From firming formulas to radiance-boosting properties, these are the best proven eye creams on the market
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Whether you’re looking to fight off fine lines or to brighten up your bags, eye creams are an excellent place to start. Packed with active ingredients like peptides, retinol, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and more, they’re a topical way to tackle wrinkles without going in for a procedure.
“Eye creams, most commonly, can be helpful in creating a brightening and/or hydrating effect under the eyes,” explains New York-based dermatologist Dr. Nkem Ugonabo. “They can also help address and improve some specific skin concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes, dehydration, and dark circles.”
To help you find the best eye creams to combat dark circles, we tested 20 products from the most trusted brands on the market both in our lab and at home. Over four weeks, we carefully evaluated their effectiveness, consistency, ease of application, any sensitivity, and overall value.
Keep reading to discover the best eye creams to minimize dark circles and to help plump and brighten the under eye area, from products designed to instantly tighten, those made for sensitive skin, and more.
The formula dries into a soft matte texture that easily layers underneath other skincare products or makeup.
We noticed firmer skin and a drastic reduction in fine lines after a few weeks of use.
The consistency is somewhat gelatinous and has a slightly sticky feel.
Like any retinol product, it may be too hard on those with sensitive skin (and it's important to use SPF during the day while using).
Armed with retinol and micropeptides, this budget-friendly eye cream tackles fine lines and dark circles immediately. We noticed our skin felt firmer and that the wrinkles under our eyes were less visible almost instantly after applying this gel-like cream.
After a few weeks, we were wowed by how drastically it helped reduce our fine lines, particularly given the approachable price point. While it goes on slightly sticky, the thick formula dries into an invisible matte texture that blends seamlessly underneath other makeup and skincare products. Given the retinol, this is best to use just once a day, and may cause irritation on more sensitive skin.
Active Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid | Size: 0.5 oz.
The formula drastically reduces puffiness and under-eye circles.
It glides easily over skin and absorbs quickly.
A little goes a long way, which helps to mitigate the price.
It’s gentle enough to use twice a day.
The effects aren’t immediate, but do show up over time.
At around $100, it's one of the priciest options on this list.
This eye cream checks all the boxes: It reduces dark circles, bags, and puffiness while enhancing hydration and under-eye brightness. It relies on a combination of Vitamin K oxide, haloxyl, eyeliss, and hyaluronic acid to promote firmness, even skin tone, restore elasticity and minimize dark circles. While the results take time — just shy of a month — anyone looking for a long-term solution rather than a quick fix will love this luxurious eye cream. The cooling ceramic applicator helps to disperse the product, which is lightweight and gentle enough to use twice a day without experiencing any sensitivity.
We love how easily this product glides over our skin, and that it absorbs quickly without any lingering stickiness. It’s easy to layer underneath a daily skincare routine without waiting around for it to dry. After one month of daily use, we noticed that our under eye area was distinctly more smooth and that previous puffiness had drastically reduced.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin K oxide, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid | Size: 0.5 oz.
We noticed instantly brighter under eyes upon application.
There’s no burning or tingling sensation, making it great for sensitive skin.
It immediately creates a moisturized, dewy look.
It casts a glittery tint similar to that of a highlighter, which some may not prefer.
Much like our top pick, this eye cream from Summer Fridays boasts brightening, plumping, and smoothing properties — but with the added bonuses of instant luminosity and a more affordable price tag. Vegan and paraben-free, we love the thick, hydrating consistency that still goes on sheer and absorbs easily.
What stands out about this product is the instant glow it provides, similar to that of a highlighter — while the glittery sheen may not appeal to minimalists, it offers an instant boost and is available in both cool and warm shades. The formula didn’t cause any sensitivity during our testing, and was gentle enough for everyday use.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, acetyl hexapeptide-8, caffeine | Size: 0.5 oz.
It’s ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested.
Vitamin E helps protect against free-radical damage.
The matte consistency melts easily into skin.
It noticeably hydrated our skin after every use.
The thicker formula takes a moment to absorb, making it better for nighttime use.
It doesn’t come with an applicator, which some may want for hygienic purposes.
Founded in 1946, Estee Lauder boasts a long history of crafting tried-and-true luxury skincare products, and this eye cream is another fantastic case in point. It’s designed to last you a while, as it features a richer consistency that goes quite a long way and noticeably plumps up the under-eye skin.
