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Best Eye Creams for Dark Circles 2024
Want to perk up your peepers? Packed with hardworking ingredients like Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid, a good eye cream targets under-eye bags and disguises those stubborn dark circles. So, whether you’re hunting down the best eye cream for dark circle brightening, puffiness or pigmentation, hit reset on your under-eyes with these tried-and-tested formulas.
How to apply eye cream
Always be sure to apply with your ring finger as it has the lightest touch. Dot along your under-eyes, on top of your cheekbones and on your brow bones, then tap in the product to help reduce any puffiness while allowing the cream to fully absorb. Wait a full minute before going in with under-eye makeup.
How we choose our best eye creams for dark circles
When picking the best eye creams for dark circles, we look for ones that include tried-and-tested ingredients like Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid and Caffeine - these are the ones that will effectively hydrate, plump and brighten those dark shadows while smoothing fine lines.
By Sephora UK Skincare Editorial Team
Writers and experts
Updated: 12 January 2024
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CERAVE
Eye Repair Cream
Best for sensitive skin
Full of the brand’s signature Ceramides to help restore and maintain the skin’s natural protective barrier, it practically melts on contact and moisturises without leaving a greasy finish. Gentle Aloe Vera and Almond Oil cool and calm, while antioxidant Vitamin E helps shield skin from external damage. This one also comes with the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which is hugely comforting for the itchy-eyed.
Tried and tested: “I suffer from dark pigmentation around my eyes. I have been using this product for just over a month and the hydration is second to none. I have tried so many eye creams, lotions and potions (both high and low end), and this is by far the best. I do wear under-eye concealer most days and this is absolutely no problem underneath makeup. Leaves the delicate skin around the eyes beautifully supple and it's a perfect base.” - Emma, Customer Review
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KIEHL’S
Midnight Recovery Eye Cream
Best for overnight results
The perfect partner to Kiehl’s bestseller Midnight Recovery Concentrate, make the most of your beauty sleep with this botanical eye cream. With a blend of gentle, naturally-derived ingredients like Aloe Vera and Lavender, apply before bedtime to hydrate, strengthen, smooth, soothe and brighten your eye area while you catch those all-important ZZZs. Plus, the dreamy scent will help send you off into the best beauty sleep ever.
Tried and tested: "On immediate application, your skin feels smooth and the smell is divine. I breathe it in before applying - it starts to make you unwind and relax, and in the morning your skin feels so soft. I couldn't live without this product." - Karen, Customer Review
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ELEMIS
Pro-collagen Eye Renewal
Best for smoothing skin
Bursting with a cocktail of hydrating and plumping ingredients, Elemis’ smoothing eye cream reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles by -60% in just 28 days. Containing the revolutionary Padina Pavonica, Chlorella and Buckwheat, the cream-gel formula helps increase moisturisation and firmness, while protecting your delicate eye area from free radical damage. Ideal for mature skin or as a preventative treatment (you should start upping your eye care from your mid-20’s, fyi), this one is a beauty buy worth investing in.
Tried and tested: “This eye cream is the real deal, tackling both crow's feet and dark circles in the process. Unlike most cream formulas, it manages to feel refreshing to boot.” - Marie Claire
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THE INKEY LIST
Brighten-i Eye Cream
Best for a quick fix
Granting an instant brightening effect for less than a tenner, this one is a great option if you’re on a pre-payday budget. Containing 2% Brightenyl, which is 4x more potent than Vitamin C, Brighten-i instantly illuminates and primes for makeup in a single application. Bonus points for the cooling metal tip applicator that relieves sensitive peepers on contact - you can even keep this in your fridge to enhance the soothing sensation. For simple, low-maintenance skincare, this is your one.
