The Best Brightening Eye Creams for Dark Circles

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The eyes are the windows of the soul, but they also happen to sadly be the first place on the face to show signs of fatigue—and usually in the form of dark circles. While you could always swipe on your favorite brightening concealer or use under-eye patches for a quick pick-me-up if you're in a pinch, incorporating a good eye cream in your skincare routine might be more beneficial in the long run.

"Eye creams can help alleviate some of the issues that cause the appearance of dark circles," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD FAAD at Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery. "It is the thinnest layer of the skin and so including ingredients that stimulate collagen and enhance the hydration in the area can help overall improve the perceived look of the area."

Because treating dark circles is a long process, we tapped Dr. Bhanusali and did some heavy testing ourselves for the most effective formulas that money can by. Whether you are hoping to mask a sleepless night or wish to combat all signs of aging at once, here are the best eye creams that that brighten, tighten, and hydrate for a wide-awake look.

Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream

Ask any beauty editor or expert about their tried-and-true eye creams, and they'll likely name this hard-working RoC option as one of them. It not only targets dark circles with the help of gentle retinol, but it alleviates puffiness and smoothes wrinkles at under $20. Dr. Bhanusali is a fan.

One reviewer writes: "This has changed my baggy, puffy, dark eyes for the better. I apply every night and instead of waking up to ugly eye bags I wake up to soft smooth undereyes. I saw a difference in 4 days using this eye cream and even went to every other night after 3 weeks and still it keeps my undereyes in shape. An essential!"

Key Ingredients: Retinol

Skin Type: Aging, Mature

Size: 0.5 fl oz

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex

Dr. Bhanusali calls this sumptuously creamy eye treatment a "derm favorite" for its brightening, depuffing, and anti-agiing benefits on the fragile skin around the eyes. With consistent use, you can expect a youthful look sans fine lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet.

One shopper writes: "I’m 41 and have been using this eye cream for about a year. It has helped with under eye darkness and minimized wrinkles while I believe keeping additional wrinkles at bay. I’ll continue to repurchase to help keep my eyes youthful!"

Key Ingredients: Blueberry Extract, Proxylane, Complex of Flavonoids and Synergistic Peptides

Skin Type: Aging, Mature

Size: 0.5 fl oz

Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Brightening Eye Crème

Powered by a gold-complexed vitamin C and banana powder, this glow-booster contains light-reflecting yellow mineral pigments that help make your eyes look 10 years younger. Gone are puffy eyes, dark circles, and fatigue.

One shopper raves: "I don't know how this doesn't have 6 stars... This is the only eye cream I've tried that actually brightens my undereye circles and doesn't pill under my concealer."

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Bioflavonoids, Hardy Orange Extract

Skin Type: All

Size: 0.5 fl oz

Bright Start Retinol Alternative Eye Cream

From the formula to the application, everything about Ilia's brightening eye cream is a keeper. Light-reflecting pearl and sea fennel extract illuminate the under-eye area, while the ceramic applicator feels incredibly soothing against the skin. Better still, it was specifically formulated to work well with your favorite concealer.

One shopper writes: "This cream is really a brightening product! It leaves a shiny layer on my eye area. It didn’t irritate my eyes. I used a concealer and setting powder on top, and there were no creasing or cakey areas."

Key Ingredients: Sea Fennel Extract, Upcycled Avocado Extract, Caffeine & Peptides

Skin Type: All

Size: 0.5 fl oz

High Performance Eye Cream for Dark Circles

Formulated with 38 plant actives, this creamy formula by Dr. Macrene Alexiades not only revives tired eyes, but it also visibly brightens and erases fine line and wrinkles over time.

One shopper raves: "It’s such a good product, there is no fragrance which I really like about because your under eye really sensitive so your eye cream should have no fragrance and light, it helped me brightening my eyes."

