Post last updated: 06/06/2023
Have you ever had a poor nights sleep and woke up with tired, puffy eyes? Do you struggle with dark under-eye circles and pigmentation that never wants to brighten? We (and our customers) can relate. So, to help you get younger looking and energised eyes, we've rounded up 10 of our (and our customers') favourite eye creams and serums specially formulated to tackle all those things that make our eyes look tired, stressed and dull.
Did you know that the delicate skin around our eyes is much thinner than the skin on the rest of our face? This is what makes pigmentation and dark circles more noticeable. As a result of being so delicate, the skin around our eyes is more vulnerable to the effects of dehydration, allergies and sleep deprivation. That's why the dark circles under our eyes are often the most noticeable tell-tale sign of a lack of sleep.
Choosing the right eye cream not only smooths fine lines & wrinkles, it can also work to minimise the appearance of dark pigmentation for a more refreshed, youthful and energised look.
Our Top 10 Eye Creams Dark Circles
- The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Cream
- Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage
- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme
- The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
- Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask
- Filorga Optim-Eyes 3-in-1 Revitalizing Eye Cream
- Dr Dennis Gross Skincare C+Collagen Brighten and Firm Eye Cream
- Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift
- Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream
- Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream
Shop all Eye Creams on LOOKFANTASTIC today!
What causes dark circles under eyes?
Although we usually 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. According to Mayo Clinic [1], one reason we have dark circles around our eyes may be due to the fact that excessive pigmentation around the area is simply hereditary.
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.
How To Get Rid Of Under Eye Bags
Discover how to combat under eye bags with these 3 simple steps, for more refreshed looking eyes.
When should you apply eye creams in your skincare routine?
Much like most other skincare products, it is recommended to apply your eye cream morning and night before your moisturiser. This ensures that the area is cleansed and that the active ingredients in your eye cream can fully penetrate the skin and get to work.
What skincare ingredients work best for getting rid of dark circles?
The key things you want your eye cream or serum to do are to hydrate, brighten, smooth and de-puff your delicate skin. When it comes to achieving these goals, the secret is in the ingredients.
- For brightening: Look out for ingredients such as Antioxidants and Vitamin C.
- For hydration: Squalene and Hyaluronic Acid are the key players.
- For firming: Collagen, Peptides and Ceramides will work to smooth fine lines and wrinkles on the surface.
- For De-puffing: Caffeine is known for its anti-inflammatory properties making it perfect for de-puffing tired eyes.
How To Get Rid Of Under Eye Bags
Discover how to combat under eye bags with these 3 simple steps, for more refreshed looking eyes.
These are our favourite eye creams and serums which all work in special ways to brighten and rejuvenate tired looking eyes - and our customers love them too!
The INKEY List Caffeine Eye Serum
Best for: Early Morning Re-energising
This antioxidant rich eye serum helps to create a protective barrier around the delicate eye area, helping to increase the skins's natural defences against environmental aggressors and pollution. The key ingredient is Caffeine which works as an anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce puffiness while Matrixyl 3000 peptide encourages collagen production. The serum can be applied in the morning after cleansing, followed by your regular face serums or moisturisers.
- Why LF customers love it "Absolutely love this eye cream. Has worked wonders with my dark circles. You don't see it straight away but after a couple of weeks / months you see a big difference. Absolutely love this eye cream. Has worked wonders with my dark circles. You don't see it straight away but after a couple of weeks / months you see a big difference." Read more reviews here
Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage
Best for: Reducing puffiness and dark circles on contact
Clinique are well loved by skintellectuals and this de-puffing eye serum is easy to see why. Delivering intense hydration, the serum works to revitalise tired looking eyes. The oil-free formula is perfect for all skin types and contains key ingredients including caffeine and antioxidants which help to gently refresh the delicate eye area. To apply, use a gentle pressure, rolling underneath each eye from inner corner to outer corner.
