Whether you're running on four hours of sleep, dealing with seasonal allergies or it's simply genetics, dark circles can make an uninvited appearance. While we've considered piling on some concealer to cover the area, we much prefer to try out some eye cream instead. Ahead, a few experts shared their picks for the best eye creams for dark circles—plus, some helpful tips to implement into your skincare routine.
The 20 Best Eye Creams for Dark Circles, Vetted by Dermatologists, Editors and Makeup Artists
Tired eyes, begone
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The Best Eye Creams for Dark Circles at a Glance
Meet the Experts
- Kelli J. Barlett is a makeup artist and vice president of education and experience for Ever/Body. She has more than 20 years of experience in the beauty and wellness space. She was previously the artistic director of Glamsquad, where she led the direction of the makeup services and education programs. Her work has been featured in publications such as Harper's Bazaar, InStyle and Vanity Fair.
- Lisa Aharon is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York. She has a decade of experience, working with publications such as The New York Times, Elle and Cosmopolitian, as well as fashion brands like Ralph Lauren and David Yurman. Her previous clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Rachel Brosnahan and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
- Dr. Sheel Desai Solomon is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Preston Dermatology in North Carolina. She has a decade of experience, completing her residency in New York and training in United Kingdom. She's also a member of the American Board of Dermatology and the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery.
- Dr. Melissa K. Levin is a board-certified dermatologist, founder of Entiére Dermatology and a clinical assistant professor at Mount Sinai in New York. She has a decade of experience, specializing in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She's currently a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery.
- Dr. Blair Murphy Rose is a board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center, a clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical Center and founder of Skincare Junkie. She has a decade of experience, specializing in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She's currently a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery.
- Dr. Lian Mack is a board-certified dermatologist at Glamderm and an assistant professor of clinical dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center. She specializes in treating skin conditions, especially for the BIPOC community, as well as aesthetic enhancements such as injectable fillers and laser treatments. She's currently a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and member of the Women's Dermatologic Society.
- Dr. Claire Wolinsky is a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York. She has experience in laser treatments, injectables (fillers and neuromodulators) and non-surgical facial rejuvenations. She’s also a clinical instructor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Dr. Loretta Ciraldo is a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare. She has more than 40 years of experience in skincare space. Her products have been featured in Allure’s Best of Beauty awards, Harper’s Bazaar’s Ani-Aging Awards and named a Refinery 29 Innovator.
How We Chose the Best Eye Creams for Dark Circles
We asked dermatologists, makeup artists and editors to share the best eye creams for dark circles. From there, we looked into each of their key features and core ingredients. We also combed through the reviews at top retailers like Amazon, Sephora, Ulta and Dermstore to find eye creams that truly brighten, firm and hydrate the delicate area. We even spent time browsing through reviews to make sure we find the top products for our readers.
