15 Best Eye Creams for Dark Circles, According to Dermatologists

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    Sunday Riley, Eight Saints, La Roche-Posay, and Alchimie all make excellent eye creams for dark circles and wrinkles. See the other products we recommend.

    three different eye creams lined up next to each other against a tangerine-medium-colored backgroundShare on Pinterest

    Quick look at the best eye creams for dark circles

  • Best overall: Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream | Skip to review
  • Best all-in-one : Eight Saints All In Eye Cream | Skip to review
  • Best cooling : La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream | Skip to review
  • Best budget: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream | Skip to review
  • Best depuffing : Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream | Skip to review
  • Best lightweight : Neocutis Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream | Skip to review
  • Most hydrating: Origins Eye Doctor | Skip to review
  • Best patches: Good Molecules Caffeine Energizing Hydrogel Eye Patches | Skip to review
  • Best for sensitive skin: Alchimie Forever Rejuvenating Eye Balm | Skip to review
  • Best for fine lines: SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair | Skip to review
  • Best for mature skin: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye for Dark Circles | Skip to review
  • Best retinol: skinbetter science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream | Skip to review
  • Best vegan: Thrive Causemetics Defying Gravity Eye Lifting Cream | Skip to review
  • Best eye serum: QMS Medicosmetics Intensive Eye Care Day & Night Cream | Skip to review
  • Best retinol alternative : Orvos Satin Eye Gel Cream | Skip to review
  • Nothing makes a face look tired like having dark circles under the eyes. Whether they’re caused by lack of sleep, allergies, or other factors such as aging or genetics, there are products that may help reduce their appearance. The best eye creams for dark circles include ingredients to help moisturize, plump, and brighten delicate under-eye skin. Other ingredients can constrict blood vessels that may be contributing to a dark hue or reduce swelling and puffiness from things like seasonal allergies.

    We spoke with dermatologists to help us understand under-eye circles and to guide our selections. Here are the best products we found, plus tips on how to choose the right under-eye cream for your needs.

    Pricing guide

    Eye creams that address dark circles can range in price from a few dollars for easy-to-find brands to hundreds of dollars for specialized, physician-formulated products. Our list contains a range of price points, but all the products contain ingredients known to help the appearance of dark circles.

  • $ = under $25
  • $$ = $25 to $65
  • $$$ = $66 to $100
  • $$$$ = over $100
  • Healthline’s picks of the best eye creams for dark circles

    Best overall

    Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream

    4.3 (865+) from Amazon
  • Skin type: all
  • Key ingredients: vitamin C complex, 8-peptide blend, cucumber, superoxide dismutase, hesperidin methyl chalcone, ubiquinone, and vitamin E
  • Price: $$
  • SHOP NOW AT AMAZON

    Healthline's review

    Beauty gurus and skin care aficionados flock to Drunk Elephant’s line of products. While the pretty packaging and hype stand out, the formulas do the heavy lifting needed to target skin conditions.

    This brightening eye cream includes a complex of five forms of vitamin C to illuminate the under-eye area. Rich in hydrating peptides and soothing active ingredients, like cucumber extract, the formula refreshes the under-eye area and brightens the appearance of dark circles.

    The formula is our pick for best overall eye cream, thanks to a slew of positive reviews, its use of eight peptides, and a fragrance-free formula that doesn’t include any scents from essential oils. While many reviewers saw dramatic results, some did complain of sensitivity and redness after use.

