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19 Best Treatments For Dark Under-eye Circles, According To Dermatologists
The skin under your eyes can say a lot about how you feel: a long night working late or stressful situations can sometimes show up on your face in the form of dark under-eye circles. Genetics, allergies and age are just a few reasons why people develop dark circles, experts say. These different causes can make them particularly tricky to treat.
"Dark circles result from under-eye puffiness, volume loss, hyperpigmentation and visibility of the blood vessels in the under-eye area," says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. Though cosmetic procedures like injectable fillers can offer a more effective long-term treatment, there are plenty of over-the-counter skin care products that can help remedy discoloration over time.
To help you determine the best way to treat your dark under-eye circles, we spoke to dermatologists about common potential causes, as well as the effective ingredients and cosmetic treatments worth investing in. We also compiled staff- and expert-recommended products that can help reduce the appearance of under-eye circles.
SKIP AHEAD Best products for treating dark under-eye circlesWhat causes dark under-eye circles?How to treat dark under-eye circles
When shopping for treatments for dark under-eye circles, the dermatologists we spoke to recommend considering the following factors:
Each of the following products is dermatologist-recommended, an NBC Select staff favorite and/or include ingredients that align with our experts' guidance.
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream$21.97
$29.99
Amazon
$27.99
Target
$29.99
Ulta
One of our favorite eye creams, this RoC option has retinol to help stimulate collagen production (which experts say keeps the structure of your skin firm and provides underlying support), but is also gentle enough that it doesn't irritate the delicate under-eye skin, says Dr. Nkem Ugonabo, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm. It also has glycerin, which pulls moisture into the skin, says Dr. Heidi Waldorf, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Waldorf Dermatology Aesthetics.
L'Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Eye Treatment$15.28
$28.99
Amazon
$13.96
$15.28
Walmart
$26.99
Target
L'Oreal's Revitalift eye cream includes a combination of retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to reduce puffiness and brighten the skin under the eyes. It also gets top marks from Waldorf for having skin-plumping glycerin and dimethicone, as well as caffeine for reducing redness and discoloration.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Eye Cream$12.95
$30.00
Amazon
$16.99
Walmart
$27.99
Target
Made with retinol, hyaluronic acid and dimethicone, Neutrogena's eye cream is an excellent drugstore option, according to Waldorf. It not only works to decrease the appearance of fine lines and dark circles, but also keeps the delicate skin under your eyes hydrated, she says.
Garnier Skin Active Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller$12.86
Amazon
$12.95
CVS Pharmacy
$14.99
Walgreens
This Garnier eye roller can serve as a quick fix for under-eye puffiness and dark circles because it has caffeine, vitamin C and mint to help reduce the appearance of the under-eye bags, says Garshick. It comes with a convenient roll-on applicator that has a cooling effect and can help you easily apply the gel cream to the under-eye area, according to the brand.
Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment$116.00
Amazon
$114.00
Lovely Skin
$114.00
Alastin
This Alastin eye treatment has brightening and hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and green tea, says Ugonabo. It also has a blend of active peptides that helps firm up the skin and even out skin tone under the eyes, according to the brand. It's noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic, which also makes it a good option for those with sensitive skin.
Supergoop Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream$40.00
Amazon
$40.00
Sephora
$40.00
Ulta
Waldorf recommends Supergoop's mineral eye cream because it contains 100% zinc oxide and has SPF 40 to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. (Keep in mind, you should look for a sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 to provide an adequate amount of protection, experts told us in our guide to face sunscreens.) This SPF eye cream also has a blend of probiotics and caffeine to brighten the skin and alleviate any redness, according to the brand.
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum$70.00
Sephora
$70.00
Nordstorm
$70.00
Bloomingdales
Cooling products are helpful for reducing swelling and puffiness since the cold causes the blood vessels to constrict, says Garshick. "This is why I often recommend putting eye cream in the refrigerator to get the added cooling benefit or using eye creams that contain a cold metal applicator for the added de-puffing benefit," she says.
This Charlotte Tilbury eye serum comes with a metal applicator that has an instant cooling effect to de-puff the eyes, according to the brand. It also has a blend of caffeine and peptides, which our experts say can keep the under-eye area looking smoother, brighter and more refreshed.
