Dark circles under the eyes are an incredibly common skin concern. Are undereye creams for dark circles the answer?
For the best solutions to this common problem, we turned to Michele Green, MD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and an expert in eye rejuvenation.
“Dark circles can make us look and feel older or more tired than we actually are. Eye creams are an excellent way to combat dark circles and signs of aging under the eyes,” says Dr. Green. “While it can be tempting to follow the latest trends and gimmicks on social media regarding eye rejuvenation, it is always best to stick to expert-backed solutions for eye care. The eye area is much more delicate and sensitive than the rest of the face, and it is essential to use products and treatments that are safe and effective for the area.”
What are the best ingredients for dark circles? “Eye creams with scientifically proven ingredients such as retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are an excellent way to safely and effectively diminish dark circles, giving you a more youthful-looking appearance,” she explains.
Best for Puffiness: Innisfree Green Tea Caffeine Bright-Eye Eye Serum.
Best for Wrinkles and Fine Lines: ROC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Avene’s Hyaluron Activ B3 Triple Action Eye Cream.
Best for Men: DRMTLGY Advanced Eye Cream.
Best Natural Eye Cream for Dark Circles: Burt’s Bees Renewal Firming Eye Cream.
What Causes Dark Circles?
Many different factors can cause dark circles under the eyes. “Some individuals may have a genetic component, with many family members who also have dark circles. Age also can also play a large role in dark-circle development due to decreased collagen and elastin levels. As these two proteins decline with age, the skin begins to thin, resulting in increased visibility of dark blood vessels and darkening under the eyes,” she says. “Volume loss under the eyes also can create shadowing, resulting in dark circles. Lifestyle factors associated with dark circles include chronic stress and insufficient sleep. Chronic stress can elevate cortisol levels, leading to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers and premature aging under the eyes. Inadequate sleep disrupts the body’s regenerative cycle, leaving the skin looking pale and making blood vessels and darker tissues more visible beneath the skin.”
Do Eye Creams Really Work for Dark Circles?
Eye creams can be very effective in treating dark circles. “Many eye creams contain ingredients that reduce pigmentation, stimulate collagen production, and/or constrict blood vessels to brighten and rejuvenate the undereye area,” Dr. Green notes. “However, eye creams often cannot eliminate dark circles caused by volume loss under the eyes. Hollowing under the eyes is best treated with hyaluronic acid fillers that will restore volume loss and reduce shadowing and darkness.”
Key Ingredients to Look for in Eye Creams
Some of the most effective ingredients in eye creams include retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and caffeine.
“Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that stimulates collagen production and accelerates skin cell turnover, helping slough off dead, pigmented cells and bring new, healthy cells to the surface,” explains Dr. Green.
“Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from UV damage, brightens skin tone, and increases skin cell renewal to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots,” she explains.
“Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It helps attract water to the skin, hydrating and temporarily plumping the undereye area.”
“Caffeine works by constricting blood vessels, reducing the appearance of dark circles and undereye puffiness.”
Best Eye Cream for Your Needs
Here are Dr. Green’s product suggestions based on your specific needs…
Puffiness
Green Tea Caffeine Bright-Eye Eye Serum from Innisfree is excellent for anyone looking to reduce undereye puffiness. Its formulation includes caffeine to constrict blood vessels and depuff the area…green tea to reduce inflammation and soothe the skin…and niacinamide to brighten the skin.
Wrinkles and fine lines
Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream from ROC contains retinol to increase collagen production and promote skin-cell renewal, helping smooth fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes. This eye cream should be used only at night because retinol makes the skin sensitive to sunlight.
Sensitive skin
Avene’s Hyaluron Activ B3 Triple Action Eye Cream is a gentle, hydrating eye cream suitable for people with sensitive skin. It contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin, as well as niacinamide to brighten the skin and strengthen its natural moisture barrier. Its formulation is also free of known skin irritants, including fragrance, alcohol, parabens and silicone.
For Men
Men often prefer uncomplicated skincare routines that don’t require different products for morning and evening. Advanced Eye Cream from DRMTLGY is an effective eye cream that can be used both morning and evening to rejuvenate the undereye area. It contains vitamin E to protect against oxidative stress…vitamin K to brighten dark circles…and peptides and ceramides to support the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Note: This product is not formulated for men only and can be a great eye cream for women looking for uncomplicated routines.
Natural eye cream for dark circles
Burt’s Bees is known for creating naturally derived skincare products. Its Renewal Firming Eye Cream is a nighttime skincare product that is 99% natural-origin ingredients. It uses bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and promote collagen production for a younger-looking eye area.
How to Apply Eye Cream for Best Results
“When applying eye cream, be very gentle, as the skin under the eyes is much more delicate than the rest of the face,” Dr. Green cautions. “Because the undereye area is so small, only a small amount of product is needed. Most eye creams can be used both morning and evening, but retinol-containing eye creams should be used only at night, as retinol can increase skin photosensitivity.”
Expert Tips for Brighter, Healthier Eyes
The best way to support the results from eye creams is to practice proper sun protection, including applying sunscreen and wearing sunglasses daily. “UV rays can damage collagen and elastin fibers, resulting in the premature development of fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and skin laxity under the eyes,” says Dr. Green. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 for maximum protection, and invest in polarized sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.
Also, consider cosmetic procedures that rejuvenate the undereye area further…
“Hyaluronic acid fillers are an excellent way to restore lost volume to the undereye area and reduce hollowing and shadowing,” Dr. Green says. “The Mesopeel Periocular is a specialized chemical peel designed to gently exfoliate the undereye area, reduce melanocyte activity and eliminate undereye hyperpigmentation.” Melanocytes cells that produce melanin or skin pigment. The Mesopeel Periocular works to inhibit an enzyme crucial for melanin production, thereby reducing melanocyte activity and minimizing hyperpigmentation.
“Microneedling uses tiny, surgical-grade needles to stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin, creating healthier skin cells. Microneedling results can be enhanced with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to expedite the healing process and promote skin rejuvenation.
If you are interested in treatments for dark circles, it is always best to consult a board-certified dermatologist for safe, effective results.”
