While some people appreciate the natural look of a shadowy under-eye, many of us hope to find a solution—and this is where the best eye cream for dark circles comes in. “Not all eye creams are created equal, because not all eye problems are equal,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss. “When a person is looking to treat dark circles, the question is “Why do you have dark circles?”
She explains that the pesky dark circles could be the result of pigmentation or underlying redness and vasculature. “If the dark circles are due to pigmentation, then you want to look for ingredients with brightening effects. Products containing vitamin C, hydroquinone, and kojic acid work best. Also, look for products with retinol in them because retinol can help a person even out pigmentation over time. However, if the dark circles are due to underlying redness or puffiness, then you want to look for eye creams with caffeine or vitamin K, which is an “underdog” and not used as frequently as I wish it was.”
Like many other skin conditions, dark circles can be reduced with lifestyle changes as well. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach, “good sleep, hydration, low salt, and sunscreen under the eye” can make a positive difference because “factors are genetic and environmental.” For more intensive treatment, Rabach often uses “fillers made from hyaluronic acid to mask the bags and also, sometimes under eye surgery (called a lower blepharoplasty) to remove the eye bag.”
With this guidance in mind, here are the best eye creams that target dark circles—according to beauty experts, and our own skin-care cabinets.
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex for Dark Circles