- Why LF customers love it "It’s lovely and cooling on the eyes and reduces my puffiness it feels so nice relaxing I’m enjoying using it"
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme
Best for: Minimising crows feet
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. The brand’s patented Tripeptide-32 complex visibly creates a firmer and smoother-looking under-eye. Can be used morning and evening.
- Why LF customers love it "Have purchased so many eye creams , this is the only one that hydrates and improves the look of lines around the delicate eye area."
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Best for: Stressed and tired eyes
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 and alleviates signs of fatigue and stress. Use AM or PM for refreshed, hydrated skin.
- Why LF customers love it "I love this product. I suffer with really dark circles under my eyes and since using this product it has made them not as dark. I use it every morning and every night and it has made a difference. Great price as well." Read more reviews here
Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask
Best for: Plumping out fine lines
This innovative formula from skincare heroes Elemis, is a hybrid mask that has the light consistency of a gel combined with the richness of a serum. Hyaluronic Acid hydrates the skin while Watermelon Snow Algae Extract firms the surface. The multi-functional formal can act as an over-night eye mask or moisturising primer, ideal for prepping your eyes before makeup application. Adding foundation to the mix will create a nourishing BB Cream giving you a flawless complexion. For best results, use daily or at least 3 times a week.
- Why LF customers love it "I had seen this around on social media and wanted to try it to soften my under eye! This is magic- not only do my under eyes feel hydrated but my concealer sits so much better now than ever before. A little goes a long way- so definitely worth the money. " Read more reviews here
Filorga Optim-Eyes Eye Contour Cream
Best for: Stubborn under-eye circles
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 it contains Hyaluronic Acid to intensely hydrate, while NCTF (Filorga's exclusive complex) plumps fine lines for a smoother surface.
- Why LF customers love it "I've used this product morning and night for 3 weeks and I have to say I was pleasently suprised, It absorbs really well, feels smooth and I have noticed a significant difference in dark circles and lines under my eyes, would definately recommend" Read more reviews here
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare C+Collagen Brighten and Firm Eye Serum
Best for: Brightening and firming
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. Use daily either AM or PM.
- Why LF customers love it "I was introduced to Dr Dennis by a friend. I am 42 year old man This is my second order of C+ Collagen brighten eye cream and face cream. my skin looks amazing plumper and viable more youthful.. love it"
Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift
Best for: Sensitive skin types
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. The lightweight formula also helps to protect the skin's natural barrier against the effects of environmental aggressors.
- Why LF customers love it "Absolutely love Dermalogica stress positive eye lift. I’m an insomniac so suffer with puffy eyes and dark shadows. With regular use, this is an absolute winner. Quite a bit cheaper through lookfanrastic and always a speedy delivery. Highly recommend this product"
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream
Best for: All Rounder
A great all rounder for any skin type! The Reneura Technology +™ livens up dull tired looking eyes while peptides deliver a moisture to help plump out fine lines, wrinkles and crows feet.
- Why LF customers love it "The has got to be the best eye cream I’ve used yet. Turning 40 this year I was yet to find an eye cream that worked. This works! It glide on and does reduce wrinkles and that tired dry eye look. Perfect with makeup and in-fact helps it to stay in place. A little goes a long way as you only need a grain of rice size. Wouldn’t use anything else now I’ve found YOU! " Read more reviews here
Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream
Best for: Vegan
Treat the delicate eye area to the benefits of the Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream; a lightweight, quick-absorbing formula that combines vitamin C and raw superfruit extracts with high-quality ingredients from New Zealand. This hydrating eye cream softens the appearance of fine lines while protecting against environmental aggressors. Apply after cleansing using a gentle patting motion.
- Why LF customers love it "Had my eye on this cream for a while. Great texture: lightweight and moisturising. Absorbs well and does not leave a sticky residue. The scent is delicate and pleasant." Read more reviews here
Shop all Eye Creams and Skincare for Dark Circles at LOOKFANTASTIC
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