Sunday Riley, Eight Saints, La Roche-Posay, and Alchimie all make excellent eye creams for dark circles and wrinkles. See the other products we recommend.
Nothing makes a face look tired like having dark circles under the eyes. Whether they’re caused by lack of sleep, allergies, or other factors such as aging or genetics, there are products that may help reduce their appearance.
The best eye creams for dark circles include ingredients to help moisturize, plump, and brighten delicate under-eye skin. Other ingredients can constrict blood vessels that may be contributing to a dark hue or reduce swelling and puffiness from things like seasonal allergies.
We spoke with dermatologists to help us understand under-eye circles and to guide our selections. Here are the best products we found, plus tips on how to choose the right under-eye cream for your needs.
Best overall
Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: vitamin C complex, 8-peptide blend, cucumber, superoxide dismutase, hesperidin methyl chalcone, ubiquinone, and vitamin E
- Price: $$
Beauty gurus and skin care aficionados flock to Drunk Elephant’s line of products. While the pretty packaging and hype stand out, the formulas do the heavy lifting needed to target skin conditions.
This brightening eye cream includes a complex of five forms of vitamin C to illuminate the under-eye area. Rich in hydrating peptides and soothing active ingredients, like cucumber extract, the formula refreshes the under-eye area and brightens the appearance of dark circles.
The formula is our pick for best overall eye cream, thanks to a slew of positive reviews, its use of eight peptides, and a fragrance-free formula that doesn’t include any scents from essential oils. While many reviewers saw dramatic results, some did complain of sensitivity and redness after use.
Best all-in-one
Eight Saints All In Eye Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: squalane, MSM, cocoa butter, cucumber hydrosol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C
- Price: $$
This eye cream has an ultra-lightweight feel in a gentle but effective formula. Vitamin C and caffeine help brighten and tighten delicate under-eye skin, while olive oil-based squalane is hydrating and provides a plumping effect. Ingredients like aloe and green tea help soothe your skin.
This cruelty-free formula is also well reviewed.
Best cooling
La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: caffeine, glycerin, dimethicone, niacinamide, silica, iron oxides, phe-resorcinol, titanium dioxide, and La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
- Price: $$
Skin sensitivity is a common concern when shopping for products and testing new items. La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream is a caffeine-infused product that’s gentle for those who experience skin irritation with harsh ingredients.
The metal applicator is a nice bonus. It provides a cooling feeling under the eye that can help depuff tired eyes and soothe swollen skin.
Pro tip: Try putting your product in the refrigerator before use for an extra chilly and soothing treatment.
Best budget
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream
- Skin type: normal, oily
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid
- Price: $$
Using a drugstore eye cream means saving some extra cash and never being too far away from your favorite product.
Certain drugstore brands, like Neutrogena, offer products that target dark circles and fine lines for a fraction of the price. Dr. Erum N. Ilyas, CEO and founder of AmberNoon, recommends Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel-Cream due to its moisturizing hyaluronate.
“With hyaluronate, this product packs in extra hydration around the delicate eyelid skin,” Ilyas says, calling it an effective cream to improve the turgor, or elasticity, of thin eyelid skin.
The product earns 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with a majority of happy shoppers. Many reviewers say the product left their skin feeling plumper, smoother, and more awake.
Best depuffing
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: caffeine, Brazilian ginseng root extract, horse chestnut extract, watermelon rind extract, and lutein
- Price: $$
Sunday Riley’s Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream works on three common issues—puffiness, wrinkles, and dark circles. It uses caffeine and light reflecting particles to help create alert-looking, brighter eyes. It depuffs with ginseng. Finally, it uses a flowering herb called acmella oleracea to improve the look of crow’s feet.
It blends these botanicals to be fast-acting and non-irritating, but note that the product is not fragrance-free.
Best lightweight
Neocutis Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: vitamin E, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid
- Price: $$$
Another favorite of Dr. Adam Mamelak’s is the Neocutis Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream.
Reviewers love the lightweight formula and find that it quickly absorbs into the skin. “Very little is needed for each application” according to one reviewer who also likes that it absorbs quickly “without clogging pores or leaving a greasy effect.”
The formula’s hyaluronic acid and vitamin E help keep the skin hydrated throughout the day and ward off damage from free radicals.
Most hydrating
Origins Eye Doctor
- Skin type: normal, dry, oily, combination
- Key ingredients: cucumber, rosemary, and ginseng
- Price: $$
“This eye cream combines ingredients, such as cucumber, ginseng, wheat germ, and algae extracts, to reduce puffiness around the eyes. It also has green tea extract that has an antioxidant effect to fight the signs of aging around the eyes,” Ilyas explains.
Many reviewers praise this cream, saying they noticed results quickly and that it moisturizes well without a greasy feel.
Best patches
Good Molecules Caffeine Energizing Hydrogel Eye Patches
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: caffeine and niacinamide
- Price: $
While this product isn’t exactly an eye cream, eye gel patches and under-eye masks have concentrated ingredients that work much faster than the under-eye cream you apply each day or night, according to dermatologist Adam Mamelak.
