7 Ingredients Every Eye Cream for Dark Circles Should Have

You can have eight hours of uninterrupted sleep and still wake up with panda eyes. Regardless of how well-rested you are, those under-eye shadows can be stubborn. That’s why you should consider adding a well-formulated eye cream for dark circles to your skincare routine. For best results, choose an eye cream that contains any of the following key ingredients.

Vitamin C is really that girl when it comes to clearing skin discoloration. Known for its potent antioxidant properties, vitamin C evens out skin tone by inhibiting melanin (skin pigment) production. It also helps defend the skin against free-radical damage from UV radiation.

When selecting a vitamin C-infused eye cream for dark circles, opt for ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbyl phosphate as they’re more stable and less likely to oxidize. Additionally, these two are the most effective at penetrating the skin barrier to nourish and strengthen from within.

This all-around skincare ingredient isn’t all hype. Niacinamide, a type of vitamin B3, is everyone’s favorite because it’s packed with anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce puffiness and calm redness. Moreover, it fades dark marks, maintains hydration, and strengthens the skin’s lipid barrier.

Retinol has a reputation for rejuvenating dull and fatigued skin, including dark circles. Retinol works to increase cell turnover and improves skin texture by stimulating collagen production. This can make your under-eye area appear more “awake” and lifted.

A gentle reminder: Don’t forget to apply a retinol to the rest of your face, too. Try POND'S Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Day Serum with hexyl-retinol, which is a gentler but more powerful anti-aging ingredient that helps visibly smooth wrinkles, fade spots, and boost elasticity for stronger, bouncier, youthful-looking skin.

The drier your under-eyes, the darker and more wrinkled it looks. Hyaluronic acid can plump dehydrated skin almost instantly. And if you’re intimidated by the word “acid,” don’t worry because it’s not an exfoliant like alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids.

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it draws and retains water in the skin. It’s lightweight and doesn’t feel greasy or heavy. That said, hyaluronic acid works best when combined with other active ingredients, like vitamin C and retinol.

If your lower eyelids look hollow and tired, you might want to buy a peptide-infused eye cream for dark circles. Peptides, which are naturally found in human cells, are short protein chains that help stimulate collagen production. When applied topically, they can also help moisturize the skin and reduce fine lines. With consistent use, peptides can help make the skin under your eyes less transparent, more bouncy, and radiant.

Caffeine can perk up a dreary day and refresh your swollen raccoon eyes. When applied as skin care, this little energy booster can temporarily constrict the blood vessels and draw out excess fluids from the area. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect that helps soothe skin and bring down redness.

Arnica montana, or wolf’s bane, is one of the oldest home remedies for insect bites and bruises. Now, many brands harness its healing properties in eye creams for dark circles. The natural ingredient can speed up wound healing by triggering white blood cell activity, thereby depuffing the eye bags and minimizing skin discoloration caused by blood leakage from the capillaries.

No eye cream for dark circles can permanently banish those half-moon shadows. But using the right ingredients based on your skin concerns can be incredibly helpful. And, of course, do yourself a favor by getting enough high-quality sleep every night.