Best caffeine eye cream for dark circles

Send puffiness packing.

Updated on April 28, 2021

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Photo: Mario Badescu

Depending on your particular eye concern, you may want to consider an eye cream that does way more than just hydrate. When it comes to dealing with dark under-eye circles and puffy bags, there are two ingredients that stand to make the biggest difference: vitamin C and caffeine. And while vitamin C has become quite the brightening serum standout recently, we're actually prone to preferring the latter for using on your eyes. Caffeine helps boost circulation and constrict blood vessels, which means that it can seriously minimize the appearance of discoloration (hyperpigmentation and dark circles), while also helping to reduce any puffiness.

You can find plenty of eye creams out there that offer hydration and a hit of caffeine to wake up and de-puff your eyes instantly, but these 10 best eye creams with caffeine are the ones to add to your online cart, stat. (Some even boast vitamin C, too.) Shop the picks below.

Best Overall: SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel

SkinCeuticals

The price tag can be shocking on this product, but if you're looking for noticeable results, SkinCeuticals will get you there. The brand delivers at a level that can make people wonder if you've had work done.

This particular eye product is actually a serum-in-a-gel that is fortified with a strong combination of 5% pure vitamin C, 1% phloretin, and 0.5% ferulic acid, along with powerful botanicals and caffeine. Expect everyday environmental protection (great for antiaging!), all while reducing the look of puffiness, visible signs of fatigue, and under-eye circles.

Buy It: $95; dermstore.com

Best Affordable: The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream

Sephora

This relatively new eye cream is quite a bit easier on your wallet and can offer dependable results, especially when paired with your morning skin-care routine. Caffeine and age-targeting peptides are like two cups of coffee for any under-eye concerns. (Plus, Reese Witherspoon swears by it.)

Buy It: $9.99; sephora.com

Best for Dark Circles: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Amazon

This cult-favorite formula has garnered nearly 5,000 rave Amazon reviews for a reason. It touts a 5% concentration of caffeine (which, again, helps boost circulation and constrict blood vessels) and targets discoloration—big time. It also contains an antioxidant-rich compound from green tea for even more benefits. Just a few drops go a long way.

Buy It: $12.50; amazon.com

Best Antiaging: Fresh Black Tea Firming and De-Puffing Eye Cream

Sephora

A caffeine-packed black tea complex is the main character in this shopper-loved eye cream, and it works to improve skin elasticity, boost radiance, and get rid of dark circles. Since it's formulated without retinol, the antiaging product can be less irritating for some users.

Buy It: $68; nordstrom.com

Best Priming: Bad Habit Eyes Open Caffeine & Peptide Eye Cream

Ulta

Using strong ingredients in your eye cream can pose a threat to hydration and texture, which can then affect how smoothly your concealer goes on. With this newer budget-friendly launch, that won't be a problem, thanks to a powerful tripeptide and tetrapeptide blend that keeps the under-eye area hydrated and extra supple.

Buy It: $19; ulta.com

Best Mask: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask

Nordstrom

These caffeinated eye masks contain the brand's Advanced Night Repair technology in a wearable form that delivers 20 times more of the soothing, youth-boosting ingredients in just 10 minutes. Basically, it's going to totally refresh and wake up your skin. We recommend using once a week and always before an event.

Buy It: $42; ulta.com

Best Brightening: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

Sephora

The real star of this show is the color-correcting, brightening tint of this zesty eye cream that instantly makes dark circles seem way less apparent. From there, ginseng and coffee energize and de-puff your delicate under-eye area for a more radiant look.

Buy It: $33; ulta.com

Best for De-Puffing: Sensibio Sensibio Gel Eye Contour

Amazon

This one's for anyone who wants a simple, lightweight answer to tired, puffy, or congested eyes. It contours the under-eye area with caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E.

Buy It: $19.90; amazon.com

Best for Hydration: Mario Badesco Caffeine Eye Cream

Ulta

A favorite affordable skin-care brand, Mario Badescu recently launched this sister product to its shopper-loved hyaluronic acid eye cream. This one is designed with a little more pick-me-up behind it to rejuvenate and refresh your eye area.

Buy It: $18; amazon.com

Best Lightweight: Honest Beauty Depuff Eye Cream + C

Honest Beauty

Honest Beauty upgraded its classic de-puffing formula to include daisy flower extract, vitamin C, and two types of hyaluronic acid, which means you're in for hours of hydration, brightening benefits, and a smooth canvas for concealer.

Buy It: $21.99; amazon.com

Does caffeine reduce dark circles?

By narrowing blood vessels and calming skin, caffeine can temporarily reduce under-eye bags. Caffeine can also wake up tired eyes by reducing the appearance of dark circles, informs Dr. Mariwalla.

What is the best product for dark circles under eyes?

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. ... .
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Eye Cream. ... .
Isdin Isdinceutics K-Ox Eyes. ... .
Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream. ... .
La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream for Dark Circles. ... .
Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream. ... .
Tata Harper Illuminating Eye Crème. ... .
Skinbetter InterFuse Treatment Cream Eye..

Is caffeine cream good for under eyes?

Eye creams formulated with caffeine are also popular picks for dark circles because studies indicate topical caffeine application is effective for reducing their appearance. This is what happens: The caffeine helps blood circulate around your eyes and accelerates blood flow.

How do I permanently get rid of dark circles under coffee?

To prepare this under eye mask, you will need 1 tablespoon of coffee powder and 10-15 drops of almond oil. Mix the ingredients in a bowl to make a smooth paste. Keep this mixture in the refrigerator for half an hour before applying it. Now, apply it under your eyes and leave it for 10 minutes.