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Best Eye Creams for Dark Circles 2025
Want to perk up your peepers? Packed with hardworking ingredients like Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid, a good eye cream targets under-eye bags and disguises those stubborn dark circles. So, whether you’re hunting down the best eye cream for dark circle brightening, puffiness or pigmentation, hit reset on your under-eyes with these tried-and-tested formulas.
Best eye creams for dark circles at a glance - our top picks:
Best for sensitive skin: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, £14.50
Best for restoring and repairing: ESTÉE LAUDER Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex, £117
Best for overnight results: Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Cream, £35
Best for a quick fix: The INKEY List Brighten-i Eye Cream, £12
Best for transforming and treating eyes: Clarins Double Serum Eye, £59.95
By Sephora UK Skincare Editorial Team
Writers and experts
Updated: 7 July 2025
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CERAVE Eye Repair Cream
Best for sensitive skin
Full of the brand’s signature Ceramides to help restore and maintain the skin’s natural protective barrier, it practically melts on contact and moisturises without leaving a greasy finish. Gentle Aloe Vera and Almond Oil cool and calm, while antioxidant Vitamin E helps shield skin from external damage. This one also comes with the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which is hugely comforting for the itchy-eyed.
Tried and tested: “I suffer from dark pigmentation around my eyes. I have been using this product for just over a month and the hydration is second to none. I have tried so many eye creams, lotions and potions (both high and low end), and this is by far the best. I do wear under-eye concealer most days and this is absolutely no problem underneath makeup. Leaves the delicate skin around the eyes beautifully supple and it's a perfect base.” - Emma, Customer Review
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ESTÉE LAUDER Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Best for restoring and repairing
This skincare saviour is beauty sleep in a bottle. The Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex is armed with stellar science and innovation including the exclusive Chronolux™ Power Signal Technology and Hyaluronic Acid to help restore and repair dull, tired eyes, smooth and firm the under-eye area, and protect against pollution and digital devices. It’s no wonder that beauty editors and customers pledge loyalty to this iconic brown bottle.
Tried and tested: “I started using this in my 40’s and it’s been a trusted go-to eye cream ever since. It literally does what it says on the tin. It has incredible plumping action that leaves the under eye area feeling incredibly smooth and firm, and targets pesky, dark circles so they look renewed and refreshed when you wake. By far the best eye cream I’ve ever used. Pure luxury in a bottle.” - Sarah, Customer Review
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KIEHL’S Midnight Recovery Eye Cream
Best for overnight results
The perfect partner to Kiehl’s bestseller Midnight Recovery Concentrate, make the most of your beauty sleep with this botanical eye cream. With a blend of gentle, naturally-derived ingredients like Aloe Vera and Lavender, apply before bedtime to hydrate, strengthen, smooth, soothe and brighten your eye area while you catch those all-important ZZZs. Plus, the dreamy scent will help send you off into the best beauty sleep ever.
Tried and tested: "On immediate application, your skin feels smooth and the smell is divine. I breathe it in before applying - it starts to make you unwind and relax, and in the morning your skin feels so soft. I couldn't live without this product." - Karen, Customer Review
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THE INKEY LIST Brighten-i Eye Cream
Best for a quick fix
Granting an instant brightening effect for less than a tenner, this one is a great option if you’re on a pre-payday budget. Containing 2% Brightenyl, which is 4x more potent than Vitamin C, Brighten-i instantly illuminates and primes for makeup in a single application. Bonus points for the cooling metal tip applicator that relieves sensitive peepers on contact - you can even keep this in your fridge to enhance the soothing sensation. For simple, low-maintenance skincare, this is your one.
