We Found The Best Eye Creams That *Actually* Reduce Dark Circles

If you've never complained of shadows under your eyes, consider yourself lucky (and please tell me your secrets). For the rest of us waking up with discolored half-moons: Hi, welcome, we’re here to help.

Dark circles are finicky little skin woes, as not all shadows come from a lack of sleep (but more on that later). The good news, however, is that a swipe of eye cream can do a lot of heavy lifting—you’ll just have to select the right formula for your own root cause. 

And that’s where we come in! I’ve tested hundreds—yes, hundreds—of eye creams to find the ones that actually minimize my stubborn dark circles. Plus, many of my picks have color-correcting properties that immediately neutralize discoloration. Ahead, find the ones that made the cut.

Why you should trust us

As mindbodygreen’s beauty editor, I have tested hundreds (yes, really hundreds) of eye creams. I also have stubborn shadows underneath my eyes thanks to genetics, so it’s very difficult for me to erase them with eye creams alone. I personally find success with plumping formulas that thicken the skin and make my blood vessels less apparent (thus minimizing the discoloration), and I’ve worked tirelessly to find the formulas that actually put in the work.

Best Overall

Ourself HA+ Replenishing Eye Serum

I’ll say it upfront: This eye serum is pricey. But, oh, is it worth the investment. I never believed an eye product could do that much to treat my dark circles until I tried this formula. My shadows exist because the skin underneath my eyes is naturally super, super thin (so the underlying blood vessels easily show through). This serum, with its innovative skin-plumping technology, actually makes the skin appear plumper over time. And thicker skin equals less shadows. 

Our beauty director Alexandra Engler wholeheartedly agrees: “I’ve gone through one bottle of this, and am already at my second,” she tells me. “The brand and products are expensive, but the powerful technology and delivery system make it worth the investment if you have the means.”

Texture: 4

This is a thinner formula (hence serum as opposed to cream), which I personally love. I was worried the lighter consistency wouldn’t be enough hydration to last overnight, but trust me, this serum puts in the work. Better yet, I can tap it on my lids and brow bone, too, without fear of the formula weighing down the fragile skin. 

“Personally, I like thinner eye products, but I know that some folks prefer dense creams,” Engler adds. “Just know what you’re getting into!”

Pigment: 0

Doesn’t contain any color-correcting or brightening pigments.

Wearability: 5

Because of the thinner consistency, it layers like a dream underneath sunscreen and makeup.

Additional Benefits: 5

With its signature skin-plumping technology, it makes the eye area look smoother and brighter. Engler even notes her skin looks “shockingly smooth” after testing it daily. “I even apply it on my upper eyelid to help with sagging. I’d say this is a very well rounded eye product that checks all the boxes: hydration, lifting, fine lines, smoothing, and brightening,” she says.

Ingredients

This silky eye serum contains an astonishing array of ingredients. Some of note:

Pros & Cons

Pros: Increases elasticity and brightens skin, Innovative delivery system helps ingredients actually penetrate 

Cons: Expensive

Best for Sensitive Skin

U Beauty Return Eye Concentrate

Texture: 5

“This cream melts into the skin with just a few swipes,” Frye shares. “It’s creamy, but not too rich.”

Pigment: 0

Doesn’t contain any color-correcting or brightening pigments. However, Frye notes she did use less concealer while testing this eye cream, so it does have some immediate effects.

Wearability: 5

It does have a heavier consistency, which may make it better suited for nighttime wear. Still, Frye says it pays nice with the rest of her skin and makeup routine, even in the a.m. 

“I applied this eye cream morning and night. I never found it to interfere with the rest of my routine nor my makeup. It never pills either,” she shares.

Additional Benefits: 4

“I noticed the crow’s feet around my eyes softened when using it,” Frye tells me. “My under eyes look significantly more hydrated post-application. I do wish the hydration lasted just a bit longer—that’d be my only note.”

