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8 brightening eye creams for dark circles

Banish shadow stat

By Briar Clark

Beauty Crew Beauty Editor / December 13 2022

Lack of sleep got you looking like you’ve aged a decade? Dark circles hereditary in your family? Enjoyed the weekend a little too much? Well, it would appear that you’re in the market for a brightening eye cream.

Regardless of where you fall in the all too relatable struggle of brightening unwanted under-eye shadow, we think it’s fair to say, luminising eye creams are a game changer. They utilise radiance-enhancing, colour-correcting ingredients that help to reverse some of our worst decisions in a matter of seconds – on the days you need to look like a functioning human there’s no better remedy.

Here are eight brightening eye cream formulas to finally tackle those pesky dark circles – see ya, shadow!

Clarins Double Serum Eye

If you froth on the OG Clarins Double Serum ($102 at Adore Beauty), then you need to get your mitts on the newly released eye-appropriated formula that helps to tackle dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles. Wild chervil and turmeric extracts are combined with 13 plant extracts to treat the delicate under-eye area, strengthening and minimising the visible signs of ageing.

$115 at Adore Beauty

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex Synchronized Recovery

Another eye cream inspired by an absolute banger of a serum *cough* Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex ($110 at Adore Beauty) *cough*; this adorable little pot houses a formula that’s just as potent as it’s predecessor. We’re talking a concoction packed to the brim with an expert brightening agent called ChronoluxCB complex, long-lasting hydrator hyaluronic acid, and a cocktail of antioxidants that help to strengthen and protect skin against external aggressors.

$110 at Adore Beauty

KORA Organics Noni Radiant Eye Oil

Certified organic noni fruit extract, tomato and marine bamboo are to thank for the brightening effect you’ll be experiencing post-application of this ultra-nourishing eye oil formula that takes inspiration from the brand’s cult-favourite KORA Organics Noni Glow Face Oil ($83 at Adore Beauty). The rose quartz rollerball applicator works to soothe under eyes and minimise puffiness, leaving eyes looking refreshed and ready for the day.

$52 at Adore Beauty

Vanessa Megan Pineapple Enzyme + HA Brightening Eyelift Serum

Got clean beauty on the brain? Then you need to add this homegrown hero to your skin care lineup. Australian made, cruelty free, vegan, and free from nasties, this 100 per cent natural formula combines vitamin C-rich ingredients such as pineapple enzymes, Australian native finger lime caviar extract and kakadu plum to help brighten the under-eye area.

$69.95 at Adore Beauty

IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream

Want a bit of colour correction to help conceal an especially stubborn under-eye shadow? This formula contains a skin-brightening apricot tint that helps to correct dark circles and unify tone, while chrysin, avocado, licorice root, squalane and a potent ceramide complex get to work addressing dehydrated, tired skin that’s showing signs of ageing. Say hello to firm, smoothed and brightened peepers, pals!

$59 at Adore Beauty

Biologi Bk Rejuvenation Eye Serum

Utilising a highly potent and effective form of naturally-derived vitamin C, this under-eye serum helps to target dark circles, fine lines and elasticity for a smoother, firmer, brighter orbital area. Added bonus? This pick is lightweight enough to use as a serum on the rest of your face too, so there’s really no excuse for looking tired anymore with this much vitamin C on offer folks.

$88 at Adore Beauty

Antipodes Kiwi Seed Gold Luminous Eye Cream

Brighten and soften the delicate skin around the eyes, but like, be boujee about it. This illuminating eye cream contains 23K pure gold flakes that add a bit of luxury to the mundanity of under-eye care. The fact that the formula also helps to address signs of oxidative stress, dehydration and ageing is just a very pleasant bonus TBH.

$69 at Adore Beauty

FILLMED Laboratories HXR-Eye Cream

This eye cream doesn’t mess around when it comes to in-clinic results. It’s boosted with hexylresorcinol, a powerful brightening agent that helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles, Arg-lys peptide, a skin relaxant that smooths fine line and wrinkles around the delicate eye contour area, and stimulating escin, which minimises the appearance of puffiness and tired eyes.

$126.60 at Body Catalyst

After a wrinkle-reducing formula for your precious peepers? These are the best eye creams for getting rid of fine lines and wrinkles.

Main image credit: @mirandakerr

Briar Clark

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).