    Pros & cons

  • made with five forms of vitamin C to brighten under-eye skin
  • peptides and active ingredients included to hydrate and refresh
  • no essential oils added
  • some reviewers report sensitivity after use
  • some reviewers report a tacky feel
  • made with five forms of vitamin C to brighten under-eye skin
  • peptides and active ingredients included to hydrate and refresh
  • no essential oils added
  • some reviewers report sensitivity after use
  • some reviewers report a tacky feel
  • Product details

  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: essential oils, silicones, fragrance
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: essential oils, silicones, fragrance
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Best all-in-one

    Eight Saints All In Eye Cream

    4.3 (2.6k+) from Amazon
  • Skin type: all
  • Key ingredients: squalane, MSM, cocoa butter, cucumber hydrosol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C
  • Price: $$
  • SHOP NOW AT AMAZON

    Healthline's review

    This eye cream has an ultra-lightweight feel in a gentle but effective formula. Vitamin C and caffeine help brighten and tighten delicate under-eye skin, while olive oil-based squalane is hydrating and provides a plumping effect. Ingredients like aloe and green tea help soothe your skin.

    This cruelty-free formula is also well reviewed.

    Pros & cons

  • designed for a multipurpose effect
  • great reviews
  • some reviewers note it doesn't work well under makeup
  • designed for a multipurpose effect
  • great reviews
  • some reviewers note it doesn't work well under makeup
  • Product details

  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: toulene, parabens, silicone, retinol, synthetics, oxybenzone, formaldehyde, hydroquinone, benzalkonium chloride, sulfate, gluten, animal byproducts, polyethylene glycol, pthalates, PEG compounds, talc, artificial fragrances, mineral oil, synthetic colors
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: toulene, parabens, silicone, retinol, synthetics, oxybenzone, formaldehyde, hydroquinone, benzalkonium chloride, sulfate, gluten, animal byproducts, polyethylene glycol, pthalates, PEG compounds, talc, artificial fragrances, mineral oil, synthetic colors
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Best cooling

    La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream

    4.3 (1.4k+) from Amazon
  • Skin type: all
  • Key ingredients: caffeine, glycerin, dimethicone, niacinamide, silica, iron oxides, phe-resorcinol, titanium dioxide, and La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
  • Price: $$
  • SHOP NOW AT AMAZON

    Healthline's review

    Skin sensitivity is a common concern when shopping for products and testing new items. La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream is a caffeine-infused product that’s gentle for those who experience skin irritation with harsh ingredients.

    The metal applicator is a nice bonus. It provides a cooling feeling under the eye that can help depuff tired eyes and soothe swollen skin.

    Pro tip: Try putting your product in the refrigerator before use for an extra chilly and soothing treatment.

    Pros & cons

  • cooling metal applicator helps depuff and soothe skin
  • designed for sensitive skin
  • good price point
  • some reviewers report the product didn't look good under makeup
  • some reviewers didn't notice an improvement
  • cooling metal applicator helps depuff and soothe skin
  • designed for sensitive skin
  • good price point
  • some reviewers report the product didn't look good under makeup
  • some reviewers didn't notice an improvement
  • Product details

  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: fragrance, parabens
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: fragrance, parabens
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Best budget

    Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream

    4.5 (18.4k+) from Amazon
  • Skin type: normal, oily
  • Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid
  • Price: $$
  • SHOP NOW AT AMAZON

    Healthline's review

    Using a drugstore eye cream means saving some extra cash and never being too far away from your favorite product. 

    Certain drugstore brands, like Neutrogena, offer products that target dark circles and fine lines for a fraction of the price. Dr. Erum N. Ilyas, CEO and founder of AmberNoon, recommends Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel-Cream due to its moisturizing hyaluronate.

    “With hyaluronate, this product packs in extra hydration around the delicate eyelid skin,” Ilyas says, calling it an effective cream to improve the turgor, or elasticity, of thin eyelid skin.

    The product earns 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with a majority of happy shoppers. Many reviewers say the product left their skin feeling plumper, smoother, and more awake.

