Being a woman of South Asian heritage means that I, alongside other darker skinned people, have inherited hyperpigmentation/increased colouration of the skin due to an abundance of naturally occurring melanin and am always on the lookout for a dark circle corrector.
To try and combat this, I am an avid user of sunscreen and retinol, but something I’ve never been able to shake off is the dark circles under my eyes. I was born with them, and many a doctor has said to me I cannot ‘fix’ them unless I go under the knife or needle. I am a bit reluctant to do this as the under-eye area tends to be much more sensitive and is also home to the thinnest layer of skin on the body.
Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai
What doesn’t help is a lot of eye creams available on the high street often claim to make eye circles ‘disappear’, but for me, this is nigh on impossible. Trust me, I’ve tried! I voice this same concern when I first sit down with Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai, a fellow South Asian, who also happens to be an award-winning reconstructive surgeon who specialises in bespoke eye and face restoration and rejuvenation.
At her cosy Harley Street Clinic, we bond over our mutual eye circle troubles. People always assume we are tired and ill, and have an over reliance on makeup to try and hide them. My issue with eye creams and their inefficacy is apparently a widespread misconception, as people tend to think that eye creams can restore volume under the eye which is impossible without surgical help. What they can (and should do) is improve skin’s hyperpigmentation, which is a common cause of dark circles.
To combat this misconception and target hyperpigmentation, Dr Sabrina has launched a product of her own – Dr Sabrina’s Dark Circle Corrector System. 76% of clinical trial participants said it left the complexion of the skin more uniform, 71% said brighter, and an impressive two thirds said it visibly reduced the appearance of eye bags, fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and dark spots. And all of this within only 6 weeks!
What makes this Dark Circle Corrector System so unique?
The main product in the Dark Circle Corrector System is the Perfect 360 Eye Illuminate serum, powered by Dr Sabrina’s KIARA MOLECULE. It is a scientifically formulated lightweight blend of high performing active ingredients, vitamins, peptides, adaptogens, probiotics and naturally occurring compounds. The aim of this solution is to specifically target and dramatically reduce the appearance of under eye dark circles, focusing on the hyperpigmentation and reducing overall inflammation.
The science
How does the product counteract the pigmentation? Well, the combination of 7 active ingredients inhibits the production of the enzyme that generates pigmentation, tyrosinase, and fortifies the skin with antioxidants and healthy nutrients, all of which combines to promote optimal skin cell renewal and a refreshed under eye experience. Below I have broken down the 7 active ingredients and how they come together to create this formula:
KIARA MOLECULE active ingredients
- Marine Exopolysaccharides – Stimulates collagen production for anti-ageing, plumping and filling benefits
- Niacinamide/Vitamin B3 – Antioxidant that enhances prevention of pigmentation
- Natural Arbutin – Inhibits tyrosinase production and promotes skin brightening
- Curcuma oil extract – Anti-inflammatory antioxidant that also targets even tone of skin
- DHEA derivative – Helps to increase density and elasticity of skin as well as brightness
- Coenzyme Q10 – Reduces dark spots and is a powerful antioxidant
- Tranexamic Acid – Inhibits UV-induced melanin production
The results
I have now been using this unique serum for over 6 weeks and can say it has really helped my eyes look more awake.
The serum has a rollerball tip which also provides a cooling sensation on the delicate under eye area, and the button applicator means that no product goes to waste, as one click is enough formula per eye. Dr Sabrina recommends using the Perfect 360 Eye Illuminate alongside its sister in the range, the complementary Perfect 360 Eye Protect SPF 30. This has also been produced using Dr Sabrina’s patented KIARA MOLECULE, providing broad-spectrum protection and defending the sensitive eye area from UVA, UVB, infrared, blue light and other daily environmental aggressors.
Protecting the eyes from such external aggressors is critical in preserving a healthy under eye area, and using both of these serums has helped my dark areas become a whole lot less dark. When I look in the mirror, I look less tired and my eye area feels smooth, plumped and hydrated.
It’s worth noting that although Dr Sabrina has helped treat people of colour, this treatment has been produced as a safe, clinically effective and suitable formula for people of all ethnicities. If you suffer from dark eye circles and want to consider something that is effective, affordable and non-surgical or invasive, I would definitely recommend Dr Sabrina’s Dark Circle Corrector System.
Dr Sabrina’s Dark Circle Corrector System retails for £150.
For more information, visit Dr Sabrina’s clinic
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All imagery courtesy of Dr Sabrina.