The 18 Best Eye Creams That Actually Address Dark Circles (2024)

Beautystat's multitasking eye perfector has a stable form of vitamin C to brighten and protect against environmental damage, plus hydrating hyaluronic acid and a green tea derivative to lend antioxidant protection. With a gentle brightening formula and optical diffusers that blur lines, many users skip undereye makeup altogether.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "My days are LONG as a working mom. I am permanently tired and was looking for something to help me look alive. Love this product and I highly recommend it." —Charilee

It's hard to beat the trusty combination of brightening vitamin C and firming acetyl hexapeptide-8 (a peptide that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by muscle contraction). Summer Fridays also added in caffeine, which helps depuff and keep eyes looking wide awake.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "I love this product—it’s creamy but not heavy and gives me a little glow/brightens my skin in the morning. 4.5 stars because I wish it was more affordable but a little goes a long way." —alex533

TikTok fell in love with this serum, which users swear makes a marked improvement in undereye circles and puffiness—and fast. The key ingredients? Smoothing palmitoyl tripeptide-38, niacinamide, and glucosides for brightening.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "I have used many eye serums in the past, but this has been one of my favorites! It goes on very easily, and I notice a real difference in my eyes. It’s helped a lot with puffiness." —paigenotfound

Gloria Lin, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, says this "excellent" drugstore formula is "formulated with retinol, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin to help with dark circles and fine lines and wrinkles." However, she notes that "it may not be suitable for those with more sensitive skin, though, since the retinol can be irritating, and it increases the risk of a sunburn."

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "I have always struggled with dark bags under my eyes, and now that I am in my late 30s, it's gotten really bad, and nothing has helped until I found this! I wish I had taken before and afters because this has drastically made a difference with my bags!" —Christy

You only need a few dabs of Ole Henriksen's beloved Banana Bright+ Eye Crème to reduce dark circles and crow's feet. The slight tint lends an instant brightening effect, but if you use it consistently, you'll also notice your eyes looking brighter over time.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "I've tried many eye creams, but this one is by far the best. I love that it doesn't irritate my eyes! It goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly, and has a light citrus smell." —Robyn C.

Experts love this moisturizing option from La Roche-Posay. It contains niacinamide, caffeine, and thermal spring water to reduce puffiness while boosting hydration. It's also great for reactive or sensitive skin.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "This stuff is seriously amazing. I saw visible (and lasting) results quickly. I've always had dark circles under my eyes (and those little dots) and they are all diminished. I also have a slight keloid scar under one eye that is really only noticeable to me and even that has gone down significantly."

Another one on Lin's shortlist, this highly-rated option from Drunk Elephant "contains peptides, ceramides, vitamin E, and cucumber extract to help hydrate the area and improve discoloration," says the derm, who adds that it is also vegan and cruelty-free.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "Finally, an eye cream that works. I have dark genetic circles, and I get bags and puffiness sometimes. This eye cream has not irritated me one bit, and it’s been once a month since using it. Every day I see results. My skin type is dry and combo if this helps." —auraqz

Ilia Bright Start Activated Eye Cream has a cooling ceramic tip that doubles as a relaxing massage tool to reduce puffiness and dark circles. Did we mention it is also a Bazaar Skincare Award winner?

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "I tried the Ilia retinol eye cream and I really liked it, it goes smoothly on the skin, it leaves the skin brightening and looking beautiful, it seems like it's glittery but is very settled. The skin looks beautiful after you put it on."—Mayra

This eye cream from U Beauty goes beyond just moisturizing by addressing discoloration, dark circles, stagnant water, and lines and wrinkles. Our beauty director, the mother of a sleep-fighting two-year-old, says this is the only eye cream she's ever used that really works. Other reviewers have compared it to "putting cashmere" under their eyes.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "This eye cream is advertised as being specifically formulated to target signs of aging around the eyes, and I definitely noticed some improvements after using it for a few weeks. The cream itself is thick and creamy, but not greasy or heavy, and it absorbs quickly into the skin.After using it consistently, I've noticed that my under-eye area looks brighter and more hydrated, and the fine lines around my eyes are definitely less noticeable." —Melissa

This creamy formula contains a substantial amount of skin-awakening vitamin C and caffeine and acts as a fantastic base under concealer. Plus, the color of the jar just makes us feel happy.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "Wow! Ok Herbivore! You really have impressed me with this eye cream. I woke up looking rough and tired. I applied this eye cream for the first time and the results blew me away! Bright, hydrated, and awake looking under eyes!" —Lollikitten

Spiked with guava, vitamin C, and green caffeine, this gel cream is a fan favorite (we're talking number-one-selling eye cream at Sephora fan favorite, as of September 2022).