Key Ingredients: Palmitoyl Hexapeptide, Hyaluronic Acid, Coffea robusta Seed Extract

Skin Type: All, including aging

Size: 0.5 fl oz

Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream

Biossance offers everything your skin wants and needs in a tub: a smoother and firmer appearance with radiant glow. No one will ever know you only slept 5 hours last night.

One reviewer says: "Wow this stuff is amazing. I have dark circles and puffiness under my eyes. The improvement in such a short time is incredible. So gentle on eyes and no irritation."

Key Ingredients: Paracress Extract, Squalane, Marine Algae Complex

Skin Type: All

Size: 0.5 fl oz

The Eye Concentrate Eye Cream

If dryness is also a concern, La Mer's highly-concentrated treatment is formulated with a blend of ultra-hydrating ingredients that lock in moisture, deliver luminous results, and younger-looking skin in just 21 days. Pro tip: Pop the applicator into the fridge beforehand for even more of a calming experience.

One shopper says: "As someone who has had puffy and super dark eye bags most of their childhood, La Mer's eye concentrate is the only eye cream that has work for me personally! My closest friends and family have not only noticed a reduction in the puffiest of my eye bags, but I've also received many comments about my under eyes also improving which is making my skin tone match!"

Key Ingredients: Clarity Ferment, Lime Tea Concentrate, Concentrated Miracle Broth

Skin Type: All

Size: 0.5 fl oz

Bio Lifting Eye Cream

Chantecaille's small but mighty container of eye cream certainly packs a tightening punch. A combination of active botanicals and de-puffing peptides team up to lift while targeting dark circles and improving hyperpigmentation. Seriously, you feel this cooling pot-of-goodness work its magic instantly.

One shopper says: "The eye cream reduces lines and appears to lift the eye on my sensitive eyes after only a few days of use."

Key Ingredients: Hexapeptide Amplified, White Flowers, Tetrapeptide, Recharging Botanical Sugar

Skin Type: Aging, Mature

Size: 0.5 fl oz

White Caviar Eye Extraordinaire Illuminating Eye Cream

La Prairie might be a splurge, but it's worth every cent. Infused with Golden Caviar Extract and the Swiss brand's patented brightening Lumidose, this glow-inducing treatment melts into skin instantly to target lackluster skin, hyperpigmentation, and dark circles for a luminous finish.

One shopper says: "Magic. A bit of witchcraft in a jar. And I love the press applicator and massage bead."

Key Ingredients: Swiss Golden Caviar Extracts, Lumidose Tyrosinase

Skin Type: All

Size: 0.67 fl oz

Advanced Génifique Wrinkle & Dark Circle Eye Cream

The best way to describe Lancôme's cult-favorite Génifique eye cream? Like a filler in a jar. The moisturizing formula counts hyaluronic acid as one of its superstar ingredients to deeply nourish, smooth fine lines, and erase dark circles for a just-had-8-hours-of-sleep look.

One shopper writes: "This eye cream is the boost I needed. My dark circles and fine lines are greatly improved. This cream feels quite luxurious and absorbs quickly."

Key Ingredients: Bifidus Prebiotic, Hyaluronic Acid

Skin Type: All

Size: 0.5 fl oz

Advanced Night Repair Eye Gel Cream

If you're obsessed with the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum, you know what to expect here: a luxurious overnight treatment that feels like a dream on skin and works wonders to combat hollowed eyes.

One shopper says: "Fantastic; diminished my dark circles in two days. I was shocked, honestly. This requires the tiniest bit of product, too, so a little goes a long way."

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, FR-Defense™ Technology

Skin Type: All

Size: 0.5 fl oz

SUPERHUE Brightening Eye Cream

Dr. Bhanusali is also a fan of this brightening eye cream because "it has great calming ingredients like niacinamide and chamomile in a really elegant applicator that can help with lymphatic drainage to puffier areas of the upper face."

One shopper says: "This serum stick is amazing. It makes my skin glow. I have received so many compliments. I absolutely love it. It goes on smooth, not sticky or heavy. Highly recommend."

