Dark circles are one of the most common skin concerns, and one of the most misunderstood. The best eye cream for dark circles depends on what is causing yours, so start there.
What causes dark circles?
- Pigmentation, meaning extra melanin under the eyes. It is often brown in tone and common in medium and deeper skin tones.
- Thin skin. The skin under the eyes is very thin, so blood vessels show through as a blue or purple tint, and it gets thinner with age.
- Shadows from hollows under the eyes or from puffy bags.
- Lifestyle: lack of sleep, dehydration, allergies and rubbing your eyes all make circles look worse.
Genetics plays a part in all of these, which is why some people have dark circles no matter how much they sleep.
What an eye cream can do
A good eye cream can make dark circles look lighter and your eyes look less tired. Look for:
- Hydrators such as hyaluronic acid, which plump thin skin so vessels show less.
- Peptides, which support smoother, firmer-looking skin, and some of which target puffiness.
- Brightening ingredients such as vitamin C and niacinamide for pigmentation.
- Light-reflecting ingredients, which brighten the area straight away.
What an eye cream can’t do
No cream can fill deep hollows or change the structure under your eyes. If shadows from hollows are your main cause, talk to an aesthetic practitioner about in-clinic options. Eye creams work best on the skin itself: its hydration, texture and tone.
How to apply eye cream
Use a small amount, about one or two drops. Tap it gently around the eye with your ring finger, which applies the least pressure, and don’t rub. Apply it after serum and before moisturizer, and use it morning and night. In the morning, sunscreen helps keep pigmentation from getting darker.
Our eye cream
The Biopeptide Eye Restore is a peptide eye cream made for dark circles, puffiness and fine lines. It combines hyaluronic acid and a plant-based collagen complex for hydration, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 for puffiness, Syneye™ Peptide for smoother texture, and natural illuminators with diamond extract to brighten the look of the under-eye area. It suits sensitive, dry and mature skin.
Frequently asked questions
Can eye cream get rid of dark circles?
It can make them look lighter, especially when they come from dehydration, thin skin or pigmentation. Circles caused by deep hollows or genetics may need other approaches.
How long does eye cream take to work?
Hydration and light-reflecting effects show straight away. Changes in texture and tone take several weeks of daily use.
Do I need a separate eye cream?
The skin around the eyes is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of the face, so an eye cream made for that area is gentler and more targeted than your face moisturizer.