Best Eye Creams For Dark Circles and Bags

Eye creams are to your anti-aging skin care regimen what open bars are to weddings: a must. Whether you’re searching for the best eye cream for bags, the best eye cream for wrinkles, or the best eye cream for dark circles, you need a product to slow down the relentless march of Father Time.

“An eye cream is an important part of your daily skin care regimen, however, there is not one eye cream to solve every issue. It is important to choose an eye cream that addresses your specific need. Issues around the eye include puffiness, darkness, hollowness, wrinkles and skin laxity,” says Dr. Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

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Point is, our peepers could use some help when they’re puffy, exhausted, and otherwise challenged. Some products out there cost more than a set of skis, or go on like Crisco. But the price of eye creams doesn’t always equal efficacy and vice versa. Plus, it depends what you’re looking for; if you’re into what’s called clean beauty, read the ingredients, because the term “natural” is actually unregulated and hence, means pretty much nothing.

See more: Best Treatments for Razor Bumps and Razor Burn

Here are our picks for the best eye creams to counteract specific issues, based on our own testing, user reviews, and editor recommendations. They’re all unisex, so apply away and wind back the clock.

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Best Eye Creams For Dark Circles
“If you have dark blotches under the skin, look for an under eye cream that contains Vitamin C. This potent antioxidant blocks production of abnormal pigmentation and can help lighten dark under-eye circles,” says Zeichner.

Vitamin C helps instantly make your under-eye area look less tired and worn out.

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Pros: This eye cream is crammed with peptides and antioxidants that help wrinkles and dark circles look less dramatic. Make that, way less dramatic.

Cons: It can be drying, so do a patch test first.

The Vitamin C in this eye cream brightens your eyes, while Vitamin E will help with hyperpigmentation and fine lines.

Pros: This cult-favorite brand is beloved because it actually gets results. It’s loaded with vitamins C and E to help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

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Cons: Because it’s formulated for your eyes and face, it can come on too strong.

This French brand uses what it calls spheres to basically pump up your eyes and thus reduce the appearance of dark circles.

Pros: Almost like magic, this cream fills out the hollows under your eyes, making you look instantly younger and more awake.

Cons: It can be overly drying, especially if you have very sensitive skin.

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This top-tier eye cream uses calendula, horse chestnut, horsetail and licorice for to decrease puffiness and thus make your eyes pop, along with acids to make wrinkles much less visible.

Pros: This eye cream pretty much does it all. It’s a rich, thick cream that gives your eyes serious hydration, while also making the delicate skin more elastic and and firm.

Cons: Ahhhhh, the price.

This eye cream from Bliss brightens your eye area, and infuses it with Vitamin C and niacinamide to reduce dark circles.

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Pros: This Bliss eye cream is vegan, it’s heavy on the Vitamin C, and helps moisturize the eye area with squalane and cucumber and pear extracts.

Cons: It’s a little on the thin side, in terms of consistency.

This vegan eye cream is full of Vitamin C and rosehip oil to help get rid of those heavy bags.

Pros: Made with mostly organic ingredients, this potent eye cream helps reduces discoloration. It’s suited for all skin types, and helps plump up the under eye area. In general, people rave about how effective it is.

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Cons: This eye cream has a definite scent, and to some, it’s almost fishy.

This eye cream is loaded with caffeine, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, and green tea. We're talking a powerhouse ingredient mix to make your eyes brighter and those circles lighter.

Pros: Use this eye cream day and night, because it goes on light, absorbs fast, and won’t leave you looking like you just rubbed Crisco on your undereye area. It’s made without sulfates, parabens, glycols, phthalates, petrochemicals, silicones, synthetic fragrances, or gluten.

Cons: It’s not cheap, but a pea-sized amount suffices when using it.

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Juice Beauty's eye cream is full of organic grape and carrot juices blended with essential fatty acids and Vitamins B5, C and P to help you get rid of all that under-eye baggage.

Pros: This eye cream is formulated for those with normal, dry, or sensitive skins. In addition to Vitamin C, it also contains organic jojoba, sunflower and avocado.

Cons: It can leave you with puffy eyes, so make sure you do a patch test first.

This eye cream from Elemis is loaded with vitamin C and amino acids to help your skin look smoother, firmer, and more even.

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Pros: You don’t need to slather this on. Just apply one pump to both ring fingers and gently pat around the eye contour area. You’ll like the thick texture, and the slightly tightening properties of this cream, which basically makes your peepers pop.

Cons: Or, you may not. The formula is a bit too harsh for some.

Thanks to its VitaNiacin complex, this eye cream fights seven signs of aging and helps get rid of dark circles.

Pros: This eye cream is affordable, and effective. It visibly softens fine lines, and helps your eye baggage be much less noticeable.

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Cons: It can feel heavy and oily.

Try this Drunk Elephant product, which is loaded with vitamins C and E and cucumber, and is stupidly effective, as is the rest of the line. This cream is packed with good stuff, and free of of essential oils and fragrance. It is vegan and made without gluten, silicone, and irritants.

Pros: A few little, tiny drops go a long, long way.

Cons: Some report that the product can be irritating so as with all skin care products, do a spot test first.

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The gel texture is refreshing and cooling, and feels super-relaxing on exhausted eyes. Plus, the Vitamin C helps with dark circles.

Pros: The energizing gel goes on like velvet (really!). And it has caffeine in it, to help boost circulation and reduce puffiness.

Cons: If you’re not into gel creams, skip this one.
Best Eye Creams for Bags
“Caffeine helps constrict blood vessels to remove excess fluid and minimize the appearance of under-eye bags,” says Zeichner.

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Green coffee extract works its magic in this eye cream.

Pros: This cream works on all skin types, and is full of green coffee extract that minimizes the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.

