Caffeine can work wonders when it comes to giving yourself a morning (or afternoon) wakeup call after a night of not-so-great sleep, but when it comes to brightening up your tired eyes, there are some things that an extra cup of coffee just can't do. When that's the case, it's a good idea to call in reinforcements in the form of our good friend and trusty skincare ingredient, vitamin C.
Finding a vitamin C-rich eye cream that's perfect for you is just as easy as finding a vitamin C-packed serum. There are loads of them on the market and some of the best ones out there all promise to do things like de-puff undereye bags, brighten dark circles, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. From fan favourites like Drunk Elephant [1] to even some of Sephora's most popular products, you'd be hard pressed to find a product that you didn't like here.
Keep reading to shop some of our favourites.
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème
Ever worn "banana powder" over your makeup? Well, the effect of that is the inspiration behind the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème [2] ($39). The product is formulated with collagen to improve the skin's elasticity, and can even be used as a base for eye makeup.
Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum
Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum [3] ($50) uses a lightweight formula with pure vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to decrease the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines.
Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
Using Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream [4] ($64) is almost like putting cucumber slices on your eyes: It contains five forms of vitamin C and cucumber extract to soothe and brighten the area.
Farmacy Cheer Up Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream with Acerola Cherry
You don't only have to turn to citrus fruits to get a healthy dosage of vitamin C. Farmacy Cheer Up Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream with Acerola Cherry [5] ($45) is made with a cherry extract that can boost your skin's hydration and make you look more awake.
Caudalie VineActiv Vitamin C Energizing Eye Cream
Caudalie VineActiv Vitamin C Energizing Eye Cream [6] ($39) is free of fragrances and packed with peptides and natural antioxidants to give tired eyes a pick-me-up.
Murad Environmental Shield Essential-C Eye Cream
Not only is the Murad Environmental Shield Essential-C Eye Cream [7] ($70) loaded with caffeine and vitamin C to help minimize dark circles and puffiness around the eyes, it also includes a dose of SPF that defends your skin against the sun.
Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream
The Paula's Choice Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Firming Eye Cream [8] ($48) focuses on hydrating the skin while also protecting it from free radical damage. Bonus: it's also fragrance-free.
Dermalogica BioLumin-C Eye Serum
Typically, exfoliating around the delicate eye area is a no-no, but the Dermalogica BioLumin-C Eye Serum [9] ($70) is gentle enough to do so, and contains antioxidants to combat environmental aggressors, too.
Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting Eye Cream
Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting Eye Cream [10] ($22) is packed with collagen to reduce the appearance of fine lines and to give your eye area an overall refreshed look.
Glossier Vitamin C Super Glow Face Serum
Glossier Vitamin C Super Glow Face Serum [11] ($28) does exactly as the name states: uses vitamin C and magnesium serum to give your skin a "lit from within" look, and is gentle enough to use on your eye area.
La Roche-Posay Redermic C Pure Vitamin C Eye Cream
For anyone with sensitive skin, the La Roche-Posay Redermic C Pure Vitamin C Eye Cream [12] ($45) is gentle enough for the eye area, but visibly plumps the skin to give it a revived look.
Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment
Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment [13] ($38) uses an antioxidant-rich formula to hydrate, brighten, and plump the skin without leaving it feeling greasy.
Shiseido Waso Eye Opening Essence
Carrots? In an eye cream? Who would've thought?! Shiseido Waso Eye Opening Essence [14] ($28) uses carrot and daikon to make the skin around your eyes look brighter and smoother almost instantly.
First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream with Triple Hyaluronic Acid
A major focus of First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream with Triple Hyaluronic Acid [15] ($42) is increasing the skin's firmness, which is why it's infused with cell-regenerating retinol to support natural collagen production around the eyes.
Kora Organics Noni Radiant Eye Oil
Put your rose quartz roller down — Kora Organics Noni Radiant Eye Oil [16] ($38) has one that's attached. It's also fused with tomato and coffee oils to instantly wake the skin up.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Eye Cream
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Eye Cream [17] ($65) is full of key ingredients like vitamin C, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to strengthen the delicate skin around your eye area and alleviate dark circles and swelling.
Obagi Clinical Vitamin C Eye Brightener
Obagi Clinical Vitamin C Eye Brightener [18] ($60) is worth the splurge, as it's designed to stimulate the skin around the eye area and bring some life to your tired eyes.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Eye Cream
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Eye Cream [19] ($65) is a smooth, cruelty-free cream that does everything for dark circles that a cup of coffee won't do.
Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Eye Cream
You already lean toward drinking caffeine in the mornings, so why not incorporate it into your skincare routine. Natura Bisse C+C Vitamin Eye Cream [20] ($64) is infused with caffeine and asorbic acid to depuff the eyes and reverse signs of ageing.