The Best Brightening Eye Creams for Tired Eyes
Last Updated on February 7, 2025 by Amy
I feel like I have been hunting for the best eye creams for tired eyes since I was about 15 years old! I have always had the kind of unfortunate dark circles which have total strangers asking me if I’m unwell or exhausted. You can only imagine the comments I have heard since becoming a parent to two little ones who seem to think sleep is optional. I have long accepted the fact that even the most expensive eye creams in the world will not erase my genetic dark circles. Despite this knowledge, I’m still on the lookout for that one product that can make me look like I’ve had a solid eight hours of sleep.
Along the way, I’ve tried my fair share of eye creams – from budget-friendly options to splurges. While none have managed to banish my dark circles, I’ve found a few gems that have become my go-to solutions for tired eyes. This post will feature 3 of the products I have used in recent months. My main concerns are dark circles and puffiness. I also suffer from hay fever during the spring and summer months. Non-irritating and suitable for sensitive eyes are at the top of my wishlist this time of year.
How to add a brightening eye cream to your skincare routine
Eye cream can be used in both your morning and evening skincare routine. I tend to use brightening options in the morning and retinol eye creams at night. They should be applied after cleansing, before adding any other skincare products to your skin. This allows any active ingredients in your cream to target the eye area without having to break through other products. It will also protect the delicate eye area from any stronger actives in your serums and moisturisers. My only exception to this is when I am using a vitamin C serum. I like to take these up to the eyes to get the full benefit of their brightening powers. This might not work for everyone and take care if you have very sensitive eyes!
The skin around your eyes is roughly 40% thinner than the rest of your face so gentle application is key. Use your ring finger to gently pat the product up to your brow bone and around the hollow part of your under-eyes.
Best brightening eye cream for dark circles
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream 15mls £60
Key Benefits:
- Reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness.
- Hydrates and brightens.
- Protects from oxidant damage and energies the eye area with caffeine, horse chestnut, shea butter, watermelon extract and ginseng root.
- Provides a smooth and luminous base for makeup.
Why I love it
This is without a doubt the best eye cream I have ever used for improving the appearance of dark circles. I rave about this product in my New Mum Beauty Products post as it was my saving grace after those long nights awake with my babies! Auto Correct has a subtle shimmer which gives an instant brightening effect. At first glance, it appears a little glittery but this quickly settles and leaves a gorgeous glow. The skin around my eyes feels soft and smooth and is the perfect canvas for crease-free concealer application. I have yet to find any other eye cream that makes my eye area look so awake. This is no mean feat when I am usually scraping by on a maximum of 7 hours of sleep.
It also quickly reduces any puffiness in my sleep-deprived eyes more effectively than any other eye cream. I have searched the aisles for budget-friendly alternatives but none have quite matched up to Auto Correct. If you come across a dupe, do share your secrets in the comments, I would love to hear from you!
Why it might not be the best option for sensitive eyes
Now, let’s address the not-so-sunny side. As much as I adore this product, I’ve noticed a slight hiccup. During the warmer months, my eyes tend to become very sensitive, particularly when pollen levels soar. Sadly, this cream exacerbates the irritation, causing some unwelcome itchiness and eye-watering. While the discomfort fades relatively quickly, it’s a hassle I’d rather avoid. On the bright side, come winter, this cream works wonders in hydrating and soothing any dryness brought on by chilly weather.
Would I re-purchase?
As you can probably tell I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this product. I will without a doubt re-purchase this many times as there is just nothing else I have tried that can reduce the appearance of my dark circles so dramatically. However, it does pain me to spend 60 quid on a product which irritates my sensitive eyes for half of the year!
If dark circles and puffiness are your main eye concerns and you don’t have very sensitive eyes or seasonal allergies I wholeheartedly recommend giving Sunday Riley’s Auto Correct eye cream a try!
Pros
- Instantly improves dark circles.
- Eyes look awake and bright.
- Smooths the eye area.
- Great base for makeup.
- Absorbs quickly.
Cons
- Very pricey!
