Do Eye Creams For Dark Circles Work?

Oh, January, how hard you are on our faces. Late nights, plenty of feasting and festivities, and being merry means you might be thinking: do eye creams for dark circles actually work? These dreaded shadows are generally caused by tiredness and lack of sleep, but genetics, allergies and DNA also play a role. Read on to find out more.

What are dark circles?

Dark circles refer to when the skin directly beneath both eyes looks darker, and they can crop up in shades of blue, purple, brown or black, depending on your skin colour and tone. They are very common and don’t worry, despite their appearance, they’re not caused by bruising or injury. Dark circles aren’t usually a medical issue you need to be concerned by.

What causes them?

Dark eye circles can be caused by numerous reasons, including fatigue and not getting enough sleep. Even postponing bedtime by just a few hours can cause the formation of dark circles and the build-up of fluidunderneath your eyes which casts a shadow, aka a dark circle.

Allergies can also cause them. We’re all familiar with the distress that streaming, itchy eyes bring, but the inevitable rubbing of the area leaves inflammation and broken blood vessels behind. Smoking, dehydration, or eye strain could also be guilty culprits. Staring intently at your TV and computer screens can enlarge your blood vessels, causing the surrounding skin to darken.

You also might be more genetically inclined to have them. Research has also shown that they are more common in people of colour, due to changes in pigmentation. But while rarely a sign of something harmful, dark circles can indicate that you should undergo lifestyle changes like your sleeping patterns. For example, digitally detox before bed, invest in healthy sleep hygiene and try raising your head by popping an extra pillow on the bed. Doing so will help prevent fluid from pooling beneath your eyes and casting a shadow come morning.

Read next: Add Some Mindfulness To Your Night Skincare Routines

But it’s also important to remember that some darkening under the eye area is inevitable as we age. This is because our skin thins over time as fat and collagen levels deplete, meaning that blood vessels in your skin can become more visible, darkening the surrounding skin. So for those who are concerned about the way they look, don’t worry we have assembled a list of the best eye creams for dark circles.

Do eye creams work for dark circles?

One of the most common beauty conundrums is: what is the best treatment for dark circles under the eyes? There are countless home remedies, including the age-old refreshing cucumber trick of putting freshly cut slices across closed eyes. Cucumbers are effective at reducing swelling because of their vitamin C content and the presence of silica, which is important in promoting healthy tissue. Plus, when used straight from the fridge it would have a cryogenic tightening effect too. Or reach for a cold tea bag, as their antioxidant properties and caffeine content will boost circulation in the area. You could also apply a cold compress as this helps to constrict blood flow and make veins and dark circles less noticeable. Finally, if your dark circles are caused by poor circulation, implement a daily facial massage routine to help improve them.

With any cosmetic concern, there are sadly no magic potions that will instantly rectify the issue at hand, and sceptics may wonder: can creams alone fix dark circles? There are lots of brilliant eye creams for dark circles that can help constrict blood vessels, deeply moisturise, and add a blurring effect to soften their appearance. The key is in the ingredients utilised, with vitamin C sitting in the top spot with its incredible brightening abilities. In addition, caffeine will increase microcirculation, which can help soften the appearance of dark circles, plus act as a de-puffer. Other helpful ingredients include azelaic acid, kojic acid and ceramides to stimulate collagen and elastin production.

The best eye creams for dark circles

 Clarins Total Eye Lift, £60

An iconic eye serum that tackles dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness in its stride. Horse chestnut is the star of the show for its ability to brighten up dark circles, and Albizia extract will help tighten the entire eye area, making it effective at treating dark circles and wrinkles. Buy here

Laboratoires FILORGA Paris OPTIM-EYES 3-in-1 Intensive Eye Contour Cream, £45

              

One of the brand’s bestsellers leave signs of tiredness in the past with this effective and gentle cream. For example, 83% of test subjects saw dark circles reduced after two days of use. Buy here

Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Eye Cream, £40

Clinically proven to reduce dark circles in four weeks, this nourishing cream contains Vitamin C, zerumbone (to reduce discolouration), peptides, and hyaluronic acid to smooth and hydrate the entire eye area. Buy here

Cellcosmet Eye Contour Cream, £269

This uses high-tech Swiss skincare ingredients with a pearlescent finish to visibly and instantly brighten the eye area. Buy here

Remember that you also have makeup in your arsenal, and you can reach for a creamy concealer like Clarins Everlasting Concealer, specifically designed to help cloak dark circles. However, if you are incredibly bothered by their appearance, do seek out the help of a doctor or aesthetician, as there are procedures such as chemical peels or laser therapy you could turn to.

How to Apply Eye Creams

Here’s how to apply eye cream for dark circles: Eye cream should be applied before serums and moisturisers, then:

Warm the cream

Gently loosen the cream between your fingers, especially if it is of a thicker constitution.

 Pat onto the orbital bond

Gently work your way around the contours of your eye. Some eye creams are also suitable for eyelids, but check the fine print of your chosen product first.

Tip: Clarins Total Eye Lift can be used over the lids and lashes to help boost growth and moisturise both skin and lash.

Tap gently

Pat and tap product into the skin to absorb, taking care not to pull or tug, as the area is very delicate. This technique will also help with lymphatic drainage and reducing eye bags.