The 14 Best Vitamin C Eye Creams in 2024

Derm's Pick

BeautyStat Cosmetics Cosmetics Universal C Eye Perfector

Derm's Pick

BeautyStat Cosmetics Cosmetics Universal C Eye Perfector

Pros

• Brightens dark circles
• Soothes irritation
• Gentle for even the most sensitive skin

Strong yet gentle, Engelman's pick is a potent eye cream that contains the purest form of vitamin C: five percent L-ascorbic acid. It also has hyaluronic acid and green tea to plump fine lines and soothe any irritation.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "I never leave reviews, but this stuff really made a difference in a short time for my under eye area which in the past year has really aged. It has brightened and tightened up in just a few weeks. Highly recommend. I know it's expensive but a little goes a long way." — B.

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Best for Dark Circles

Kiehl's Since 1851 Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum

Best for Dark Circles

Kiehl's Since 1851 Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum

Pros

• Brightens brown and blue circles
• Smooths fine lines

Cons

• Reviewers say it might not be suitable for sensitive skin

For dark circles with blue and brown marks, turn to this strong vitamin C eye serum. It contains a pure form of vitamin C to defend skin against environmental aggressors and instantly boost radiance. It also contains hyaluronic acid and a special peptide complex to plump fine lines and provide much needed hydration.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "Soft and silky solution that is easy to apply. A little bit goes a long way. I'll use this as long as it is available. The only successful solution I have found." — Brenda

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Best Drugstore

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Eye Cream

Best Drugstore

Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Eye Cream

Now 16% Off

Pros

• Brightens up dark circles
• Smooths out uneven tone and texture

Cons

• Reviewers say that it may feel a bit greasy

Made with vitamin C, peptides, and niacinamide, this eye cream is great for improving tone and texture, says King. Plus, it's one of the more wallet-friendly options out there—which is always a win.

What the Reviewers Are Saying: "I absolutely love Olay's vitamin C + peptide 24 eye cream! It was super smooth and creamy, I woke up feeling more refreshed and my eyes were much brighter than usual. I will definitely be buying more!" — Brittany

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What causes dark circles around the eyes?

Dark circles form under the eye area for many reasons. King lists genetics as a major factor of dark circles, as they are often the result of shadowing caused by bone and fat structure. She says that your blood and lymphatic circulation can also play a big role depending on how blood vessels are distributed under the skin. Engelman agrees and adds that certain lifestyle factors, such as lack of sleep, dehydration, genetics, or smoking, are things to take note of when looking at what is causing under-eye discoloration.

Dark circles are most common in those with darker skin, as King says that having more melanin and more pigment can be a higher risk. Engelman adds that if you have eczema or contact dermatitis, you may also be more prone to getting dark under-eye circles.

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How do you use vitamin C eye cream correctly?

Engelman says to use eye cream after you've cleansed your face and applied toner. She recommends using a pea-sized amount and lightly working it in from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner and even on the brow bone. Wait for product to fully absorb before putting additional product on.

What are the downsides of using vitamin C eye cream?

There are a few downsides to using vitamin C. King says that sensitivity can happen, but that depends on the formulations. Ascorbic acid, for example, is more irritating and less stable than THD ascorbate, which by comparison can easily be used in oil-based products.

Can you use vitamin C eye creams daily? During the day and at night?

King says you can absolutely use vitamin C daily if it doesn't irritate your skin. You can also use it both day and night, but she recommends using it in the morning as its antioxidant properties will help protect the skin from free radicals.

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Are there ingredients that you should avoid in your skincare when you use vitamin C?

Engelman says that vitamin C shouldn't mixed with alpha- and beta hydroxy acids and benzoyl peroxide as it can irritate the skin. King also notes that when a vitamin C product is too acidic, it can decrease the efficacy of niacinamide, so keep an eye on what ingredients you're mixing.

Meet the Experts

• Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic Fifith Avenue in New York City.
• Hadley King, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist.
  

Audrey Noble is a freelance writer and reporter. She writes celebrity profiles and does deep-dive features about the ways race, gender, sexuality, and other forms of identity impact society via the beauty industry. Her previous work experience includes editorial positions at Vanity Fair, Refinery29, and Allure. Her writing can also be seen in Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, Bustle, HelloGiggles, and more. You can keep up with her on Twitter.

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