- Can be irritating for sensitive eyes or people with allergies.
Best brightening eye cream for puffy eyes
Votary Super Bright Eye Gel 15mls £65
Key Benefits:
- Refreshes and revives tired eyes.
- Targets fine lines, dark circles and loss of elasticity.
- Contains peptides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to brighten and firm skin around the eyes.
- Coffee seed extract to hydrate and smooth.
- Anti-oxidant gogi berry brightens the under-eye area.
- Fragrance-free.
- Suitable for all skin types.
Refreshing and soothing
This Votary eye cream only came out at the beginning of this year and I have been using it for about a month now. It is at a similar price point to the Sunday Riley Auto Correct. Although I wouldn’t say it is as effective at instantly improving dark circles. It is a dream for my sore, irritated hay fever eyes!
The gel texture is light and refreshing and works wonders at reducing puffiness almost immediately. It initially feels a bit tacky on application but once it absorbs it leaves the skin feeling smooth and plump. One pump is more than enough for both eyes.
As for its long-term benefits, it’s a bit early to say for sure, but my eye area definitely feels more firm and hydrated after use. Thanks to the niacinamide, I’m hoping to see a brightening effect over time. I do think my eyes are looking a little more awake since I started using this product.
I’m not sure it is worth £65 as it isn’t giving me the immediate effects of Auto Correct but it is oh-so soothing on my tired, allergy-ravaged eyes!
Pros
- Refreshing lightweight texture.
- Perfect for sore or sensitive eyes.
- Quickly reduces puffiness.
- Absorbs quickly.
Cons
- The price!
- No obvious effect on dark circles after a month’s use.
- May not be hydrating enough for dry skin.
Best brightening eye cream for hydration
Beauty Pie Plantastic Genius Ginzing Eye Energy Cream 15mls £22 for members
Key Benefits:
- Revitalises and firms the eye area.
- Great primer for eye makeup thanks to an infusion of spherical powder particles.
- Moisturising and nourishing with Japanese Grape Extract.
- Brightens and de-puffs.
- Fragrance-free.
Multi-purpose marvel
This Beauty Pie option is a great all-rounder which targets puffiness, fine lines and dullness. I actually don’t have an awful lot to say about this eye cream. That is by no means a bad thing. What I appreciate about this cream is its straightforwardness; it doesn’t promise the moon and stars—like erasing dark circles or performing miracles—but what it does do, it does well.
It doesn’t seem to have much impact on my dark circles but it has a gorgeous lightweight texture which sinks in quickly. This product leaves my under-eyes feeling hydrated, smooth and ready for makeup application. It doesn’t massively reduce puffiness, but it adds a noticeable brightness, making me look as though I’ve caught some extra Z’s!
I haven’t experienced any irritation with this product, even on days when allergies hit hard, it has been wonderfully gentle. If you are a Beauty Pie member I would 100% recommend giving this eye cream a go if you want a reliable non-irritating, reasonably priced product to hydrate and brighten.
Pros
- Reasonably priced for Beauty Pie members.
- A great all-rounder to target puffiness, dry skin and dullness.
- Good base for makeup.
- Non-irritating for sensitive eyes.
- Absorbs quickly.
Cons
- No obvious improvement in dark circles or fine lines after 3 months of use.
I have a feeling that my quest for the perfect brightening eye cream for tired eyes may last a lifetime. But for now, I am more than happy to continue using the products featured in this post. I hope that full nights of sleep may be in my future and someday I won’t feel as desperate to find the holy grail of eye creams! All three of these products improve the appearance of my eye area in different ways and I have a feeling that my love-hate affair with Auto Correct isn’t over just yet!
Writing this post has also made me realise that I’m not as bothered about my under-eye dark circles as I used to be. I will always get a lot of joy from researching and trying new beauty products but I no longer use them as a means to cover up perceived imperfections. When I look at the faces of my beautiful children I can see the same faint shadows beneath their eyes. The same dark circles I inherited from my mum and granny. These dark circles aren’t going anywhere so I may as well embrace them, right?