Cons: It goes on very light, so if you’re into thicker creams, this one is not for you.

This beloved eye cream has three killer ingredients: Hyaluronic acid to pump skin, collagen to improve skin texture, and an amino acid called arginine to keep everything moisturized.

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Pros: We love that this gel cream is free from fragrance, parabens, dyes, and mineral oil, and suitable for all skin types.

Cons: The gel texture can be off-putting.

Use this cream before bed to reduce swelling and smooth lines. Been knocking back a few drinks too many? It helps get rid of eye puffiness thanks to its formula of aloe, hyaluronic acid, and evening primrose.

Pros: You want to dab this on each night before going to bed, to help your skin rebuild itself. It’s ideal for all skin types, and is fragrance-free.

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Cons: It goes on light, so if you need something more heavy-hitting, it may not be for you.

This is the best cream to get rid of puffy eyes. Why, you ask? Well, it's thanks to a combo of three types of caffeine. Just think of this as a latte for your orbs.

Pros: In addition to its jolt of skin care java, this cream is packed with rosehip oil and collagen-boosting Vitamin C to scare off wrinkles.

Cons: Some were turned off by the scent, which is in the vanilla family.

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This eye cream uses algae to make your skin look tighter and brighter.

Pros: It’s non-greasy, and leaves your skin feeling noticeably softer and smoother. Plus, it absorbs quickly, so there’s no shininess.

Cons: It’s definitely on the thinner side, in terms of texture.

This ultra-gentle anti-aging eye cream has caffeine as one of its key ingredients, which is what you want and need to get rid of puffiness.

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Pros: We love that like others on this list, this eye cream is made from vegan ingredients, and contains no parabens or sulfates. It’s ideal for sensitive skin. 

Cons: No cons. People absolutely love it.
Best Eye Creams for Wrinkles and Puffiness 
“With age, collagen in the skin becomes weak, leading to wrinkling. If you have under-eye lines and crepey skin, use a cream that contains retinol. Retinol stimulates collagen to strengthen the skin foundation and minimize the appearance of lines,” says Zeichner.

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Lots of brands pay lip service to clean beauty, but Mother Dirt's cream is made with only six plant-based ingredients.

Pros: You can use this cream all over. And it includes all of six ingredients. Squalane is the hero here, and it works wonders to keep your eye area plump and healthy. Because this does not have preservatives, you should use it within six months.

Cons: It can be too greasy for some.

This a great all-purpose eye and face cream and is a two in one product does wonders for your face and eyes.

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Pros: Aloe barbadensis leaf juice soothes and de-puff your delicate under eye area, while shea butter and jojoba oil provide moisture without the grease.

Cons: It can tend to be on the drying side.

This non-greasy potion is crammed full of anti-aging retinol. It's an eye lift, without the actual lift.

Pros: Fans promise that you’ll see smoother skin before you know it.

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Cons: The retinol can be irritating in rare cases, so tread with some caution.

This multi-tasking boss cream is a combo of two major anti-aging superpowers: NIA-114 and retinol. It works morning and night and wrinkles, you've been put on notice.

Pros: It really does bag your under-eye bags, and gives your orbs a smoother look and feel. Use a light touch when applying it.

Cons: You should use this consistently, morning and night, to see results. So, no slacking!

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This dauntless youth defender has both retinol and caffeine in it to keep things in check, and the blend is especially formulated to be less irritating, which we know retinols can be for some people. Plus, it's from a brand that consistently delivers some of the best skin care around, for a great price.

Pros: It’s ideal for sensitive skin.

Cons: It can still be irritating for some.

“If you noticed that skin starts to become droopy and weak, look for under eye creams that contain lifting ingredients that help restore the skin’s scaffold,” says Zeichner. “Botanical ingredients have been shown to strengthen the skin.”

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You know how you wake up with tired, puffy, irritated eyes? Yeah, us too. This cream has a lovely buttery texture and cools your eyes when you apply it, which is a welcome feeling especially during allergy season. And it leaves your skin feeling silky.

Pros: This helps your eyes look brighter, smoother and happier.

Cons: The aforementioned texture and coolness factor? Some folks aren’t fans.

So your eyes are tired and droopy? In lieu of getting more sleep, dab on this TNS illuminating cream, which should quickly improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone and texture in your eye area.

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Pros: Peptides help support skin around your eyes, and this eye cream also has boron nitride, which diffuses light to help you look more awake and ready to take on the day.

Cons: This is really best-suited for normal and combination skin, as opposed to sensitive skin.

This SPF eye cream is serious business.It's moisturizing, helps your skin look smoother and more refreshed, and gives your sun protection with SPF 50.

Pros: You get the benefits of an eye cream, and the protection of sunscreen, all in one glorious package.

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Cons: Some people say it can have a stinging effect when first applied.

“With age and genetics, the area under the eye may become hollow making you look tired. This is a volume issue creating a shadow under the eye. Look for an under eye gel that contains plumping ingredients like hyaluronic acid,” says Zeichner.

For a sweet drugstore price, you get a cream packed with ceramides 1, 3 & 6-II; hyaluronic acid, plus a patented marine complex, all of which work together to help light up your eye area.

Pros: This is a tried and true beauty buff favorite. It feels thick and rich when you apply it, so do so using small dabs of it that you gently rub in. And the price is right.

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Cons: Can leave a slight tingling sensation. And as with many of these creams, there’s no overnight fix and you need to use them consistently to see results.

You can't beat the price, and it's a fast-acting retinol cream that will truly brighten your trouble zones thanks to its combo of glucose complex, and hyaluronic acid.

Pros: You should see results in just a week.

Cons: Can be irritating to some.

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Every product on Fatherly is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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