While we wish there was a convenient applicator included, the formula is easy to spread onto skin and absorbs relatively quickly given the thicker consistency. It’s made up of hyaluronic acid, which plumps and hydrates eyes, while Vitamin E works as a powerful antioxidant that fights against free-radicals.
Active Ingredients: Tripeptide-32, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate | Size: 0.5 oz.
The consistency is lightweight enough to use both day and night.
The tube is made from recycled plastic.
It layers easily with other skincare products and makeup.
The applicator is not as easy to use compared to others we tested.
The application leaves a slight greasy sheen which took awhile to fully absorb into the skin.
This day-to-night eye cream is a midweight marvel that strikes a balance between a moisturizer and a serum, offering firming and brightening effects that continue to build over time. While the impact is gradual, we started seeing results after just a few days, and noticed that our under eyes were distinctly softer, smoother, and tighter after four weeks of daily use. The impact comes from active ingredients like viniferine, which is the sap from grapevine stalks — the ingredient has long been considered a dark spot-eradicator for winemakers.
It comes with a ceramic applicator that provides a cooling sensation, but ultimately we found that using our fingers made it easier to evenly distribute the product. Our only gripe is that the formula occasionally left a slightly greasy sheen on our skin, which took a noticeable amount of time to absorb fully.
Active Ingredients: Viniferine, caffeine | Size: 0.5 oz.
Retinol helps to reduce fine lines and improve plumpness.
We found it absorbs into thirsty skin instantly.
Encapsulated retinol design releases formula little by little, which could be helpful for those with sensitive skin or new to retinol products.
It focuses more on hydrating and smoothing rather than on dark circles. (However, we may just need a longer testing period to see results.)
Looking to smooth out crows feet and other small wrinkles? Reach for Glow Recipe’s Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Cream, which boasts a potent mix of antioxidant-packed coffeeberry and hydrating hyaluronic acid along with collagen-boosting retinol. We love that the encapsulated retinol releases the product little by little, ensuring a more gentle approach than traditional over-the-counter retinol products.
The formula is creamy and lightweight thanks to nutrient-dense avocado, and absorbs into skin instantly upon application. While the texture is thick at first, it spreads easily and can be smoothly layered underneath makeup. We found that while it didn’t drastically improve our dark circles, it did help to hydrate our under eyes while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Active Ingredients: Avocado, encapsulated retinol, niacinamide, coffee berry, peroxide | Size: 0.5 oz.
A little goes a long way with this product, which just adds to its value.
It features a pump applicator that dispenses the ideal amount of product.
Optical brighteners work to instantly illuminate the under eye area.
It’s lightweight and gentle enough for daily use.
Given its lightweight consistency, those looking for an ultra hydrating eye cream should consider other options on this list.
This lightweight cream spreads and absorbs easily when massaged gently along the under eye area. It boasts a variety of active ingredients which create the illusion of a good night’s sleep, with tranexamic acid reducing hyperpigmentation and firming agents including cedar bark and caffeine to reduce puffiness.
Those with sensitive skin will appreciate the gentleness of the formula — we didn’t experience any tingling, burning, or cooling sensations throughout our testing, making this an excellent choice for daily use. Our favorite part about this eye cream are the optical brighteners, which create a slightly glossy sheen that catches the light and helps to instantly lift dark circles and diminish them over time.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, tranexamic acid, bakuchiol, peptides, NovoRetin, cedar bark, caffeine | Size: 0.5 oz.
The formula is free of sulfates, parabens, GMOs, and other drying agents.
There’s a slight peach tint to the cream which helps to instantly lighten the under eye.
It’s super softening and safe for sensitive skin.
The thicker consistency requires a bit more time to fully absorb compared to other products we tested (but this isn't a deal-breaker.)
Those who prefer a thicker, richer consistency will love this ultra-hydrating and illuminating eye cream from Kinship, which goes on more like a moisturizer and requires very little product per application. Chaga mushrooms work to depuff and energize the delicate under eye area, while taurine-rich red algae helps to plump and brighten up dark circles.
The formula features a light peach tint that blends easily into all skin tones, helping to brighten up the skin around the eyes. We found that it made our skin noticeably softer and smoothed out wrinkles, while also helping to erase the appearance of dark circles.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, red algae, chaga mushroom | Size: 0.5 oz.
The peachy tint works as a color corrector beneath makeup.
