21 Eye Creams That Actually Work on Dark Circles

Pros: Lightweight formula and contains lots of powerful ingredients such as vitamin C and caffeine

Cons: Only comes in two shades

Proving that you don't always need harsh ingredients to target dark circles, this eye cream from Origins actually strengthens capillaries and provides anti-inflammatory benefits to reduce the proven causes of dark circles.

Pros: Luxury formula and has lots of 5-star reviews

Cons: A little more expensive

You only need to glance at the glowing 5-star reviews to know that this eye cream really works to deliver visible results. Reviewers say this eye cream brightens dark circles while also targeting fine lines and wrinkles too. It contains a powerful cocktail of stem cells to rejuvenate the eye area, priming the eye area for makeup with a lightweight texture that sinks into the skin instantly. It also contains diamond powder, which scatters light around the eye area to disguise dark circles too.

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Pros: Contains slow-release retinol microcapsules and hyaluronic acid

Cons: Can't be used on very sensitive skin

Beauty Pie has gained a loyal following for its great (and affordable) skincare formulations, and its Super Retinol eye cream is excellent for brightening and overhauling the skin around the eyes. Retinol is the key ingredient, which helps to brighten dark circles and leave your eye area looking refreshed.

Pros: Super hydrating while still being lightweight

Cons: Might take a while to see results

This moisturising eye cream from Lumene has a lightweight formula that is packed with pro-collagen peptides, soothing Nordic heather, Arctic Spring Water and antioxidant Nordic lingonberry native cells to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines.

Pros: Contains retinal and comes in three different strengths for beginners and experts

Cons: A little more expensive

Momen recommends this eye cream from Medik8 as a great choice for those of you looking for a retinal product that will help tackle fine lines, puffiness and dark circles.

Pros: Infused with five forms of vitamin C

Cons: Expensive

This eye cream from Drunk Elephant is a cult favourite that basically every beauty editor I know swears by. It contains a pretty impressive five forms of vitamin C for a real boost of brightness.

Pros: Targets lots of different skincare concerns

Cons: More expensive

The name says it all with this eye cream—a soothing formula that's specifically formulated to reduce fine lines and puffiness, boost radiance and hydrate skin thanks to ingredients such as liposome encapsulated retinol, prebiotic oat kernel and stabilised vitamin C.

Pros: Cooling applicator and improves the eye contour

Cons: Might not be as powerful as other eye creams with stronger ingredients such as retinol

Another one of Momen's recommendations is the La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar eye cream. This formula contains caffeine, niacinamide and shea butter to smooth and improve the look of the eye contour.

Pros: Packed with peptides to hydrate and smooth

Cons: Really expensive

If dark circles and fine lines are your main concerns, Momen recommends the A.G.E. Interrupter Eye Complex from SkinCeuticals. The rich cream is infused with peptides to hydrate and smooth the skin.

Pros: Really affordable and contains caffeine to awaken the eyes

Cons: Struggling to think of any at just £10!

This is one of the most affordable in this list, and it's also one of the most effective. It contains caffeine, which basically gives your under-eye area a thorough wake-up call to brighten and de-puff tired eyes.

Pros: Formula is fragrance-free and contains caffeine and niacinamide

Cons: Might not be as powerful as other eye creams with stronger ingredients such as retinol

Packed with vitamin C, caffeine and niacinamide, this cream helps to alleviate dark circles as well as redness. Plus, it has blurring properties to help you look even more well-rested.

Pros: Provides instant illuminating results

Cons: Formula is not as rich as others in this roundup

A great affordable recommendation from Momen is the No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Eye Cream. Not only does it moisturise the eye area, but it also illuminates your under-eyes which is why I love to use it in the mornings.

Pros: Packed with antioxidants

Cons: Expensive

Filled with antioxidants and a powerful complex to help lessen the appearance of dark circles, this eye serum means serious business.

Pros: Affordable and contains a high concentration of caffeine

Cons: Applicator can be a little messy

Don’t let its tiny price-tag fool you—this serum packs a potent brightening hit and has impressed just about every WWW team member. This featherweight formula contains a high concentration of caffeine and EGCG (a potent polyphenol found in green tea) to provide a powerful blend of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to the delicate eye area. These ingredients are known to reduce puffiness and dark circles, delivering results editors can’t get enough of. 

Pros: Refreshing applicator and contains a plant-based retinol alternative

Cons: A little more expensive

A potent eye cream powered by a plant-based retinol alternative that works to brighten, hydrate, smooth, depuff, and prep for concealer. I'm a big fan of the applicator which makes light work of sweeping the product under the eyes in a rush.

Pros: Provides immediate results due to reflective pigments

Cons: Not as hydrating as other eye creams in this roundup

As well as brightening under eyes in the long term with its potent vitamin C and collagen blend, this eye cream also contains reflective pigments that immediately reduce dark circles and brighten the eye area in the short term, too.

Pros: Fragrance-free formula that awakens tired eyes

Cons: Doesn't contain as many hydrating ingredients as other eye creams

So many of Kinship's skincare products have been going viral on TikTok, but they've only just landed here in the UK. This de-puffing and brightening eye cream is definitely worth the hype. It cools tired eyes, boosts luminosity and smooths. Plus, it's fragrance-free so there's no risk of irritation.

Pros: Contains edelweiss (a plant with 43% more antioxidant power than retinol)

Cons: Applicator can be a little messy

Another range that has a cult following is this newly reformulated eye concentrate from The Body Shop—which is now a bestseller. It contains edelweiss, a plant that has 43% more antioxidant power than retinol, helping to revitalise tired-looking eyes.

Pros: Contains three forms of vitamin C

Cons: A little more expensive

Specifically formulated with dark circles in mind, this brightening eye cream draws upon three high concentration, super-stabilised forms of vitamin C, combined with peptides and hyaluronic acid. Expect instant and long term results.

Pros: Contains growth factors to target dark under eye circles, as well as puffiness, wrinkles and skin laxity

Cons: More expensive than most eye creams

If you have sensitive eyes and want to steer away from retinols, but still want an effective eye cream, this one from Trinny London makes a great investment. It contains growth factors which help to regenerate the skin, leaving your eyes looking refreshed.

Pros: Contains brightening vitamin C, niacinamide and banana powder, affordable

Cons: None

If you want an affordable eye cream, Garnier's makes a great choice that won't break the bank. It contains 4% brightening vitamin C, as well as banana powder which helps to instantly brighten the under eyes. The addition of niacinamide also helps to rejuvenate the skin around the under eyes,