With These Eye Creams for Dark Circles, No One Will Be Able to Tell You’ve Binged Netflix All Night

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Thin, delicate under-eye skin becomes noticeably darker as we age, and using an eye cream for dark circles can help prevent and treat shadows. But if you take a walk through your local Sephora, Ulta, or Nordstrom, you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of products available. (Amazon and Walmart also stock thousands of eye creams and treatments on their digital shelves.)

To help you discover the best eye creams for dark circles on the market, I chatted with dermatologists about their no-fail picks and everything you should know about dark circles before shopping. Whether you’re budget-conscious or looking to splurge, these dark-circle eye creams are either derm-recommended or have passed my beauty editor vetting process.

The Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles

• Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Eye Cream

• Best Retinol Eye Cream: RoC Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream

• Best Vitamin C Eye Cream: Bliss Bright Idea Eye Cream

• Best Budget: The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream

• Best of Celebrity Beauty: The Outset Smoothing Vitamin C Eye + Expression Lines Cream

What to Consider

Figuring out the root cause of your dark circles is simple and will help you find the best eye cream for your needs. According to board-certified dermatologists Dr. Joshua Zeichner, M.D. and Dr. Ava Shamban, M.D., there are two possible reasons why you have dark circles:

1. There’s a buildup of pigment that causes “true darkness” under the eyes that becomes more visible as we age and lose volume around the thin under-eye area.

2. The under-eye area is hollow and casts a shadow, which looks like dark circles.

In order to figure out the cause of your dark circles, face your lighted makeup mirror and gently pinch the skin under the eye to pull it forward, says Zeichner, who is also a director at Mount Sinai Hospital. “If the darkness remains after you pull the skin forward, then it is true pigment. If the darkness goes away, then you likely have hollows and shadows underneath the eyes.”

Best Ingredients

According to the experts, there are a few standout ingredients that will drastically help lighten your dark circles:

• Retinol is the gold standard for any anti-aging skincare routine because it promotes fast skin cell turnover and collagen production.

• Vitamin C isn’t just for improving dark spots left behind from acne; it also has a brightening effect to help perk up dark under-eye circles.

• Caffeine is a temporary vasoconstrictor, meaning that it helps minimize the blood vessels that cause under-eye darkness.

How We Chose

My nearly decade-long career as a beauty journalist has given me experience with research and reportage, particularly in the field of skincare. I also have access to leading board-certified dermatologists to share their no-fail eye creams for dark circles. I also included eye creams adored by myself and fellow editors — and one of our favorites is only $10.99.

I also followed Zeichner and Shamban’s guidance and spent hours analyzing active ingredients, formulations, average star ratings, and product availability. I also read hundreds of online reviews to ensure these creams work IRL for real customers like yourself. Now that you have a better understanding of why you have dark circles and how to shop for eye creams for dark circles, here are the most impressive recommendations.

Charlotte’s Magic Eye Cream

Charlotte Tilbury’s makeup may get all of the hype, but her underrated Magic Eye Cream also deserves plenty of praise and love. I’m a huge Charlotte girly because the products embody attainable luxuries that actually fulfill their claims. I’ve been using this eye cream for months and knew right away it was worthy of my best overall distinction.

Her eye cream contains a time-released retinol that smoothes, contours, and enhances undereye radiance without irritation. The addition of her botanical eye-contour complex tackles both dark circles and puffiness, while winter daphne stem cell extract tightens and firms.

This wonderful product is ideal for all ages and skin types. I would know because it works equally well for me with young, oily skin and my mom, who has dry, mature, and very sensitive skin.

And don’t just take my word for it. The eye cream has amassed hundreds of glowing online reviews. For example, one satisfied Sephora reviewer called this their “life-changing, holy grail eye cream” because it doesn’t irritate their ultra-sensitive eyes and surrounding area. They say their skin cracks and this Charlotte Tilbury dark circle eye cream is the only product that heals their sensitive skin. “It absorbs so well into my skin. It’s an expensive product but definitely worth it,” says their 5-star review.

