If you frequently wake up with dark circles or puffy under-eyes, you probably have a close bond with your favorite concealer. While makeup can be a great way to quickly camouflage dark circles, using an eye cream designed to target the issue is, in our eyes, an even better approach. The best eye creams for dark circles don’t just hide puffiness and discoloration—they also help nourish, soothe, and refresh the delicate under-eye skin to promote a more rested appearance (even if, in truth, you’re running on four hours of sleep). From hydrating formulas that plump and nourish the skin to caffeine eye creams that soothe early-morning puffiness, we’re sharing the products we rely on to look, well, a little more rested. What Does Eye Cream Do for Tired Eyes? In general, eye creams are designed to help hydrate the delicate skin around your eyes. However, many formulas do much more than that. Eye creams for dark circles, for example, can help brighten discoloration and promote a more even skin tone. They often contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide and are designed specifically for those looking to minimize the appearance of purple or brown under-eye circles. There are also eye creams with caffeine that can help minimize the appearance of puffiness and temporary under-eye bags (meaning those not caused by genetics). Other options include anti-aging eye creams (which often contain retinol or peptides), plumping eye creams, and moisturizing eye creams. All can help nourish the skin and improve the overall appearance of tired-looking eyes. If you’re wondering when to apply eye cream, you’ll want to follow the same principles that you would when layering your other skincare products (like layering in order of consistency from thinnest to thickest). Typically, this means your eye cream should be applied after serum but before your facial moisturizer or sunscreen. Is Caffeine or Vitamin C Better for Dark Circles? Caffeine and vitamin C are two ingredients that you’ll often find in eye creams for dark circles. If you’re wondering which is better, there is no right answer—it depends on your needs and what you’re hoping to achieve. Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that can help protect your skin from damage caused by exposure to free radicals. It can also help improve the appearance of discoloration, which is why it’s a mainstay in formulas designed to target dark circles. If your dark circles are persistent—in other words, they’re there no matter if you get three hours of sleep or ten—it may be a great option for you. Caffeine, on the other hand, can help de-puff, which may be helpful if your dark circles only appear when your eyes get puffy. By diminishing puffiness, you can minimize the appearance of the dark shadows that appear beneath your eye area. These effects tend to be immediate (albeit temporary) which is why caffeine eye creams are often touted as a quick fix for tired, puffy-looking eyes. Keep in mind that you don’t have to choose between the two—in our experience, some of the best eye creams with caffeine also contain vitamin C for a one-two punch against stubborn dark circles and puffiness.
