22 Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles, Reviewed by Dermatologists

In the fight against dark circles, peptides can also be a powerful tool, particularly for helping to treat that hollowed out look. “Peptides help increase collagen levels for a more youthful appearance as well as keep the skin barrier strong, plump, and firm,” says Howard D. Sobel, MD, board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon and founder of Sobel Skin. This is precisely why he packed a blend of three peptides (along with moisturizing hyaluronic acid and puffiness-reducing cucumber extract) into his formula.

Pros: The formula meets Sephora’s clean beauty standards and is certified cruelty-free.
Cons: This formula contains several plant derived oils, which can clog pores. If you’re acne prone, it might not be for you.
Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, cucumber extract, glycerin, squalane
Additional issues it targets: Dryness, puffiness, wrinkles

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Dr. Sobel also loves Grande Cosmetics’ formula. It’s particularly effective, he says, thanks to a brightening peptide complex paired with pine bark extract, which helps boost collagen production, increasing skin elasticity over time. The addition of aloe vera helps to alleviate puffiness. As a bonus, it contains purslane extract and sunflower seed oil, two ingredients that protect against blue-light damage.

Pros: This protects against blue-light damage.
Cons: Depending on your preferences, the pen applicator can be annoying.
Key ingredients: Peptides, pine bark extract, aloe vera, purslane extract, sunflower seed oil
Additional issues it targets: Blue-light damage, puffiness, wrinkles

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Paula’s Choice Super Boost Vitamin C Eye Cream is a powerhouse for targeting discoloration. The stabilized 5% concentration of vitamin C is powerful enough to get the job done without irritating the sensitive skin around your eyes. If you’ve been rubbing your eyes during allergy season, vitamin C is also great for repairing damage at the cellular level. Vargas is personal a fan of this discoloration-fighting eye cream because it’s lightweight and contains peptides, which boost collagen production and promote elasticity.

Pros: “The lightweight formula comes in an airless pump, which is key for keeping the vitamin C active,” MacKenzie says. “I love using this formula in the a.m.”
Cons: If you have very sensitive skin, even the low concentration of vitamin C can be irritating.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid
Additional issues it targets: Dullness, dryness

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For super-stubborn dark circles that are in no rush to disappear, these color-corrective sticks help to instantly brighten, while blurring fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to the instant gratification, you’ll reap long-term brightening benefits from the two forms of vitamin C—ethyl ascorbic acid and tetrahexldecyl ascorbate—which help keep the formula stable, and therefore active, longer. The creamy stick formula also contains caffeine to help increase blood flow and reduce puffiness.

Pros: It will make your dark circles disappear right away.
Cons: It only comes in three shades so it may not work for all skin tones.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, caffeine, color pigments
Additional issues it targets: Dryness, puffiness

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For sensitive skin, Olay’s eye cream is made without phthalates, parabens, or added fragrances and packs powerful actives including soothing niacinamide (vitamin B₃). Reviewers say you’ll notice immediate hydration after applying and note the cream’s silky texture.

Pros: A cooling effect makes this a delight to apply.
Cons: It’s on the pricier side for a drugstore brand.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, amino peptide, niacinamide
Additional issues it targets: Redness, wrinkles

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“Ideal for sensitive skin, this eye cream contains caffeine to help boost circulation and constrict blood vessels to reduce dark circles,” says Dr. Mikailov. Niacinamide helps address pigmentation, he adds. In addition to addressing hyperpigmentation over time, this also helps to instantly mask it thanks to the addition of contains silica and titanium dioxide, which help reflect light for an immediate brightening effect. Finally, glycerin and dimethicone help draw water into the skin and seal in moisture to address dryness.

Pros: The cooling metal applicator helps reduce puffiness.
Cons: It’s on the pricier side for a drugstore brand.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine, gylcerin, dimethicone.
Additional issues it targets: Puffiness, dryness

SkinCeuticals has a solid track record of creating holy grail beauty products. (The brand’s iconic C E Ferulic Serum is a favorite of both Glamour readers and editors.) Dr. Nichols recommends SkinCeuticals’ hydrating gel because “it targets visible signs of aging such as crow’s feet and fine lines.” In addition to tackling puffiness and pigmentation, the eye-serum-meets-gel works to minimize signs of aging with a powerful combination of antioxidants, vitamin C, phloretin, and ferulic acid, which help protect the delicate eye area from environmental damage and premature signs of aging caused by free radicals from UVA/UVB, infrared radiation, and ozone pollution.

