Many factors can cause darkness under your eyes, including genetics, dehydration, and lack of sleep. However, it doesn't mean that you don't have options. There are a ton of eye creams that have the right ingredients, so you can see results over time. These formulas include brightening ingredients like vitamin C and licorice to fade hyperpigmentation, hyaluronic acid and peptides to plump the skin, and even retinol. We rounded up the best eye creams for dark circles on the market.
If you want to see instant results, there are eye creams with pearlescent pigments that will illuminate the undereye area like The Inkey List's Brighten-i Eye Cream and the Origins GinZing Vitamin C Eye Cream. Looking to even out your skin tone? The Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Vitamin C Power Eye Cream and Summer Fridays Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream are popular picks. Whether you have dry skin, have sensitive skin, or want to tackle aging concerns, we found options for your needs. Shop our top picks ahead.
— Additional reporting by Jesa Calaor
The Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask ($42) contains encapsulated retinol to brighten and reduce the appearance of fine lines. However, it won't dry out the undereye area thanks to the mix of moisturizing avocado oil and avocado extract (both of which are rich in vitamin E) and hydrating hyaluronic acid. It's best to use this in your nighttime routine.
The Inkey List Brighten-i Eye Cream ($10) will instantly brighten the undereye area since it combines skin care with cosmetics. It has powerful ingredients to brighten the undereye over time, like niacinamide. With the help of blurring technologies and illuminators, your undereyes will look brighter.
The Sweet Chef Turmeric + Vitamin C Booster Eye Cream ($18) is rich in antioxidants that will protect your undereyes from environmental stressors. It's formula is lightweight and makeup friendly.
The bestselling Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème ($40) is rich in vitamin C and even the perfect primer for makeup! It hydrates your undereyes while making concealer application a breeze.
Retinol is one of the best do-it-all ingredients on the market. The best way to battle current undereye issues while preventing future ones is to use the RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream ($18). It's gentle enough to use daily; however, if your undereye area is more sensitive, then start off with every other day.
It might seem like a lot of money to spend on eye cream, but the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex ($100) is worth the splurge because it gives you both short- and long-term results. It uses light-reflecting particles to create the illusion of brighter undereyes while blueberry extract and a blend of peptides diminish the appearance of dark circles and improve elasticity over time. Remember, a little goes a long way, so this should last a while.
The Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Vitamin C Power Eye Cream ($65) has a pump that dispenses a lightweight lotion that's loaded with antioxidants to reduce dark circles. It has 10 percent THD ascorbate, vitamin C, and vitamin E with ferulic acid to support performance. It's a great option for brightening and evening out the skin tone while antiaging. You can use this twice a day, morning and night.
Believe it or not, the Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream ($76) feels even more luxurious than how its jar looks. The cream uses a plant-derived retinol alternative to firm the delicate skin beneath your eyes and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
If you wake up with puffy eyes or couldn't sleep the prior night, the Origins GinZing Vitamin C Eye Cream ($34) has got your back. It will brighten with the help of vitamin C and niacinamide and depuff with the help of caffeine. But it also contains tiny pearlescent illuminators that will instantly revive your undereye area. It comes in two shades, the original pink-toned illuminator and a warm-toned illuminator.
Care for your eye area with something hydrating like the Kiehl's Since 1851 Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado ($34-$54). It's perfect for dry undereyes, especially during the colder months. Using this day and night will give your undereye area a brighter and more awakened look. A little goes a long way!
Brighten your undereye area with the Summer Fridays Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream ($42). It's a hydrating cream that contains vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides, and caffeine for a more awakened look.
Hide the evidence of a long night with the Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel Cream ($16). It's made for those with drier or sensitive skin and will hydrate the area for a revived, awakened appearance. It contains caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and licorice extract.