Isdin K-Ox Eyes Dark Circles Minimizer Eye Contour Cream$102.00
Amazon
$102.00
Dermstore
$102.00
Isdin
I love using Isdin's K-Ox eye cream daily to combat my dark circles. It brightens my under eyes, leaves the area feeling hydrated and the ceramic applicator is cooling on my skin. The eye cream also has haloxyl, an ingredient that helps even out skin tone and keeps the under eyes firm, according to the brand.
Summer Fridays Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream$44.00
Amazon
$44.00
Sephora
$44.00
Summer Fridays
This eye cream has a lightweight, whipped texture and is a favorite of NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin. Like others on our list, this eye cream has vitamin C and caffeine to help brighten, depuff and support the production of collagen, according to the brand. Malin, who dabs less than ¼ of a teaspoon onto the skin, stores the cream in her fridge to provide an instant cooling effect.
Neostrata Repair Intensive Eye Therapy$68.80
$86.00
Amazon
$86.00
Dermstore
$86.00
Neostrata
Packed with alpha hydroxy acids, hyaluronic acid and peptides, this eye cream has protective antioxidant benefits, says Waldorf. "Fruit stem extract contains antioxidants and other ingredients that may be protective to aging cells. It also has caffeine to reduce puffiness," she says.
Neocutis Lumiere Firm Riche Eye Cream$93.75
$125.00
Amazon
$125.00
Dermstore
$125.00
Skinstore
This Neocutis eye cream targets dark circles with ingredients like vitamin C, caffeine and peptides. It also has growth hormones, which are proteins that help regulate good collagen processes (which restores the skin) and reduce bad collagen processes to avoid volume loss around the under-eye area, according to our experts. Suitable for all skin types, the brand recommends using this cream in the morning and evening.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches$55.00
Amazon
$55.00
Sephora
$55.00
Ulta
One of our favorite under-eye patches, this expert-recommended option has hyaluronic acid and caffeine to help improve the look of fine lines and under-eye hyperpigmentation, according to the brand. The patches are fragrance-free, and you can apply them in the morning and at night, according to Peter Thomas Roth.
Skyn Iceland HydroCool Firming Eye Gel Pads$20.00
Bluemercury
$20.00
Dermstore
$20.00
Anthropologie
"Puffiness can be reduced temporarily by using topicals with ingredients like green tea polyphenols and caffeine, which helps the fluid shift," says Waldorf. She likes using these Skyn Iceland topical cooling pads before a special occasion, presentation or photo shoot to help de-puff and brighten up her under eyes. You can pop them into the fridge for a cooling effect that also helps reduce swelling and puffiness, says Waldorf. Free of parabens and silicones, these pads can help seal moisture and plump the skin in just 10 minutes, according to the brand.
Pacifica Eye Bright Vitamin C Spot Serum Mask$3.69
Amazon
$4.99
Target
$5.00
Ulta
These Pacifica patches have a 4.3-star average rating from over 870 reviews at Ulta and include ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to brighten and hydrate the under-eye area. They're also infused with aloe to moisturize and soothe the delicate skin around the eyes, according to the brand. You can purchase these individually or purchase them in a pack of four.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment$13.49
Walgreens
$14.29
Target
$12.97
Walmart
"I often recommend patients apply a tiny amount of Aquaphor healing ointment under the eye at night to help seal in moisture," says Ugonabo. Designed for dry, cracked skin, the Aquaphor Healing Ointment can go beyond under-eye care: You can use it as a lip moisturizer, facial moisturizer, hydrating mask and more, according to the brand.
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Sunscreen$45.00
Amazon
$45.00
Elta Md
$45.00
Dermstore
Sunscreen helps protect the skin from UV rays that cause sun damage, which can ultimately help diminish the appearance of dark circles in the process, says Dr. David Rayhan, a board-certified dermatologist at Rayhan Dermatology. He recommends this tinted sunscreen from EltaMD — which makes some of our favorite SPF lip balms and tinted moisturizers — because "it contains zinc oxide and iron oxide, which help prevent damage from ultraviolet light," he says.
Slip Silk Pillowcase$70.25
$89.00
Amazon
$74.97
$89.00
Slip
Silk sheets and pillowcases can help prevent tugging at the skin, which can ultimately reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, experts explained in our guide to silk bedding. Though they're not going to fully treat dark circles, chronic friction can cause pigment production: "If your pillowcase is irritating your eyelids, this could be contributing to the problem," says Rayhan. Waldorf recommends investing in this Slip silk pillowcase because it's machine-washable and designed to reduce friction on your face. The pillowcase is available in both Queen and King sizes and comes in multiple colorways, including pink, silver and pistachio.