    Pros & cons

  • low price point
  • feels extra hydrating
  • well reviewed
  • some reviewers saw little change in the appearance of dark circles
  • some reviewers experienced allergic reactions after use
  • low price point
  • feels extra hydrating
  • well reviewed
  • some reviewers saw little change in the appearance of dark circles
  • some reviewers experienced allergic reactions after use
  • Product details

  • Form: gel cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: animal products, fragrance, dye
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Form: gel cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: animal products, fragrance, dye
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Best depuffing

    Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream

    4 (1.8k+) from SephoraSunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream
  • Skin type: all
  • Key ingredients: caffeine, Brazilian ginseng root extract, horse chestnut extract, watermelon rind extract, and lutein
  • Price: $$
  • SHOP NOW AT SEPHORA

    Healthline's review

    Sunday Riley’s Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream works on three common issues—puffiness, wrinkles, and dark circles. It uses caffeine and light reflecting particles to help create alert-looking, brighter eyes. It depuffs with ginseng. Finally, it uses a flowering herb called acmella oleracea to improve the look of crow’s feet.

    It blends these botanicals to be fast-acting and non-irritating, but note that the product is not fragrance-free.

     

     

    Pros & cons

  • helps depuff and leaves eyes looking more awake
  • lightening and brightening
  • some reviewers dislike the container
  • not fragrance-free
  • helps depuff and leaves eyes looking more awake
  • lightening and brightening
  • some reviewers dislike the container
  • not fragrance-free
  • Product details

  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: sulfates, parabens, gluten, soy, phthalate, fragrance, animal products
  • Returns: full refund within 30 days
  • Shipping: free shipping over $50
  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: sulfates, parabens, gluten, soy, phthalate, fragrance, animal products
  • Returns: full refund within 30 days
  • Shipping: free shipping over $50
  • Best lightweight

    Neocutis Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream

    4.5 (691+) from Amazon
  • Skin type: all
  • Key ingredients: vitamin E, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid
  • Price: $$$
  • SHOP NOW AT AMAZON

    Healthline's review

    Another favorite of Dr. Adam Mamelak’s is the Neocutis Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream.

    Reviewers love the lightweight formula and find that it quickly absorbs into the skin. “Very little is needed for each application” according to one reviewer who also likes that it absorbs quickly “without clogging pores or leaving a greasy effect.”

    The formula’s hyaluronic acid and vitamin E help keep the skin hydrated throughout the day and ward off damage from free radicals.

    Pros & cons

  • reviewers say cream is lightweight and absorbent
  • many reviewers say cream helped address puffiness and tighten skin in addition to brightening dark circles
  • a little goes a long way
  • some reviewers say they didn't see any improvement
  • high price point
  • reviewers say cream is lightweight and absorbent
  • many reviewers say cream helped address puffiness and tighten skin in addition to brightening dark circles
  • a little goes a long way
  • some reviewers say they didn't see any improvement
  • high price point
  • Product details

  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: parabens
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: parabens
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Most hydrating

    Origins Eye Doctor

    4.6 (233+) from Amazon
  • Skin type: normal, dry, oily, combination
  • Key ingredients: cucumber, rosemary, and ginseng
  • Price: $$
  • SHOP NOW AT AMAZON

    Healthline's review

    “This eye cream combines ingredients, such as cucumber, ginseng, wheat germ, and algae extracts, to reduce puffiness around the eyes. It also has green tea extract that has an antioxidant effect to fight the signs of aging around the eyes,” Ilyas explains.

    Many reviewers praise this cream, saying they noticed results quickly and that it moisturizes well without a greasy feel.

    Pros & cons

  • cream feels cooling
  • helps smooth fine lines
  • ingredients designed to reduce puffiness
  • several reviewers report irritation after use
  • not fragrance-free
  • cream feels cooling
  • helps smooth fine lines
  • ingredients designed to reduce puffiness
  • several reviewers report irritation after use
  • not fragrance-free
  • Product details

  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: animal-derived ingredients
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: animal-derived ingredients
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Best patches

    Good Molecules Caffeine Energizing Hydrogel Eye Patches

    4.4 (423+) from Amazon
  • Skin type: all
  • Key ingredients: caffeine and niacinamide
  • Price: $
  • SHOP NOW AT AMAZON

    Healthline's review

    While this product isn’t exactly an eye cream, eye gel patches and under-eye masks have concentrated ingredients that work much faster than the under-eye cream you apply each day or night, according to dermatologist Adam Mamelak.