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "I’ll be honest, when I first started using this in my skincare routine, I didn’t see any impact or change. But over the past month, my dark circles and eye bags under my eyes look so much brighter!" —emmagschultz

The name doesn't lie. With polyglutamic acid, baobab oil, and illipe butter, it's ultra-nourishing for dry skin and still offers brightening benefits.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "This is my new favorite eye cream! It is so thick and hydrating, wears well under makeup, and makes my dry skin so happy! The packaging is fun and different than any other eye cream I’ve used." —genuinejulia

Beauty editors love Elemis, but we can't keep this one to ourselves. The non-greasy, multitasking eye cream isn't inexpensive, but it may just help prolong a derm appointment.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "To be honest wasn’t sure it was any different from other eye creams I’ve used but decided to persevere with it and started to notice a difference. The skin under my eyes looked more hydrated and dark circles faded and skin softer " —Lynn

This new eye cream from Live Tinted has a cooling metal applicator that instantly helps with depuffing. But it's the Hyperpigmentation Triple Complex—a blend of vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid—that will keep your under-eyes looking bright.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "I'm South Asian so happy to see us represented in the beauty space! Unsurprisingly, this product made my under eyes bright and glowy! I love the applicator, it was easy to use and cooling. I couldn't stop looking at my eyes, they look great after putting this on. I don't even need concealer most days!" —Tara

Lightweight and refreshing, this drugstore eye cream can be used in the morning for an eye-energizing wake-up call or at night to keep the brightening power going.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "This product really brightened my skin and left it feeling nice and smooth. Was easy to use under foundation. Very hydrating." —Melissa

Caudalie fans know all about Viniferine, the brand's patented grape extract—and it's a key ingredient, along with niacinamide and caffeine, in this new formula just for the eyes. The applicator feels so nice, too.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "I'm absolutely loving this Vinoperfect dark circle brightening eye cream. I've been using it for about a month now, morning and night. It is very moisturizing and brightening around the eye area. My favorite part is the applicator, it is the perfect size and shape for exactly where you need it, and it always feels so cooling and nice, it's like a bonus eye massage with every application!" —mjc419

This creamsicle-colored formula is excellent under makeup but is also rich enough to use at night. It contains red algae to help boost hydration and brighten, plus chaga mushroom to de-puff and protect.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "There is so much about this eye cream that I absolutely love. First, I used to get dry around my under eyes and on the inner part of my eye lid. Since using this eye cream it's like the skin has had a makeover—zero issues with dryness. Its creamy, pudding-like texture is a dream and the slight orange hue cancels out my dark circles. It's a freakin dream." —Lauren

If you like instant gratification, this inexpensive eye cream contains one percent mica to illuminate the unde-eyes immediately. It also contains ingredients that will work to brighten the skin over time.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "I got this in late December and have been using it every night after taking my makeup off ever since. (It’s April.) If you have hereditary eye bags this works so well. I’ve noticed my eyes getting lighter and I feel like I don’t have to wear as much concealer!" —haydenjones

In some cases, they are simply genetic. But others are from outside and behavioral factors. “Lack of sleep, dehydration, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and poor nutrition are all potential causes of dark circles,” Lin says. However, she adds that underlying medical conditions like anemia or vitamin deficiencies can also contribute. They also tend to get more pronounced with age.

“The natural aging process causes volume loss over time, particularly in the area underneath the eye. As the eyelid skin tends to be thinner, it is easier to see the vasculature underneath when this loss of volume occurs, making the area appear darker,” explains the derm. Allergies are another culprit, as are other skin concerns. “Other dermatologic conditions like contact dermatitis can cause inflammation in the area, leading to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which will also appear as dark circles,” she notes.

“The effectiveness of eye creams may depend on the underlying cause of the dark circles,” Lin adds. “For some people, lifestyle modifications like adequate sleep, hydration, and healthy diet, along with treatment of any underlying medical conditions, may be the first step in the treatment plan.”

But we know you’re here because you are looking for a quick fix, which an eye cream likely won’t provide. “Eye creams may not lead to instant results, so consistent use may be required to see these more long-term benefits,” she says.