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm$36.00
Amazon
$36.00
Kohl's
$36.00
Farmacy Beauty
Some harsh makeup-removing wipes, especially those that require rubbing the under-eye area, may cause redness and irritation and even worsen hyperpigmentation, according to our experts. Farmacy makes some of our favorite acne scar treatments and editor-favorite lip masks, and this balm from the brand is one I use daily to double cleanse. It has a smooth, silky consistency and melts easily into my skin, so I don't have to rub my eyes with a coarse wipe to remove my eye makeup. The cleansing balm has sunflower and ginger root oils to remove eye makeup without stripping or drying out the skin, and it has papaya extract to gently exfoliate, according to the brand.
Dark circles are a very common skin concern that affects people of all ages. Since the skin under the eyes is very thin and delicate, the underlying blood vessels may become more visible over time, which can contribute to the appearance of dark circles. Recognizing the cause can be a great start to figuring out how to treat them and reduce their appearance, our experts say.
A few common causes of under-eye circles include genetics, aging and environmental factors. Some people may also naturally have darkness or hyperpigmentation under the eyes, and those may look more severe for people with fairer skin tones, according to our experts.
One of the most common causes associated with dark under-eye circles are lifestyle factors, including drinking a lot of alcohol, not eating a well-balanced diet and lack of sleep, which can significantly contribute to puffiness under the eyes, says Ugonabo. Not properly caring for the under-eye area can also play a role, especially since it can be very easy for people to skip that step when doing their full skin care routine, she says.
Allergies are also a major cause of dark circles, and you may have even heard the term "allergic shiners," which refers to darkness under the eyes that appear due to blood pooling from allergies. "Those with allergies or those who frequently rub their eyes may notice discoloration as a result of chronic rubbing of the skin," says Garshick.
Aging is also one of the leading causes of dark under-eye circles. Over time, the tissue around the eyes weakens, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "As we get older, we lose collagen and volume. This volume loss can lead to changes that appear as dark circles as a result of the increased shadow effect," says Garshick, adding that the eyelid skin is so thin and delicate that the underlying blood vessels may become more visible over time and can make dark circles appear worse.
Hyperpigmentation or a brown discoloration can be either a result of sun damage or genetics and also cause dark circles, says Garshick.
There are very few instances where you can fully treat under-eye circles. But even though some causes are tougher to treat than others, most of the time there are products that can provide some improvement, says Rayhan. Since there are many factors that cause dark circles, you usually need to treat them using a few different methods, he says.
Cosmetic procedures are the most effective way to treat dark circles, according to our experts. If the discoloration is caused by volume loss creating shadows, injectable fillers (typically hyaluronic acid-based) or a lower eyelift (called lower blepharoplasty) are most effective, while laser skin resurfacing with a CO2 laser can help with thinning of the skin and blood pooling, says Rayhan. Chemical peels performed in-office by a dermatologist or skin care professional can also help treat hyperpigmentation or discoloration, says Garshick.
If cosmetic procedures aren't for you, using over-the-counter eye creams and skin care products can still help reduce the appearance of dark circles. (Keep in mind that you won't get the same results as you would get from in-house cosmetic procedures.) One of the best ways to reduce the appearance of darkness under the eyes is by hydrating and moisturizing the area using eye creams with ingredients that induce collagen, like retinol and vitamin C.
You should always wear sunscreen during the day — even around the eyelids — to protect the skin, especially since hyperpigmentation from sun damage can worsen dark circles over time, according to Rayhan. While some factors may be out of your control, "using sunscreen helps prevent UV damage that can contribute to volume loss and hyperpigmentation which can otherwise lead to dark circles," says Garshick.
To help you choose the best skin care products to treat dark circles, we've compiled a checklist of important ingredients to look for.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Mili Godio is an editor at Select who has covered a variety of skin care topics, including products for rosacea, keratosis pilaris and cystic acne. For this article, Godio spoke to four dermatologists to narrow down the best treatments for dark under-eye circles, and highlighted their recommendations for the best products to consider.
