressors are deterred. Apply this formula every morning for best results.

• Keeping your skin hydrated and well-rested is vital when you’re preggers. This cream replenishes the skin with moisture and revitalises its appearance. Helping to soften the appearance of fine lines and frustrating wrinkles, this moisturiser works to improve your overall skin tone. Made without sulphates, animal products, synthetic colours, or ingredients, this formula sinks deep into the skin for optimal results.

• Taking care of your dark circles when you’re pregnant can be tricky. It’s all about easing off the harsh chemicals and learning to rest when your body needs it. KORA Organics - Hydrating Moisturiser won’t directly remove your dark shadows, but it will help keep your skin looking soft, supple, and healthy. Perfect for anyone with dry or normal-to-dry skin. Massage a small amount into your face, neck, and chest twice a day to feel fresh ALL day.

• Being pregnant can be hard. Why not feed your stressed-out skin with nourishing, brightening Biologi Bk Vitamin C Face & Eye Serum 15ml? Designed to boost the complexion, this formula contains a smart infusion of Kakadu Plum, to protect plump and brighten the skin. Gallic acid helps to target dark spots, while Ellagic acid is brightening and helps to defend against UV exposure.

• Designed to help smooth the look of your skin texture, this formula is perfect for all skin types. An anti-pigmentation blend that works to diminish the appearance of dark spots, it’ll leave you loving how clear and toned your skin looks and feels. Use morning and night to give your complexion a boost.

• If you're pregnant, you might experience some seriously dry skin. This formula contains deeply nourishing ingredients that instantly relieve the tight, uncomfortable feel of dry skin. You’ll love how supple and soft your complexion looks after every application. Working to tone the skin and help leave it looking clarified, this serum works best on dehydrated and dry skin types.

• With a high concentration of Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occurring substance, Ella Baché Hydra Hyaluronic Cellular Serum provides skin with an intense surge of hydration. Hyaluronic Acid then helps the skin retain moisture by locking water into the skin. Dry patches are soothed, and your complexion looks and feels healthier, when you invite this formula into your regular routine. If you suffer with stress, you might start to notice signs of that popping up on your skin. Help keep your skin in the best condition by applying this weightless formula morning and night.

• If you're struggling with dark circles under your eyes, it could help to shield the area from the sun. The untinted sunscreen is made in Australia and is ideal for everyday use. Made with ingredients that help deflect the sun’s harmful rays, this cream helps create a physical barrier on the skin. It doesn’t leave behind a greasy film, instead it keeps the skin soft, gently conditioned, and safe in the sun.

• As much as you’ve got going on during pregnancy, it’s important you keep the basics in rotation. Eco Tan Natural Rose Hip Sunscreen SPF30 is a great option for keeping pregnant skin healthy. The Vitamin E, Roe Hip and Green Tea help keep the skin hydrated. The nourishing ingredients also help prevent any signs of premature ageing from popping up. This vegetarian, natural formula keeps the skin as moisturised as possible—even during very sunny days. To help your skin stay hydrated and protected, apply this cream as often as you need.

• Combining your SPF and under eye serum routine with a decent concealer will result in a shadow-free under eye area. Infused with Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Green Tea, and Vitamins A, C, D, and E, this duo nourishes the skin so it doesn't become creased. The gentle combination of natural ingredients helps protect your under eye area from free radical and unwanted daily pollutants. Completely pregnancy-safe, this formula is made up of only holistic ingredients.

• Looking for a new concealer to help tackle those shady under eye shadows during pregnancy? This powerful little duo could do the trick. To cover dark circles, choose a colour that matches, or is slightly lighter than, your natural skin tone. The 2 shades in this pot work together to neutralise any bluish or blackish undertones. Gently pat Jane Iredale Circle\Delete® Under-Eye Concealer around the eye area using your ring finger and let it set.

There’s no doubt about it: being pregnant is no easy task. From hormonal shifts to sagging skin, your body will go through some serious changes before the babe pops out.

Struggling with dark circles and a pigmented under eye area can be frustrating. Put together a pregnancy-safe skincare arsenal to stay feeling your best.

Want to know more about dealing with the dark under eyes pregnancy can cause? We've answered some of your questions below...

