Dark circles (mata panda, or lingkaran hitam bawah mata) are areas of skin under the eyes that look darker than the rest of the face, in shades of brown, blue, purple or black. They are very common and usually harmless. The main causes are genes, extra pigment from the sun, rubbing or allergies, thin skin that shows the blood vessels beneath, and shadows from hollows or eye bags that deepen with age. Lack of sleep makes them look worse but is rarely the only cause. The best treatment depends on the type: sun protection and not rubbing for brown circles, sleep and allergy treatment for blue ones, and concealer, fillers or surgery for shadows.
Ringkasan: Dark circle (mata panda)
- Dark circle ialah kulit di bawah mata yang kelihatan lebih gelap (coklat, biru, ungu atau hitam). Ia sangat biasa dan biasanya tidak berbahaya.
- Punca utama: genetik, pigmen akibat matahari, menggosok mata, alahan atau ekzema, kulit nipis yang menampakkan salur darah, dan bayang daripada lekuk atau kantung mata.
- Kurang tidur menjadikan mata panda lebih ketara, tetapi jarang menjadi satu-satunya punca.
- Cara membantu: tidur cukup, tuam sejuk, tinggikan kepala semasa tidur, pelindung matahari dan cermin mata hitam, rawat alahan, jangan gosok mata, dan guna concealer.
- Elak krim yang tidak berdaftar. Krim yang mengandungi hydroquinone atau tretinoin ialah ubat dan hanya boleh digunakan dengan nasihat profesional kesihatan; merkuri diharamkan dalam kosmetik.
- Jumpa doktor jika gelap atau bengkak pada satu mata sahaja, sakit, merah, gatal, atau berlarutan.
DermNet; Cleveland Clinic; American Academy of Ophthalmology; NPRA
Apa itu dark circle (mata panda)?
Dark circles under the eyes mean the skin below the eyes looks darker than the surrounding skin. Depending on your natural skin colour, the area may look blue, purple, brown or black, and it can make you look tired or older than you are (Cleveland Clinic). In Malaysia, people often call it "mata panda", "lingkaran hitam" or "hitam bawah mata".
Dark circles are usually a cosmetic concern rather than a medical problem. They are more common in people with a family history of dark circles, in older people and in people with darker skin tones, although they are also common in teenagers and young adults (DermNet; American Academy of Ophthalmology).
Malaysian data: in a study of 100 people with dark circles in Kuala Lumpur, the most common type was vascular (51%), where blood vessels show through, and the least common was purely pigmented (6%). In 65%, the darkness affected both the upper and lower eyelids (Fatin 2020). Among 84 young Malaysian Chinese adults, a mixed pigmented-and-vascular type was the most common (Amini 2019).
Jenis dark circle (types of dark circles)
Doctors group dark circles by what makes the skin look dark. Many people have more than one type, which is why one product rarely works for everyone (DermNet; Pissaridou 2020).
| Type | What it looks like | Common causes | What usually helps most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pigmented (brown) | Brown or dark brown skin under the eyes, sometimes on the upper eyelids too | Genes, sun exposure, eczema, allergies, rubbing the eyes | Daily sun protection, not rubbing, treating eczema or allergies, lightening creams from a doctor |
| Vascular (blue or purple) | Bluish or purplish tint, often more obvious when tired | Thin skin under the eyes showing the blood vessels beneath; nasal congestion from allergies | Good sleep, cool compress, treating allergies, concealer |
| Structural (shadow) | A dark groove or hollow below the eye, or a shadow cast by a puffy eye bag | Ageing, loss of fat around the eyes, the shape of the eye socket, eye bags | Concealer; fillers or eyelid surgery done by a qualified doctor |
| Mixed | A combination of the above | More than one cause | A combination of treatments, ideally planned by a dermatologist |
Sources: DermNet; Cleveland Clinic; American Academy of Ophthalmology; Fatin 2020.
A simple clue: brown circles suggest pigment, bluish or purplish circles suggest visible blood vessels, and darkness that sits in a groove or below a puffy bag suggests a shadow. A doctor can confirm the type by examining you, sometimes using a special lamp (Wood lamp) to check how deep the pigment is (DermNet).
Punca dark circle (causes of dark circles)
- Genes: family history is the strongest risk factor in several studies. In a Brazilian study, dark circles usually started around age 24, and earlier onset was linked with more severe circles (Matsui 2015).
- Sun exposure: sunlight makes the skin produce more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour, which can darken the skin under the eyes (Cleveland Clinic; American Academy of Ophthalmology). If you also have brown patches on your cheeks, see our guide to jeragat (melasma).
