I have this really annoying habit which I know I need to work on. Despite the fact that I’m naturally a very early riser (I’m talking, *wakes up at 6:30 a.m. 365 days a year—even on the weekends* kind of early riser), I pretty much refuse to adjust my bedtime a few hours earlier to counteract the impact of my early bird identity. I love to stay up late after a long day and binge-watch my favorite shows on Hulu, I love to read 100-page chunks of a novel, and without fail, I also love to fool around on my phone doing who even knows what. You know that feeling when you look at the clock and it’s a perfectly respectable 10 p.m. and then the next time you blink it’s verging on 1 a.m.?! Well, it happens to me all the time, and while I know I’d be the better for shutting down my phone, burning a candle, switching on my diffuser, and being the well-behaved beauty and wellness editor I know I should be, I really struggle to do that. And, yes, it definitely shows up on my face the next day. I have notoriously shady under-eyes just naturally, (check out our A-list celebrity guide to dark circles, here), but my lack of sleep and consequential coffee dependence the following morning has exacerbated the situation. Luckily, my job allows me access to the newest and coolest eye creams and treatments which tout all sorts of under-eye miracles—from the banishment of dark circles to the erasing of puff, fine lines, and wrinkles. Spoiler: most fall flat. As in, that literally did nothing, kind of flat. However, during my 3 years as a beauty editor, I’ve collected a glorified possession of creams and gels and balms that truly do work wonders on my dark circles. Regardless of whether your dark circles are sheerly caused by genetics, allergies, or not-so-stellar sleep habits (me), these shadow-targeting eye creams can lend a helping hand. Keep scrolling! I’m sharing the 15 best eye creams for dark circles I’ve tried since becoming a beauty editor.
Hot off of L’Occitane’s French presses (it literally launched two days ago, but I received ahead of time to test-drive!), this serum has stolen my heart. It’s the kid sister to the brand’s best-selling Overnight Reset Oil-in-Serum ($59) (one unit is purchased every minute!) and it uses the formula’s same coveted moisture magic to do battle against telltale symptoms of fatigue like dark circles, puffiness, and expression lines. Plus, I have to say I love that you can literally see the 1,600 golden bubbles of precious Immortelle Essential Oil sitting in the stunning bottle. So stunning, right?!
Y’all, brands have really been upping the anty and cadence of eye cream launches because this is another formula for dark circles that JUST hit my vanity. (And stores everywhere.) Say goodbye to fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, uneven texture, and dark circles thanks to this protective solution designed to improve the delicate skin barrier around the eyes and support the skin’s natural microbiome as well.
iS Clinical is one of the top brands chosen by the top estheticians in the industry, and this anti-aging eye cream is one of their choice formulas. Not only is it insanely creamy and hydrating (but not at all sticky or slimy like some eye creams can be!) it’s a huge help in the dark circle department—I’ll apply it before bed and then again in the morning to finish off my morning skin routine. My circles are still there (obviously), but they’re a lot less glaring. The key is in the mix of hyaluronic acid, peptides, and antioxidants.
Once I found out that makeup artists use this formula from 111Skin to prep celebs’ skin pre-red carpet, I was 88.5% on board. And, after a few applications when I started to notice that my under-eyes looked less shadowy and significantly firmer, tighter, and all-around less fatigued, I lept to a full 120%. Categorically, it’s an eye cream, but it’s formulated as a soothing, lightweight gel anyone who’s against heavy, cloying creams will absolutely adore. Plus, there’s the whole eye lifting effect which is pretty dang wonderful in and of itself.
If you’re down to feel a little tingle (it’s worth it, I promise!) this eye cream has some bite. I mean that literally because one of the reasons it quickly tightens, firms, and de-puffs is thanks to the MVP ingredient: snake venom. This has been one of my favorite formulas for a couple of years now, and it’s what I reach for when my under-eyes are in a state of emergency.
Not only does the featherlight serum texture feel great underneath your eyes, but this favorite eye cream also features strategic brightening agents to help diffuse any purple circles that like to lurk. (You’ll get what I mean once you see the gorgeous pearly finish.) It also looks AMAZING under makeup and concealer. It’s a 10/10 if you can stomach the splurge.
If you have a weakness for anything lovely, French, and downright effective when it comes to your beauty product investments, you should definitely consider eye contour-improving cream from By Terry. Not only does application feel cooling and luxe thanks to the silver applicator, but it also hosts delicate ingredients like Black Rose, plant stem cells, and vitamin E to not ONLY reduce dark circles but to de-puff and soften the look of any fine lines and wrinkles. This is another one that thanks to its lightweight texture is superb under your foundation and/or concealer.
One of my favorite eye creams of all time, this is probably the one I recommend to friends most often since it’s a bit more affordable and so instantaneously affect. One swipe across your under-eyes and the mica-, caffeine-, and antioxidant-rich potion practically blurs away the look of lingering darkness. I honestly think this is Sunday Riley’s absolute best product. But, that’s just me.
Now, I wouldn’t include a nearly $500 eye cream if it didn’t work true sorcery against dark circles now would I? The sticker shock might be a bit gut-wrenching but this is probably THE most luxurious option for dark circles on the market. Plus, if you’re consistent with use, the combination of La Prairie’s iconic encapsulated caviar beads and an innovative gel-cream emulsion is probably just as effective as a pricey in-office treatment. The effect is a visual lift to the eye and brow area, less puffiness, lines, shadows, you get the idea.
If you have dark circles, the yellow tint to this brightening elixir can definitely help with that. It’s rich in vitamin C, it’s anti-aging, and it even makes your concealer and foundation apply smoother. Wins all-around!
For glowing skin and under-eyes that mirror a full ten hours of sleep, try GlamGlow’s new formula. It features illuminating spheres to brighten up dullness and darkness, caffeine to tighten and lift, hyaluronic acid to plump and moisturize, and last but not least peptides to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Technically, this circle-eraser is a balm and not a cream, but please bear with me—it works! Like, so, so good. You know those mornings when for whatever reason you wake up feeling like you’ve been hit by a freight train? Sweeping this cooling, aloe-, and caffeine-infused stick all around your eye area feels almost as good as a deep tissue marathon post-Barry’s Bootcamp. (Oh, and there’s also a radiance-enhancing Rose Glow version FYI!)
Did you know Hailey Bieber (and a slew of other celebs) is a huge fan of this brand? I don’t know if miss HB has tried this brightening eye cream from SkinMedica, but if not, I personally recommend she get on that. It’s brimming with tons of great ingredients like phenylethyl resorcinol (which helps to support melanin balance and correct hyperpigmentation), a hyaluronic acid blend for hydration, marine extracts to support a healthy skin barrier, plus all the other good stuff for blue and purple under-eyes like caffeine, Persian silk tree extract, and St. Paul’s Wort which aid vascular and lymphatic function for a firmer, more radiant result.
My 73-year-old mom and I agree—this affordably priced eye cream from clean skincare brand Versed, is seriously spectacular. I immediately noticed how it diminished the severity of my dark circles post-flight when I visited home recently, and my mom agreed that it reduced her puff, wrinkles, so on and so forth.
This eye cream isn’t actually touted as an eye cream for dark circles. That said, it’s one of the most deeply hydrating formulas I’ve ever tested and due that insane moisture, I notice that my under-eys look less dried and skeletal and brighter, dewier, and plumper instead. It’s a lightweight, very soothing formula that boasts a whopping 26-hour span of hydration endurance. It’s one to throw in your basket the next time you find yourself wandering the aisles of Sephora. Up next, How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Like an A-List Esthetician
