The Best Eye Cream For Dark Circles, According To The Experts

If you suffer from eye puffiness and dark circles and deal with other issues such as fine lines and wrinkles, crow’s feet, crepey eyelids, hooded eyes, and frown lines, it is essential to find the best eye cream for dark circles that ticks all the boxes.

We consulted with industry experts to find out what causes dark circles and their best dark circle eye cream recommendations.

What are the significant factors that contribute to dark circles? 



Blindsighted treatment of your dark circles will not only cost you money if not done correctly. Remedies for dark eye circles depend on the underlying cause, so it’s worth considering before you purchase a specific eye cream for dark circles. 

Some of the common causes that contribute to dark circles are:

“Lack of sleep and ageing may seem like the most well-known cause, but there are many reasons for dark circles. Dehydration, genetics, hyperpigmentation, medical conditions, allergies, excessive alcohol consumption and eyestrain, may also be causing your dark circles,” Dr Pam Benito, Aesthetic Medicine Specialist, tells Beauty Daily. 

She adds: “Many of my patients are not aware that environmental factors will worsen the appearance of dark circles such as staring at your television or computer screen may cause strain in your eyes, which can enlarge the blood vessels around your eyes; as a result, the skin surrounding your eyes can darken.”

Digital detox or screen breaks will do you and your eyes good.  

And if you think sleeping can suffice, even a wrong sleeping position can cause you racoon eyes. For instance, sleeping on your side or facing down can contribute to dark circles.

Harvard experts say dark circles under the eyes are caused by blood pooling in the capillaries. So next time, try to sleep on your back with an extra pillow under your head.

Best dark circle eye cream: Do they actually work? 



Does eye cream help dark circles? Absolutely. The key is using a specially designed cream or gel for your eyes and concerns. 

But since the skin around your eyes is more sensitive than the rest of the skin on your face, it is advised to be extra careful with it and not gravitate towards just about any product claiming to be the best eye cream for dark circles in the market.

If you have sensitive eyes, be sure to read our feature on how to choose the right make-up for sensitive eyes.

Here are some tips on choosing the right eye cream for dark circles:  

1. If you are concerned about dark circles and puffiness (and nothing else) 

“Dark Circles are dealt with by all our products apart from the hydrating ones. So the eye products to go for will depend on whether you treat other things aside from dark circles,” says Charlotte McHale, Clarins Training Manager.

If dark circles and puffiness are your concern, you don’t have fine lines and wrinkles, and you don’t have crepey on the lids, then you could use Total Eye Contour Gel.

Total Eye Contour Gel is the best eye cream for dark circle and puffiness which is cooling and oil-oiling. The gel will leaveyour eye contour refreshed and hydrated. “Total Eye Contour has got caffeine in it. So if your only issue is puffiness and dark circles, that’s the one for you, and you would use that in the morning.”

Caffeine helps with microcirculation, constricting the blood vessels and helps temporarily reduce discolouration in the skin. Therefore, it’ll help with dark discolouration and under-eye bags.

2. If you are concerned about dark circles and the first signs of ageing. 

 “I would recommend Double Eye Serum, in the morning, and Total Eye Revive, at night as my eye care all-rounder products,” recommends McHale. 

Clarins Double Serum Eye is a truly rich and silky eye serum formulated with 96% natural ingredients and enriched with 13 plant extracts, including turmeric, organic leaf of life, organic kiwi, organic oat sugars and organic white horehound. This serum will visibly firms skin to smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as deeply nourishes and hydrates the delicated area.

On the other hand, Total Eye Revive is a multi-active caffeine eye cream, which ideal solution for reducing dark circles and other visible signs of fatigue around your eyes.

McHale also adds: “Double Serum Eye has blue light protection in it, so you’d use it in the morning while you are working on your laptop, etc, while Total Eye Lift is a slightly richer formula, so it’s a good one for nighttime. Both are great eye care all-rounder products.”

3. If you are looking to lift and smooth your eye 

 Apart from reducing the puffy under eyes, a good eye cream can also lift, smooth and brighten from temple to temple. As one of the best eye cream for eyelids, our Total Eye Lift has a silky cream-gel texture.

Organic Harungana, often known as nature's retinol, is one among the many natural plant extracts used to make this serum. Harungana is just as efficient as retinol in encouraging the skin's synthesis of collagen to help prevent wrinkles, but it does so without causing irritation or dryness. All skin types, including sensitive ones, may take it rather well.

While organic Albizia extract lessens drooping under eye skin and instantly restores brightness, horse chestnut extract helps to brighten dark, darkish regions.

How to apply eye cream - Expert approved tip



Clarins has created a range of pick-me-up eye products to help. For maximum results, use Clarins’ simple eye care method of application.

Warm (3 seconds)

Warm the product with your fingers to bring it up to the temperature of your skin and help it take effect instantly.

Drain (6 seconds)

What does it mean to drain pressure? It reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness by stimulating natural circulation and preventing wrinkles from appearing without stretching the skin.

Press gently with the pads of your fingers, starting at the inside corners of your eyes, and working outward toward the temples. Repeat 4 times below and above the eyes, following the natural direction of lymphatic circulation. Then, apply relaxing pressure between the brows.

Expert Tip: If you suffer from puffiness and dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, crow’s feet, crinkly eyelids, hooded eyes and even frown lines, McHale recommends applying your eye product across the whole eye area.



What do dermatologists prescribe for dark circles?



Dr Benito says vitamins A, C and E can help with skin health and stimulate collagen production.

The Total Eye Lift, formulated with a plant-based ingredient called harungana extract and as effective as vitamin A derivative Retinol.

This product smooths out fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet. In addition, it visibly lifts the eyelids while reducing puffiness and dark circles in only 60 seconds.



Why is my dark circles cream not working?

“Dark circles under the eyes can have many different causes and in some cases, can be a sign of a health problem like anaemia or iron deficiency. Depending on what is causing them, dark circles can usually be treated to lessen their appearance.

If your dark circles don’t get better with adequate sleep, eating a healthy diet or at-home remedies, I recommend speaking to your doctor to help determine the underlying cause, Dr Benito advises.  

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