The smooth, lightweight formula melts into skin while providing hydration and instant brightening.
We found it creates a pleasant cooling sensation when applied.
It has a slight citrus scent that may not appeal to everyone.
It focuses more on immediate brightening than on tightening or reducing dark circles in the long run. (However, we may just need a longer testing period to see those results.)
This luxurious and lightweight cream glides smoothly over skin without leaving any sticky residue. The silky sheen absorbs quickly, creating an ideal and hydrating base for primers and other makeup. While the peachy tint may not suit every skin tone, it blends easily and functions as a slight color corrector.
The formula boasts light-reflecting minerals and real gold, which help to immediately illuminate the skin and diminish the appearance of dark circles. We found that while many eye creams layer well beneath concealer, this one goes beyond to actually enhance the application and long-lasting wear of concealer thanks to its supple texture.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, bioflavonoids, hardy orange extract, banana powder-inspired pigments | Size: 0.5 oz.
We noticed that our eyes looked and felt smoother and softer immediately after applying this product.
Despite the creamy texture, it layers well underneath concealer and makeup.
There are two shades that are suited to fair, medium, and deep skin tones.
The thicker consistency is better suited to a nighttime routine, as it takes time to absorb fully.
The jar requires you to dip your fingers in for each application.
If you’re looking to fake eight hours of sleep, reach for this deeply hydrating cream from Origins. Crafted with Vitamin C, ginseng, and caffeine, it boasts brightening and tightening properties that make eyes look fresh and revitalized instantly. The lightweight and creamy formula has an almost yogurt-like consistency, and takes a few moments to absorb fully into skin; once it does, it plumps the skin and creates an instantly brighter, refreshed look.
That’s thanks in part to the light-catching optics, which come in an original and warm shade that are designed to flatter fair-to-medium and medium-to-dark skin tones, respectively. This works more as an instant under-eye refresher versus combatting dark circles long-term, so if you're looking to solve the latter, there are other options on this list that are better suited for that.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, ginseng, caffeine from coffee beans | Size: 0.5 oz.
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.
When trying to tackle dark circles, it’s crucial to seek out products with active ingredients that will target your specific needs, whether you’re looking for a hydrating, firming, or brightening 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.”
From wands to pumps and lipgloss-like tubes, there are a variety of ways to apply eye cream, and it’s up to you to choose your preferred style. If your 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 product in with your ring finger using minimal pressure.
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 brighten skin and create an overall luminous look.
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.
In order to test each eye cream 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.
After our testing period, we rated each eye cream on a scale of one to five, with five performing the highest. The eye creams with the top average scores made this list and earned the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval.
While topical creams can help to greatly minimize and lift dark circles, they can’t get rid of them all together. “The appearance of dark circles can be improved by eye creams but not permanently removed,” explains Dr. Ugonabo. ”Particularly when the root cause of these circles has not been fully addressed.” She suggests targeting your specific needs with active ingredients designed to help tackle them.
Creams that boast retinol and brightening agents are great for lightening up dark circles. While many of the creams on this list will do an excellent job at lifting circles, we stand by Isdin K-Ox Eyes Cream as our top pick for a multipurpose eye cream that will reduce dark circles white also illuminating and hydrating the under eye area.
Dr. Ugonabo is also a fan of RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Night Cream, Charlotte Tilbury Cryo Recovery Depuffing Eye Serum, and Drmtlgy brightening eye masks.
“There are a variety of reasons one might notice dark circles under their eyes,” explains Dr. Ugonabo. “Sometimes this is due to blood vessels underneath the skin that lead to the appearance of darkness there. Other times, this may be hyperpigmentation related to friction (such as rubbing of the eyes in people with eczema, allergies, [or] dry eyes.
In other cases, she explains that "dark circles may even be hereditary which may be more difficult to treat" and that "sometimes an evaluation by a professional can be helpful to evaluate and determine the cause of your dark circles.”
Sophie Dodd is a PEOPLE contributor who has been writing for PEOPLE.com since 2018. She covers travel and lifestyle, with a focus on homegoods and beauty products. For this story, Sophie extensively researched the results of our eye cream testing and used her expertise as a commerce and lifestyle writer to research the products that ranked the highest in order 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.
Dr. Nkem Ugonabo is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York who has advanced fellowship training in cosmetic dermatology and lasers.
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