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Vetted
Stephanie Montes Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
Forbes Vetted
Claire Epting Forbes Staff
Forbes Vetted
If you’re looking to reduce the appearance of dark under eyes, an eye cream is a smart addition to your skincare routine. Formulated with hydrating, brightening ingredients, the best eye creams for dark circles work to counteract skin dryness and hyperpigmentation—resulting in a fresh, even complexion. Out of all the formulas we researched, the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème is our best overall, while the top value pick is the RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream.
While a high-quality concealer camouflages in a pinch, a targeted eye cream contributes to your skin’s overall health and can provide long-term results. Because the skin around your eyes is thinner than other areas of your face, it’s important for the formula to be gentle and effective. (Note: We’ve also rounded up the best eye creams for puffiness and tested the best under-eye patches for those times you need an extra boost.) When gathering our picks, we consulted with Vetted’s in-house beauty expert, deputy editor Jane Sung, as well as board-certified dermatologist Dr. Aanand Geria to gain insight into which ingredients brighten skin without causing irritation. Below, find the best eye creams for dark circles to suit a variety of skin types and budgets.
Best Eye Cream For Dark Circles Overall: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème
Best Budget Eye Cream For Dark Circles: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
Best Luxury Eye Cream For Dark Circles: La Mer The Eye Concentrate
Best Hydrating Eye Cream For Dark Circles: Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb
Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream For Dark Circles: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye
Best Under-Makeup Eye Cream For Dark Circles: Trinny London BFF Eye Serum-Concealer
Best Retinol Eye Cream For Dark Circles: Kate Somerville Retinol Firming Eye Cream
Best Vitamin C Eye Cream For Dark Circles: Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Eye Cream
Best Gel-Cream For Dark Circles: Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream
Best Brightening Eye Cream For Dark Circles: Ilia Bright Start Eye Cream
Best Eye Cream For Dark Circles Overall
A Makeup-Inspired Brightening Cream
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, bioflavinoids, hardy orange extract | Additional benefits: Improves concealer wear | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
Inspired by banana powder, a yellow powder used by makeup artists to neutralize blue and purple tones under the eyes, this eye cream doubles as a skincare stapleandan instant illuminator. The formula is packed with vitamin C, a proven ingredient for treating hyperpigmentation and promoting brightening, and collagen to firm the skin around your eyes over time. Plus, the weightless texture is light enough to wear under makeup. Senior updates editor Karen Tietjen personally recommends this pick. “I am truly impressed by how the Banana Bright cream counters the dark circles under my eyes, and it’s the most effective product I’ve used thus far,” she says. “While it doesn’t completely eliminate the need for concealer, it gives my eyes a subtle lift on makeup-free days.”
Best Budget Eye Cream For Dark Circles
An Affordable Retinol Product
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
Key ingredients: Retinol, mineral complex | Additional benefits: Reduces puffiness and fine lines | Size: 0.25 ounces | Cruelty-free: No
Known for successfully tackling a host of under-eye concerns including dark circles and fine lines, retinol—a derivative of vitamin A—is the star ingredient in this wallet-friendly eye cream from RoC. Just note that with all retinol-infused products, it’s important to slather on sunscreen (at least SPF 30) during the day or consider only using it at night, since the ingredient makes skin more sensitive to the sun. Major anti-aging benefits aside, you’ll love that this drugstore favorite is also packed with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to keep your under-eye area hydrated and plump.
Best Luxury Eye Cream For Dark Circles
A Treat For Your Eyes That's Worth Every Penny
La Mer The Eye Concentrate
Key ingredients: Hematite, sea kelp, lime tea concentrate | Additional benefits: Smooths fine lines and wrinkles | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
La Mer is as luxurious as it gets, and this splurge-worthy pick, expensive as it may be, is worth the investment. It’s infused with hematite, a magnetically charged mineral rich in iron that helps with dark circles and other discoloration, sea kelp to hydrate and brighten the under-eye area and antioxidant-packed lime tea to protect skin from environmental damage. Finally, it comes with a cooling applicator that helps to boost circulation while you massage the product in; it’s also a nice touch, considering you can dip into your eye cream without using your fingers and harboring bacteria.
Best Hydrating Eye Cream For Dark Circles
A Lightweight Moisturizer That Floods Your Skin With Hydration
Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb
Key ingredients: Tiger grass, squalane, pennywort herb | Additional benefits: Boosts skin elasticity | Size: 0.84 ounces | Cruelty-free: No
Like a tall glass of water for your under-eye area, this cooling cream promises 26 straight hours of hydration and moisture. Every application floods tired and dehydrated skin, leaving it supple and making it a smooth canvas for crease-free makeup application. Tiger grass soothes skin, while comfrey leaf and squalene help with hydration and pennywort herb boosts elasticity, all of which lead to rested and radiant-looking eyes.
Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream For Dark Circles
A Gentle, Yet Effective Formula That Addresses Signs Of Aging
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye
Key ingredients: Pro-Xylane, blueberry extract, glycyrrhetinic acid | Additional benefits: Prevents free radical damage | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: No
For those mature skin types experiencing dryness, lack of elasticity or crow’s feet, this antioxidant-packed eye cream can’t be beat. Pro-Xylane (a super moisturizer made of a synthetic hyaluronic acid), peptides and blueberry extracts help combat dry skin and puffiness without feeling heavy. We also love that it contains built-in light diffusers that instantly brighten dark circles and make eyes look younger and more awake. And while this do-it-all formula is especially ideal for mature skin, anyone can reap its benefits—that’s why it’s the best overall pick on our list of the best eye creams.