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Pfizer, Genmab's ADC Tivdak Scores Full FDA Approval In Recurrent Or Metastatic Cervical Cancer
Pictued: Pfizer sign at its world headquarters in New York/iStock, JHVEPhoto
The FDA on Monday granted full approval to Pfizer and Genmab's antibody-drug conjugate Tivdak (tisotumab vedotin-tftv) for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer that had progressed on or after chemotherapy.
Chris Boshoff, chief oncology officer at Pfizer, said in a statement that Monday's regulatory victory "reinforces the important role of Tivdak" for the treatment of patients with this condition, which he calls "a particularly devastating and mostly incurable disease."
"Patients are in need of survival-extending treatment options," Boshoff continued, noting that Tivdak is "the first antibody-drug conjugate with statistically significant prolonged overall survival data."
Originally developed under a partnership between Seagen and Genmab, Tivdak is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets the cell surface tissue factor protein, which is an important part of the blood coagulation cascade. Its toxic payload is monomethyl auristatin E, a microtubule-disrupting agent that triggers cell death.
Pfizer took over Seagen's half of the deal when it bought the cancer-focused biotech in March 2023 for $43 billion.
Based on a 24% objective response rate from the Phase II innovaTV 204 trial, the FDA granted Tivdak its accelerated approval in September 2021. The mid-stage study also showed a median duration of response of 8.3 months.
As part of their obligations under the FDA's accelerated pathway—and to keep Tivdak on the market—Pfizer and Genmab ran the Phase III innovaTV 301 study, which ultimately became the basis for Monday's full approval.
The late-stage confirmatory trial, a randomized and open-label study that enrolled more than 500 patients who had undergone at most two prior rounds of systemic treatment, showed that the ADC could significantly boost survival versus chemotherapy.
A readout in October 2023 demonstrated that Tivdak cut the risk of death by 30% in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, an effect that the companies at the time called "statistically significant and clinically meaningful." The ADC also led to a significant improvement in progression-free survival, reducing the risk of death or worsening disease by 33% versus chemotherapy.
Tivdak also aced its key secondary endpoints, including objective response rate and disease control rate. In terms of safety, innovaTV 301 found Tivdak's adverse events to be consistent with what had been established in prior studies. No new signals of concern were documented.
However, Tivdak comes with a boxed warning for ocular toxicity, notifying prescribers of its risk of inducing changes in the corneal epithelium and conjunctiva, which has the potential to lead to loss of vision. Patients should undergo ophthalmic evaluation at baseline and before each dose, according to the label.
Tristan Manalac is an independent science writer based in Metro Manila, Philippines. Reach out to him on LinkedIn or email him at tristan@tristanmanalac.Com or tristan.Manalac@biospace.Com.
New Treatments For Varicose Veins
As a curious child, you might remember staring at an older relative's thick stockings at the blue, gnarled veins lying under the skin like bumpy snakes. Known as varicose veins, these blood vessels, which return blood from the legs to the heart, are actually a more superficial system.
The real, working venous system for the legs lies deeper, says to Robert A. Weiss, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. This is good news, because it means that if the surface veins begin to clump up and bulge, they can be removed or destroyed without ruining circulation to the leg.
The National Institutes of Health estimates that 60% of all men and women suffer from some form of vein disorder. A quarter of varicose vein sufferers are men, although Weiss notes that it is almost always women who seek help for spider veins.
Spider veins, the more delicate red or blue tracings that can pop up on the skin's surface like kinky spider webs, are a minor form of varicose veins and can precede development of the more unsightly variation or cause cosmetic concerns of their own. Sun exposure can make spider veins worse by breaking down collagen under the skin.
Both varicose and spider veins result when valves designed to keep blood from running backward away from the heart and back down into the leg fail or become loose and flabby -- allowing backwash, which stretches veins and even slowly leaks into ankle and leg tissue, causing swelling.
Aside from the "purple snake" effect, varicose veins can cramp or throb at night. So much blood pools into the legs, that it can cause the legs to feel heavy and leaden. If clear fluid from the expanded vessels seeps into tissues, it can choke off circulation to the skin, causing an itchy rash or even a painful ulcer, Weiss warns.
As a rule, varicose veins are more unpleasant and ugly than dangerous.
The exact cause of this unwanted "body art" is not known, but a genetic tendency toward weak, vein valves plays a big role, Weiss says. Hormones also play a part, accounting for the increased incidence in women. Puberty, pregnancy (pregnant women are very prone), and menopause, as well as taking estrogen, progesterone, and birth control pills, can weaken vein valves and change leg circulation.