Key Ingredients: Hyperpigmentation Triple Complex, Caffeine, Turmeric

Skin Type: All

Size: 0.5 fl oz

C5 Super Boost Eye Cream

With ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and ginger extract, this potent blend packs a serious brightening punch. Apply a pea-sized amount around your eyes and watch the magic unfold.

One shopper says: "Only need a little and it goes a long way! Very gentle on under eye skin and the orange tint helps with dark circles or dull skin under the eyes."

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Polypeptide, Zerumbone

Skin Type: All

Size: 0.5 fl oz

List Caffeine Eye Cream

The key to faking a good night's sleep lies in this powerful treatment that contains a blend of caffeine and hyaluronic acid to wake up tired-looking eyes.

One shopper says: "Love this eye cream! I have always struggled with under eye circles, they’re so dark. This has helped lighten the area and wake them up. I would highly recommend! It’s also a great affordable price!"

Key Ingredients: Caffeine, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Matrixyl 3000™

Skin Type: All

Size: 0.5 fl oz

All About Eyes™ Eye Cream

An oldie but goodie. Clinique's eye cream has nearly 2,000 reviews on Nordstrom with an average 4.5-star rating—and it's not hard to see why. It's lightweight, incredibly refreshing, and the stuff actually corrects dark circles.

One shopper says: "I am a working mom who sometimes gets only a few hours of sleep then pays with dark circles and puffy eyes. My daughter recommended this product and voila! Like magic the puffiness went away after one use and the circles disappeared. I call it my magic eraser."

Key Ingredients: Mulberry Extract, Caffeine

Skin Type: All

Size: 0.5 fl oz

Premier Cru Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream

Tired-looking eyes will be a thing in the past once you use this luscious cream that diminishes expression lines, perks up skin, and enhances radiance with its easy-to-use cool-tip applicator.

One shopper writes: "Great cream, love the applicator. The dispenser of the cream makes it so easy to apply, with a minimal amount. No need to dip your fingers into a jar, this is much more hygienic. Love to use the metal applicator to massage my under eye in the morning and depuff the area. It helped to minimize my dark circle and smooth out any bags and under eye wrinkle, I'm very happy with the results!"

Key Ingredients: TET8™ Patent, Naturalizer Pearlizers, Hyaluronic Acid

Skin Type: All, including aging

Size: 0.5 fl oz

Hypoallergenic Clean Correction Firming & Brightening Eye Cream

Specifically formulated with sensitive skin in mind, this gentle cream feels incredibly soothing on skin and helps improve the appearance of sunken eyes.

One shopper raves: "I'm happy because I no longer look like a raccoon! I love how this product makes my eyes not puffy and dark. It has actually brightened my skin a little. It has no scent to me and I love it. A little does go along way. I recommend this product and people say I look younger"

Key Ingredients: Peptides, Squalane, Mushroom Extract

Skin Type: Sensitive Skin

Size: 0.5 fl oz

Hydra Eye Balm

OK, OK, this is technically not a cream, but it's an eye product to have on your radar. The oh-so-nourishing balm works double duty to intensely condition the dry, delicate skin around the eyes while visibly brightening your appearance. Pat a bit around your eyes right before bed, and your peepers will look as good as new in the a.m.

One shopper says: "Add this gem to your nighttime routine and you won’t be disappointed. You’re going to wake up to the freshest feeling skin around your eyes, you’ve ever had!"

Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil

Skin Type: All, including dry

Size: 0.35 fl oz

What causes dark circles?

"Dark circles are caused by a host of things," says Dr. Bhanusali. "They can be due to hollowing of the area (most common), as well as increased vasculature (fluid retention), as well as genetic predisposition to pigment in the area."

What ingredients are most effective on dark circles?

"Ingredients like caffeine, green tea, as well as antioxidants are helpful," says Dr. Bhanusali. "Peptides are also an interesting new option that can help promote increased collagen and elasticity in the area."

Dr. Bhanusali notes retinols are effective too, "but you must be careful given how irritating they can be.'

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