    “If you feel like you always have dark circles, no matter how many hours of sleep you get, find eye masks or patches with ingredients, such as tea extracts, vitamins C and K (to brighten or reduce the appearance of dark circles), water from extra-pure locations, and hyaluronic acid,” he says.

    There are many eye masks on the market, but we love the pick-me-up that Good Molecule’s caffeine-infused eye gels give after a sleepless night. The soothing, cool-to-the-touch patches can also help reduce puffy and swollen eyes.

    Pros & cons

  • fragrance-free
  • feels soothing on skin
  • concentrated ingredients
  • product may be too slippery and slide off, according to some reviewers
  • not actually an eye cream
  • fragrance-free
  • feels soothing on skin
  • concentrated ingredients
  • product may be too slippery and slide off, according to some reviewers
  • not actually an eye cream
  • Product details

  • Form: patches
  • Size: 30 patches
  • Free of: animal products
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Form: patches
  • Size: 30 patches
  • Free of: animal products
  • Returns: free returns for Prime members
  • Shipping: free shipping for Prime members
  • Best for sensitive skin

    Alchimie Forever Rejuvenating Eye Balm

    5 (35+) from AlchimieAlchimie Forever Rejuvenating Eye Balm
  • Skin type: all
  • Key ingredients: European blueberries (anthocyanins, quercetin, resveratrol), alfalfa (vitamin K), grape seeds (anthocyanins, catechin, quercetin, resveratrol), cocoa butter, and jojoba
  • Price: $$
  • SHOP NOW AT ALCHIMIE FOREVER

    Healthline's review

    Alchimie Forever has dedicated fans who love the brand’s no-nonsense, science-based approach to skin care. The family-owned brand, founded by Dr. Luigi L. Polla, formulated this antioxidant-rich balm to fend off dark circles and visible signs of early aging.

    “[Our] Rejuvenating Eye Balm features one of our signature ingredients, the European blueberry, which has powerful vaso-constricting and vaso-protective properties, so it is wonderful to help minimize dark circles,” Polla explains.

    “The eye area is often dry, as there are fewer sebaceous glands than in the rest of our facial skin, so I chose jojoba and cocoa butter to help nourish the skin,” he adds.

    Pros & cons

  • provides ample hydration
  • can help defend against signs of aging
  • absorbs quickly with no greasiness
  • may cause mild stinging, according to a few reviewers
  • provides ample hydration
  • can help defend against signs of aging
  • absorbs quickly with no greasiness
  • may cause mild stinging, according to a few reviewers
  • Product details

  • Form: balm
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: parabens, fragrance, sulfates, mineral oil, silicones, propylene glycol, ethoxylated ingredients (PEGs), phenoxyethanol, gluten, dyes, phthalates, genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers, soy, nuts, animal testing, animal byproducts
  • Returns: returns within 30 days on first purchase
  • Shipping: free shipping on orders over $75
  • Form: balm
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: parabens, fragrance, sulfates, mineral oil, silicones, propylene glycol, ethoxylated ingredients (PEGs), phenoxyethanol, gluten, dyes, phthalates, genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers, soy, nuts, animal testing, animal byproducts
  • Returns: returns within 30 days on first purchase
  • Shipping: free shipping on orders over $75
  • Best for fine lines

    SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair

    4.5 (428+) from DermstoreSkinMedica TNS Eye Repair
  • Skin type: all
  • Key ingredients: human fibroblast conditioned media (HFCM), palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl oligopeptide, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate, N-hydroxysuccinimide, chrysin, and boron nitride
  • Price: $$$$
  • SHOP NOW AT DERMSTORE

    Healthline's review

    Dr. Adam Mamelak says he often recommends this cream, as it’s formulated to improve:

  • fine lines
  • wrinkles
  • tone and texture
  • dark circles
  • It targets these issues with a powerful lineup of ingredients: Hyaluronic acid boosts hydration for smoother looking skin. A blend of proteins and peptides help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the delicate eye area, while boron nitride provides a light effect that diffuses the look of discoloration.

