The dark circles under our eyes are often the most noticeable tell-tale sign of a lack of sleep. As the delicate skin around our eyes is much thinner than the skin on the rest of our complexion, it needs a gentle products and tender application.
As a result of being so delicate, the skin around our eyes is more vulnerable to the effects of dehydration, allergies and sleep deprivation. Choosing the right eye cream can help to smooth the skin and minimise the appearance of dark circles under eyes for a more refreshed, energised look.
Our Top Picks of the Best Eye Creams to Get Rid of Dark Circles
- Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff On-the-Go
- Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter
- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme
- The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
- Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment
- Filorga Optim-Eyes Eye Contour Cream
- Dr Dennis Gross Skincare C+Collagen Brighten and Firm Eye Cream
- Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift
- Shiseido Ultimune Eye Power Infusing Eye Concentrate
- Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream
What causes dark circles under eyes?
Although we connect dark circles to a lack of sleep alone, many of us suffer more so with pigmentation underneath our eyes as a result of our genetics. The reason we have dark circles around our eyes that simply don't shift may be due to the fact that excessive pigmentation around the area is simply hereditary[1].
In addition, dark circles can also be caused by inflammation or irritation around the eye area, made worse with rubbing, scratching[2] and simply ageing as the skin gets thinner and collagen depletes. Stress and a lack of sleep are also key causes of dark circles forming or worsening underneath your eyes.
What ingredients to look for in an eye cream for dark circles
The three key things you want your eye cream to do are to hydrate, brighten and de-puff your delicate skin. When it comes to achieving these three things, the secret is in the ingredients. To energise, brighten and de-puff, look out for ingredients such as Caffeine and Vitamin C. If you're after nourishing hydration, Squalene and Hyaluronic Acid are the key players.
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Which are the Best Eye Creams for Dark Circles
Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff On-the-Go
This travel-friendly formula uses a potent blend of Panax Ginseng, Coffee Beans and Magnolia Extract to soothe puffiness and reduce undereye bags. Housed in slim packaging with a precision sponge applicator for quick and easy application, this antioxidant-infused formula brightens and refreshes the delicate skin under your eyes to reduce the signs of fatigue.
Key ingredients: Ginseng, Coffee Bean, Magnolia Extract
Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter
Balance and illuminate dull, lacklustre skin with the Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter. This advanced serum uses fortifying ingredients, including Yeast Extract, Salicylic Acid, and is designed to correct the look of discolouration and acne scars while enhancing the visage with a youthful-looking appearance.
Key ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Glucosamine and Mulberry Root Extract
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme
The potent Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme works to target the signs of ageing and fatigue around the delicate eye area. With a lightweight water-gel texture that absorbs quickly into the skin, this cream works to smooth skin and diminish puffiness using vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. Supported by the brand’s patented Tripeptide-32 complex, the eye crème encourages a visibly firmer and smoother-looking undereye.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, Caffeine
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Target dark circles head on with The Ordinary Caffeine Solution, a highly concentrated solution made up of Caffeine and Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside (EGCG) derived from Green Tea Leaves. This potent, lightweight concoction helps to reduce the appearance of discolouration around the eye area to alleviate the symptoms of fatigue and stress. Skin is left refreshed, hydrated and more even in tone.
Key ingredients: Caffeine, EGCG
Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment
Transform tired eyes and deeply hydrate the delicate skin around your eyes with Elemis Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment. Enriched with firming Padina Pavonica and amino acids, this hydrating formula works to improve the appearance of skin's elasticity, firm fine lines, and protect the skin from external aggressors.
Key ingredients: Padina Pavonica, Amino Acids
Filorga Optim-Eyes Eye Contour Cream
As we age, the collagen content of our skin depletes leading to sagging and the formation of fine lines. Due to the thin, delicate nature of the skin around our eyes, wrinkles form so easily meaning we need to take a little extra care of the area as we get older. Filorga Optim-Eyes Eye Contour Cream is the perfect product for ageing eyes as its intensely hydrating, smoothing formula works wonders of fine lines, pigmentation and wrinkles.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, NCTF
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare C+Collagen Brighten and Firm Eye Serum
Combining glow-boosting Vitamin C and Collagen Amino Acids, Dr Dennis Gross Skincare C+Collagen Brighten and Firm Eye Serum melts into the skin to energise and brighten your under-eye area. Tackling the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, the rich formula also firms up the skin and encourages collagen production for smoother, visibly younger-looking eyes.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, Collagen, Ceramides
Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift
With skin-loving ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Arctic Algae and Wild Indigo Seed, Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift cools and energises to minimise the appearance of dark circles, puffiness and fine lines around the eye area. Complete with a metal tip applicator to massage the area, Stress Positive Eye Lift is also a treat to apply in the mornings.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Arctic Algae, Wild Indigo Seed
Shiseido Ultimune Eye Power Infusing Eye Concentrate
This fast-acting serum is designed to give you brighter under-eyes from the first week of use. Working to visibly improve the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles, roughness and dullness while boosting the skin’s resilience, this clever formula leaves skin feeling radiant and smooth. After just one week, 90% said it visibly improves puffiness around the eyes.*
Key ingredients: Reishi Mushroom, Iris Root Extract
*Conducted by: Independent laboratory, South Africa. Questionnaires to 248 women (all subjects), April-July 2018.
Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream
Treat the delicate eye area to the benefits of the Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream; a lightweight, quick-absorbing formula that combines raw superfruit extracts with high-quality ingredients from New Zealand.
Key ingredients: Avocado Oil, Vitamin C and Antioxidant Vinanza® Grape
Shop all Eye Creams and Skincare for Dark Circles at LOOKFANTASTIC
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