- Rubbing and scratching: rubbing itchy eyes inflames the skin and can leave dark marks (post-inflammatory pigmentation) (DermNet). An Iranian study linked rubbing the eyes with more severe dark circles (Heidari 2025).
- Eczema and allergies: eczema and contact dermatitis can darken the skin around the eyes (DermNet). Nasal allergies such as resdung (allergic rhinitis) can cause "allergic shiners": congestion slows blood flow in veins near the nose, so the skin under the eyes looks darker and puffy (Cleveland Clinic).
- Ageing: with age, the skin under the eyes thins and loosens, blood vessels show through more, and hollows (tear troughs) form that cast shadows (Cleveland Clinic).
- Lifestyle: lack of sleep, stress, smoking, too much alcohol and not drinking enough water can all make dark circles look worse (Cleveland Clinic). Smoking speeds up collagen loss, making the skin under the eyes thinner (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
- Health conditions: a review notes that dark circles can be linked to allergy, sleep problems and nutritional deficiencies (Roberts 2014), and the Iranian study found an association with kurang darah (anaemia) (Heidari 2025). Puffy eyelids can be a sign of thyroid disease (DermNet).
Mata panda sebab kurang tidur? (Is it really lack of sleep?)
Lack of sleep is the cause most people think of, and it does play a part. In a study from Sweden, observers rated photos of people taken after a night of no sleep as having darker circles under the eyes, more swollen eyes, paler skin and more hanging eyelids than photos of the same people after normal sleep (Sundelin 2013). Poor sleep makes the skin look paler, so blood vessels show through more (Cleveland Clinic).
However, when researchers measured dark circles, sleep was not the main factor. In the Brazilian study, sleep was not linked with how severe dark circles were, while family history was the strongest factor (Matsui 2015). The Iranian study also found no clear link with sleep quality (Heidari 2025). In short, sleep can make mata panda look better or worse, but people with inherited dark circles may still have them after a good night's sleep.
Adults should aim for at least 7 hours of sleep a night (Cleveland Clinic). If you struggle to sleep, see our guide to susah tidur (insomnia).
Dark circle vs eye bag (kantung mata)
Many people use "eye bag" and "dark circle" for the same thing, but they are different. Eye bags are puffy lower eyelids, and their shadow can look like a dark circle (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
| Dark circle (mata panda) | Eye bag (kantung mata) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A change in colour of the skin under the eyes | Puffiness or swelling of the lower eyelid |
| Main causes | Genes, pigment, thin skin showing blood vessels, hollows | Fat moving forward as tissues weaken with age; fluid collecting under the eyes |
| Made worse by | Sun, rubbing, allergies, poor sleep | Salty food, drinking a lot before bed, allergies |
| Home care | Sun protection, sleep, concealer | Cool compress, sleeping with head raised, less salt |
| Medical options | Creams, peels, laser, fillers for hollows | Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) for fat-related bags |
Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology; DermNet; Cleveland Clinic.
Eyelid swelling that is painful, itchy, red or does not go away should be checked by a doctor (American Academy of Ophthalmology). A painful red lump on the eyelid is more likely a ketumbit (stye), and tiny white bumps under the eyes are often milia.
Cara hilangkan dark circle di rumah (home care)
These steps are safe for most people and help most types of dark circles, although results take time and depend on the cause:
- Sleep 7 to 9 hours on a regular schedule (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
- Raise your head slightly with an extra pillow, so fluid does not collect under the eyes overnight (DermNet; American Academy of Ophthalmology).
- Use a cool compress: place a clean, cool, damp cloth over the eyes for a few minutes while sitting up. This reduces puffiness and makes blood vessels less visible (DermNet; American Academy of Ophthalmology).
- Protect from the sun every day: apply sunscreen around the eyes, taking care not to get it in your eyes, and wear sunglasses (Cleveland Clinic). Our guide to sun protection and pigmentation explains how to choose a sunscreen.
- Treat allergies and stop rubbing: avoid triggers such as dust mites, and ask a pharmacist about antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays if you have a blocked, itchy nose (Cleveland Clinic; American Academy of Ophthalmology).
- Limit salt and drinks before bed if your eyes look puffy in the morning (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
- Stop smoking and cut down on alcohol (Cleveland Clinic).
- Use concealer: a light-reflecting concealer with a yellow or gold tone, set with translucent powder, works well. Apply it in the shadow, not on the puffy skin (DermNet).
What about cucumber and tea bags? Cold cucumber slices and cold tea bags can feel soothing and may reduce puffiness for a short time, mainly because they are cool (Cleveland Clinic). There is little evidence that they lighten dark circles, and DermNet notes that many remedies on the market lack evidence.
