Vitamin K for Dark Undereye Circles: Fast Facts

Five Fast Vitamin K Facts

Vitamin K is popular in under-eye creams because it can lighten infraorbital darkness,  AKA under eye circles. It is most beneficial for circles with a blue or brown undertone.

1. Vitamin K reverses the calcium deposits in elastin fibers. These deposits harden and cause wrinkles.
2. Vitamin K helps with blood coagulation and circulation.
3. Vitamin K is also called Phytonadione on ingredient listings.
4. Some dark circles are caused by weak vessels that allow blood near the surface of your skin. These circles have a blue, purple or brown undertone.
5. Topical application of vitamin K cream prior to an in-office procedure strengthens blood vessels. Stronger blood vessels means less bruising after surgical or laser treatments.

What to look for in a Vitamin K Topical

Vitamin K is most effective as part of a team instead of a standalone K cream or gel. A study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology showed topical Vitamin K works best when paired with retinol, Vitamins C, E, and the Bs. (1)

If you use prescription retinol, apply the retinol first and then the topical K product.

Choose a product with enough Vitamin K to be effective. The study used a 2% Vitamin K concentration.

REFERENCES

Mitsuishi, T. , Shimoda, T. , Mitsui, Y. , Kuriyama, Y. and Kawana, S. (2004), The effects of topical application of phytonadione, retinol and vitamins C and E on infraorbital dark circles and wrinkles of the lower eyelids. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3: 73-75. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00070.x