The Ultimate Guide to Banishing Dark Circles: 10 Eye Creams Tested and Reviewed

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Other Eye Creams for Dark Circles We Tried

• La Mer The Eye Concentrate Eye Cream: La Mer is the pinnacle of luxurious skincare, and we loved how lightweight and smooth this ultra-soft cream was. It provided instant hydration and our eyes appeared noticeably firmer, but ultimately, the price tag felt too steep to not see more drastic results.

• First Aid Beauty Brighten + Glow Eye Cream with Niacinamide: This budget-friendly pick provides an instant glow thanks to Peach Micro-Pearls, which create a dewy and refreshed look. While we appreciated how hydrating it was, we noticed that it didn’t absorb fully into the skin, and therefore didn’t layer well under makeup.

Things to Consider Before Buying Eye Cream for Dark Circles

Active Ingredients

When trying to tackle dark circles, it’s crucial to seek out eye creams with active ingredients that will target your specific needs, whether you’re looking for a hydrating, firming, or radiance-boosting effect.

“I recommend patients look for creams with key active ingredients to address the root causes that are leading to these dark circles,” explains Dr. Ugonabo. “I like eye creams with retinol or vitamin C for a general brightening effect on hyperpigmentation,” she notes, adding that she suggests caffeine for those with red or puffy eyes, as the stimulant “causes a vasoconstriction which reduces the appearance of broken blood vessels under the eye and helps with puffiness as well.” She also suggests looking for eye creams with “hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and/or ceramides, [which] can also be helpful for those with dry eyes.” Our top pick for the best eye cream for dark circles with retinol is Glow Recipe Avocado Melt and our best overall runner-up, Summer Fridays Light Aura Eye Cream, contains vitamin C and caffeine.

Applicator

From wands to pumps and lipgloss-like tubes, there are a variety of ways to apply eye cream for dark circles, and it’s up to you to choose your preferred style. If your eye cream for dark circles product doesn’t come with an applicator, be sure to wash your hands before every use, as repeatedly dipping your fingers into a small jar of product is an easy way to spread bacteria. Dr. Ugonabo also cautions her patients to apply their eye creams gently.

“Because the skin underneath the eye is thinner, it is considered to be more delicate, so I often counsel my patients to look for eye creams that are gentle and also to make sure they themselves delicately apply any creams,” she says, adding that it’s best to gently tap the product in with your ring finger using minimal pressure.

Light-Reflecting Particles

While topical creams can help to reduce dark circles over time, those in need of a quick fix should look to formulas that include optical diffusers or light-reflecting particles, which function to instantly boost skin and create an overall luminous look. Our top choice for the best under-makeup eye cream for dark circles, Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème, contains light-reflecting particles.

How We Tested

We tested 20 eye creams for dark circles from highly ranked brands in order to narrow down a list of those we ranked most effective, easy to apply, and which caused the least skin sensitivity.

• Application: In order to test each eye cream for dark circles in our lab, we assessed their consistency, absorption, skin texture, feel, and more. We spot-tested each product and washed our faces prior to applying the eye creams, which we then gently patted in with a finger or applicator. To see how the creams performed in the long run, we spent four weeks using them once or twice daily, depending on the instructions.

• Performance: After our testing period, we rated each eye cream for dark circles on a scale of one to five, with five performing the highest. The eye creams for dark circles with the top average scores made this list and earned the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Sophie Dodd is a PEOPLE contributor who has been writing for PEOPLE.com since 2018. She covers travel and lifestyle, with a focus on home goods and beauty products. For this story, Sophie extensively researched the results of our eye cream for dark circles testing and used her expertise as a commerce and lifestyle writer to research the products that ranked the highest to narrow down this list. She also received advice from New York-based dermatologist Dr. Nkem Ugonabo on the real benefits of eye creams for dark circles and what to look for when shopping for them.

What is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

With these eye creams, you can say goodbye to those stubborn dark circles and hello to a refreshed and radiant under-eye area. Don’t forget to check out more beauty tips and products at beauty.