Discover the best eye creams for dark circles, starting at just $9. From an $11 caffeine serum to a retinol-packed drugstore hero, these eye creams will brighten even the darkest orbital day. Let’s be honest, no one likes dark circles. Even with the best concealers, they’re a huge pain to hide, but, when left bare, they can make us look more tired than we may feel. As a journalist, writing about the best eye cream for dark circles always feels a bit tricky. The truth is, there’s no one product that will disappear your under-eye pigmentation for good, no matter if said eye cream is literally made of caviar (I’ve seen it!) and costs more than your monthly grocery bill. Still, while no serum or lotion (or witchy potion) will ever completely banish the shadows under your eyes, there are formulas — specifically those containing peptides, retinol, caffeine or vitamin C and, to a lesser extent, niacinamide, ceramides and vitamin E — that have been clinically proven to constrict blood vessels while brightening pigment and/or softening fine lines, all of which makes the area look more youthful and awake.
With that in mind, over the past year, I tested 12 of the most popular treatments for dark circles. And, while several of the top eye cream brands — like SkinCeuticals A.G.E Advanced Eye Cream and La Mer’s Eye Concentrate — are so fancy and expensive they should arrive with a monocle, they’re also, from my experience, only moderately more effective at decreasing discoloration than the best drugstore finds. Some of the pricier items toss in ingredients that may be nice to have (looking at you, U beauty and your “diamond dust”) but — truly — you do not need. When it comes to skin care, it’s easy to equate luxury with quality, but most often what you’re paying for is hope. I cannot interfere in the relationship between you and your own personal budget god but, for my money, these are the most effective eye creams for dark circles you can find.
Quick Overview
Best eye cream for dark circles overall
RoC Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream
$20 at Amazon
Best caffeine serum for dark circles
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5%
$9 at Amazon
Best vitamin C eye cream for dark circles
Paula’s Choice C5 Super Boost Eye Cream
$39 at Dermstore
Best affordable under eye cream
The Inkey List Brighten-I Eye Cream
$14 at Sephora
Best under eye treatment for super sensitive eyes
Peep Club Soothing Coconut Eye Balm
$35 at Peep Club
Table of contents
Best eye cream for dark circles 2025
How we tested under eye creams
Under eye creams we tested that didn’t make the cut
Under eye cream FAQs
Meet our experts
Update, June 16, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our number one pick for best eye cream for dark circles remains unchanged.
Best eye cream for dark circles 2025
Amazon
Best eye cream for dark circles overall
RoC Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream
Size: 0.5 ounces | Scented: No | Hero ingredients: Retinol | Form: Cream | Skin Type: Any skin type
If you’re looking for a low-cost retinol treatment to help with dark pigmentation, this is for you. RoC is the premier name in over-the-counter retinol, and its eye cream is highly rated, with more than 19,000 5-star Amazon reviews. It’s excellent for improving the appearance of both fine lines and dark circles, and it’s dermatologist recommended too. I only wish it contained more antioxidant, nourishing ingredients. But for the price, it honestly cannot be beat.
Pros
Targets dark circles along with crow’s-feet, fine lines and puffiness
Stimulates collagen production
Lightweight texture
Absorbs easily
Affordable
Contains hyaluronic acid to keep eye area hydrated
Cons
Does not contain antioxidants
Formula is a bit harsh, may not be appropriate for ultra-sensitive skin
$20 at Amazon
The Ordinary
Best caffeine serum for dark circles
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5%
Size: 1 ounce | Scented: No | Hero ingredients: Caffeine, EGCG | Form: Serum | Skin Type: Any skin type
The Ordinary is known for making potent skin-care formulations at a fraction of the cost you’d pay for luxury brands — its high-octane caffeine serum is as effective for treating the undereye area as any I’ve tried. It works to temporarily