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These Brightening Eye Creams Will Help the Eye Area Look More Awake
February 23, 2023
Fact: Some of us are predisposed to naturally dark circles under our eyes no matter how much sleep we get. Luckily, if you’re looking to address this delicate (and perhaps dull) area, there are a handful of products out there to help lighten dark under-eye circles and reduce puffiness. Here, we’re breaking down how to address dark circles according to a dermatologist, plus 15 of our favorite brightening eye creams.
What Is a Brightening Eye Cream?
Like the name suggests, a brightening eye cream is a skincare product designed to brighten the under-eye area, even out the skin tone or potentially increase the skin’s radiance. NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Robert Finney previously told Skincare.com that brightening eye creams can help address the appearance of dark circles. “If it is discoloration of the skin, topicals that can improve the texture of the overlying skin, brighten and diminish pigment, such as vitamin C and retinol, can help,” he explained.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Brightening Eye Cream?
Because brightening eye creams typically have vitamin C or other antioxidants in them, they work to help reduce the appearance of discoloration, hyperpigmentation or dullness. Brightening eye creams hydrate this delicate region and can help reduce the look of puffiness if they also contain ingredients like caffeine or green tea.
The 15 Best Brightening Eye Creams
Ahead, we’re sharing the 15 best brightening eye creams to help hydrate your skin and reduce the appearance of your dark circles.
Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum
Some people have blue-toned dark circles, while others appear more brown. This potent cream tackles both shades with a powerful combination of vitamin C and tri-peptides to lighten, as well as hyaluronic acid to keep the sensitive under-eye area hydrated.
Vichy Idéalia Eyes for Dark Circles
This anti-aging treatment works to reduce dark circles and smooth out fine lines. It contains vitamins C, E and caffeine to help address uneven skin tone and dullness. Not to mention, we love the formula’s lightweight, soft consistency.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Cream
Looking to target the appearance of dark circles and crow’s feet in one go? Try this luxurious cream with moisturizing hyaluronic acid and a prebiotic to help improve the skin’s moisture barrier. The silky, gel-like formula is ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested to suit sensitive skin.
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex for Dark Circles
This eye cream uses a combination of flavonoids, peptides and blueberry extract to visibly reduce crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles. Optical diffusers help mask dark circles dispersing light around the under-eye area, instantly making skin look brighter and more radiant.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Cream
Developed with plastic surgeons, this eye cream formula is pumped with collagen, caffeine, hyaluronic acid and cucumber extract to brighten dark circles and reduce puffiness. While it might seem counterintuitive, the cream’s icy blue tint actually reduces the appearance of dark under-eyes.
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Eye Cream
This vitamin C eye cream works as a daily moisturizer and a treatment to help improve the appearance of dull, dark under-eye circles. It contains hyaluronic acid to help the area stay moisturized and flake-free.
Youth to the People Superberry Dream Eye Cream
This smoothing and firming cream option is ideal if you want a lightweight finish that will still get the job done. It has a combination of ceramides, hyaluronic acid and a form of vitamin C to help repair your under-eye area overnight.
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Eye Cream
If you’re looking to address both dark circles and puffiness, opt for this eye cream that has a cooling metal applicator to help soothe the skin. It has a nourishing, powerful combination of vitamin C, retinol and hyaluronic acid to keep the under-eyes looking bright, hydrated and fine-line free.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Bright-Eye Gel Cream
Made with fruit extracts and other good-for-your skin ingredients, this gel eye cream works to hydrate, depuff and brighten under-eye circles, according to the brand. It has 10% encapsulated vitamin C, plus niacinamide and peptides for a revitalizing finish.
Herbivore Super Nova 5% THD Vitamin C + Caffeine Brightening Eye Cream
This brightening eye cream has 5% vitamin C, plus caffeine and turmeric root to help improve the look of dark circles and discoloration.
INNBeauty Project Bright & Tight Dark Circle Firming Eye Cream with Vitamin C & Peptides
As the brand explains, this optical-brightening eye cream instantly improves the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, thanks in part to tranexamic acid that helps zap discoloration in its tracks. It also hydrates and plumps the skin. It has a gel-cream consistency that dries down quickly, so you don’t have to worry about that heavy, greasy feeling on this delicate skin.
The INKEY List Brighten-i Eye Cream
For an effective eye cream that doesn’t break the bank, try this $13 option that has a proprietary brightening complex, plus mica mineral and blurring technology to instantly blur and illuminate the under-eye area.
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream for Dark Circles
Depuff and correct dark circles with this cream that’s fast-absorbing and lightweight. According to the brand, it also contains light-reflecting particles in addition to a slew of antioxidants to help brighten and firm the appearance of the under-eye area.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Power Eye Cream
With 10% THD ascorbate (vitamin C), 3% vitamin E and 2% ferulic acid, the brand explains that this cream helps target dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles. It’s suitable for all skin types and has an extremely lightweight consistency, making it a crowd-favorite.
Kinship Brightwave Vitamin C Energizing + Brightening Eye Cream
Our editors agree: This vitamin C eye cream lives up to its name. It’s energizing, brightening and helps zap the look of dark circles and puffiness. It’s infused with vitamin C ester, plus red algae and probiotics to help nourish the under-eye area and brighten dullness.
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