Tried and tested: “This is my favourite eye cream to use both in the AM and PM. I use this one mainly to help with dark circles under my eyes as I've definitely noticed them beginning to fade since I've been using this these last few weeks. I love the applicator, it provides a nice cooling effect. My under-eyes can be quite dry, so this is also a good eye cream to use for this as well as it does provide moisture and hydrates well.” - Customer Review
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CLARINS Double Serum Eye
Best for transforming and treating eyes
For eyes that work overtime, we have just the thing. Harnessing all the power of the iconic Double Serum, this highly targeted eye serum is enriched with 13 plant extracts including strengthening Chervil extract and brightening Turmeric. A dose of caffeine and Squalane helps to minimise dark circles, reduce puffiness and deliver intense hydration, while the delicate aroma feels like a treat for the eyes. Not sure how much serum to use? The clever dual-phase chamber pumps out the right amount of serum and cream formula to avoid any waste.
Tried and tested: “I can honestly say that I have noticed a huge difference to the area around my eyes. Other people have commented about how good I look. I would thoroughly recommend this product.” - Christine, Customer Review
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THE ORDINARY Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Best for brighter eyes
If you’ve had a late night, no one will ever know with this under eye cream that refreshes and revives for a brighter and more illuminated under eye area. Infused with a high concentration of caffeine combined with epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside (EGCG), which is found in green tea, you can now enjoy de-puffed, wide-awake eyes and be office-ready or zoom-ready with minimal effort. Another bonus is the purse-friendly price point which we love.
Tried and tested: “I use this product almost every day and it makes a huge difference and makes me look much more awake. On days I don't get great sleep it is especially noticeable how much of an impact this product makes. I use moisturizers for long-term improvements for wrinkles etc., so I suggest that for everyone thinking this is a miracle product that is going to make your under-eye bags go away. No doubt, this is a game changer for those days when you look like you didn't get a good night's rest.” - Sara, Customer Review
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REN CLEAN SKINCARE Radiance Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream
Best for clean beauty buffs
Non-irritating and with 95% natural-origin ingredients, REN’s all-new eye cream is a refreshingly clean remedy for tired eyes. Enriched with Elderberry Flower extract to fight free radicals (a common culprit when it comes to dark, puffy peepers) and sustainably-sourced Glycogen to smooth and plump skin, this gentle formula promises an illuminating, well-rested finish. Simply massage a small amount over your entire eye area – including lids and brow bone – to send even the most determined of dark circles packing.
Tried and tested: "Love this eye cream! After just a few days of using it, my eyes were brighter and looked more awake. The consistency of the cream is gorgeous, not too thick so it sinks in beautifully but not a runny cream either. I will definitely be buying this again when my current one runs out. I use it AM and PM." - Gemma, Customer Review
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Ole Henriksen Banana Bright™ + Eye Crème
Best for brightening dark circles
Dark circles be gone with this bestselling Vitamin C eye cream by Ole Henriksen. With a new and upgraded fragrance-free formula, Banana Bright now features real gold that brightens and visibly diminishes dark circles and crow’s feet. Wear alone or, for the makeup lovers, gently apply to your entire eye area using your ring finger under concealer to improve application and extend wear. You’ll have radiant, glowing under-eyes in no time.
Tried and tested: "This eye cream is so moisturising. It also brightens my under-eye area. Keeps skin smooth and works well under makeup. Very pleased with this purchase." - Lee, Customer Review
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ILIA Bright Start Activated Eye Cream
Best for cooling and depuffing
Begin your day with a moment of calm using ILIA’s Bright Start Activated Eye Cream. Powered by a plant-based retinol alternative that’s clinically proven to brighten, hydrate, smooth, depuff, and prep for concealer, this cream will wake up the eyes and slow down your morning. The cooling ceramic tip works as a massage tool, and light-reflecting sheer pearl illuminates for a softly brightened look. A potent yet delicate dream of a ritual, what’s not to love?!
Tried and tested: "After using the Ilia eye brightening cream for three weeks or so I am impressed. I like how it brightens, hydrates, reduces puffiness, and helps with fine lines and wrinkles. My eyes look so much better from before I started using this product. I think the applicator is perfect, it applies an even amount and then it's like an eye massage using the applicator." - Audrey, Customer Review
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