Pros: With a packed list of actives, it’s a one-serum-fixes-all formula that effectively targets multiple issues.
Cons: Those actives don’t come cheap.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, ploretin, caffeine
Additional issues it targets: Wrinkles, puffiness, cellular damage

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The Neocutis Lumiere Firm Illuminating Tightening Eye Cream is one of the “all-time favorite” products of Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York. “It contains growth factors and proprietary peptides to boost collagen
production and reduce fine lines and caffeine to help with swelling,” she says. She particularly likes this formula for repairing sun damage (which can cause hyperpigmentation that contributes to the look of dark circles), thanks to its concentration of vitamin C.

Pros: It’s free of parabens, dye and fragrances and suitable for sensitive, acne-prone skin.
Cons: It’s expensive.
Key ingredients: Peptides, caffeine, vitamin C
Additional issues it targets: Puffiness, sun damage

This derm-loved brand is known for its powerful post-procedure products that enhance the effects of in-office treatments—and this one delivers triple the action by targeting fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles all at once, says Serena Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Solano Dermatology and Associates in Vallejo, California. Dr. Chang is also a big fan of this formula. Both derms call out Alastin’s calming effects, thanks to the inclusion of niacinamide to soothe skin and a tetrapeptide to brighten and even skin tone around the eyes.

Pros: A cross-polymer “microsphere” helps to diffuse light, reducing the appearance of dark circles on application.
Cons: It’s expensive.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, green tea extract, peptides
Additional issues it targets: Wrinkles, puffiness

This may not be an actual under eye cream, but three of our experts agreed that arnica is a real secret weapon when it comes to dark spots of any kind. “It’s a proven ingredient to help resolve bruises and can help minimize dark circles under the eyes,” says Dr. Mikailov. “It’s even better when it’s formulated with vitamin K and vitamin E, which are clinically tested to be nonirritating.”

Pros: This is one of the best price-per-ounce dark circle solutions you can buy.
Cons: It’s thick, and stickier than most eye creams.
Key ingredients: Arnica, coconut oil, vitamin K, vitamin E
Additional issues it targets: Dryness, inflammation

Rachel Lee Lozina, a licensed esthetician in New York, recommends Grace & Stella’s eye cream, which is packed with ingredients to treat dark circles. Niacinamide targets redness and smooths skin, caffeine constricts blood vessels in the skin to reduce the appearance of eye bags and that annoying blue hue, and green tea extract stimulates circulation to help reduce inflammation. Notably, this formula also contains a sun protection factor—Zinc oxide, a mineral sunscreen, helps protect against sun damage. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free.

Pros: “This is a fun addition to my medicine cabinet,” Mackenzie says. “The cutie packaging makes applying eye cream feel less like a necessity of your age and more like a fun little treat.”
Cons: Some reviewers note that the cream can feel stiff (like many skin care products containing mineral sunscreens).
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine, green tea extract, zinc oxide
Additional issues it targets: Puffiness, sun damage

There’s no skin issue that’s not helped by improving the skin barrier—precisely what CeraVe is known for. The ceramides in this eye cream help strengthen the delicate skin around the eyes while also hydrating, says Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New Jersey. “It also has caffeine and hyaluronic acid to revitalize and plump the under eyes,” she says.

Pros: “CeraVe’s products are gentle enough for the most sensitive skin—they are my go-to during rosacea flare-ups—and this eye cream is no exception,” MacKenzie says.
Cons: This may not work for the most stubborn dark circles.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, peptides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
Additional issues it targets: Dryness, irritation

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Amino acids help support the skin barrier and boost collagen synthesis, assisting the skin in retaining an appearance of plump youthfulness. Alphascience’s Eye Matrix contains L-glutamine, a powerful amino acid that also has potent skin-lightening effects, according to Dr. Mraz, who recommends this one-two punch for dark circles. Peptides and hyaluronic acid help moisturize and smooth.

