Dermatologist recommended eye cream for dark circles

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The best eye creams are gentle enough to be used daily but powerful enough to target dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Even though eye creams are a staple in many people's daily skincare routine, you still need to find the right formula to target your specific concerns. 

To curate a guide to the best eye creams, we spent hours researching the most popular options on the market. While narrowing down the list, we considered factors like ingredients, benefits, and price. We also spoke with Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology, for expert advice on choosing the best formula for you.

“While an eye cream is not necessary, it can be a helpful tool for someone with concerns about their eyelid skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “The benefits may vary based on the ingredients, as those containing retinol can help with fine lines and wrinkles, while those containing hyaluronic acid may help to plump the skin and boost hydration.”

Our top choice for the best eye cream is the BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector, which targets wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness, and more. 

Here are the best eye creams for all of your under-eye skincare concerns.

Who it’s for: Anyone looking for an eye cream that brightens skin and targets visible signs of aging.

Who it isn’t for: Those who don’t want to spend much on an eye cream.

The Beautystat Universal C Eye Perfector tops our list because of its impressive formula. As its name implies, the star ingredient is vitamin C, specifically 5 percent L-ascorbic acid—the most potent form of the antioxidant. It brightens skin, softens lines, fades dark circles, and diminishes puffiness—and that's just one ingredient. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid, green tea extract, and hemp oil to hydrate, defend the eye area from free radical pollution, and calm irritation.

The eye cream boasts a smooth, velvety texture, and upon application, it blurs imperfections thanks to optical diffusers that provide a lightweight camouflage against under-eye circles or blemishes. It also works well under makeup because it smooths the skin so that your cosmetics apply flawlessly. 

Product Details:  

• Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, hemp oil, hyaluronic acid, and green tea extract
• Formulation: Gel-cream
• Size: 0.5 ounces

Price at time of publish: $65

Who it’s for: Those looking for an affordable eye cream for dark circles and puffiness.

Who it isn’t for: People who want to target fine lines and wrinkles.

Every product in CeraVe's dermatologist-developed brand portfolio contains three essential ceramides that help restore the skin's natural protective barrier—and the brand's Eye Repair Cream is no exception. (FYI: This barrier is essentially the foundation of healthy skin.) This drugstore eye cream also contains hyaluronic acid to help retain your skin's natural moisture, niacinamide to calm the skin, and a marine and botanical complex to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.

All you need to do is apply a pea-sized amount by gently tapping in small dots around the eye area in the morning and evening. The cream formula is fragrance-free and boasts a lightweight, non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly and shouldn't interfere with your makeup routine. It's certified by the National Eczema Association, which means it's safe for those with eczema or sensitive skin conditions—a testament to its gentleness.

Product Details:  

• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides
• Formulation: Cream
• Size: 0.5 ounces 

Price at time of publish: $15

The Knours One Perfect Revival Eye Cream makes an everyday task feel like an at-home spa experience thanks to its cooling ceramic-tip applicator. Suitable for all skin types, its ingredient list features rosehip oil and a bevy of peptides that brighten and depuff, replenish moisture, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Per the brand, it's a multipurpose product in that you can even use it "wherever you discover the formation of fine lines, such as on the forehead, mouth/lip area, or between eyebrows."

Some more details to know: The brand as a whole is mindful of keeping potentially risky ingredients out of its formulas. Many of its products—including this eye cream—are also EWG Verified, meaning they meet the strict health and safety standards set by the Environmental Working Group.

Product Details: 

• Key Ingredients: Rosehip oils and peptides
• Formulation: Cream
• Size: 0.5 ounces 

Price at time of publish: $36

Who it’s for: People looking to calm sensitive, reactive under-eye skin.

Who it isn’t for: People looking to dramatically combat signs of aging.

Under-eye irritation can be a thing of the past with Avene Eau Thermale Avene Soothing Eye Contour Cream. The lightweight, fragrance-free formula is specially designed for sensitive skin that often reacts to products. For those new to the French brand, all of its products contain thermal spring water from the Avène spring in the South of France. According to the brand, this water can help soothe and soften skin. 

But that's not all: The ingredient list of this eye cream also boasts hyaluronic acid and pre-tocopheryl (a form of Vitamin E for free radical protection), as well as chamomile and dextran sulfate to soothe under-eye puffiness. It's also ophthalmologist-approved and certified by the National Eczema Association for its efficacy and tolerance in soothing dry skin prone to itching.  

Product Details:  

• Key Ingredients: Chamomile and dextran sulfate, hyaluronic acid, pre-tocopheryl, and thermal spring water
• Formulation: Cream
• Size: 0.33 ounces

Price at time of publish: $29

Who it’s for: People looking to improve the appearance of dark circles and eye bags.

