These Eye Creams for Dark Circles Are Like 8-Hours of Sleep In a Jar (2024)

Dark under-eye circles can impact anyone, no matter their age, skin tone, or sleeping habits. If you have them, you're not alone. Many people experience this common concern. "Dark under-eye circles often develop from a combination of genetics and environmental factors," says Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Aging is one of the biggest culprits. As we age, we lose collagen, which creates a hollowness that leads to an increased shadow effect, she explains. "Additionally, the eyelid skin becomes thin and delicate, so the underlying blood vessels become more visible, contributing to the appearance of dark circles," says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. Hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage or genetics also creates dark circles, adds Garshick. "And those with allergies or those who frequently rub their eyes may notice discoloration due to this chronic rubbing."

What do dermatologists recommend for dark circles under the eyes?

The solution that's right for you depends on which of the above causes you have, but an eye cream formulated with the right ingredients can certainly help, says Shari Sperling, DO, board-certified dermatologist of Sperling Dermatology. Search for brightening ingredients, like vitamin C, niacinamide, and caffeine.

Ahead, shop the best eye creams for dark circles, according to dermatologists.

The experts:

• Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in California
• Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology in New York
• Shari Sperling, DO, board-certified dermatologist of Sperling Dermatology in New Jersey
• Lauren Penzi, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in Long Island, NY
• Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology in New York

"This reduces the appearance of both bluish and brown discoloration," says Garshick. "It's also gentle and can be used daily by those with sensitive skin." The formula contains retinol, caffeine, and the La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, which is rich in antioxidants and ultra-soothing. Bonus points are for the affordable price point and the ability to find it at your local drugstore. We also love the metal cooling applicator that feels great against skin.

Shirazi recommends this formula because it contains vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting and promotes circulation. "This can lessen the appearance of dark circles that are formed by blood pooling under the thin skin," she explains. The formula also has hyaluronic acid to restore moisture levels and help plump the look of sunken eyes. Over time, you'll notice improvement in discoloration and under-eyes that are more firm and elastic. You can use it once or twice daily.

The neat thing about this tinted formula is that it immediately covers up the look of darkness and hyperpigmentation, similar to a concealer, but it also improves skin tone over time and so much more. It's packed with powerful ingredients, such as seawater and marine microalgae to address skin laxity and support collagen production for firmer-looking skin. It also contains an ingredient called Aldavine 5x, which is unique to the brand and consists of polysaccharides that minimize puffiness and pigmentation. The inclusion of SPF 35 also protects skin from further damage.

Vitamin C is a gold-standard brightening ingredient. This special formula contains not one, but five forms of the ingredient to dramatically improve the look of darkness and even out skin tone. Additionally, it contains a blend of eight kinds of peptides to target loss of firmness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Ceramides, plant oils, and cucumber extract also hydrate and protect skin. Over time, you'll notice this formula helps tamp down shadow-causing bags, which is why it comes highly recommended by Shirazi.

If you don't like the feeling of a thick eye cream or want something that is lightweight and will quickly absorb into skin, you'll love this formula. In addition to being weightless and easy to apply, it's chockfull of powerful actives (read: retinol, ferulic acid, bakuchiol, and rambutan) that reduce the look of dark circles, increase hydration, firmness, and smoothness. "As we age, we lose collagen, which is why eyes can develop a sunken appearance," says Sperling. It also has antioxidants and hydrating properties.

Niacinamide, aka vitamin B3, is a powerhouse ingredient, says Penzi. It has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help calm skin and combat hyperpigmentation. Penzi likes this drugstore option not only because it's budget-friendly, but it also pairs niacinamide with retinol, making it the perfect affordable solution for dark circles, she says. The formula also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects skin from environmental aggressors, but it's also a hydrating ingredient that nourishes skin.

Containing an encapsulated blend of vitamin C that slowly and gently releases over time, this eye cream helps brighten without irritating the skin, says Garshick. It also contains niacinamide, peptides, and green caffeine, which all help to improve the appearance of multiple types of dark circles. The gel texture is lightweight and refreshing, making it a great pick for those with combination or oily skin who want something hydrating that doesn't feel too heavy or greasy.

For those looking to tackle dark circles and common signs of aging skin, Garshick recommends this formula. It's a silky, creamy formula that contains ProxylaneTM, an environmentally friendly synthetic ingredient derived from birch and beech wood to strengthen the skin barrier and increase firmness. It also has a peptide that supports tighter and more elastic skin. What's more? It also includes caffeine and an inclusive blend of optical diffusers to disperse light and immediately improve the radiance of tired, dull-looking eyes across all skin tones.