“If you feel like you always have dark circles, no matter how many hours of sleep you get, find eye masks or patches with ingredients, such as tea extracts, vitamins C and K (to brighten or reduce the appearance of dark circles), water from extra-pure locations, and hyaluronic acid,” he says.
There are many eye masks on the market, but we love the pick-me-up that Good Molecule’s caffeine-infused eye gels give after a sleepless night. The soothing, cool-to-the-touch patches can also help reduce puffy and swollen eyes.
Best for sensitive skin
Alchimie Forever Rejuvenating Eye Balm
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: European blueberries (anthocyanins, quercetin, resveratrol), alfalfa (vitamin K), grape seeds (anthocyanins, catechin, quercetin, resveratrol), cocoa butter, and jojoba
- Price: $$
Alchimie Forever has dedicated fans who love the brand’s no-nonsense, science-based approach to skin care. The family-owned brand, founded by Dr. Luigi L. Polla, formulated this antioxidant-rich balm to fend off dark circles and visible signs of early aging.
“[Our] Rejuvenating Eye Balm features one of our signature ingredients, the European blueberry, which has powerful vaso-constricting and vaso-protective properties, so it is wonderful to help minimize dark circles,” Polla explains.
“The eye area is often dry, as there are fewer sebaceous glands than in the rest of our facial skin, so I chose jojoba and cocoa butter to help nourish the skin,” he adds.
Best for fine lines
SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: human fibroblast conditioned media (HFCM), palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl oligopeptide, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate, N-hydroxysuccinimide, chrysin, and boron nitride
- Price: $$$$
Dr. Adam Mamelak says he often recommends this cream, as it’s formulated to improve:
- fine lines
- wrinkles
- tone and texture
- dark circles
It targets these issues with a powerful lineup of ingredients: Hyaluronic acid boosts hydration for smoother looking skin. A blend of proteins and peptides help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the delicate eye area, while boron nitride provides a light effect that diffuses the look of discoloration.
While the product may be a splurge, many reviewers find it a great option to address dark circles and signs of aging.
Best for mature skin
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye for Dark Circles
- Skin type: dry, normal
- Key ingredients: blueberry extract, proxylane, peptides
This cream designed especially for crow’s feet is formulated with a concentrated flavonoid blend. Flavonoids are derived from plants and have powerful antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin from environmental damage. A.G.E. Advanced Eye also works on dark circles and puffiness with glycyrrhetinic acid to boost hydration and caffeine to brighten.
This cream, one of the priciest on the list, should be applied twice daily.
Best retinol
skinbetter science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: retinoid, alpha hydroxy acid, and antioxidants
- Price: $$$$
Another staple in Mraz Robinson’s toolkit is the skinbetter science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream. The eye cream combines retinoid and alpha hydroxy acid to reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eyes that often come with age.
In contrast to your regular prescribed retinoid, this eye cream is gentle enough to support the thinning skin under and around the eye. The formula’s hydrating properties and peptides also fight off environmental aggressors and dryness.
Anyone with mature-looking skin can benefit from a small dab of this overnight cream.
Best vegan
Thrive Causemetics Defying Gravity Eye Lifting Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: green tea, caffeine, red algae extract, allantoin, and rooibos leaf extract
- Price: $$
This lightweight eye cream is designed to:
- hydrate skin
- calm puffiness
- brighten dark circles
It does this with high-performance ingredients, such as a plant-derived retinol alternative that improves the look of wrinkles around the eye area. Caffeine and antioxidants constrict blood vessels to reduce puffiness and minimize the appearance of dark circles.
It’s a vegan, cruelty-free formula that’s made with no:
- parabens
- phthalates
- sulfates
- synthetic ingredients
Best eye serum
QMS Medicosmetics Intensive Eye Care Day & Night Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, peptides, and caffeine
- Price: $$$$
This protective eye serum is a little different from a standard eye cream. It’s made with peptides for a more youthful look.
“Peptide technology is a newer entrant into the eye serum market, and can be helpful in a variety of ways, including signaling changes in the skin that can lead to an improved appearance,” says Dr. James Wang of Metropolis Dermatology.
In this formula, peptides are combined with hyaluronic acid and caffeine to:
- boost hydration
- repair the skin barrier
- shrink blood vessels that can give the appearance of a blueish hue
Plus, the ceramic tip applicator is naturally cooling.
“It has the essential components of a gentle, light eye cream that does not irritate. The results should be subtle, but durable,” Wang says.
Best retinol alternative
Orvos Satin Eye Gel Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: green tea extract, coffee seed extract, bakuchiol, kakadu plum extract, and fig extract
- Price: $$$$
This eye gel cream is made with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified organic ingredients, including the retinol alternative bakuchiol.
“Bakuchiol is derived from the Psoralea corylifolia plant and is often used as a retinol alternative as it has similar benefits to retinol without the potential irritation retinol can cause, like dryness and redness,” says Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology.
According to Hartman, bakuchiol helps regulate cell turnover to reveal new, brighter skin with a more even texture.
The formula also is rich in antioxidants. Plus, the cooling massage applicator helps calm puffy skin.