Who it isn’t for: People who don’t like products that use pumps.

The Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream is one of the highest-priced options on our list, but it doesn't disappoint in performance. It utilizes several ingredients that work overtime to target dark circles, both instantly and long-term. It features the brand's dark circle complex, which contains caffeine, Brazilian ginseng, horse chestnut, and light-reflecting particles. Together, this lineup minimizes the appearance of bags and dark circles while brightening tired-looking eyes.

As impactful as this formula is for dark circles, it's worth mentioning that it's also good at firming crows' feet and fine lines. How? The brand's special complex works in tandem with watermelon extract, which hydrates and smooths fine lines, and antioxidant-rich lutein, which provides blue-light protection against premature skin aging. Meanwhile, the aforementioned horse chestnut, teamed with acmella oleracea extract, provides a lifted look to the eye area while smoothing expression lines. One thing to note: This product comes in a container with a pump (rather than a jar), which could be frustrating for some people to use.

Product Details:  

• Key Ingredients: Caffeine, Brazilian ginseng, watermelon extract, and lutein
• Formulation: Cream
• Size: 0.5 ounces

Price at time of publish: $55

Who it’s for: People with fine lines and crow’s feet.

Who it isn’t for: People with very dry skin.

Another popular drugstore formula, the RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Anti-Aging Wrinkle Eye Cream is proof that you don’t have to pay top dollar for an effective skincare product. This powerful formula contains stabilized retinol designed to combat the three major signs of aging: puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles. And it does the job: According to RoC's clinical trials, it visibly brightens and depuff eyes in four weeks and reduces the appearance of fine lines by 50 percent in 12 weeks. 

The brand recommends using this eye cream every other day while monitoring your skin's response to the formula and working your way up as your skin adjusts. Ultimately, you can use it morning and evening; just keep in mind that you only need a few small dots around your eye. If you have very dry skin, you might be better off with a more hydrating eye cream—especially since the under-eye area is so delicate. 

Product Details:  

• Key Ingredients: Retinol
• Formulation: Cream
• Size: 0.5 ounces

Price at time of publish: $28

Who it’s for: Those looking for a no-frills product that boasts effective ingredients.

Who it isn’t for: People who are looking for a thick formula.

Even though it’s not technically a cream, The Ordinary Caffeine 5% and EGCG Serum deserves a spot on this list because it’s so affordable and effective. The water-based formula helps reduce under-eye puffiness and dark circles because it contains a high concentration of caffeine to reduce water retention in the eye contour area (which is often the cause of puffiness). The product also uses epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside (EGCG), which is an antioxidant from green tea leaves known to reduce under-eye pigmentation. 

What’s also worth noting is that even though this serum costs just a fraction of some of the others on the list, it also has the most generous-sized package, at one ounce. And all you need for each application is one to two drops, which means you certainly get the most bang for your buck.

Product Details:  

• Key Ingredients: Caffeine and epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside
• Formulation: Water-based serum
• Size: 1 ounce

Price at time of publish: $8

Who it’s for: People with dry under-eyes who want a hydrating formula.

Who it isn’t for: Those who don’t want to have to dip their fingers or an applicator into the tub.

Treat your under-eyes to a hydration boost with the Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb,  a K-beauty favorite. The lightweight yet ultra-refreshing formula claims to provide moisture for up to 26 hours, courtesy of glycerin and squalene. Even though the main intent is to combat dryness, these hydrating ingredients also help with loss of firmness, elasticity, fine lines, and wrinkles. 

Other key ingredients include calming comfrey leaf to fight irritation and tiger grass to smooth skin. The brand deems it a great product to use before makeup because it helps create a smooth base that keeps your complexion products from creasing.

Product Details:  

• Key Ingredients: Glycerin, squalene, tiger grass, and comfrey leaf. 
• Formulation: Cream
• Size: 0.5 ounces

Price at time of publish: $48

Who it’s for: People looking to target dark circles.

Who it isn’t for: People who are sensitive to scent.

The Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Bright-Eye Gel Cream will not only look pretty on your vanity, but it’ll also deliver visible results when it comes to brightening and depuffing your under-eyes. After all, the brand didn’t hold back in loading up this product’s formula with as many effective ingredients as possible. It contains 10 percent encapsulated vitamin C, 3 percent niacinamide, caffeine, and guava fruit extract (a natural source of vitamin C).  This brightening eye cream is safe to apply to the entire eye area, including your under-eyes, eyelids, and between your eyebrows. 

Product Details:  

• Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, caffeine, and guava fruit extract 
• Formulation: Gel
• Size: 0.5 ounces

Price at time of publish: $38

Who it’s for: People looking to smooth wrinkles and firm under-eye skin with a lightweight product. 