Krim mata dan bahan aktif (eye creams and ingredients)
No eye cream suits every type of dark circle. Creams can only help pigment and, to a lesser extent, the look of thin skin; they cannot fill a hollow or remove an eye bag. When choosing a product, look at the ingredients rather than the brand:
- Vitamin C: may help lighten pigment-type dark circles (Cleveland Clinic).
- Moisturiser: keeps the thin skin under the eyes hydrated, which can make it look smoother (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
- Hydroquinone and tretinoin: can lighten pigment, but in Malaysia products containing them are classified as medicines that need registration with the Drug Control Authority and should only be used under the advice of a healthcare professional. Unsupervised use of hydroquinone can cause redness, discomfort, skin discolouration and sensitivity (NPRA).
- Go gently: the skin around the eyes is thin and sensitive, so strong products can irritate it, and deep pigment responds poorly to creams (DermNet).
Avoid unregistered "whitening" creams. The NPRA has repeatedly found cosmetic products in Malaysia containing hidden hydroquinone, tretinoin or mercury. Mercury is banned in cosmetics because it can damage the kidneys and nervous system, and its vapour can also harm children in the same home (NPRA).
Check that a cosmetic product is notified on the NPRA website before buying it. Our guides to spotting fake skin brightening products and whitening product safety explain what to look for.
Rawatan dark circle di klinik (medical and aesthetic treatments)
If home care is not enough, a dermatologist, eye specialist or plastic surgeon can suggest treatments based on the type of dark circle. Results can be good, but improvement may be partial, and the right technique and experience matter (DermNet).
| Treatment | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription lightening creams (such as hydroquinone) | Pigmented type | Only under a healthcare professional's advice in Malaysia; can irritate the thin eyelid skin; deep pigment responds poorly |
| Chemical peels | Surface pigment and fine lines | The eyelid skin is sensitive; in darker skin, peels must be chosen carefully so they do not worsen pigmentation |
| Laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) | Pigment; some vascular types | In darker skin, the wrong settings can worsen pigmentation |
| Hyaluronic acid filler | Hollows (tear trough) | In thin skin, may cause a blue-grey tint or visible lumps; must be done by a qualified doctor |
| Fat grafting | Hollows | Uses your own fat; a surgical procedure |
| Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) | Eye bags from fat | Removes or repositions fat and extra skin; done by a plastic surgeon or eye surgeon |
| Injections such as PRP or tranexamic acid with vitamin C | Pigmented type | Small trials show improvement (18 and 120 patients); long-term evidence is still limited |
Sources: DermNet; Cleveland Clinic; American Academy of Ophthalmology; NPRA; Roberts 2014; Shah-Desai 2021; Iranmanesh 2024; Guo 2025.
Check the 3Ps before any aesthetic treatment. Malaysia's Ministry of Health advises checking the procedure, the practitioner and the premises. Only registered medical practitioners may perform aesthetic procedures; they also need a valid Letter of Credentialing and Privileging (LCP) that covers the procedure, and the clinic must be a licensed healthcare facility. Never have fillers or injections at home, in a hotel or at a beauty salon (Ministry of Health, reported by Malay Mail).
Bila perlu jumpa doktor (when to see a doctor)
Most dark circles are harmless. See a doctor or klinik kesihatan if:
- the darkness or swelling is under one eye only (Cleveland Clinic);
- the area around the eye is painful, red, itchy or keeps swelling (American Academy of Ophthalmology);
- dark circles last more than a few weeks or appear at certain times of the year, which may point to allergies (Cleveland Clinic);
- you also feel very tired, short of breath or look pale, which can be signs of anaemia;
- your eyes look bulging, or you have puffy eyelids with weight changes or a racing heart, which can be signs of thyroid disease;
- a bruise-like darkness appears after a head or face injury.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Apa itu mata panda (what are dark circles)?
"Mata panda" is the everyday Malaysian term for dark circles: skin under the eyes that looks darker than the rest of the face. Depending on your skin tone, the area may look blue, purple, brown or black. Dark circles are very common, affect people of all ages and are usually not a sign of illness (Cleveland Clinic).
Apa punca dark circle (what causes dark circles)?
There is usually more than one cause. The main ones are genes (dark circles often run in families), extra pigment from sun exposure, eczema, allergies or rubbing the eyes, blood vessels showing through thin skin, and shadows from hollows or eye bags that deepen with age. Lack of sleep, smoking, alcohol and dehydration can make them look worse (DermNet; Cleveland Clinic; American Academy of Ophthalmology).
Betul ke mata panda sebab kurang tidur?
Partly. In a Swedish study, people photographed after a night without sleep were rated as having darker circles under the eyes, paler skin and more swollen eyes (Sundelin 2013). But studies that measured dark circles found that family history mattered more than sleep (Matsui 2015; Heidari 2025). So better sleep often helps, but it may not remove dark circles completely.