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Best Overall
1. Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème
What We Like
- fragrance-free
- crease-resistant
What We Don't Like
- not ideal for sensitive skin
- small jar
Ole Henriksen
This eye cream is at the top of our list for tackling dark circles. Formulated with a triple vitamin C complex, it aims to brighten and improve elasticity around the delicate eye area. The formula also includes bioflavonoids (a citrus antioxidant that protects against environmental aggressors) and orange extract that promises to reduce the look of dark shadows. Whether we're using it underneath our makeup or on its own, we appreciate its lightweight texture and how it improved our dark circles over time.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: vitamin C, bioflanoids, orange extract
- Size: 0.5 ounces
- Best for: fine lines, dryness, dullness
Best for Tired Eyes
2. SkinCeuticals A.G.E Advanced Eye
What We Like
- lightweight texture
- hydrating formula
What We Don't Like
- small jar
- expensive
SkinCeuticals
Bartlett swears by this SkinCeuticals pick to treat her clients’ dark circles. “The science behind this eye cream is incredible. Its mixture of peptides and flavonoids actually do reduce the blue and red look of tired, stressed, dark circles,” she explains. Also formulated with caffeine, this eye cream promises to brighten skin and reduce puffiness. Bartlett recommends mixing a small amount of it into your concealer to smooth the skin under your eyes.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: proxylaneTM, matrixyl 3000, glycyrrzhetinic acid, caffeine
- Best For: dullness, puffiness, crow's feet
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best for Fine Lines
3. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Gel-Cream
What We Like
- easy application
- hydrating formula
What We Don't Like
- not ideal for sensitive skin
Estée Lauder
Bartlett is also a fan of this best-selling formula from Estée Lauder. The brand claims it can brighten dark circles after just three weeks of use, and Bartlett attests, “It really does the job if you use it consistently.” The eye cream aims to reduce fine lines, puffiness and dryness with its combination of hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. Bartlett suggests applying it to the entire eye area (even on the lids) to reap all of the benefits.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
- Best For: fine lines, wrinkles, dryness
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Most Hydrating
4. Omorovicza Reviving Eye Cream
What We Like
- hydrating formula
- subtle cucumber scent
What We Like
- thin texture
- expensive
Omorovicza
This cream is Aharon’s favorite to use on her celeb clients (who include Gwyneth Paltrow and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, BTW). “When choosing an eye cream to put in my kit, there are a few things that I look for: hydration, smoothing, brightening and de-puffing, but I also need something that won’t pill under concealer or be too greasy,” she explains. According to the makeup artist, this one from Omorovicza checks all the boxes. Formulated with vitamin K, arnica and cucumber extract, this eye cream visibly reduces the appearance of dark circles, while tackling other common under-eye concerns like dryness and puffiness.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: vitamin K, arnica, cucumber extract
- Best For: fine lines, puffiness, dullness
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best Luxury
5. Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream
What We Like
- contains clean ingredients
- hydrating formula
What We Don't Like
- not ideal for sensitive or oily skin
Augustinus Bader
First and foremost, we adore the sleek blue packaging of this eye cream. Style aside, this luxury find also tackles our most pressing under-eye concerns. Powered by the brand's signature blend of amino acids, vitamins and peptides, the formula aims to reduce puffiness, eliminate dark circles and improve the appearance of fine lines. The creamy texture absorbs nicely and refreshes the delicate eye area, though we will note that it might not be ideal for folks with sensitive eyes. Upon testing, it gave our eyes a watery reaction overnight.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: pennywort extract, centella extract, seaweed extract, arjun tree extract, vitamin C, niacinamide, vitamin b5, jojoba oil
- Best For: fine lines, puffiness, dryness
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Most Cooling
6. Hero Cosmetics Bright Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream
What We Like
- cooling applicator
- reduces inflammation
What We Don't Like
- excess product may occur
Hero Cosmetics
This eye cream from Hero Cosmetics is an absolutely dream for tackling dark circles. We appreciated its lightweight texture, and its potent niacinamide and caffeine blend. The stainless steel applicator also makes it easier to glide under our eyes and offers an instant tint to improve the look of our dark circles. Plus, it has a cooling effect, which helps soothe any puffiness and further hydrate the delicate eye area.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: niacinamide, caffeine
- Best For: puffiness, dryness
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best for Mature Skin
7. Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Eye Cream
What We Like