During pregnancy, Weiss says the increased blood volume the mother is circulating for herself and her fetus can make veins bulge. Sitting with a full uterus on the top of the thighs also does not help blood return to the heart (varicose veins that pop up during pregnancy usually deflate in three months, although new pregnancies can bring them on again, sometimes to stay).
Aging, obesity, and prolonged standing can also cause leg veins to balloon.
If you had a mother or grandmother treated for varicose veins and thought the treatment sounded worse than the disease, take heart. Times are changing. "We now use duplex ultrasound to look at the circulatory system of the leg," Weiss says. This means taking a sharp, two-dimensional picture instead of a doctor listening to blood flow in the leg with a Doppler device and trying to decide which veins are affected and where.
Duplex ultrasound is also a boon, says Sandy S. Tsao, MD, an instructor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School and assistant in dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She says this is because knowing the condition of the exact vein affected can help the doctor determine which treatment to use.
In the old days, a flexible metal rod was inserted into the vein at the groin level, passed through the vein and taken out the other end, where a metal cap was screwed on. The rod was then pulled back through the leg, stripping the vein out through the groin incision. With the vein gone, the deeper circulatory systems took over and the wormy mass was not longer visible.
Stripping is hardly ever done anymore. "We have really widened the frontiers!" Tsao exclaims. Now, a thin catheter may be inserted into the affected vein and the whole inside of the vein, called the lumen, heated by radio waves, which shrinks the tough collagen in the vessel wall and causes it to collapse and re-absorb. Anesthesia mixed with fluid is injected first to make the procedure painless and, at the same time, press the blood out of the vein. Scarring is almost imperceptible, although there may be some bruising and the vein may take eight weeks to re-absorb.
Lasers are also used to send bursts of concentrated light into the vein, collapsing it. When the laser hits the skin, there is a tinge of discomfort, but the doctor quickly cools the skin off. Another, even newer technique is called foam sclerotherapy, Weiss explains. An agent, such as a detergent or emulsifier, is agitated with air, forming foam the consistency of watery shaving cream (a little air in veins is acceptable, unlike Hollywood would have you believe). The foam is then injected into the problematic vein, gradually causing the walls to swell and stick together, blocking off the vein. The deeper venous systems take over the blood flow.
Tsao, however, says she would prefer use of foam sclerotherapy for spider veins. Varicose veins she said are larger bore vessels and require more aggressive therapy.
Another, older, but still often used technique, is called ambulatory phlebectomy, in which the vein is extracted with a crochet-hook-like device. And it's quick. Once it's out, there's no waiting for the vein to re-absorb. "Some people still prefer this to waiting," Weiss says.
What are the chances of a blood clot? Doctors prefer to do these procedures on people with normal clotting capability. People taking warfarin and aspirin require special consideration.
As for the varicose veins returning, yes, there is a chance. "If you have the genetic susceptibility, smaller ones could form," Weiss says. "You should be relatively disease-free, though." And you can always do another procedure.
Where grandmother probably took a trip to the doctor and mother a trip to the medicine cabinet, younger sufferers now want to hit the health food store. Molly Kimball, RD, sports nutritionist at the Ochsner Clinic's Elmwood Center in New Orleans, recommends a diet low in carbs and rich in fiber to keep weight down and all circulatory systems going strong.
A 100 mg coenzyme Q10 helps with circulation and tissue oxygenation, she says. Omega-3 oils (1,000 mg daily) help with elasticity of blood vessels. Also much touted for varicose veins are ginkgo biloba and vitamin K. "You can start at 60 mg twice daily and go to 120 mg twice daily on ginkgo," Kimball says. Tsao and Weiss are both doubtful about ginkgo, however. "There have been no formal studies of the effects on varicose veins," Tsao says. And if you have normal levels of vitamin K, you don't need more, she adds.
The best way to prevent varicose veins if they are in your family is to not stand for long periods, Weiss advises. Other tips include:
Now here's the bad news. Wearing support hose -- yes we're talking the dreaded pantyhose -- is recommended for anyone with visible veins or for people who have had a procedure done. "Wear them every waking hour," says Tsao.
Star Lawrence is a medical journalist based in the Phoenix area.
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