Ingredients

First thing’s first: This eye cream is fragrance-free, which is great for those with sensitive skin. Some other noteworthy players include:

Pros & Cons

Pros: Little goes a long way, Fragrance-free & gentle 

Cons: Pricey

Best De-puffing

Ilia Bright Start Activated Eye Cream

Texture: 5

It has a lightweight, fluffy, almost whipped texture that feels oh-so soft on the skin. It practically melts upon application.

Pigment: 4

It does contain light-reflecting pearl pigments to help brighten the eye area, but these pigments have pink undertones as opposed to yellow. That might be great for some cool-toned individuals, but I need a slightly warmer hue to neutralize my shadows.

Wearability: 5

It wears exceptionally well under makeup—would you expect anything less from the clean makeup brand?

Additional Benefits: 5

Caffeine and peptides wake up the eyes and diminish dark circles, but this eye cream also includes sea fennel (which some swear has similar benefits to retinol) to form and smooth the area, too. As if that wasn’t enough, it features a ceramic tip that doubles as a cooling massage tool—glide it across your skin and watch any lingering puffiness subside.

Ingredients:

As the name suggests, the formula features sea fennel extract, which many swear works similarly to retinol—minus the irritating side effects. You’ll also find upcycled avocado extract for nourishing fatty acids and vitamins, plus caffeine to brighten (some call it the antidote to dark circles) and peptides to plump.

Pros & Cons:

Pros: Contains a retinol alternative to smooth fine lines, Cooling ceramic tip feels great on puffy eyes

Cons: Smaller size

Best for Daytime

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Créme

Texture: 5

Creamy yet not too thick; spreadable but delivers all-day hydration. The texture is unmatched, IMO.

Pigment: 5

The peachy pigment instantly neutralizes discoloration—it’s a bit more yellow-toned than most, which folks with warmer undertones will appreciate.

Wearability: 5

I find it dries down quickly (while staying hydrating) and wears well underneath makeup. In fact, I would even use it as a color corrector pro-concealer.

Additional Benefits: 3

I’d say brightening is the main benefit here. Vitamin C is great for promoting collagen and smoothing fine lines, but if you’re looking to reduce puffiness, I might go with another option instead. 

Ingredients:

No, there are no bananas in this formula. (Surprising, I know!) Rather, the “banana” refers to the yellow hue that helps cancel out blue shadows—similar to banana powder, a staple for many pro makeup artists. 

In terms of brightening actives, vitamin C pulls most of the weight here. Namely, a vitamin C complex comprising ascorbic acid and glutathione combined with real gold; 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid; and tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate. Talk about an antioxidant-packed INCI list.

Pros & Cons:

Pros: Fragrance-free, Works immediately

Cons: Doesn't come with a spoon or spatula

Best with Vitamin C

Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Eye Cream

Texture: 5

The gel-cream lotion effortlessly glides over skin and absorbs quickly. I personally prefer a thicker confection to wear overnight, but this one is sublime for the daytime.

Pigment: 3

It does have an orange hue out of the bottle, but the pigment doesn’t totally deposit on the skin (it dries down clear). Still, I suspect the orange tones put in some work to mask my dark shadows.

Wearability: 4

The gel-like, slightly tacky texture makes this feel like a primer you can apply pre-makeup. It helps my concealer last longer without ever flaking off midday. Some people might not want their eye cream to feel at all sticky, so I’ll dock a point for those who prefer strictly creamy confections. 

Additional Benefits: 5

With peptides and hyaluronic acid, this lotion helps plump the eye area and smooth fine lines. I may come for the brightening benefits, but I stay for the noticeably supple skin.

Ingredients:

Fragrance-free and fabulous. It contains zerumbone, a concentrated ginger extract that helps diminish dark circles. Some other noteworthy players include:

Pros & Cons:

Pros: Stabilized vitamin C is great for sensitive skin

Cons: Some might want a creamier texture

Best Color Correcting

Naturium Vitamin Bright Illuminating Eye Cream

This is a creamy, pigment-neutralizing eye cream that feels like a joy to apply. I’ve been testing it every morning for the past few weeks, and I totally feel comfortable skipping concealer.

