Discover The Best Eye Cream For Dark Circles

woman wearing under eye patches and holding a bunch of tulips

Dark under eye circles are a really common complaint when it comes to our complexions, and there’s little wonder why they can be such a source of decreased confidence. Not only can dark circles really age your face, but they can also cause you to look tired and drawn - even on those days when you’re feeling pretty well-rested. But what causes those dark circles and is there anything you can do to help to banish them for good? In today’s post, we’re taking a deeper dive, and discovering the best eye cream for dark circles.

If you’re looking for the best treatment for dark circles, it’s important to firstly understand what has caused them. There are several reasons why you might be sporting shadowy under eyes, let’s take a look at some of them.

What Causes Dark Under Eye Circles? 

Lack Of Sleep
Most of us aren’t getting enough rest – with busy, demanding schedules and elevated stress levels, it’s often tricky to get the quality sleep that we need. With sleep deprivation, the blood vessels beneath your eyes can dilate and show through your delicate, thin under eye skin – this causes a darkened appearance.

Allergies
Allergies, like seasonal hay fever, can cause inflammation and congestion, leading to under eye puffiness and darkness.

Pigmentation
Melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its colour, can sometimes be overproduced in your under eye area – this is even more common in people with darker skin tones.

Ageing
As you age, the skin under your eyes naturally becomes thinner and your skin loses its collagen, making your blood vessels more visible and adding a darker appearance.

Dehydration
When you're dehydrated, the skin under your eyes can appear dull and sunken, exaggerating dark circles. Drinking more water and using hydrating skincare can help to hydrate your skin cells, allowing your skin to look plumper and more youthful.

Sun Exposure
Excessive sun exposure without proper sun protection causes sun damage that can worsen hyperpigmentation, making dark circles more noticeable.

Hereditary 
While lack of sleep can make them worse, peri-orbital dark circles cam also be caused by genetics.

Medical Conditions 
Certain medical conditions, such as an overactive or underactive thyroid, can also cause dark circles under your eyes. If you're at all concerned, make sure you speak to your doctor.

woman in mirror wearing under eye patches


How To Treat Dark Under Eye Circles

While there's no one-size-fits-all cure for dark under eye circles, there are certainly ways to address them to help lessen their appearance and give a boost your confidence.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Staying hydrated, limiting alcohol and caffeine, not smoking, and getting seven-to-eight hours of sleep every night is not only beneficial to helping with under eye circles, but it will also help your skin and body to feel and look more revitalised.

Use A Daily Eye Cream
When it comes to the best under eye cream, it can be hard to find your perfect formula. Look for creams that contain ingredients like vitamin K, caffeine, or hyaluronic acid – these ingredients may help to reduce puffiness and improve your circulation. Retinol eye cream can also be super-effective.

Use A Cold Compress
If dilated blood vessels are a big culprit of your shadowy under eye appearance, applying a cold compress to your under eye area for a few minutes will help to constrict your blood vessels and reduce puffiness.

Cover Up With Makeup
Use a concealer that's slightly lighter than your foundation to brighten your under eye area. Look for creamy, illuminating formulas that help to reflect the light and add radiance.

woman wearing a hair towel and under eye patches


How To Prevent Dark Circles

The best cure is prevention, and with these helpful measures, you can enjoy brighter, more youthful-looking under eyes.

Don’t Forget Your Sun Protection
Wear sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days, to protect your delicate under eye skin from sun damage. The sun’s harmful UV rays are ever present – come rain or shine, so it’s super important to protect your skin daily.  Don’t forget to re-apply your SPF every two hours, or more often if you’re swimming, towelling dry, or perspiring.

Manage Allergies
If allergies are a trigger for you, talk to your doctor about allergy medication or eye drops to help alleviate the symptoms.

Reduce Eye Strain
Make sure to take regular breaks from screens - like computers and phones - and practice good posture to avoid eye strain. It’s also important to ensure to keep up to regular optician appointments to take care of your eye health.

Don't Rub Your Eyes
Rubbing your eyes can irritate your under eye area, worsening puffiness and darkness.

Speak To A Dermatologist
If your dark circles are severe, sudden, or accompanied by other symptoms like swelling or itching, consult a dermatologist. They can rule out any underlying medical conditions and recommend stronger treatments like fillers or lasers.

It's important to note that although dark circles are rarely a cause for concern, they can certainly be a cosmetic and confidence-shattering annoyance. By understanding the causes and implementing some lifestyle changes and treatments, you can diminish their appearance and keep your eyes looking bright and refreshed. 

woman wearing under eye patches


Five Brightening Eye Creams

Looking to tackle dullness and signs of aging around your eyes? Here are five eye creams that address different concerns.

Codex Labs Antu Brightening Eye Cream

Codex Labs Antu Brightening Eye Cream fights puffiness, the signs of "inflammaging" (inflammation and ageing combined), and under eye circles. Hyaluronic acid and squalane keep the area hydrated, while the brand's AntüComplex™ ingredient works to rejuvenate. Clinical studies show it improves firmness, smoothness, and hydration.

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye is a next-generation eye cream tackles wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles associated with ageing. It combines ProxylaneTM, glycyrrhetinic acid, Matrixyl 3000, and caffeine to target your concerns. The light-reflecting diffusers instantly brighten the appearance of tired eyes. This formula is suitable for all skin tones.

Environ Youth EssentiA (C-Quence) Vita-Peptide Eye Gel

Environ Youth EssentiA (C-Quence) Vita-Peptide Eye Gel is a lightweight gel that is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides. It aims to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while deeply hydrating your delicate eye area. The key ingredients include vitamins A, C, and E, alongside powerful antioxidants and peptides. The new formula boasts Optim-Hyal technology for enhanced moisture.

BIOEFFECT EGF Eye Serum

BIOEFFECT EGF Eye Serum isn't just an eye cream, but a powerful anti-aging serum for the entire eye area. The key ingredient, EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), derived from barley plants, stimulates your cell renewal to reduce wrinkles, improve dark circles, and refine your overall look. The addition of hyaluronic acid provides deep hydration for all skin types.

Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream

Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream is a lightweight yet intensely moisturising formula that's packed with peptides to target puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles. It aims to increase your skin's firmness and brighten your eye area, leaving you looking more awake and with a more youthful-looking eye area.

Shop The Post

Codex Labs Antu Brightening Eye Cream tubeCodex Labs Antu Brightening Eye Cream
Codex Labs Antu Brightening Eye Cream

Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane, this brightening eye cream is clinically proven to smooth, firm and de-puff the eye area.

$109.00
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced EyeSkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye

$201.00 $211.00 5% offsaving
Environ Youth EssentiA (C-Quence) Vita-Peptide Eye GelEnviron Youth EssentiA (C-Quence) Vita-Peptide Eye Gel
Environ Youth EssentiA (C-Quence) Vita-Peptide Eye Gel

Environ Youth EssentiA (C-Quence) Vita-Peptide Eye Gel is a light gel formula containing a variety of vitamins, antioxidants and peptides to help improve the appearance of fine lines and assist in moisturising the skin around the...

$131.00
BIOEFFECT EGF Eye SerumBIOEFFECT EGF Eye Serum
BIOEFFECT EGF Eye Serum

Containing plant derived Epidermal Growth Factors, this eye serum improves and prevents the appearance of lines, wrinkles and crows feet.

$145.00
Augustinus Bader The Eye CreamAugustinus Bader The Eye Cream
Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream

$351.00

Enjoyed our post and want to stay with us a little longer? Great! We think you might enjoy discovering BIOEFFECT Skincare: A Clean, Plant Based Brand That Harnesses Science To Soothe Your Skin