Again, de la Fuente Garcia stresses the importance of applying eye cream gently and using just enough product to cover the target area. human fibroblast conditioned media (HFCM), palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl oligopeptide, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, tocopheryl acetate, retinyl palmitate, N-hydroxysuccinimide, chrysin, boron nitride Pro tip: Applying your eye cream before your gentle eye massage is a great way to multitask your skin care routine. Use your ring finger Ah, dark circles. This under-eye discoloration ultimately (and annoyingly) boils down to things you can’t control, i.e., genetics. Not to mention that, because the skin under and around your eyes is thinner than on the rest of your face, the area is more prone to signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, puffiness, and, you guessed it, discoloration, says Dr. Marina Peredo, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. As with any eye cream, less is more. You need to use only a small, pea-sized amount of eye cream for both eyes. We recommend gently dabbing the cream on with your finger, starting at the inner corner of your eye and working your way along to the outer corner. Then tap the product into the skin lightly.

No. An eye cream may help momentarily lighten and brighten the skin under the eyes, but it won’t cure dark circles. Dark circles primarily develop from allergies, genetics, or lifestyle factors, such as not getting enough sleep. Do creams for dark circles really work? The best product for you may depend on the root cause of your eye concerns. Some key ingredients to consider include: Hyaluronic acid Mraz Robinson recommends creams with hyaluronic acid, as well as peptides and ceramides, to keep the skin under your eyes skin supported and hydrated. Caffeine I raved about this product when it launched last spring and my feelings are just as strong," says Jasmine Phillips, Social Media Editor. "E.l.f.'s Halo Glow Liquid Filter offers lightweight coverage that is perfect for warmer temps. I typically wear this alone for a your-skin-but-better look but it can also be worn under foundation for an extra complexion boost."

We've sung the praises of vitamin C eye creams earlier in this article, and we don't plan on stopping anytime soon. This vitamin C-rich eye cream from iNNBeauty Project is another option to consider for its brightening, illuminating, and hydrating capabilities. With three types of vitamin C, this formula works to reduce the look of dark circles while trying to firm the skin around the eyes with the help of peptides and caffeine. While we didn't notice drastic results just yet—vitamin C takes time to work—we did love the formula's light-reflecting pigments that gave our eyes a much-needed boost upon application. Speaking of application, we also thoroughly enjoyed the feel of this eye cream right away. It offers a soft, cooling feel before drying down and layering well underneath makeup and other cosmetics. Eye creams come in many different formulas and consistencies, with a variety of ingredients designed to target a range of skin care goals. Some eye creams, like the La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream mentioned above, come with a cooling applicator. If your cream doesn’t include this tool, you can opt to use a jade roller or gua sha stone gently around the eyes, similar to the way you would massage with your fingers.

Blood vessels in the under-eye area can become more noticeable due to fatigue, eyestrain, and other reasons — but the resulting dark circles can be difficult to treat unless you know their root cause. European blueberries (anthocyanins, quercetin, resveratrol), alfalfa (vitamin K), grape seeds (anthocyanins, catechin, quercetin, resveratrol), cocoa butter, jojoba After just one week of using this eye cream, you’ll notice the skin under your eyes is more supple and soft. For the best results, we suggest using it two to three times a week to start, so your skin can adequately build up a tolerance to the retinol. Once your skin is comfortable with it, you can use it up to five or six times a week. The skin in that area is fair and very thin, and thus the deeper blood vessels are more visible to the naked eye,” says Graf.The appearance of dark under-eye circles is a common skin concern. Whether you’re sleep deprived, sniffling from seasonal allergies, or simply experiencing signs of aging, dark circles might show up for any number of reasons. But no matter what causes them, they can make you appear tired — especially if they’re accompanied by under-eye bags. You can also toss your eye product in the refrigerator so it’s nice and cool when you’re ready to apply it, according to Ilyas.

Best for noticeable results on a budget: Sweet Chef Turmeric + Vitamin C Booster Eye Cream | Skip to review Whether your facial anatomy makes dark circles more noticeable or you have a family history of dark circles (also known as periorbital hyperpigmentation), genetic factors can contribute to the appearance of your skin. Allergies If you prefer, you can also use a cotton swab to apply the product delicately around your eyes, de la Fuente Garcia says. “Be sure to avoid tugging or stretching the skin, as the area around the eyes is very delicate and can be easily damaged,” he adds. Use jade or ice rollersAccording to King, “Puffy under-eye bags can either be from fluid or a fat pad.” If you notice that the puffiness is worse in the morning and better by evening, then your eye bags are most likely the result of fluid buildup — and in that case her advice is to “drink more water, eat less salt, and sleep propped up on a couple of pillows,” so fluid does not collect in the under-eye area. She also suggests using an eye cream containing caffeine, since it constricts blood vessels and can prevent fluid from accumulating. Several of the dermatologists we spoke to were in agreement that caffeine is the No. 1 ingredient to look for if you want to tighten bags and reduce puffiness. Doyle likes this one from SkinBetter, which contains green coffee, algae, and sodium hyaluronate, an extraction of hyaluronic acid. “This is a caffeine-based eye serum that is used to instantly tighten the delicate skin around the eyes, reducing bags and puffiness,” says Doyle. Because the skin around the eyes is fragile, be careful not to rub or pull at the skin as you apply your eye cream. And take care not to get any of the cream in your eye itself. Some creams come with a metal applicator tip for ease of application.

Featuring two super-concentrated forms of vitamin C, this serum delivers a lovely brightening effect while reducing the appearance of dark circles, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation. What's more, it contains calming niacinamide, an ingredient known to boost luminosity, which works in tandem with vitamin C to minimize the look of fine lines. Also nice: soothing squalane adds hydration (the product was silky smooth on the skin and immediately hydrated it) and targets inflammation all at once. The eye cream also impressed us with its buildable glittery, highlighter-y tint that adds radiance to the eye area, regardless of skin tone. We also appreciated the fact that this formula doesn't have a scent—a win for people sensitive to fragrance. This is because the skin around your eyes is delicate and can benefit from some extra TLC,” he says. Dealing with dark circles and shadows? You'll want to choose an under-eye concealer made with brightening ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide. Not only do both work to protect against elastin-damaging free radicals, but they’ll also help neutralize hyperpigmentation and brighten skin over time. Under eyes look smoothed and refreshed – 90% of consumers said this product gives a refreshed look and 87% it provides a smoothed look*Your eye cream of choice should be applied as one of the final steps of your skincare routine: after you cleanse, tone and add any serums to your skin, but before you apply your moisturiser. How do I apply an eye cream for puffy eyes?