10 Fail-Proof Under-Eye Creams to Brighten Up Dark Circles
Dark undereye circles alone can be enough to cause a tired, aged appearance. No matter the reason for them, be it allergies, restless nights, thin skin, or the natural aging process, the best way to brighten dark circles is with under-eye creams made just for this purpose. While the best under-eye creams for dark circles work towards lightening discoloration and darkness, many also hydrate the thin skin under the eyes. So, before slathering any under-eye cream on your dark circles, consider our best under-eye creams for dark circles since they will make your eyes look brighter and more youthful.
How Under Eye Creams for Dark Circles Work
Under-eye creams often contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and other proven skincare ingredients to help brighten the area under the eyes while hydrating it and eliminating dark circles. By adding moisture to the thin skin under the eyes, the area can appear more supple, and light can reflect off the skin properly, giving way to a more toned appearance.
How to Choose the Best Under Eye Cream for Dark Circles
When selecting the best under-eye cream to brighten your dark circles, it’s essential to consider your skin type. You’ll also want to pay attention to the active ingredients in the cream since each has a different function, and when it comes to brightening dark under-eye circles, those, like vitamins C and K, kojic acid, caffeine, and retinol, are important. It’s also a good idea to look for under-eye creams with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, which can plump up the area and camouflage any darkness.
Shop the Best Under-Eye Creams for Dark Circles
1. Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream
150 reviews
$65.00
For dark under-eye circles that need a little help in the brightening department, look no further than this anti-aging eye cream, which also downplays the look of fine lines and puffiness. Formulated with power-packed ingredients like caffeine and ginseng root, this daily use eye cream will make your eyes look fresh and well rested—even if you were up all night!
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, ginseng root extract, horse chestnut extract, black cumin seed oil, Acmella Oleracea extract
Skin Type: All
Beauty Insider Tip: Since the skin under the eyes is thin and delicate, apply this cream with your ring and middle fingers by lightly tapping into the skin.
2. Natura Bissé Diamond Cocoon Sheer Eye
20 reviews
$185.00
This ultra-light anti-aging eye cream helps reduce the look of aging eyes while moisturizing the skin and reducing uneven discoloration. Thanks to a blend of universally flattering natural pigments that work for all skin tones, the eye area appears brighter, more refreshed, and rejuvenated when using this cream.
Key Ingredients: Detoxin, hyaluronic acid, natural pigments, water lily extract
Skin Type: Aging and mature skin
Beauty Insider Tip: Swap your regular under-eye concealer for this eye cream, which is a perfect substitute.
3. Neocutis LUMIÈRE FIRM RICHE Extra Moisturizing Illuminating & Tightening Eye Cream
194 reviews
$125.00
Gentle enough to use on the thin skin under the eyes but powerful enough to brighten dark circles and smooth them, too, this super-rich eye cream is a must. It reduces the look of dark circles and takes down bothersome puffiness and fine lines while protecting the eyes from unnecessary environmental damage.
Key Ingredients: Growth factors, peptides, vitamin C, caffeine
Skin Type: All skin types
Beauty Insider Tip: Apply this eye cream to clean skin before locking it in with your favorite moisturizer
4. Obagi Medical Daily Hydro-Drops Rejuvenating Eye Gel Cream
1 reviews
$75.00
Make this eye gel cream part of your daily skincare routine for immediate improvement and brighter, younger-looking eyes. For up to 24 hours, this concentrated formula adds long-lasting hydration and decreases puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines, making the eyes look brighter, refreshed, and more awake.
Key Ingredients: Tuberose, glycerin, niacinamide
Skin Type: Mature skin
Beauty Insider Tip: Use the smooth side of the cooling applicator to apply the cream to the eyes and then the rounded side to massage into the skin.
5. Revision Skincare D.E.J Eye Cream
203 reviews
$120.00
This does-it-all eye treatment is the one to reach for to defy the common signs of aging eyes, including dark under-eye circles. In just four weeks, the eyes emerge brighter, more refreshed, and better hydrated.
Key Ingredients: Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline, palmitoyl tripeptide-38, amino acid copper complex, goji fruit extract
Skin Type: Aging, mature skin
Beauty Insider Tip: Use this eye cream on the eyelids to improve hooding and saggy skin
6. SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair
483 reviews
$106.00
We like this cult-classic anti-aging eye cream for its ability to brighten the under-eye skin while hydrating and smoothing it. Formulated with the brand’s proprietary TNS technology, this rich, supple eye cream breathes new life into dehydrated skin around the eyes and provides a lightening effect to minimize the look of any discoloration.
Key Ingredients: Human fibroblast conditioned media (TNS®), palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, boron nitride
Skin Type: Normal to dry skin
Beauty Insider Tip: When applying this eye cream to the eye area, layer it onto the outside corners, too, since that area can become dark and uneven in tone.
7. Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector
14 reviews
$69.00
Lighter in weight than the standard under-eye cream, this serum targets unwanted discoloration and other signs of aging for brighter, healthier-looking, and younger-looking skin.
Key Ingredients: Vita-C complex, red algae, giant kelp extract, light-reflecting micro-minerals, cucumber extract
Skin Type: Aging skin
Beauty Insider Tip: Whereas most eye serums and creams just target discoloration, this one brightens multiple types of discoloration, including blue, purple, red, and brown under-eye discoloration
8. ISDIN ISDINCEUTICS K-Ox Eyes Dark Circles Minimizer Eye Contour Cream
2 reviews
$106.00
Like a does-it-all eye cream, this formulation combats dark circles, puffiness, and pesky bags in one shot, leaving the eye area smoother, healthier, and brighter in just a few weeks.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin K oxide, haloxyl, eyeliss, hyaluronic acid
Skin Type: All skin types
Beauty Insider Tip: To ensure the product penetrates the skin, warm it first by rubbing it between your fingertips.
9. Neostrata Enlighten Brightening Eye Serum
4 reviews
$62.00
Kiss dark, tired-looking eyes goodbye with this skin-smoothing, ultra-light brightening eye cream that restores a firm and rejuvenated look to the eyes.
Key Ingredients: Antioxidants, peptides, algae extract, vitamins C & E, PHA blend
Skin Type: All skin
Beauty Insider Tip: Apply the cream morning and night to reap the benefits in a few weeks.
10. MZ Skin Soothe and Smooth - Hyaluronic Brightening Eye Complex
$150.00
When the under-eye area becomes dry, dark circles are more likely to appear. Thanks to this hydrating and firming eye cream, the eye area remains well moisturized, helping to reduce dark circles and puffiness while smoothing out the look of aging eyes.
Key Ingredients: Tri-peptides, albizia bark extract, ceramides, hyaluronic acid,
Skin Type: All skin
Beauty Insider Tip: This eye cream also helps strengthen capillaries, contributing to dark under-eye circles.
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with more than 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine, where she reported on beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. A self-professed beauty junkie and retinol and sunscreen pusher, Elise knows what’s new, what works and who’s the best to go for every procedure under the sun. Follow Elise on Facebook, Instagram, and on her beauty blog, elisetabin.com
