Whether you're dealing with stress, all-nighters for school or work, or you're just a night owl, the constant "no sleep" situation is so real. You've probably googled "how to get rid of undereye bags and dark circles" on more than one occasion, and you'd do almost anything to get rid of them. And even after you've tried a million expensive treatments, they usually come back.
The truth is, your eye puffiness and darkness could be inherited. "The undereye area is one of the thinner areas and is easily neglected in basic skin care," says Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. "There is a strong genetic component to dark circles, which is out of people's control." Womp, womp. Yes, much of the reason you have those circles is that of your parents' own thin skin (thanks, Mom).
You might also have dark circles because of an increase in pigment in that area. But don't run to the doctor asking for a pricey laser or needle treatment. Below are ways to minimize the appearance of those circles that won't cost you an arm or a leg. These affordable tips go way beyond putting cucumbers on your eyes.
If you have dark circles from thin skin, use a retinoid.
"With repeated use, retinol can stimulate the production of collagen, making the skin less thin and improving the dark circles. They are easy to find at the drugstore," says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "Retinoids help rebuild dermal collagen and thereby contribute to vascular support in the area and the recovery of skin volume and firmness," adds Patricia Ceballos, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Rochelle, New York.
Sleep on your back and use an extra pillow.
"If dark, puffy bags seem to be the morning problem, consider sleeping on your back with an extra pillow so that fluid doesn't pool overnight. Keeping your pillow protected from allergens (dust and dust mites) with a protective encasement can also help when allergies are the culprit," says Rebecca Tung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Florida. As for pillow covers, it doesn't get more luxurious than Slip's soft, cooling silk pillowcases.
If you have dark circles because of increased pigment, use brightening products and sunscreen.
"Sometimes dark circles are caused by increased pigment, either from rubbing or from sun damage," says Dr. Nazarian. "The best treatment for this includes topical lightening agents such as vitamin C, kojic acid, and licorice extract. These ingredients help decrease skin pigmentation over time, ultimately resulting in the lightening of the dark circles." And you must wear sunscreen. "Invest in a broad-spectrum physical sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide," Dr. Tung says.
Take an antihistamine.
"Most people have darkness under the eyes due to allergies and don't realize it. An antihistamine helps clear that up; I like to take a Zyrtec at night," says Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in West Islip, New York.
Be gentle with your makeup remover.
"Consider your under-eyes as sensitive skin even if you may not necessarily have sensitive skin. Undereye skin is among the thinnest on the body, so any trauma or irritation can cause skin inflammation," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "If you are using a towelette, try one that is fragrance-free, like the Neutrogena Fragrance-Free Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, and take gentle strokes in a single direction rather than rubbing back and forth."
And if you'd rather ditch single-use products, we suggest grabbing a cleansing oil to gently wash away makeup without excessive rubbing or pulling.
Sleep more, or at least get more restful sleep.
"The cheapest way to reduce the appearance of undereye bags is to get on a regular sleep routine of seven to eight hours per day. And don't drink alcohol a few hours before bedtime," advises Dr. Chiu.
Try tea bags.
"Caffeinated tea, which contains natural tannins, is a mild diuretic and has long been used by grandmothers and runway models for reducing eye puffiness," says Karen Hammerman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist on Long Island, New York. "Soak two tea bags in warm water and chill the bags for a few minutes in the refrigerator — then, place one tea bag on each eye for five minutes, and your eyes will feel fresh and look brighter."
When all else fails, you've still got makeup.
While you're working on improving your under-eye bags and dark circles, you've got concealer, foundation, and even primer to fall back on in the fight against under-eye darkness and puffiness. Shop some of our favorite concealers for covering up dark circles.
The best products for undereye bags and dark circles
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex
$105
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream
$65
Revision D.E.J Eye Cream
$109
According to James Y. Wang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex is a must for tired-looking undereyes for its hydrating feel and exfoliative effects derived from blueberry extract. This ingredient is also rich in antioxidants, which fight skin-damaging free radicals, boost moisture, and induce collagen production.
Dr. Wang is also a fan of the Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream, which is infused with antioxidants from natural extracts. "It also contains caffeine, which helps to shrink some of the underlying veins that give the area a bluish appearance," says Dr. Wang.
Tired, dehydrated undereyes can also be soothed with the Revision D.E.J Eye Cream, another one of Dr. Wang's favorite eye creams. It contains prebiotics, an ingredient Dr. Wang says helps with overall inflammation. Plus, the applicator allows the cream to be gently applied to the undereye without pulling or tugging the skin.
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
$23
La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream
$44
Neocutis Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream
$97
Though retinol can be irritating to sensitive skin, Dr. Wang says the Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream is an iconic eye cream for firming sagging skin, addressing discoloration, and targeting fine lines and wrinkles. He says this cream has a milder concentration of retinol that helps to boost collagen in the area without the irritation, plus it contains an antioxidant-rich mineral complex of zinc, copper, and magnesium to further nourish your skin.
Dr. Wang says those with sensitive skin should opt for the La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream. This cream contains anti-inflammatory caffeine paired with niacinamide, an ingredient known for its brightening and soothing properties, to minimize the look of sagging and dark circles all at once. Not to mention, its formula is also spiked with mica-based pearl pigments for a brighter, radiant appearance immediately after application.
Bring the sparkle back to your eyes with the dark circle-targeting Neocutis Lumière Illuminating Eye Cream. This particular cream contains a slew of essential skin-enhancing ingredients, including firming peptides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and free radical-fighting antioxidants, to show your delicate undereye area some nourishing TLC. Its brightening properties are so impressive that New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, previously told Allure that this luxurious cream is actually part of her daily morning skin-care routine.
Supergoop Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40
$38
BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector
$65
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème
$40
Sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of your skin-care routine, and New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Morgan Rabach, MD previously told Allure that Supergoop's Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40 is especially great for delicate, sensitive skin. "It contains only mineral sunscreen, which is much gentler and less irritating on thin eye skin, and it also contains caffeine, so it helps reduce dark undereye circles," she says.
The BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector won an Allure Best of Beauty Award back in 2021 for its gentle yet effective fragrance-free formula. Its intensive formula is powered by five percent pure, stabilized vitamin C (also known as L-ascorbic acid) paired with antioxidant-rich green tea to even skin tone and minimize the appearance of dark circles.
Allure readers and editors alike adore the brightening properties of the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème — it did win an Allure Readers' Choice Award in 2022, after all. This custardy moisturizer is infused with vitamin C to even tone and brighten skin for a refreshed, fully awake look to your eyes (even if you're slacking on beauty sleep).
Take a look at our favorite eye-focused skin and makeup products:
- The 15 Best Eye Creams Under $20 That Act Like They're Way More Expensive
- The Best Eye Makeup Products of 2021
- The 18 Best Liquid Eye Shadows for All-Day, No-Mess Color
Now, watch TikTok star Meredith Duxbury break down her jaw-dropping beauty routine:
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