- creamy formula
- great for morning routines
What We Don't Like
- not ideal for sensitive skin
Peter Thomas Roth
According to Solomon, sometimes dark circles are caused by aging, not fatigue. Luckily, this eye cream tackles both issues, so you're covered either way. “It contains a potent dose of vitamin C to help the body’s own synthesis of collagen and hydrate the outer layers of the skin,” she explains. You'll also find caffeine to reduce the look of puffiness around the eye and vitamin E to support the other ingredients.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: caffeine, vitamin E, vitamin C, ferulic acid
- Best For: brightening, puffiness, crow's feet
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best Drugstore
What We Like
- non-greasy formula
- tested by the National Eczema Association
What We Don't Like
- not great for fine lines and wrinkles
CeraVe
Looking for a budget-friendly find to minimize the appearance of your dark circles? Solomon suggests this $14 option from CeraVe, which is the number one best-selling eye cream on Amazon, FYI. She explains that the loss of ceramides in our skin can “leave it vulnerable to sun damage, aging and dehydration.” Enter this hydrating cream, which is formulated with three types of ceramides and hyaluronic acid to abate dryness, puffiness and dullness.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Best For: dullness, dryness
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best Brightening
9. Revision Skincare Teamine Eye Complex
What We Like
- great for fine lines and wrinkles
- creamy texture
What We Don't Like
- expensive
Revision Skincare
“Revision’s Teamine Eye Complex has been a favorite of dermatologists for many years. It’s formulated with three different antioxidants—vitamin C, green tea extract and grape seed oil—as well as skin brighteners including mica, silica, and titanium dioxide,” says Dr. Levin. Enough said, doc. We're sold. Plus, many shoppers say it's a game-changer for dark circles, especially when used consistently.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: grapeseed oil, green tea extract, vitamin C, mica, silica, titanium dioxide
- Best For: fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, dullness
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Most Lightweight
What We Like
- hydrating formula
- instant lift
- creamy texture
What We Don't Like
- finicky pump
Clarins
One editor's sister loves this eye cream so much that she's begging for a refill for the holidays. After trying it ourselves, we discovered it was very lightweight, fast-absorbing and felt smooth going on. A little goes a long way, so you'll definitely get your money's worth from this $92 bottle. Formulated with harungana extract (a retinol alternative), cassie flower wax and albaizia extract, it visibly reduces the severity of our dark circles over time.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: harungana extract, cassie flower wax, albaizia extract, horse chestnut-dervived escin
- Best For: firmness, elasticity, dullness
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Most Firming
11. Neocutis Lumière Firm Eye Cream
What We Like
- targets fine lines and wrinkles
- great for sensitive eyes
What We Don't Like
- expensive
- small bottle
Neocutis
We were shocked to see a noticeable difference after trying this Neocutis pick. The active ingredients—vitamin C and caffeine—quickly reduce any puffiness and brighten up tired skin, while peptides boost the production of collagen and improve elasticity around the eyes.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: peptides, vitamin C, caffeine
- Best For: firmness, puffiness, dullness
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best with Vitamin C
12. Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector
What We Like
- creamy texture
- easy application
What We Don't Like
- small bottle
- subtle brightness
Murad
This eye corrector is loved by our very own commerce director, Nicole Briese, who uses it daily to target her dark circles. "While I can't definitively say that it made my dark circles lighter, I can confirm that I instantly look more awake the moment I swipe it on. It has a gold shimmer that almost works like a concealer to banish dark shadows immediately, and I notice a big difference when I don't use it. I keep two in my cupboard at all times for this reason!"
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: vitamin C, algae extracts, cucumber extract
- Best For: dullness, inflammation, hyperpigmentation
- Size: 0.5 ounces
13. No.1 De Chanel Revitalizing Eye Cream
What We Like
- hydrating formula
- great for puffiness
What We Don't Like
- expensive
- small jar
Chanel
This Chanel eye cream earns high praise for its for its decadently creamy formula. Despite being so rich it absorbs nicely into our skin without feeling too greasy. Formulated with red camellia flower extract, the gel-cream works to refresh and depuff the eyes to give them a brighter appearance.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: red camellia flower extract
- Best For: dullness, inflammation
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best Budget
14. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream
What We Like
- oil-free formula
- budget-friendly
What We Don't Like
- not ideal for super dry skin
Neutrogena
