Whether dark circles pop up after every long night or have been hanging around for years (thanks, genetics), fighting under-eye concerns may often seem like a battle that's already lost. After all, puffiness and darkness can be covered [1], but, if they're not treated, the circles are right there waiting once the makeup comes off. Quick fixes like ice and lymphatic massage [2] can help in the short term, but what if you want a longer-term solution?
Now, as beauty editors, we've tried many different products [3] to wage our own dark-circle battles [4] over the years, and have rounded up some of our winning treatments [5] found right at Sephora. Plus, there's not a single eye patch or cream on this list that costs more than $50, so see which products get our stamp of approval and read our reviews ahead.
Farmacy Cheer Up Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream With Acerola Cherry
Item: Farmacy Cheer Up Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream With Acerola Cherry [7] ($45)
What our editor said: "I truly put [this] to the test because on the fourth night of using it, I went out and stayed up until 4 a.m. Surprisingly, I didn't wake up the following morning with puffy eyes for once. That's a win in my eyes — pun intended.
Over the two weeks I've used the product, I've already seen a difference when it comes to my dark circles. The area near my tear ducts has stayed relatively the same, but the darkness around the orbital bones has lightened." — Nikita Charuza, associate editor, Fashion
If you want to read more, here is the complete review [8].
KNC Beauty All Natural Retinol Infused Eye Mask - 5-Pack
Item: KNC Beauty All Natural Retinol Infused Eye Mask - 5-Pack [9] ($25)
What our editor said: "First of all, I'm a sucker for cute packageing, and these are as good as it gets. They're in the shape of shooting stars, and they're shimmery gold. It doesn't get much better than that. Pop them on for 10 minutes, and when they come off, your under eyes are glowy and bright. This is exactly the kind of product I would rely on before a night out, but since all my nights are in at the moment, I'll be using them for a self-care Sunday moment." — India Yaffe, assistant editor, Shop
If you want to read more, here is the complete review [10].
Kiehl's Since 1851 Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum
Item: Kiehl's Since 1851 Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum [11] ($50)
What our editor said: "When I'm not wearing makeup on my face (work-from-home life), I've been relying on the [this product] to make me look more awake (and hide the embarrassing amount of time I spent binge-watching TV the night before). However, for those days when I do need to apply makeup on top of it, I'm happy to report that the eye serum absorbs quickly and leaves behind no traces of greasy residue. Its consistency is similar to that of a good blurring makeup primer, and, if I'm being completely honest, I've thought about putting it on my entire face more than once. Don't judge — try it for yourself and you'll see what I mean." — Jessica Harrington, associate editor, Beauty
If you want to read more, here is the complete review [12].
Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask
Item: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask [13] ($42)
What our editor said: "Giving me a retinol product is like giving a kid an ice cream cone — my eyes widen almost instantly, and I'm practically counting down the seconds before I can devour it. I also know that any time I try a new formula, and because the way the vitamin A derivative works, I'm more than likely to experience a little dryness in the beginning of use. Not the case with the Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask — nestled comfortably between encapsulated retinol lay a mix of hydrating avocado oil and avocado extract (both rich in vitamin E), plus hyaluronic acid, to coddle the skin and keep it feeling baby smooth." — Kelsey Castañon, senior editor, Beauty
If you want to read more, here is the complete review [14].
Peace Out Puffy Under-Eye Patches
Item: Peace Out Puffy Under-Eye Patches [15] ($25)
What our editor said: "Just like that — after, you know, years of searching — I found something that works for me. I've now used a box of the patches and can happily report they haven't once irritated my eyes. Even better, my under-eye circles are noticeably diminished in the days after using the treatment." — Kelsey Garcia, associate editor, Trending and Viral Features
If you want to read more, here is the complete review [16].
Love all things beauty? Can't get enough products? Come join our Facebook Group, Real Reviews With POPSUGAR Beauty. [17] There are lots of fun conversations happening there, as well as all the product recommendations you could ask for — not just from us, but from community members, too.