Pros: The fine-tipped squeeze tube makes it easy to get just the right amount without overdoing it.
Cons: Eye Matrix is designed to be used after a cosmetic procedure such as fillers, so the results may not be as dramatic when you’re using it solo.
Key ingredients: L-glutamine, hyaluronic acid
Additional issues it targets: Puffiness, wrinkles, skin texture

Dr. Mraz also likes Obagi’s Elastiderm eye cream since it contains licorice root extract for brightening and soothing delicate skin—key for addressing dark undereye circles. It also contains a blend of three minerals—zinc, copper, and malonate—which, when used together, can help improve the appearance of wrinkles.

Pros: The noncomedogenic formula is suitable for those with acne.
Cons: It’s expensive.
Key ingredients: Zinc, copper, malonate, glycerin, dimethicone
Additional issues it targets: Sagging, wrinkles

Bliss’s eye cream features an all-star ingredient roster that Dr. Farhang loves: vitamin C to brighten, alfalfa seed to take down puffiness, caffeine for tightening skin, hexapeptide to smooth fine lines, and niacinamide for protection against free radicals. Reviewers particularly love the lightweight consistency and fast absorption.

Pros: Reviewers note an instant glow upon application.
Cons: The formula may be irritating for those with sensitive skin.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, alfalfa seed, caffeine, peptides, niacinamide
Additional issues it targets: Wrinkles, elasticity, puffiness

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While it’s a bit of a splurge, Dr. Farhang loves Skinbetter Science’s Interfuse Treatment Cream. Peptides help smooth the appearance of fine lines, caffeine targets the blue undertone characteristic of dark circles, and “a highly specialized yeast derivative” helps to address puffiness, she says. Interfuse also contains kakadu plum extract, a highly concentrated form of vitamin C, to help brighten, and hyaluronic acid to moisturize.

Pros: The airless-pump packaging keeps active ingredients like vitamin C stable and effective.
Cons: It’s pricey.
Key ingredients: Peptides, caffeine, kakadu plum, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
Additional issues it targets: Wrinkles, puffiness

For simultaneously targeting wrinkles and dark circles, Dr. Chang particularly likes this drugstore formula. It contains retinol, the gold standard for promoting cell turnover and boosting collagen production. Importantly for the skin around your eyes, it helps “reduce eye wrinkles and fine lines without being too irritating for the thin eyelid skin,” she says. Plus, this formula glides on smoothly, delivering a noticeably plumper appearance instantly and is particularly great for mature skin.

Pros: Affordable and effective, this formula delivers solid bang for your buck.
Cons: If you have really sensitive skin, any amount of retinol might be too much.
Key ingredients: Retinol, glycerin
Additional issues it targets: Puffiness, wrinkles

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For those with more sensitive skin, Dr. Lolis recommends the Inkey List's retinol eye cream. “It's formulated with a slow release retinol so that you get the benefits of using a retinol with minimal irritation,” she explains.

Pros: It’s super affordable.
Cons: Some reviewers noted the formula can separate.
Key ingredients: Retinol, shea butter
Additional issues it targets: Wrinkles

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Don't be fooled by Sulwhasoo's delicate packaging—the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream packs a serious punch against dark circles, says Dr. Chang. "Ginseng helps calm, repair, and fight signs of aging skin as well as licorice root extract which can help revitalize and brighten the eyelid skin," she says. Peptides help boost collagen production while ingredients like squalane hydrate dry skin.

Pros: “What really makes this formula stellar is the metal-tipped applicator wand,” says MacKenzie. “Pop it in your fridge or run it under cold water before applying for a particularly soothing experience.”
Cons: It’s pricey.
Key ingredients: Ginseng, retinol, squalane, licorice root extract
Additional issues it targets: Puffiness, dryness, wrinkles

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Dr. Lolis recommends Avene’s Soothing Eye Contour Cream for “patients with ocular rosacea or sensitive skin that becomes easily irritated. It heals and soothes the area while reducing puffiness at the same time,” she explains.

Pros: The formula is gentle enough to use on all skin types twice a day.
Cons: Some reviewers note the thick texture makes this difficult to wear under makeup.
Key ingredients: Camomile, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
Additional issues it targets: Puffiness, dryness, irritation

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