More: 5 Best Drugstore Moisturizers for Rebalancing the Skin on a Budget

Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream

Nearly 28,000 Amazon reviewers say you simply can’t go wrong with this affordably priced eye cream for dark circles. RoC’s non-comedogenic eye cream utilizes retinol to help fade dark circles, minimize puffiness, and soften wrinkles. It also amassed thousands of 5-star ratings at multiple retailers, including Walmart, Target, CVS, and more.

To quote our favorite 5-star Amazon review, “I really didn’t think over-the-counter retinol creams could work, but this cream has proven me wrong. I am on my third tube and about to purchase my fourth. I am now a believer as the proof is on my face!”

Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Eye Cream

Zeichner recommends the Bliss eye cream to help lighten your dark circles because it combines a “stabilized form” of vitamin C with a “skin-strengthening” peptide.

“Not only is vitamin C a potent antioxidant, but it blocks [the] production of abnormal pigmentation to help lighten dark spots,” says Zeichner.

Reviewers agree this eye cream for dark circles is incredible and are delighted it boasts a relatively affordable price tag. “It’s deeply moisturizing without being heavy and actually does firm crepey skin. I saw results from this cream almost immediately. My eyes look like I’m that well-rested late twenty-something that I was before babies again,” says one 5-star Amazon review.

Bright Idea Eye Cream

Zeichner recommends the Bliss eye cream to help lighten your dark circles because it combines a “stabilized form” of vitamin C with a “skin-strengthening” peptide.“Not only is vitamin C a potent antioxidant, but it blocks [the] production of abnormal pigmentation to help lighten dark spots,” says Zeichner.

Amazon reviewers agree this eye cream for dark circles is incredible and are delighted it boasts a relatively affordable price tag. "It’s deeply moisturizing without being heavy and actually does firm crepey skin. I saw results from this cream almost immediately. My eyes look like I’m that well-rested late twenty-something that I was before babies again," says one 5-star Amazon review.

Caffeine Eye Cream

Frugality is no longer an excuse to skip applying eye cream. The INKEY List’s offering costs less than $11, and it is made with energizing caffeine and Matrixyl 3000 — a peptide complex that helps fade the look of wrinkles and fine lines.

“Every time I applied it before bed, I’d wake up looking like I’d just slept for 12 hours,” writes former contributing editor Zarah Kavarana in her review of The INKEY List.

She’s not the only fan — hundreds of Sephora reviewers agree it’s a 5-star eye cream for dark circles. “This is the first eye cream that I’ve fallen in love with, instantly,” says one Sephora reviewer who previously used expensive products, including La Mer, Drunk Elephant, and Fresh. “Overnight, my eyes looked brighter, and it depuffs really fast too. This will forever be a staple for me.”

Eye Repair Cream

CeraVe proves that you can spend less than $20 on a solid eye cream for dark circles and still experience tangible results. This moisturizing cream uses a marine and botanical complex to lighten dark circles and depuff. It also minimizes general signs of fatigue in the undereye area.

This cream combines all of the ingredients heavy hitters derms and skin enthusiasts know and trust, including ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. These powerful ingredients lock in hydration and aid the skin’s protective barrier.

Shoppers are enamored with the non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula that’s also safe for those allergic to fragrances. No wonder it earned a 4.3-star average from more than 57,300 Amazon reviews.

“When I woke up after using it for the first time I GASPED. Weren’t my eyes just baggy and wrinkly??? Not anymore. It’s like magic,” says a 5-star review.

Smoothing Vitamin C Eye + Expression Lines Cream

Curious how Scarlett Johanson maintains a youthful complexion? She co-founded skincare brand The Outset, which includes this dermatologist-tested eye cream for dark circles.

Vitamin C brightens dark circles, while their signature Hyaluroset Complex, a botanical alternative to hyaluronic acid helps plump up aging skin. The proprietary ingredient also promises to nourish and smooth tired skin.

Johanson’s eye cream for dark circles also includes mineral-rich Irish moss for hydration, while centella asiatica extract further soothes and softens the delicate skin.

It’s earned snaps from our friends at Cosmo and online reviewers tout it as a winner for improving dark circles. “This product is amazing! Worked wonders and helped brighten dark spots and smooth out fine lines. It’s a perfect product for my everyday routine,” says a 5-star Sephora review.