Need a reason to pick up this budget-friendly find? Here's a rave review from one of our experts: "Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream contains hyaluronic acid, dimethicone and glycerin to hydrate and plump the skin, along with moisturizing ingredients to lock-in that moisture. It also contains antioxidants like vitamin A (what retinol is derived from) and vitamin E, as well as vitamin C for brightening. Plus, it's oil-free, paraben-free and fragrance-free, so it’s another great choice for sensitive skin," explains Dr. Murphy-Rose.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: hyaluronic acid
- Best For: dullness, dryness
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best with Retinol
15. First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream
What We Like
- great for sensitive skin
- gentle formula
What We Don't Like
- subtle scent
- not great for combination skin
First Aid Beauty
Another go-to for Dr. Murphy-Rose? This retinol and hyaluronic acid eye cream, which the dermatologist explains "builds collagen and hydrates the eye area." She says the combination also helps to minimize fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Plus, the gentle formula includes colloidal oatmeal and aloe to soothe and calm sensitive skin.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, retinol, colloidal oatmeal, aloe, ceramides, vitamin C, vitamin E
- Best For: dryness, fine lines, wrinkles
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best for Dry Skin
16. Provence Beauty No Baggage Eye Cream
What We Like
- non-greasy formula
- fast-absorbing
What We Don't Like
- thick formula
- finicky cap
Provence Beauty
Dr. Mack recommends this soothing eye cream to anyone who is looking for a quick refresh. "This is one of my favorites. It has a number of ingredients that I find useful to help with under-eye dark circles including caffeine and niacinamide. This eye cream also contains hyaluronic acid, which provides enough hydration to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," she says.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: snow mushroom, reishi mushroom, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
- Best For: puffiness, fine lines, wrinkles
- Size: 1.0 ounces
Best with Caffeine
17. The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream
What We Like
- contains clean ingredients
- recyclable packaging
- lightweight formula
What We Don't Like
- not ideal for sensitive skin
The INKEY List
Caffeine is a key ingredient in many eye creams because it's been shown to reduce the appearance of dark circles—and this formula is chock full of the brightening ingredient. The rich cream also includes matrixyl 3000 (a peptide blend) that plumps and firms, along with albizia julibrissin bark extract that exfoliates and smoothes the under-eye skin. As Dr. Mack shares, together these ingredients "work to gently reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots."
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: caffeine, matrixyl 3000, albizia julibrissin bark extract
- Best For: puffiness, dryness, fine lines
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best with Vitamin K
18. ISDIN K-Ox Eyes
What We Like
- cooling applicator
- hydrating formula
What We Don't Like
- expensive
ISDIN
Dr. Wolinsky swears by this ISDIN pick for reducing puffiness and dark circles. She praises the formula, stating, "The eye cream has vitamin K as a powerful antioxidant and hyaluronic acid, which hydrates to reduce the appearance of fine lines. The ceramic applicator is also soothing and helps additionally with any puffiness by constricting the blood vessels [near the eyes]," she adds.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: vitamin K, hyaluronic acid, haloxyl
- Best For: puffiness, dryness
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best Eye Gel
19. Dr. Loretta Tightening Eye Gel
What We Like
- lightweight formula
- non-greasy
What We Don't Like
- not ideal for sensitive skin
Dr. Loretta
OK, this technically isn't an eye cream (it's a gel), but Dr. Ciraldo believes it's just as effective at fading dark circles. Infused with antioxidants and peptides, the gel promises to reduce the look of dark circles, crow's feet and fine lines. The formula also helps with puffiness and protects the eyes against blue light. The derm recommends applying one pump to cover both eyes and tapping it onto the upper and lower lids.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: antioxidants, chromabright, marine algae peptides
- Best For: puffiness, crow's feet
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Best for Sensitive Skin
20. Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream
What We Like
- hydrating formula
- great for sensitive skin
- fragrance-free
What We Don't Like
- drying to some skin types
Cetaphil
With over 12,000 5-star reviews, this eye gel-cream is a crowd favorite. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, the product locks in moisture around the eyes as soon as you apply it. Shoppers say it absorbs quickly into the skin and many of them swear by it for sensitive skin. "I’m a 37-year-old with severely sensitive skin. Every other hyaluronic acid, retinol or anti-wrinkle cream always [gives] me a rash and [causes swelling] around my eyes. This is the only product that doesn't irritate my skin. Wrinkles are coming, and who knows if this will end up helping, but I feel better knowing I took an extra step to protect the fragile skin around the eyes," shares one reviewer.