Who it isn’t for: Those looking for a formula that’s suitable for morning and evening use.

The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol and Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum is a power-packed formula containing resurfacing actives, including retinol, bakuchiol, rambutan, and ferulic acid. It firms skin, boosts hydration, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and crepiness. 

The fast-absorbing serum is designed for morning use, and it contains antioxidants and botanicals that soothe skin and help prevent irritation caused by daytime UV exposure, meaning you'll likely reap the most benefits during the day. Not every under-eye product is safe for use on the lids, but the brand says this serum will improve the appearance of aging skin there, too. And a friendly reminder: You should be wearing SPF every day no matter what, but be extra sure to apply sunscreen with this formula because retinol makes the skin more sensitive to UV rays.

Product Details:  

• Key Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, and rambutan
• Formulation: Serum
• Size: 0.5 ounces

Price at time of publish: $69

Who it’s for: Those looking for a do-it-all gel formula for the under-eye area.

Who it isn’t for: People looking for a budget-friendly eye cream.

You're likely familiar with EltaMD's sunscreen, which is loved by celebrities and dermatologists alike, but the EltaMD Renew Eye Gel also needs to be on your radar. The soothing, oil-free formula contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, natural extracts, and peptides, one of the most sophisticated of which is Acetyl Hexapeptide-3. This ingredient "relaxes the eye area muscles that create expression lines and wrinkles by interrupting the chemical signal that causes the contractions," the brand explains. 

Product Details:  

• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides
• Formulation: Gel
• Size: 0.5 ounces

Price at time of publish: $59

Final Verdict

Overall, we recommend the Beautystat Universal C Eye Perfector for how it works double-duty to brighten the under-eye area and target visible signs of aging, like line lines and wrinkles. For a drugstore option, we recommend CeraVe’s Eye Repair Cream because it’s a gentle formula that protects the skin’s barrier.

How to Shop for Eye Cream Like a Pro

Formulation

Eye creams come in various formulations and different forms of packaging. “They can be formulated in a gel, cream, lotion, serum, or mask and may be packaged into a jar, a pump, or may be designed with a cold metal applicator to help reduce potential puffiness,” says Dr. Garshick.

Function

No matter which type you choose, eye creams are formulated with specific purposes in mind. “Because the skin around the eyes is thinner, it is often one of the first areas to show signs of skin aging,” says Dr. Garshick. “For this reason, eye creams are designed to nourish, hydrate, and improve the overall appearance of the skin around the eyes.”

Whether you want to target fine lines or dark circles, there are eye creams that are formulated to do exactly that. Just keep in mind that eye cream may not be able to fix all of your under-eye skincare concerns. “Some changes around the eye area may be genetic or require additional interventions or procedures,” says Dr. Garshick.

Ingredients

When choosing an eye cream, Dr. Garshick recommends several ingredients, starting with retinol, which she says "helps boost collagen production and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles." 

She also suggests niacinamide "to help brighten the under eye area," caffeine to "help reduce puffiness," and "hyaluronic acid to help boost hydration." Finally, she advises you to look for "peptides to help strengthen the skin" and "antioxidants such as vitamin C to protect against free radical damage and help brighten the skin."

Questions You Might Ask

How do you apply eye cream?

“It is best to apply eye cream by gently patting it into the skin, moving from the innermost area and tapping outward,” says Dr. Garshick, adding that it’s best to apply it with your ring finger “to ensure minimal pressure.” 

As for how much to apply? The pro says that a little generally goes a long way, “so often just a pea size is enough for the delicate eye area.”

Can you use moisturizer instead of eye cream?

In short, yes. Dr. Garshick says that it’s totally fine to use face moisturizer instead of eye cream because it can still keep the skin “looking healthy and plump.” But an eye cream may be a better option if you’re looking for a treatment that contains “certain ingredients to address specific concerns such as antioxidants, retinol, peptides, or growth factors to ensure the formulation is gentle for the delicate eyelid skin,” says the dermatologist. 

Can you use eye cream on other parts of your face?

While you can use eye cream on other parts of your face, it might not be the most financially smart option, nor the most effective. “Since most are packaged in small containers because generally not a lot is needed for the eyelid, it may cause you to go through the product faster than anticipated,” says Dr. Garshick. “Additionally, the concentration of ingredients may not be as potent since it needs to be safe for the eye area."

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Marisa Petrarca, a freelance writer who specializes in beauty and lifestyle content. She has over five years of editorial experience, and her work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, POPSUGAR, SELF, and more. To write this article on the best eye creams, she considered the ingredients and formulations of dozens of options to come up with the best recommendations. She also spoke with Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology, for expert advice.

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