Universal C Eye Perfector

BeautyStat’s eye cream earned snaps from Shamban, who highlighted the fact that it’s made with 5% “pure and stable” vitamin C to help brighten and target visible signs of aging in the “super delicate eye area.” It also combines moisturizing hyaluronic acid with antioxidant-rich green tea extract and hemp oil.

Online reviewers say this eye cream for dark circles is 100% worth the cost and add it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. To quote one glowing 5-star Dermstore review, “I have eczema on my eyelids that required a dermatologist-prescribed steroid cream. I was surprised that this serum cleared up my eczema. I used it all winter and have not touched my prescriptions since.”

Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

If you’re not partial to scents (or just have sensitive skin), opt for this gentle, fragrance-free dark-circle eye cream from Kiehl's. It combines nourishing avocado oil and moisturizing shea butter with antioxidant-rich beta-carotene, leaving your undereye area supple and bright with regular use.

Sephora reviewers can’t stop praising this highly-rated eye cream for dark circles. “It moisturizes, soaks in quickly (5-10 minutes tops), provides a great base for my concealer, doesn’t make my liner or shadow migrate, and doesn’t make my concealer cake or crack,” gushes one reviewer.

Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Eye Crème

This lightweight undereye cream combines functional and aesthetic benefits in one simple yet effective product. Vitamin C brightens dark circles, while collagen helps boost your skin’s elasticity.

I love mine because it’s also made with soft yellow pigments inspired by banana powder, a pro makeup artist product that helps brighten and color-correct dark circles. This eye cream immediately brightens my dark circles, and I feel comfortable not wearing undereye concealer on no-makeup days.

Triple Algae Eye Renewal Balm Eye Cream

Algenist offers multiple eye creams, but this paraben-free option is your best bet for tackling dark circles and other signs of aging. Why? For starters, it contains peptides, which is a Shamban-recommended ingredient.

There’s also a trio of red, brown, and green algae that lightens dark circles — and you’ll benefit from alguronic acid, the brand’s signature ingredient that helps fade the look of wrinkles and fine lines.

Over 100 Amazon reviewers agree that this eye cream for dark circles is effective and is a true holy grail product. “This is the best eye cream I’ve used! I consider myself a skincare hoarder, so I have many, many eye creams. This is moisturizing, and after using it for a month, my dark circles have brightened,” says one 5-star review.

Triple Algae Eye Renewal Balm

Algenist offers multiple eye creams, but this paraben-free option is your best bet for tackling dark circles and other signs of aging. Why? For starters, it contains peptides, which is a Shamban-recommended ingredient.

There’s also a trio of red, brown, and green algae that lightens dark circles — and you’ll benefit from alguronic acid, the brand’s signature ingredient that helps fade the look of wrinkles and fine lines.

Over 100 Amazon reviewers agree that this eye cream for dark circles is effective and is a true holy grail product. “This is the best eye cream I’ve used! I consider myself a skincare hoarder, so I have many, many eye creams. This is moisturizing, and after using it for a month, my dark circles have brightened,” says one 5-star review.

Advanced Night Repair Eye Gel-Cream

While Estée Lauder is known for its wide array of makeup products, the beauty giant also sells a variety of skincare must-haves, including this popular dark-circle eye cream.

The light gel-cream formula is infused with the brand’s proprietary ChronoluxCB complex, which helps fade the appearance of dark circles, wrinkles, and puffiness.

“Hands down, this is the best eye cream I’ve ever used for dark circles. Super hydrating, too,” says one 5-star Dermstore review. Not only is this fantastic for dark circles, but one Dermstore reviewer even uses it to tackle forehead wrinkles and smile lines.

Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream

While Estée Lauder is known for its wide array of makeup products, the beauty giant also sells a variety of skincare must-haves, including this popular dark-circle eye cream.

The light gel-cream formula is infused with the brand's proprietary ChronoluxCB complex, which helps fade the appearance of dark circles, wrinkles, and puffiness.

“Hands down, this is the best eye cream I’ve ever used for dark circles. Super hydrating, too,” says one 5-star Dermstore review. Not only is this fantastic for dark circles, but one Dermstore reviewer even uses it to tackle forehead wrinkles and smile lines.

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