Best Under-Makeup Eye Cream For Dark Circles
A Makeup-Skincare Hybrid That Treats Instantly And Over Time
Trinny London BFF Eye Serum-Concealer
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid | Additional benefits: Firms and tones skin, improves texture | Size: 0.21 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
This makeup-skincare hybrid gives you a one-two punch that addresses all your concerns in a single application. The lightweight, non-creasing formula helps correct red and blue undertones and conceal the appearance of dark circles, and the cooling metal applicator helps wake you up first thing in the morning. And while you can reap the benefits of hydrating hyaluronic acid and brightening vitamin C by wearing it on its own, it layers like a dream under makeup, too. Plus, it comes in 12 shades so you’ll find a match that’s right for you.
Best Retinol Eye Cream For Dark Circles
A Rejuvenating Formula With Powerful Results
Kate Somerville Retinol Firming Eye Cream
Key ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid, bioretinol | Additional benefits: Supports skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
Retinol may seem like a hard ingredient for the eye area, but this active cream manages to strike a balance that’s gentle and hydrating (thanks to hyaluronic acid), but also works wonders for lifting, firming and rejuvenating tired, puffy eyes. Formulated with a strong dose of retinol and bioretinol (a natural ingredient that mimics the effects of retinol), this wrinkle reducer improves the texture and elasticity of the under-eye area more with every application—trust us, you’ll feel it working. Just note that retinol makes skin sensitive to sunlight, so be sure to take extra precautions when leaving the house. Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are all excellent ways to ensure your eye area is protected.
Best Vitamin C Eye Cream For Dark Circles
Ultra-Brightening And Hydrating
Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Eye Cream
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, zerumbone, peptides | Additional benefits: Counteracts free radical damage | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
Formulated with 5% vitamin C, this lightweight eye cream from Paula’s Choice is an effective treatment for dark circles. A plant-derived enzyme called zerumbone works to further combat discoloration beneath the eyes, while hyaluronic acid and peptides moisturize and firm skin. While vitamin C is generally well-tolerated, those who are particularly sensitive should do a patch test to make sure the 5% concentration isn’t too strong for their face.
Best Gel-Cream For Dark Circles
A Lightweight Formula For Hydration Around The Clock
Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamins B3 and E, licorice extract | Additional benefits: Smooths and hydrates skin | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: No
Cetaphil’s gentle gel-cream is ideal for those with sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid boosts your skin’s moisture barrier, while licorice extract works to calm signs of inflammation. Unlike certain thick creams, this lightweight formula absorbs instantly into skin for immediate soothing relief. Several Amazon customers report reduced dark circles after a week or so, noting that the best results came with consistent use in both the morning and night.
Best Brightening Eye Cream For Dark Circles
A Potent Cream Using A Retinol Alternative
Ilia Bright Start Eye Cream
Key ingredients: Sea fennel extract, caffeine, peptides | Additional benefits: Reduces puffiness, firms skin | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-free: Yes
This potent cream brightens, smooths and calms your under-eye area, all without the use of retinol. Rather, Ilia’s formula is made with sea fennel extract—a plant-based retinol alternative that’s ideal for those whose skin has a strong reaction to the vitamin A derivative. Avocado extract further contributes to the reduced appearance of dark circles, while caffeine and peptides work to ease puffiness.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- The Forbes Vetted team has researched, written and published dozens of skincare stories, spending hours researching and comparing different brands and formulas.
- We tapped board-certified dermatologist Dr. Aanand Geria of Geria Dermatology in New Jersey, who provided in-depth insight on which ingredients one should look for in an eye cream for dark circles.
- Product selections were made and approved by deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees Vetted’s beauty and grooming vertical and has over 15 years of experience in the industry.
- This article is regularly updated to make sure all of our picks still meet our high criteria for their respective categories. During its latest February 2024 update, beauty writer Claire Epting added three new eye creams to the list: the Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Eye Cream, the Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel-Cream and the Ilia Bright Start Activated Eye Cream.
What To Consider In An Eye Cream For Dark Circles
Before investing in an eye cream, consider your skin type and the improvements you hope to make to your under-eye area. While some may need a daily boost of hydration, others may require more active ingredients to combat signs of aging. Here’s what to consider, according to Geria.
Ingredients
Geria says that the most common ingredients in eye creams include vitamin C, kojic acid, retinol and neuropeptides. “Vitamin C is a great collagen booster and kojic acid helps improve dark circles by slowing down pigment-producing cells and lightening the under-eye area,” he says. As for the vitamin A derivative retinol, he explains it can stimulate collagen production, making the skin thicker and improving the appearance of under-eye circles. “Using peptides to help eliminate dark circles is also an effective option, as it contains proteins that repair and smooth the skin by stimulating collagen production,” he says.
Texture
Like most moisturizers, eye creams are available in various textures and consistencies, from creams to gels to serums. Geria says, “Both eye creams and eye gels contain similar ingredients that help with anti-aging and restoring the skin,” but recommends heavier creams for dehydrated skin and gels with a cooling effect for those with inflammation.
Skin Concerns
“If you suffer from puffy, irritated eyes, choose an anti-inflammatory eye cream with caffeine as an ingredient,” says Geria. For those with fine lines and wrinkles, he recommends a hydrating cream that has anti-aging properties (like retinol) to help restore the under-eye area. “If you have dark circles or heavy bags under your eyes, choose an eye cream or a similar brightening serum with vitamin C as the main ingredient to help reduce the appearance of dark circles by stimulating collagen production,” he says.
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