I'll never say no to a good eye cream, but now I'm fully considering that an eye serum might be better for daytime to really help prevent those pesky dark circles. I honestly never really considered that there were differences between the two until I asked a dermatologist. (Hey, skincare has a learning curve, right?)
Azadeh Shirazi, MD, explains that "eye creams have high concentrations of oils and emollients with a lower water content, whereas serums are lighter with a higher water content." This means that if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may actually want to favor a serum. Further, Shirazi says there's something else to keep in mind. "Eye creams are better overnight and for drier skin types whereas eye serums are better for puffiness and best applied in the morning under concealer."
So yeah, if you're constantly battling your dark circles, an eye serum may be the way to go. Look for ingredients like vitamin C and caffeine to brighten and hyaluronic acid to provide lightweight hydration. To save you a deep dive into the internet, I've rounded up the best eye serums for dark circles below. Keep scrolling to find the right one for you.
1. The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + ECGC Depuffing Eye Serum
The addition of caffeine and green tea catechin in this is key. They work together to reduce any pigmentation around the eye area and puffiness—all at a much lower price than most serums.
2. Typology Eye Serum 5% Caffeine + 5% Niacinamide
Typology's eye serum includes both caffeine and soothing niacinamide to boost circulation and reduce the look of dark circles in the a.m.
3. Tru Alchemy Eye Lixir Cooling Eye Treatment
Sometimes, you just want an eye *elixir* and not a plain old serum. This one from Tru Alchemy is your ticket—it hydrates and illuminates like no other. It uses light-diffusing technology to create a soft focus under the eye, while caffeine brightens the area.
4. Murad Vitamin C Dark Circle Correcting Eye Serum
Murad's environmental shield adds an extra boost of radiance to your eyes with vitamin C and red algae extract along with cucumber extract as a bonus to smooth out fine lines.
5. Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Acid Triple Correction Eye Serum
Because I know we all like multitaskers, this serum makes the list because it features powerhouse ingredients like retinol, ferulic acid, and bakuchiol. When combined, these ingredients help boost collagen production, brighten the eye area, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
6. Fresh Black Tea Firming Eye Serum
Brimming with a black-tea complex, peptides, and goji fruit extract, this cleanly formulated serum instantly tightens, brightens, and smooths the under-eye area.
7. L'Oréal Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Hydrating Eye Serum
L'Oréal's Revitalift is a classic option derms love. It moisturizes, firms, and brightens with classic ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamin C.
8. Clarins Double Serum Eye Concentrate
Clarins' iconic Double Serum Concentrate also comes in a version for the eye area. The formula gives you instantly awake- and youthful-looking eyes with its blend of organic ingredients like horse chestnut, turmeric extract and oat sugar.
9. Lancôme Advanced Génifique Yeux Light-Pearl Eye Serum
This is a lightweight serum that's oil-free and can be used on both your lashes and under-eye area. It provides major hydration and has brightening ingredients like caffeine. To be honest, I'm snagging it just because it can also act as a lash serum. I'm sold by that aspect alone.
10. Cosmedix Opti Crystal Liquid Eye Serum
Liquid crystals? Yeah, that's a thing in this formula. But it doesn't just look cool. It's also extremely effective with a copper complex to firm and brighten while alpha-lipoic acid repels free radicals.
11. Vichy Mineral 89 Eye Serum
Derms love Vichy for its fantastic formulas and affordable price point. This eye serum contains caffeine and Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water sourced from French volcanoes to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier.
12. Cetaphil
Cetaphil is another brand derms always recommend because the brand really keeps its formulas simple yet effective. The brand's Deep Hydration Refreshing Eye Serum is designed to reduce the appearance of dark circles and provide 48-hour hydration with vitamin E, B5, and hyaluronic acid.
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