Somehow, no matter how much sleep you get, you always look like you've pulled three all-nighters in a row. That's because fatigue isn't the only culprit behind dark circles under the eyes. Affecting both men and women, this common and persistent problem tends to crop up during adulthood and can stem from multiple causes. Before you even think about treatment options, it's important to investigate what might be responsible for the discoloration. In many cases, dark circles are actually just shadows cast by puffy eyelids and under-eye bags. Bags also occur when you miss out on sleep and don't exercise regularly. Did your mother or father also have raccoon eyes? Chances are you've inherited the condition. If your dark circles have a bluish tinge and tend to lessen when you press on them, blood vessels showing through the skin could be to blame. Finally, it may all come down to your bone structure, Dr. Wechsler notes.

Luckily, there are less invasive steps you can take to minimize and prevent dark circles on a daily basis. Banish bags by getting plenty of sleep and exercise. Avoid snoozing on your side or stomach, which can cause fluid to collect under the eyes. If you suffer from seasonal allergies and hay fever, take an over-the-counter antihistamine. Don't drink heavily either, since alcohol can lead to water retention. To minimize under-eye pigmentation, apply sunscreen all the way up to your lower lash line every day, Dr. Wechsler advises. Wear large sunglasses for further protection. Choose a daily eye cream with ingredients that target under-eye circles and puffiness. According to cosmetics companies, caffeine deflates bags, vitamin C minimizes melanin and vitamin K repairs broken capillaries. Topical retinoids, including over-the-counter versions, can make blood vessels less visible by promoting the building of collagen and 8.138.173.146 plumping the skin under your eyes, says Dr. Wechsler.

Some experts believe vitamin deficiencies can exacerbate dark circles, so cover your bases by taking a daily multivitamin. But one morning, after a late night out or for no apparent reason at all, you look in the mirror and see a zombie staring back at you. There are a few quick fixes you can try -- and if they really deliver results, consider incorporating them into your daily routine. Soothe puffiness by placing chilled spoons, cucumber slices or any other cold item over your eyes. Soak two teabags in warm or hot water, then allow them to cool before placing on the eyes. If all else fails, there's always concealer. Illuminating formulations, which contain light-reflecting particles, can help the area under the eye look fuller and brighter, says Dr. Wechsler. For more information on dark circles and other skin care tips, check out the links on the next page. Do you really need a different moisturizer for your eyes? What causes bags under eyes? Danoff, Rob. "Eyeing Those Dark Circles." MSN Healthy Living. Fine, Audrey. "Smoking Cessation: The 7 Sneaky Ways Smoking Steals a Woman's Beauty." Total Beauty. Lacey, Miriam. "5 Fast Fixes for Dark Under-Eye Circles." POPSUGAR. Lavinthal, Andrea. "You Look Tired." Cosmopolitan. Levitt, Shelley. "Banish the Bags Under Your Eyes." WebMD. Morrill, Hannah. "What Causes Dark Circles Under Your Eyes?" Real Simple. Ni, Maoshing. "8 Remedies for Under-Eye Dark Circles." Yahoo! Wechsler, Amy. Personal correspondence. Zezima, Katie. "Putting 'You Look Tired' to Rest." The New York Times.

Jan 1 Alain Mimoun, Algerian-French distance runner (Olympic marathon gold 1956