    While the product may be a splurge, many reviewers find it a great option to address dark circles and signs of aging.

    Pros & cons

  • smooths under-eye skin
  • can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • formula feels very hydrating
  • high price point
  • not fragrance-free
  • smooths under-eye skin
  • can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • formula feels very hydrating
  • high price point
  • not fragrance-free
  • Product details

  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: parabens
  • Returns: returns within 60 days
  • Shipping: free shipping on orders over $50
  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: parabens
  • Returns: returns within 60 days
  • Shipping: free shipping on orders over $50
  • Best for mature skin

    SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye for Dark Circles

    4.2 (650+) from SkinCeuticalsSkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex
  • Skin type: dry, normal
  • Key ingredients: blueberry extract, proxylane, peptides
  • Price: $105.00
  • SHOP NOW AT SKINCEUTICALS

    *Price may vary.

    Healthline's review

    This cream designed especially for crow’s feet is formulated with a concentrated flavonoid blend. Flavonoids are derived from plants and have powerful antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin from environmental damage. A.G.E. Advanced Eye also works on dark circles and puffiness with glycyrrhetinic acid to boost hydration and caffeine to brighten.

    This cream, one of the priciest on the list, should be applied twice daily.

    Pros & cons

  • helps reduce puffiness, fine lines, and dry skin around eyes
  • very well reviewed
  • free of dyes
  • expensive
  • contains parabens
  • helps reduce puffiness, fine lines, and dry skin around eyes
  • very well reviewed
  • free of dyes
  • expensive
  • contains parabens
  • Product details

  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: alcohol, dye
  • Returns: returns within 30 days
  • Shipping: free shipping on orders over $50
  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: alcohol, dye
  • Returns: returns within 30 days
  • Shipping: free shipping on orders over $50
  • Best retinol

    skinbetter science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream

    skinbetter science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream
  • Skin type: all
  • Key ingredients: retinoid, ​​alpha hydroxy acid, and antioxidants
  • Price: $$$$
  • SHOP NOW AT SKINBETTER SCIENCE

    Healthline's review

    Another staple in Mraz Robinson’s toolkit is the skinbetter science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream. The eye cream combines retinoid and alpha hydroxy acid to reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eyes that often come with age.

    In contrast to your regular prescribed retinoid, this eye cream is gentle enough to support the thinning skin under and around the eye. The formula’s hydrating properties and peptides also fight off environmental aggressors and dryness.

    Anyone with mature-looking skin can benefit from a small dab of this overnight cream.

    Pros & cons

  • retinol helps address signs of skin aging
  • formula feels very hydrating
  • made with a more gentle retinoid than prescription versions
  • high price point
  • for nighttime use only
  • retinol helps address signs of skin aging
  • formula feels very hydrating
  • made with a more gentle retinoid than prescription versions
  • high price point
  • for nighttime use only
  • Product details

  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: parabens, fragrance, dye
  • Returns: returns within 30 days
  • Shipping: free shipping on orders over $99
  • Form: cream
  • Size: 0.5 fl oz
  • Free of: parabens, fragrance, dye
  • Returns: returns within 30 days
  • Shipping: free shipping on orders over $99
  • Best vegan

    Thrive Causemetics Defying Gravity Eye Lifting Cream

    4.5 (1.3k+) from Thrive CausemeticsThrive Causemetics Defying Gravity Eye Lifting Cream
  • Skin type: all
  • Key ingredients: green tea, caffeine, red algae extract, allantoin, and rooibos leaf extract
  • Price: $$
  • Read more

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