Do You Get Dark Circles Around Eyes When Pregnant?

If you’re in the process of cooking up a newborn, yes, you could definitely get some dark circles around your eyes. Pregnancy bags under eyes are actually super-common. Before you have (another) crying session (you’re pregnant; it’s totally normal), you could also reflect on how glowy and healthy your skin looks! Pregnancy skin is often clear, radiant, and honestly beautiful. As your body goes through all the internal and external changes, there are certainly plus and minus points to the whole pregnancy thing.

If you already struggle with pre-pregnancy shadows under your peepers, they could worsen as your belly gets bigger—especially if you’re a sun worshipper. We get it: the sun feels great on your skin. But if you’re not protecting your delicate under eye area with a potent little SPF and some pregnancy-safe skincare treats, you could see those dark circles getting worse, fast. If you’re already working with some impressive, genetically programmed circles, your pregnancy bags under eyes could get worse.

It’s not just the sun that causes dark spots under eyes during pregnancy. As your hormone levels freak out, you could see signs of this on your skin. When your bodily functions start to fluctuate, your blood vessels could end up dilating. The teeny, tiny vessels under your eyes can pop under the strains, which could lead to dark circles. A good eye cream can help. But to help with your ongoing veins under eyes pregnancy problems, you could check out these dermatologist-recommended pregnancy skin tips.

Still, it’s not all about blood vessels and SPF. If you’re struggling with dry skin under eyes pregnancy issues, you might want to look at your sleep patterns. We know, we know—it’s so unfair that even before your little bundle of love arrives, you’re already struggling to sleep well. Pregnancy is hard going on the body, and as you get bigger, you might find it harder to find a sweet, comfy spot to snooze in. Set yourself up with a good sleep hygiene routine by switching the phone off and making your bed strictly a place of intimacy and rest, rather than a ‘soft office’. The more time you give the tender skin under your eyes to recover, the fresher your peepers will appear.

Are Dark Circles Under Eyes a Symptom of Pregnancy?

Yep, it’s true: some dark under eye circles could indeed be a sign that you’re pregnant. Of course, you should always consult with a healthcare professional before you make any major changes. But once you’re pregnant, symptoms can crop up fast.

As soon as the pregnancy hormones show up, so do the changes. These vary from person to person; everyone feels and sees different things. Some people even experience swelling under one eye pregnancy issues! If you’re suddenly concealing some very dark circles, you might want to visit your doctor for a quick once-over.

Start introducing foods that are high in vitamin C into your diet. And try to unwind as much as you can. We know it’s hard, but letting your body rest when it wants to could lead to better sleep and fewer shocking after-pregnancy effects. Stay as hydrated as possible too (drink that water up) and use a cool towel on your eyes to help revive them first thing.

Do Dark Circles Go Away After Pregnancy?

Dark circles can definitely diminish once pregnancy is over—if your screaming newborn doesn’t keep you up all night, that is. Sleep deprivation may put excess strain on the eyes, but there are other things you can do to help reduce the shadows.

As much as exercising might be the last thing you want to do, a lack of exercise could make those shadows worse. When you exercise and raise your heart rate, your blood stays a bright, vibrant red because it’s able to carry oxygen effectively around the body.

If you’re not exercising, this oxygen synthesis starts to lag, so the blood turns a bluish-blackish colour instead—hence the darker-looking skin. Now, we’re not suggesting you run a 5K the day after childbirth! Just add some gentle movement. A quiet stroll round the block is great for your body and your mental health too.

To help with dark circles after pregnancy, alongside your stretch mark routine, you’ll want to invest in a good cream, serum, and overall skincare routine to help your complexion settle.

Find out more about the weird and wonderful things that happen to your body during pregnancy in this seriously lol-worthy episode of the Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast

Want more of pregnancy safe skin care? Check out these helpful guides...

• Answering Your Questions About Pregnancy and Hair Loss

• How to Treat Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

• Best Stretch Mark Creams

• How To Treat Dry and Itchy Skin During Pregnancy

• What Skincare and Beauty Products Should I Avoid During Pregnancy?

• Pregnancy Safe Skin Care Routine Using KORA Organics

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