This One Beauty Product Is the Single Best Way to Brighten Up Your Eye Area

If you experience dark circles under your eyes, you'll know all too well that they are a special sort of beauty gripe that just won't give up. While breakouts come and go, dry skin softens and fine lines plump out with certain hydrating creams, dark under-eye circles are much more stubborn. And trust me, I know all about it. 

A couple of years ago, I was so fed up with my persistent dark circles that I actually booked in for a consultation to get tear-trough filler. Experts had told me for years that the injectable procedure was the only way to really combat chronic dark circles (mine are genetic, so sadly can't be rectified by getting more sleep or keeping hydrated). But as I read more first-hand experiences with tear-trough filler and the doctor explained to me what it entails, I wussed out. You see, as someone that isn't typically averse to injectables, I do have a very real phobia of anything getting too close to my eyeballs—needles included.

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(Image credit: @MISSTPW)

And so over the past couple of years, I have spent a considerable amount of time looking for topical products that help better the appearance of my dark circles. And as a beauty editor, I am ashamed to admit that, up until recently, eye cream wasn't a mainstay in my skincare routine. My skin is naturally oily and sensitive, and for years I found that adding an eye cream to my daily regimen was worsening congestion and shine.

When I started prescribed treatments to help combat my skin's natural oil production, I figured I'd dig out some of my old eye cream classics and give them a whirl. And although I shouldn't be shocked (I know very well that any sort of moisture can brighten up the eye area), I can't believe just how effective some eye creams are at minimising the appearance of my dark circles and brightening my under-eye area.

Through a lot of trial and error, I have found that tinted creams, those that contain light-reflecting pigments and treatments that contain vitamin C, have proved most effective at brightening. So, if you're at your wit's end with dark circles, keep scrolling for the 12 best brightening eye creams.

1. Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum

2. Versed Vacation Eyes Brightening Eye Gel

3. Origins GinZing Eye Cream

4. Caudalie Vinergetic C+ Brightening Eye Cream

5. Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème

6. Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix Synchronized Recovery Complex

7. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue

8. Ren Clean Skincare Radiance Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream

9. Kiehl's Powerful Vitamin C Eye Serum

10. Goldfaden MD Bright Eyes

11. Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector

12. Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten + Firm Eye Cream

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Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.