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Dark circles can make us look tired and stressed even when we actually have a full eight hours of sleep. Slathering on a good eye cream can help to minimize the appearance of puffiness and fade dark shadows over time.

Corey Hartman recommends this formula that contains retinol to stimulate cell turnover, which may help reduce dark circles and fine lines over time. It also has optic brighteners and caffeine to depuff the delicate skin around the eyes.

1. L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Brightening Eye Cream

One of the most well-rounded eye serums around, this L’Oreal Paris product has a solid skincare pedigree and decades of proven success. Essentially, it’s an anti-aging game changer for the area that can visibly lift and firm sagging skin over time and also minimize dark circles, eye puffiness, fine lines and dullness.

As part of the RevitaLift system, it’s formulated with Pro-Retinol A and Stimuplex to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, puffiness and discoloration. It’s lightweight and protective and can even strengthen the skin’s barrier, allowing it to resist visible signs of aging (including lines and loss of firmness) in just four weeks of use.

The serum itself contains 1.5% pure hyaluronic acid to plump the skin from within and give it long-lasting hydration. It also contains 1% pure caffeine to de-puff tired eyes and encourage blood flow. It comes with a cool triple roller applicator that’s inspired by Japanese Shiatsu massage techniques and helps stimulate skin metabolism, promote microcirculation and encourage skin tissue drainage.

The cooling metal applicator feels lovely on hot, puffy morning eyes and the serum sinks in quickly with just a few seconds of slight tackiness (which is normal for most HA products). It’s fragrance-free and non-greasy and layers nicely under makeup. Dermatologically tested and suitable for all skin types.

2. La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream for Dark Circles

This eye contour cream brightens the eye area and visibly reduces both blue dark circles caused by poor circulation and brown ones that result from melanin overproduction. It also helps to decongest the eye contour in order to fight against puffiness and dark rings under eyes. Its formula contains concentrated PhE-Resorcinol and Caffeine to visibly reduce these dark under eye circles, along with Ferulic Acid which prevents the oxidation of melanin present in keratinocytes to help unify skin tone. Plus, its cooling metal applicator and gentle melting texture make it ideal for sensitive skin.

Moreover, this eye cream is rich in niacinamide, which thickens skin and reduces the appearance of under-eye veins. It also contains pearl pigments, which reflect light and give a visible brightening effect. It contains a number of other skin brightening ingredients, including iron oxides which are mineral pigments that provide a skin-coloured tint, glycerin which is a humectant that hydrates the skin and helps retain moisture, dimethicone which is a silicone-based polymer that provides a smooth soft focus effect to the skin, and titanium dioxide which is a physical sunscreen and protects against UVA and UVB rays (that can worsen dark circles).

This eye contour cream is formulated without Parabens and is dermatologist tested and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. To use, take a pea-sized amount and apply above and below the eye using the cool metal applicator, morning and evening.

3. Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme

Inspired by makeup artist secret “banana powder” this nourishing eye cream reduces dark circles, brightens, and improves concealer application and wear. The feather light formula absorbs instantly, leaving the delicate skin around your eyes feeling refreshed and awake. It also reduces puffiness and blurs fine lines and wrinkles for age-defying results. It is rich in collagen and vitamin C and will help boost your radiance over time.

The eye cream is fragrance-free and has a slight scent of bananas which is pleasant but not overpowering. It has a peachy tint and firm consistency that is similar to a non-greasy butter. It does brighten the area around my eyes but did not help with puffiness which is a separate issue for me. It did however, make a great base for concealer and did not crease at all. I will continue to use it but if you have a product that is more effective for my issues then I would recommend trying those instead.

If you want something similar to this but with extra anti-aging benefits then I would suggest GLAMGLOW BRIGHTEYES Illuminating Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream ($39 for a half ounce) – it has caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and peptides to plump and hydrate the skin under your eyes while hiding dark spots. It also has illuminating spheres that illuminate the eye area and will help disguise any discoloration you may have.

4. Ole Henriksen Miracle Broth Eye Cream

A serum-first eye cream that hydrates, depuffs and helps blur the appearance of dark circles, this formula from the clean beauty brand is packed with antioxidants to combat damage caused by sun exposure and blue light from screens. Its caffeine and ginseng boost is also a great eye-opener for those looking to look more awake.

A re-imagined version of the brand’s cult-favorite Banana Bright Eye Creme, this serum-first product has a hybrid gel-cream consistency that feels super lightweight and absorbs quickly once massaged into skin. It contains bakuchiol, a buzzy retinol alternative that’s said to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles while soothing and softening skin.

Its transparent packaging allows you to see its dual-action formula in action. Oil-soluble bakuchiol is suspended in a blend of water-soluble peptides, rice and soy proteins and orchid stem cells that help reduce the look of wrinkles, skin sag and puffiness while also brightening and firming.

Its soothing lavendar scent is a nice addition to the formula, which also has calming ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter and jojoba seed oil to nourish and soothe skin while helping to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s a good eye cream for dark circles that’s suitable for most skin types, including those with sensitive skin. It’s dermatologist tested and vegan and free of parabens, synthetic fragrance, mineral oil and phthalates.

5. Orvos Bakuchiol Eye Cream

The eye area is sensitive, so choose a lightweight formula that can be used day or night. (A richer cream can be used in the evening, when the skin is at its most absorbent.) Also, avoid using eye cream with SPF as that can cause irritation.

This gel cream from Orvos is a dermatologist fave because of its cooling massage applicator, which can help de-puff puffy eyes. It’s made with bakuchiol, which is a plant-based retinol alternative that improves dullness and uneven skin texture. It also contains niacinamide to brighten the skin, as well as PrimaHyal Ultrafiller to make your skin plumper and more supple.

Dermatologist Corey Hartman recommends this eye cream for anyone who can’t tolerate retinol and is looking to address signs of aging, including fine lines and dark circles. It has a high concentration of smoothing and tightening peptides, as well as hyaluronic acid to hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes.

In addition to a good eye cream, dermatologists recommend getting enough sleep and creating a calming environment before bed. That includes a dark room, white noise, and even a weighted blanket or cool sheet to prevent sweating. You should also drink water and eat a nutritious diet that’s rich in vitamins C and K, which can reduce dark circles. Lastly, don’t forget to remove makeup before bed and to use a gentle face wash and exfoliator, which can help keep your skin healthy and free from toxins.