Macam mana nak hilangkan mata panda dengan cepat?
For a quick improvement, use a cool compress for a few minutes, sleep with your head slightly raised, and use a concealer. A light-reflecting concealer with a yellow or gold tone, applied in the shadow rather than on puffy skin, hides dark circles well (DermNet). Long-lasting results depend on the cause, such as sun protection for pigment or treating allergies.
Boleh hilang dark circle secara kekal (permanently)?
Sometimes, but not always. Dark circles caused by allergies often fade within a few weeks once the allergy is treated (Cleveland Clinic). Inherited dark circles and hollows usually improve but rarely disappear completely, and DermNet notes that improvement from treatments may be partial. A dermatologist can tell you which type you have and what is realistic.
Krim mata boleh hilangkan dark circle?
It depends on the cause and the ingredients. Creams with ingredients such as vitamin C may lighten pigment-type dark circles a little (Cleveland Clinic), but no cream can fill a hollow or remove an eye bag. DermNet notes that many products on the market lack evidence. In Malaysia, creams that contain hydroquinone or tretinoin are medicines that need a healthcare professional's advice (NPRA).
Timun dan uncang teh boleh hilangkan mata panda?
Cold cucumber slices or cold tea bags may soothe puffiness for a short time, mainly because they are cool (Cleveland Clinic). There is little evidence that they lighten dark circles. A clean, cool damp cloth works in the same way (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
Apa beza dark circle dan eye bag?
Dark circles are a change in colour under the eyes. Eye bags are puffiness or swelling of the lower eyelid, caused by fat moving forward with age or fluid collecting under the eyes, for example after a salty meal. Eye bags can cast a shadow that looks like a dark circle, so many people have both (American Academy of Ophthalmology).
Filler bawah mata selamat (are under-eye fillers safe)?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can improve hollows under the eyes when done by a trained doctor, but complications are possible. In thin skin, filler can show as a blue-grey tint or visible lumps (Shah-Desai 2021), and DermNet warns that poor technique can make dark circles look worse. In Malaysia, only registered doctors with a Letter of Credentialing and Privileging (LCP) may do aesthetic procedures, in a registered clinic (Ministry of Health).
Bila perlu jumpa doktor untuk dark circle?
See a doctor if the darkness or swelling is under one eye only, if the area is painful, red, itchy or keeps swelling, if dark circles appear at certain times of the year or last more than a few weeks, or if you also feel very tired, look pale or notice your eyes bulging (Cleveland Clinic; American Academy of Ophthalmology; DermNet).
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor, dermatologist or pharmacist. Ask a healthcare professional before using prescription creams or having aesthetic treatments.
References
- Dark circles under the eyes — DermNet
- Dark Circles Under Eyes — Cleveland Clinic
- Allergic Shiners — Cleveland Clinic
- How to Get Rid of Bags Under the Eyes — American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Press statement: cosmetic products found to contain scheduled poison — National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA)
- Check the 3Ps: Health Ministry warns of serious risks from unlicensed aesthetic procedures — Malay Mail
- Beauty procedures needing an MOH-qualified doctor (LCP) — Malay Mail
- Fatin AM, et al. Classification and characteristics of periorbital hyperpigmentation. Skin Res Technol. 2020;26(4):564-570.
- Amini F, et al. Polymorphisms in P53 and VEGFA genes in different subtypes of periorbital hyperpigmentation in a Malaysian Chinese population. Australas J Dermatol. 2019;60(2):e99-e104.
- Matsui MS, et al. Physiological and lifestyle factors contributing to risk and severity of peri-orbital dark circles in the Brazilian population. An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(4):494-503.
- Sundelin T, et al. Cues of fatigue: effects of sleep deprivation on facial appearance. Sleep. 2013;36(9):1355-60.
- Heidari F, et al. The frequency of periorbital hyperpigmentation risk factors. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(2):e70036.
- Roberts WE. Periorbital hyperpigmentation: review of etiology, medical evaluation, and aesthetic treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(4):472-82.
- Pissaridou MK, et al. Periorbital discolouration diagnosis and treatment: evidence-based review. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2020;22(6-8):217-225.
- Shah-Desai S, Joganathan V. Novel technique of non-surgical rejuvenation of infraorbital dark circles. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021;20(4):1214-1220.
- Iranmanesh B, et al. Comparison of the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma versus tranexamic acid plus vitamin C mesotherapy in the treatment of periorbital hyperpigmentation. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024;23(12):4066-4071.
- Guo F, et al. Efficacy and safety of injectable sodium hyaluronate with vitamin C, tranexamic acid, and glutathione for pigmented dark circles. J Dermatolog Treat. 2025;36(1):2574306.