Fast Facts
- Key Ingredients: hyaluronic acid
- Best For: dryness
- Size: 0.5 ounces
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes Dark Circles?
Sadly, there isn't just one reason to blame for dark circles. Many factors can play a role, including a lack of sleep, poor nutrition, dehydration, seasonal allergies, excessive alcohol consumption and aging. "It's important to understand the cause(s) of your dark circles in order to best treat them. The dark appearance can be due to hyperpigmentation, blood vessels under the skin or a physical shadow due to reduced light under the eyes. This shadowing is caused often by movement of under-eye fat pads and by thinning of the skin due to loss of collagen," adds Dr. Murphy-Rose. There's also a chance that your dark circles are caused by genetics, which is unavoidable but treatable.
What Are Some Ways to Get Rid of Dark Circles?
Other than tropical treatments, like eye creams and gels, our experts share a few additional ways to help with dark circles.
- Try an in-office treatment. The derms we spoke to mention multiple in-office options like under-eye filler, lasers, radio frequency, microneedling and ultrasound collagen stimulation. "Based on the cause, they can help you formulate a treatment plan," explains Dr. Mack.
- Adjust your habits. "Some lifestyle modifications may improve the under-eye appearance. This includes getting sufficient sleep, maintaining a well-balanced diet and reducing stress. For some, limiting alcohol and sodium intake will help as well. And if you are allergy prone, take measures to reduce any symptoms and talk to a physician about allergy treatment," says Dr. Murphy-Rose.
- Try natural remedies. Turns out those cucumber slices mom uses actually work. "Cucumbers have antioxidants in them that can reduce the signs of aging and help fight against environmental damage," says Dr. Ciraldo. She recommends applying a slice over each eye, and leaving them on for 20 minutes to give them enough time to hydrate and soothe the skin.
Can an Eye Cream Actually Improve the Appearance of Dark Circles?
An eye cream can improve the look of dark circles to an extent but it's not going to make them vanish completely. Also, results aren't going to be instant, so you'll need to be patient and consistent with your application to see a difference over time. According to our derm friends, the degree to which an eye cream can help will depend on the cause and severity of your dark circles.
"When the darkening is caused by true hyperpigmentation of the skin under the eye or it's caused by vascular congestion, eye cream can really help" says Dr. Murphy-Rose. "But when dark circles are caused by a true anatomical shadow under the eye (from genetics and/or loss of volume from aging) it is unlikely that a topical treatment could help significantly. [In that scenario], fillers can be a great option to improve volume loss."
What to Look For in an Eye Cream for Dark Circles
While we compiled an extensive list for you already, you can also keep some of these tips in your back pocket the next time you're shopping for eye cream.
- Look at the ingredients: There are a few key ingredients that work to reduce the appearance of dark circles. Common ones include vitamins (C, E and K), niacinamide, caffeine, kojic acid, retinol, hyaluronic acid and ceramides. If you find one (or more) of these listed on the label, you're in good hands.
- Consider other skincare concerns: Yes, you're looking for an eye cream that targets your dark circles. However, there are plenty of options out there that can do that and are hydrating, firming and soothing.
How Often Should You Apply Eye Cream
According to the dermatologists, you should apply eye cream twice a day in the morning and at night. However, if it contain retinoids or glycolic acid, they suggest using it only once at night.
How to Apply Eye Cream
All you'll need is a pea-sized amount to get the job done. Always clean your hands before using your ring finger to gently tap the product in—starting from the inner corners of your eyes and working your way out. You can also work the product on the lid and the brow bone. Another thing: Try not to rub your eyes too much, as the skin here is very delicate.
Dr. Murphy-Rose recommends doing a spot test before fulling committing to an eye cream as "the skin around your eyes is thinner and more sensitive than any other area." She suggests applying a small amount of eye cream to your inner wrist for the next three days and check for any reactions before using it daily in your routine.