The best products for under eye circles

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get rid of dark circles under your eyes?

You don't have to pick just one approach. Layering skin care with makeup gets you the best results.

Here's how to build your routine:

1. De-puff and hydrate first: Use a cooling eye cream or depuffing tool to reduce swelling and prep the skin. Look for ingredients like caffeine, niacinamide or hyaluronic acid.
2. Brighten with targeted treatment: Vitamin C, peptides and retinol are your go-tos for brightening the under-eye area over time.
3. Color correct: A peach or salmon-toned corrector neutralizes blue or purple tones. For deeper skin tones, an orange corrector works better.
4. Conceal: Pat, don't rub, a hydrating concealer over your corrector and blend gently into the skin.
5. Set it: A light dusting of a loose setting powder keeps everything in place without creasing.

What causes dark circles under eyes?

Dark circles happen for a bunch of reasons, and it's usually a combo of factors working together.

The most common culprits:

• Genetics: Thin under-eye skin can make blood vessels more visible, especially in deeper skin tones.
• Fatigue and sleep habits: Less sleep = more fluid buildup and a paler complexion that makes darkness look more intense.
• Dehydration: When skin's low on moisture, the under-eye area can look more sunken and shadowed.
• Aging: Skin gets thinner over time, which can make discoloration more noticeable.
• Allergies and rubbing: Repeated friction around the eye area can darken skin gradually.

What are the best ingredients for brightening dark circles?

The best ingredients for brightening the under-eye area are ones that target discoloration, boost hydration and support skin renewal.

Worth looking for:

• Caffeine to de-puff and improve circulation

• Niacinamide to even out skin tone and strengthen the skin barrier

• Vitamin C to brighten over time

• Hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and plump the skin

• Peptides to support firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines

• Retinol (in low concentrations) to encourage cell turnover

Do I need a color corrector before concealer for dark circles?

Yes, especially if your dark circles have a blue, purple or reddish tone. Concealer alone won't always cover them fully.

Color correctors work by neutralizing the undertone of your dark circles before you apply concealer. Peach and salmon shades work for light-to-medium skin tones. Orange and red-orange shades are better for medium-to-deep skin tones. Once you've color corrected, a hydrating concealer in your shade goes on top and blends seamlessly.

What's the difference between an eye cream and an eye serum for dark circles?

Eye serums are lightweight and absorb fast, which is great if you want targeteRd brightening ingredients to get to work quickly. Eye creams are richer and more hydrating, which helps plump and moisturize the delicate under-eye skin.

The move? Use both. Apply your serum first, let it absorb for a minute or two, then follow with your eye cream to lock in moisture and get the full benefit of both.

Is eye prep necessary before applying makeup for dark circles?

Yes. A proper prep routine makes your makeup look better and last longer.

When under-eye skin is dehydrated or puffy, makeup tends to crease, look patchy or emphasize texture. De-puffing with a cooling tool or chilled eye cream first reduces swelling. Hydrating with a targeted eye cream plumps the skin so concealer sits smoothly. Think of it as priming your canvas, your makeup just works harder when the skin underneath is ready for it.

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