How we chose
To create this list of recommendations, we:
- interviewed dermatologists around the globe for their personal favorites and top recommendations for patients
- only considered bestselling products with customer ratings of 4 stars or more
- chose products that include ingredients dermatologists recommend for targeting dark circles
How we chose
To create this list of recommendations, we:
- interviewed dermatologists around the globe for their personal favorites and top recommendations for patients
- only considered bestselling products with customer ratings of 4 stars or more
- chose products that include ingredients dermatologists recommend for targeting dark circles
What causes dark circles and under-eye puffiness?
Dark circles are a vascular issue, according to Dr. Luigi L. Polla, the founder of Forever Institut and Alchimie Forever. The skin under the eye is very thin, making blood vessels more visible. The most effective treatment will also address the root cause, which may include:
- Genetics: Both your facial anatomy and hereditary skin pigmentation under the eyes (also known as periorbital hyperpigmentation) can make you predisposed to under-eye circles that can appear as early as childhood.
- Allergies: Seasonal allergies don’t just irritate your nose. “Inflamed sinuses lead to swollen blood vessels, which dilate and darken the veins in the under-eye area,” says Dr. Mraz Robinson. Also known as allergic shiners, these circles can become more pronounced if you rub your itchy eyes.
- Lack of sleep: Not getting enough sleep causes blood vessels to dilate around your eyes, which makes dark circles look more prominent.
- Eyestrain: When your eyes feel strained and tired, like from looking at screens for an extended period of time, this also causes the blood vessels around the eye to dilate.
- Aging: The skin under your eyes is extremely thin and often shows the first visible signs of skin aging. “As we age, the collagen and elastin in our skin break down, which makes our skin thinner and more translucent to the vascular structures below,” Dr. Robinson explains. Also, fat loss, which often occurs with aging, can create a hollowness around the eyes that casts a shadow.
How to apply eye cream
The skin around the eyes is delicate and thin, so any application to this area should be gentle. Consider using your fingertip to apply a pea-sized amount of the cream, and patting, not rubbing, it, around the eye.
“The ring finger is the weakest finger and is best for eye cream application, as it puts less pressure on delicate skin,” says Dr. Alberto de la Fuente Garcia. “Be sure to avoid tugging or stretching the skin.”
You might also consider doing gentle massage around the eyes, to help remove excess lymph that may have accumulated, says Dr. Erum N. Ilyas. The resulting puffiness may be exacerbated by conditions including:
- allergies
- rosacea
- high blood pressure
- hormonal changes
Meanwhile, the longer the fluid sits there, the more likely it is to change the texture of the skin on your face.
“Many people will note that their skin starts to look like the peel of an orange or the bags under their eyes seem more prominent,” Ilyas says.
After applying a dab of eye cream, gently massage from the center of the face outward around the eyes, in an arc, she says.
Illyas adds that cooling your eye cream in the refrigerator can promote the narrowing of blood cells (vasoconstriction), which may also prevent your skin from drawing in more fluid.
Just check your product label carefully before doing so, in case your cream of choice needs a certain storage temperature for best use.
You can also gently use a cooling applicator, like a jade roller or gua sha stone, around the eyes, to take advantage of their coolness.
What to look for in an eye cream for dark circles
From swollen, puffy eyes to dark circles to crepey-looking skin, different eye cream ingredients target different problems. Some are some key ones to look for:
Hyaluronic acid
This naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan is found throughout your body’s connective tissue. It helps your skin hold onto water so it stays hydrated, and creates a plump, refreshed look.
Caffeine
Caffeine constricts blood vessels under the eyes, which can reduce the look for dark circles, and leave the eyes looking more awake.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can brighten the under-eye area, strengthen thinning skin, and boost the the production of collagen, a protein that keeps skin plump and supple.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a popular ingredient in eye creams. “Vitamin K promotes cellular metabolism and has anti-inflammatory properties, with known effects to help with blood clotting,” says Dr. Jeannette Graf, a dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Retinoid
As you age, the skin under your eyes may become thinner, and fine lines, often called crow’s feet, can form. Dr. Graf recommends using an eye cream with a retinoid, which can slow the body’s natural reduction of collagen production by helping with skin cell turnover.
One caveat is that retinoids are incredibly potent, so opt for a formula specially made for the under-eye area. When applying a retinoid cream, a little goes a long way.
Other tips for under-eye care
Treatment for dark eye circles depends on the underlying cause, but a few home remedies could make a difference.
- Apply a cold compress.
- Elevate your head.
- Apply cooled caffeinated tea bags.
- Conceal with hydrating makeup.
- Aim for 7 to 8 hours Of sleep per night.
- Stay Hydrated.
- Eat a Balanced diet.
Medical treatments for under-eye circles
Some medical treatments that may help treat under-eye circles include:
- chemical peels to reduce pigmentation
- laser surgery to resurface the skin and enhance skin tightening
- medical tattoos to inject pigment into thinning skin areas
- tissue fillers to conceal blood vessels and melanin that are causing skin discoloration beneath your eyes
- excess fat and skin removal to reveal a smoother and more even surface
- surgical implants of fat or synthetic products
Before deciding on any cosmetic procedure, it’s best to discuss your options with a dermatologist as a first step.