This formula contains vitamin C and retinol to firm and brighten the skin. Despite those heavy-hitting active ingredients, though, it's very hydrating and wards off potential irritation, thanks to ceramides. "Hydrators like ceramides, or hyaluronic acid and glycerin, are excellent ingredients to look for in under-eye creams because they protect the skin barrier and help to plump the skin to give it an overall smoother and lighter appearance," Penzi says. While you can use it day and night, make sure to follow up with SPF in the morning because it contains retinol.

This formula brightens dark circles in a few ways. It has a slight tint that blends into your skin and helps to very lightly conceal and it contains niacinamide, caffeine, and vitamin C to improve the look of hyperpigmentation. However, it also has a subtle sheen to it, adding a boost of natural radiance and luminosity to the skin, which is perfect for wearing underneath makeup to brighten. The cooling applicator also helps to reduce puffiness and soothe the skin.

Besides two big benefits of this derm go-to—"it's cheap and available over the counter," Sperling says—the formula is especially effective at plumping skin to help counteract dark shadows thanks to niacinamide, and a marine and botanical complex. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid restore moisture and protect the skin barrier. And like all CeraVe products, this formula is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (meaning it doesn't clog pores), making it gentle enough for sensitive skin.

You may have heard of or seen this iconic eye cream on your social media feeds at one point or another. That's because, as we know, vitamin C is the name of the game when it comes to brightening skin, and this bestselling formula contains a trio of powerful vitamin C extracts to help visibly minimize darkness—it's one of Penzi's go-tos. It also strikes the perfect balance between hydrating and creamy without being too rich or heavy.

Camp loves to recommend this option to patients who want something powerful and efficacious, but also don't want to experience potential drawbacks. Designed with sensitive skin at top of mind, this formula contains encapsulated retinol, meaning it gently releases the ingredient into your skin to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and even out skin tone without causing irritation. The addition of squalane and ceramides is there to hydrate, calm, soothe, and strengthen the skin barrier.

An eye cream that says to reduce the look of dark circles in as little as seven days seems like an overpromise. But alas, this formula works overtime to soften the look of darkness, puffiness, and wrinkles. It's a hydrating serum that contains 10 percent pure vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and peptides, says Camp. "Peptides are the building blocks of proteins, like collagen. Promoting collagen helps decrease the appearance of lines and crow’s-feet."

Infused with retinol, this eye cream addresses a boatload of under-eye concerns, including dark circles, dullness, and fine lines and wrinkles, says Garshick. Hyaluronic acid is also included to plump and hydrate the eyes. The cherry on top? You can find this budget-friendly pick at your local drugstore. If you're a beginner to retinol, add it to your nighttime routine once a week and increase frequency as tolerated. And always make sure to use SPF in the morning.

One of the downsides of vitamin C is that it tends to oxidize quickly, rendering it unstable and ineffective. This patented formula, created by cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, reduces that possibility to deliver maximum potency and faster results. It's basically vitamin C in its purest form to help brighten skin and reduce the look of puffiness, dullness, and hyperpigmentation. "It also contains hyaluronic acid, which helps to boost moisture and plump the under-eye skin," says Garshick.

This unique formula has phenylethyl resorcinol, which helps to balance melanin production and even out hyperpigmentation. Marine extracts also tackle discoloration, hyaluronic acid hydrates, and flower stem cell extracts fight against free radical damage, which can cause premature signs of aging (read: dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, etc.) if left unprotected. Admittedly, it's a bit of a splurge, however, this ultra-hydrating, brightening, and depuffing formula is worth every penny and is recommended by Shirazi.

Shirazi recommends her own nighttime formulation, which has everything you need to address the different causes of dark circles. For example, the retinol in it stimulates collagen production and improves skin tone, arnica and vitamin K boost microcirculation and reduce dark circles, vitamin C brightens and protects, caffeine depuffs, and niacinamide brightens and soothes inflammation. Ceramides also help strengthen and protect the skin barrier. It checks all the boxes.

Our beauty team is dedicated to finding you the best of the best formulas. We spoke with dermatologists to learn about what to look for in an eye cream for dark circles and got their go-to recommendations. We also researched and tested top-rated and brand-new formulas that hit the market to help you find the best products out there.