Tried and tested: “This is my favourite eye cream to use both in the AM and PM. I use this one mainly to help with dark circles under my eyes as I've definitely noticed them beginning to fade since I've been using this these last few weeks. I love the applicator, it provides a nice cooling effect. My under-eyes can be quite dry, so this is also a good eye cream to use for this as well as it does provide moisture and hydrates well.” - Customer Review
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e.l.f
Illuminating Eye Cream
Best for penny pinchers
Sometimes, the simple ones are the best. e.l.f's no-frills vegan cream stars soothing Jojoba, Green Tea and Cucumber to cool and refresh tired eyes, while Vitamin E ensures skin feels super hydrated no matter what. If you’re going makeup-free, a few dots of this under each eye is like a subtle illuminator that diffuses blue and purple shadows, so you can confidently forgo the concealer.
Tried and tested: "I always keep a back-up jar of this eye cream in my stash. This cream is luxurious, but not too heavy. My eye area is wrinkle-free and bright. I use it twice a day religiously." - Customer Review
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CLARINS
Double Serum Eye
Best for transforming and treating eyes
For eyes that work overtime, we have just the thing. Harnessing all the power of the iconic Double Serum, this highly targeted eye serum is enriched with 13 plant extracts including strengthening Chervil extract and brightening Turmeric. A dose of caffeine and Squalane helps to minimise dark circles, reduce puffiness and deliver intense hydration, while the delicate aroma feels like a treat for the eyes. Not sure how much serum to use? The clever dual-phase chamber pumps out the right amount of serum and cream formula to avoid any waste.
Tried and tested: “I can honestly say that I have noticed a huge difference to the area around my eyes. Other people have commented about how good I look. I would thoroughly recommend this product.” - Christine, Customer Review
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THE ORDINARY
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Best for brighter eyes
If you’ve had a late night, no one will ever know with this under eye cream that refreshes and revives for a brighter and more illuminated under eye area. Infused with a high concentration of caffeine combined with epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside (EGCG), which is found in green tea, you can now enjoy de-puffed, wide-awake eyes and be office-ready or zoom-ready with minimal effort. Another bonus is the purse-friendly price point which we love.
Tried and tested: “I use this product almost every day and it makes a huge difference and makes me look much more awake. On days I don't get great sleep it is especially noticeable how much of an impact this product makes. I use moisturizers for long-term improvements for wrinkles etc., so I suggest that for everyone thinking this is a miracle product that is going to make your under-eye bags go away. No doubt, this is a game changer for those days when you look like you didn't get a good night's rest.” - Sara, Customer Review
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Ole Henriksen
Banana Bright™ + Eye Crème
Best for brightening dark circles
Dark circles be gone with this bestselling Vitamin C eye cream by Ole Henriksen. With a new and upgraded fragrance-free formula, Banana Bright now features real gold that brightens and visibly diminishes dark circles and crow’s feet. Wear alone or, for the makeup lovers, gently apply to your entire eye area using your ring finger under concealer to improve application and extend wear. You’ll have radiant, glowing under-eyes in no time.
Tried and tested: "This eye cream is so moisturising. It also brightens my under-eye area. Keeps skin smooth and works well under makeup. Very pleased with this purchase." - Lee A, Customer Review
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ILIA
Bright Start Activated Eye Cream
Best for cooling and depuffing
Begin your day with a moment of calm using ILIA’s Bright Start Activated Eye Cream. Powered by a plant-based retinol alternative that’s clinically proven to brighten, hydrate, smooth, depuff, and prep for concealer, this cream will wake up the eyes and slow down your morning. The cooling ceramic tip works as a massage tool, and light-reflecting sheer pearl illuminates for a softly brightened look. A potent yet delicate dream of a ritual, what’s not to love?!
Tried and tested: "After using the Ilia eye brightening cream for three weeks or so I am impressed. I like how it brightens, hydrates, reduces puffiness, and helps with fine lines and wrinkles. My eyes look so much better from before I started using this product. I think the applicator is perfect, it applies an even amount and then it's like an eye massage using the applicator." - Audrey O, Customer Review
