The Best Eye Cream For Dark Circles, According To The Experts

If you suffer from eye puffiness and dark circles and deal with other issues such as fine lines and wrinkles, crow’s feet, crepey eyelids, hooded eyes, and frown lines, it is essential to find the best eye cream for dark circles that ticks all the boxes.

Beauty Daily consulted with industry experts to find out what causes dark circles and their best eye cream for dark circles recommendations.

What are the significant factors that contribute to dark circles?  

Blindsighted treatment of your dark circles will not only cost you money if not done correctly. Remedies for dark eye circles depend on the underlying cause, so it’s worth considering before you purchase a specific eye cream for dark circles.  

Some of the common causes that contribute to dark circles are:  

“Lack of sleep and ageing may seem like the most well-known cause, but there are many reasons for dark circles. Dehydration, genetics, hyperpigmentation, medical conditions, allergies, excessive alcohol consumption and eyestrain, may also be causing your dark circles,” Dr Pam Benito, Aesthetic Medicine Specialist, tells Beauty Daily.  

She adds: “Many of my patients are not aware that environmental factors will worsen the appearance of dark circles such as staring at your television or computer screen may cause strain in your eyes, which can enlarge the blood vessels around your eyes; as a result, the skin surrounding your eyes can darken.” 

Digital detox or screen breaks will do you and your eyes good.   

And if you think sleeping can suffice, even a wrong sleeping position can cause you racoon eyes. For instance, sleeping on your side or facing down can contribute to dark circles.  

Harvard experts say dark circles under the eyes are caused by blood pooling in the capillaries. So next time, try to sleep on your back with an extra pillow under your head.  

Eye cream for dark circles: Do they actually work? 

Does eye cream help dark circles? Absolutely. The key is using a specially designed cream or gel for your eyes and concerns.  

But since the skin around your eyes is more sensitive than the rest of the skin on your face, it is advised to be extra careful with it and not gravitate towards just about any product claiming to be the best eye cream for dark circles in the market.

If you have sensitive eyes, be sure to read our feature on how to choose the right make-up for sensitive eyes.

Here are some tips on choosing the right eye cream for dark circles:   

1. If you are concerned about dark circles and puffiness (and nothing else)  

“Dark Circles are dealt with by all our products apart from the hydrating ones. So the eye products to go for will depend on whether you treat other things aside from dark circles,” says Charlotte McHale, Clarins Training Manager.  

If dark circles and puffiness are your concern, you don’t have fine lines and wrinkles, and you don’t have crepey on the lids, then you could use Total Eye Contour Gel, £37. 

This cooling, non-oily eye contour gel combats puffiness and dark circles, leaving your eye contour refreshed and hydrated. “Total Eye Contour has got caffeine in it. So if your only issue is puffiness and dark circles, that’s the one for you, and you would use that in the morning.”  

Caffeine helps with microcirculation, constricting the blood vessels and helps temporarily reduce discolouration in the skin. Therefore, it’ll help with dark discolouration and under-eye bags. 

2. If you are concerned about dark circles and the first signs of ageing, you should go for Total Eye Revive or Double Serum Eye.  

“I would recommend Double Eye Serum, £58, in the morning, and Total Eye Lift, £38, at night as my eye care all-rounder products,” recommends McHale.  

Adding: “Double Serum Eye has blue light protection in it, so you’d use it in the morning while you are working on your laptop, etc, while Total Eye Lift is a slightly richer formula, so it’s a good one for nighttime. Both are great eye care all-rounder products.”

3. If you are looking to protect your eyes from the sun on a day out, opt for a dedicated eye SPF.  

The eye area is one of the most sensitive yet the most prone to sun damage. In fact, one of the worst skin cancers is in the eyelid area.  

Beauty Daily recommends Hello Sunday’s the one for your eyes – eye cream: SPF 50.  This eye cream must be a non-negotiable part of your daytime eye care routine. Not only does it protect your eyes from the harsh  UV rays but also firms the area around your eyes to leave you looking bright-eyed. This SPF 50 mineral cream is certified eye-safe meaning no more tears when applying your SPF.  

It is formulated with good plant-based ingredients such as wheat protein for an instant brightening effect, a rich mix of peptides to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, oatmeal to neutralise free radicals and reduce oxidative stress for a youthful glow, lactobacilli fermented natural oat active which tighten, and add a radiant glow to the under-eye area and finally, 100% mineral and antioxidant filters to keep your eyes UV protected. Need we say more?  

Beauty Daily Approved Eye Cream Application Tip:

Clarins has created a range of pick-me-up eye products to help. For maximum results, use Clarins’ simple eye care method of application. 

Warm (3 seconds) 

Step: Warm the product with your fingers to bring it up to the temperature of your skin and help it take effect instantly.

Drain (6 seconds)

What does it mean to drain pressure? It reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness by stimulating natural circulation and preventing wrinkles from appearing without stretching the skin.

Step: Press gently with the pads of your fingers, starting at the inside corners of your eyes, and working outward toward the temples. Repeat 4 times below and above the eyes, following the natural direction of lymphatic circulation. Then, apply relaxing pressure between the brows.

Expert Tip: If you suffer from puffiness and dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, crow’s feet, crinkly eyelids, hooded eyes and even frown lines, McHale recommends applying your eye product across the whole eye area. 

What do dermatologists prescribe for dark circles?  

Dr Benito says vitamins A, C and E and other ingredients such as retinoids can help with skin health and stimulate collagen production.  

Beauty Daily recommends the Total Eye Lift, formulated with a plant-based ingredient called harungana extract and as effective as vitamin A derivative Retinol. 

This product smooths out fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet. In addition, it visibly lifts the eyelids while reducing puffiness and dark circles in only 60 seconds. 

“Also, one of the most effective ingredients is glutathione, an effective antioxidant that instantly softens the appearance of dark circles, giving you a lighter and white under-eyes,” says Dr Benito.  

“My favourite product for the under-eye area (to combat dark circles) is ZO Eye Brightening Creme.”  

Effective remedies for dark circles: At-home and in-clinic treatments  

Several home remedies provide short-term ease, such as cold cucumber slices, raw potatoes and applying steeped and cooled tea bags as eye compressors.  

Dr Benito swears by using ice globes or cryo balls. “These can be kept in the freezer, and you can run them over the skin to de-puff and oxygenate while lightening dark circles.”   

Beauty Daily loves this Cryo Facial Tool from Oxygen Boutique. The cooling sensations of this face tool increase blood flow and oxygen in the skin to help instantly reduce puffiness and inflammation. Use caution around your eye contours. The rolling technique acts as lymphatic drainage, giving you smoother wide-awake eyes and reducing puffiness.  

Adding: “There are medical in-clinic treatments like Tear Trough Dermal Filler and Laser Therapy that can specifically target the under-eye area and reduce dark circles.”   

Before deciding on cosmetic procedures, schedule a consultation and discuss your options with a certified medical practitioner who can assess your skin and deliver the right treatment for you.  

Why is my dark circles cream not working?   

“Dark circles under the eyes can have many different causes and in some cases, can be a sign of a health problem like anaemia or iron deficiency. Depending on what is causing them, dark circles can usually be treated to lessen their appearance.  

If your dark circles don’t get better with adequate sleep, eating a healthy diet or at-home remedies, I recommend speaking to your doctor to help determine the underlying cause, Dr Benito advises.  

Read next: How to hide dark circles under eyes with make-up?