Engler agrees: “Truth be told, my under eye circles are probably my biggest aesthetic insecurity at this point in my life. No matter how much I sleep or how good I eat, they’re still there. I almost always have on a bit of concealer to cover them up,” she notes. “But during times when I really don’t want to wear makeup, this eye cream is what I use to help ease the appearance of discoloration.

It comes in two flexible shades infused with light-reflecting mineral pigments to instantly brighten the eye area​—I use light/medium, and the immediate difference is astonishing.

Texture: 4

It definitely has a creamier texture, which is great for super-dry under-eyes like mine. However, I do have to wait a beat before layering on makeup (if I even wear it; the formula neutralizes discoloration, so I find myself skipping concealer, anyway!).

Pigment: 5

Naturally-derived, light-reflecting mineral pigments provide immediate brightness by neutralizing discoloration. It also has yellow undertones, which are perfect for canceling out the blue hues underneath and around the eyes. 

“This is where the product really shines (pun intended),” gushes Engler. “It really camouflages my deep purple discoloration with just a few taps.”

Wearability: 4

I prefer this eye cream for the daytime (the mineral pigments would have little use overnight), but the formula is totally thick enough to use before bed, if you choose. That said, I do have to wait a minute or two before embarking on the rest of my routine, as it does take a beat to dry down.

Additional Benefits: 2

As Engler notes, its main selling point is the brightening. “Sure it feels hydrating and soothing, but I wouldn’t say it’s particularly notable for them,” she says.

Ingredients:

“I really love vitamin K, which is an underrated dark circle correcting ingredient. Some studies have shown it can help reduce discoloration in the area, and has anticoagulation benefits as well,” Engler shares. Other key players include:

Shea butter: to provide a creamy texture, plus fatty acids and moisture.

Glycerin: to plump the under-eyes with hydration

Turmeric, basil & rosemary extracts: to fend off free radicals and brighten up the area

Not to mention, this is a fragrance-free formula.

Pros & Cons:

Pros: Budget-friendly, Incredible under makeup

Cons: Doesn’t come with a spoon or spatula

Best for fine lines

Skin Ceuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye For Dark Circles

Texture: 4

It has a satin-like texture that spreads easily across the skin. I’m giving it a 4 because I really have to swirl my finger in the jar to get enough product; I wish it came with a spatula or spoon for a more hygienic application.

Pigment: 2

No mineral pigments, but as I mentioned, it does contain “optical effects” that disperse light.

Wearability: 5

This eye cream feels super hydrating and stays that way throughout the day. Despite the thinner consistency and satin finish, I do notice less crow’s feet and dehydration than before.

Additional Benefits: 5

This eye cream tackles every byproduct associated with glycation and collagen decline: crow’s feet, puffiness, and, yes, dark circles. It’s not merely a brightening formula—it addresses the whole picture of skin aging.

Ingredients:

This eye cream includes a mix of classic and innovative players to brighten dark circles. A few notable ones to highlight:

Pros & Cons

Pros: Very spreadable, Layers well underneath makeup

Cons: Smaller jar, Doesn’t come with a spoon or spatula

Well, it depends on which cause you’re dealing with. Sorry to say, there’s not much you can do for genetic shadows aside from in-office treatments. The same goes for fat loss as you age—you can't really do anything about this with topical creams. 

However! You can look for eye creams with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, and so on to provide a temporary plumping effect—which, in turn, may make dark circles look less apparent. 

And for dark circles caused by dilated blood vessels (from lack of sleep or allergies), eye creams can totally help. You’ll just want to look for brightening agents, like antioxidants, or caffeine, which will help constrict the dilated blood vessels. Similarly, those dealing with hyperpigmentation can find success with skin brighteners, namely vitamin C, arbutin, kojic acid, or niacinamide. 

Still, consistency is key. You can’t expect an eye cream to completely transform the look of dark circles—unless it also features color-correcting pigments (many do!) to immediately neutralize the discoloration.