October 17, 2024

How to Choose an Eye Cream for Dark Circles? 7 Ingredients to Look For

It is natural for our bodies to change as we age. Skin cell turnover rates decrease, the skin becomes less elastic, and it may take longer to heal and repair itself compared to that of younger, healthier skin. 

Often, the skin around the eyes is the first to reveal signs of aging, such as sagging, wrinkles, or dark circles. It is a delicate region that requires care to weather the aging process. 

To keep the skin healthy and bright in this area, an eye cream for dark circles can help to hydrate, brighten, and smoothen the skin, giving you a revitalised, more lively appearance. The sooner you begin incorporating an eye cream into your skincare routine, the longer you can experience its benefits. The first step is finding the best eye cream for dark circles.

In your search for the right one, we’ll help you narrow down your choices by creating a list of ingredients that you should look out for in your eye creams. 

What Are Dark Circles Around the Eyes and Their Causes

Dark circles around the eyes are characterised by a darkened area that may appear blue, black, or brown, depending on an individual’s natural skin colour. It is a common concern for many people, hindering them from achieving a refreshed and vibrant look. 

A dark eye circle can make individuals look fatigued or older (than they actually are) and can be caused by various factors:

  • Genetics
  • Age
  • Lifestyle factors 
  • Thinning skin 
  • Dehydration 
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Overexposure to the sun 
  • Allergies and certain medical conditions

How to Get Rid of Dark Circles?

Improving the skin around the eyes requires a combination of practising healthy habits and using eye cream products tailored to support the sensitive skin in that area. 

Specifically, here are some ways to reduce dark circles for a more vibrant and lively appearance: 

  • Get adequate sleep and hydration. Insufficient sleep is a huge factor in developing dark circles. It may cause fluid retention, which then causes puffiness and the development of dark circles.  Getting seven to eight hours of a good night’s sleep daily can help minimise your risks of having one. 
  • Reduce sun exposure. The body produces more melanin when overly exposed to the sun, causing the development of dark circles. Wear your SPF or your sunglasses to avoid skin damage from the harmful UV rays of the sun. 
  • Use an eye cream for dark circles. Invest in high-quality products that are particularly developed to support the delicate skin around the eyes. Look for a dark circle eye cream that contains the best ingredients, such as caffeine, peptides, and more, to achieve younger-looking eyes.

7 Ingredients to Look For When Choosing An Eye Cream for Dark Circles 

Maximise the benefits of eye cream in your routine by considering products that are packed with the following ingredients: 

1. Peptides

Peptides help stimulate collagen production and improve the elasticity of the skin. This, in turn, reduces the visibility of fine lines and dark circles and instead makes the skin around the eyes appear plumper and firmer. 

This ingredient is also ideal for those dealing with thinning skin. Blood vessels from underneath the skin become more visible as the skin barrier thins. An eye cream for dark circles that is powered by peptides can help improve the appearance of the skin around the eyes. 

2. Caffeine

Caffeine helps to narrow blood vessels, reducing puffiness around the eyes. It also enhances the skin’s microcirculation, promoting a more refreshed appearance. 

This ingredient also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that calm and soothe the skin while neutralising harmful free radicals. 

3. Squalane 

Squalane helps minimise the appearance of wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles by keeping the eye area hydrated. It is a lightweight ingredient that provides intense hydration and absorbs easily into the skin. 

Aside from hydration, this ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties that help ease irritation and redness in the areas around the eyes. It also provides skin protection against environmental stressors, helping to prevent visible signs of premature aging. 

4. Antioxidants (Vitamins C & E)

Vitamin C provides protection against the sun and has brightening properties. On the other hand, vitamin E provides soothing and moisturising capabilities for skin areas around the eyes. 

Additionally, both these antioxidants work to prevent environmental damage to the skin and can help lessen puffiness and swelling. 

5. Niacinamide

Niacinamide aids in skin brightening by reducing melanin production and hyperpigmentation. These functions make it a great ingredient in an eye cream for dark circles. 

Moreover, it also improves hydration, reduces inflammation, and promotes skin strength by protecting the skin against environmental aggressors.

6. Hyaluronic Acid

As a person ages, the production of hyaluronic acid decreases. Hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture in the skin and improves skin elasticity. This molecule attracts water and can soothe dry, easily irritated, and dehydrated skin. 

With this ingredient in an eye cream for dark circles, the skin around the eyes can become plumper, brighter, and smoother. 

7. SPF 

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) found in sunscreens helps prevent sun damage around your eyes. The skin around the eyes is thinner, and an eye cream for dark circles that contains SPF can shield areas around the eyes against harmful UV rays–all while addressing concerns such as dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness. 

Choosing the Best Eye Cream to Effectively Treat Dark Circles

Knowing your skin’s needs, conditions, and types can help further identify the ingredients that would best fit your skin. 

For example, individuals with sensitive skin can opt for calming ingredients like niacinamide and squalane. People with aging skin can look to use peptides and antioxidants in their eye creams, and those with fatigued-looking skin can prioritise using eye creams with caffeine and hyaluronic acid. 

Find the perfect eye cream to tackle dark circles with our trusted skincare brands

Explore a selection of eye cream products from our trusted brands designed to address dark circles and help you achieve a brighter, more radiant appearance.

A hydrating option that features caffeine, peptides, and squalane

Colorescience Total Eye® Firm & Repair Cream 

This award-winning daytime/nighttime treatment features a balmy and nourishing formula that replenishes hydration from within. It contains caffeine to reduce puffiness and brighten dark circles, peptides for enhanced elasticity and firmness, and squalane to minimise the appearance of wrinkles. 

A hypo-allergenic eye cream that targets the skin around the entire eye area

PCA Skin Ideal Complex Restorative Eye Cream

This hypo-allergenic option features niacinamide to reduce puffiness, under-eye bags, and dark circles. It targets the entire eye area, including the lids and has optical diffusers that provide instant brightening. It also offers rapid results within one week.  

A vitamin E and retinol-infused eye cream that reduces visible imperfections

ZO® Skin Health Intense Eye Crème

Rich in antioxidants, this eye cream protects the skin against free radical damage while helping to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It also contains peptides that promote skin elasticity and collagen health and optical light diffusers that reflect light to minimise imperfections. 

Over the last two decades, Zoe Nissi has been a distributor of physician-dispensed skin health products. 

We are not just skin health distributors. Our commitment extends to improving lives by providing quality skincare through the help of our network of hospitals, clinics and physicians. Shop now and experience the difference that quality skincare can make.