The Pros Share Their Fave Ways to Brighten Under Eyes & Cover Dark Circles for Good

How to Brighten Your Under Eyes—According to the Pros

1. Create Healthy Sleep Habits

Let’s start with an easy one—well, somewhat easy. We all could use more sleep, especially those of us looking to brighten our under-eye area. One of the leading causes of dark circles is not enough sleep. The experts recommend getting around seven to nine hours a night so that you’re well rested and don’t wake up to dark puffiness and dark under-eye circles.

2. Stay Hydrated

We know this is going to get an eye roll from pretty much everyone reading this, but if you want to minimize the appearance of dark circles, drink more water. Dehydration can lead to puffy eyes, so to de-puff those under-eye bags of yours, aim to drink around 3 liters of water per day. Even consuming water-rich fruits and vegetables like watermelon, blueberries, cucumber, and celery can help.

3. Reconfigure Your Diet

Speaking of food, let’s talk about your diet. There are many antioxidant-rich foods you should be eating to help even out discoloration.  Aly Mac, licensed esthetician and co-owner of MOD SKIN LOS ANGELES, recommends foods that contain vitamin A for their anti-aging benefits. She’s also a fan of turmeric because it “contains curcumin which can help reduce inflammation in the body and provides antioxidants.” Additionally, Mac is all about vitamin C. “I know that vitamin C topical skincare is all the rage but the absolute best way to get vitamin C benefits is from your diet. Fruits like strawberries and guava are packed with vitamin C. I like to squeeze an organic lemon over most things I eat (chicken, fish, broccoli, roasted potatoes, broth) because it contains high traces of vitamin C.”

Celebrity makeup artist Desirae Cherman suggests consuming “omega-3s from sources like salmon or chia seeds [because they] also boost circulation, which can reduce the appearance of dark circles.”

Sandra Goelz, skincare and makeup expert, treats dark circles by consuming “leafy greens for vitamin K to boost circulation, citrus fruits for collagen production support, and almonds for vitamin E to repair and hydrate.”

Master esthetician Emme Diane Burg notes, “You’ll also want to limit certain foods, like alcohol, caffeine, and sodium since these can dehydrate your skin and worsen the appearance of dark circles.”

4. Minimize Sun Exposure

Your under-eye skin is incredibly delicate—several small things can irritate those blood vessels under your eyes and cause them to darken; one of them being the sun. Be sure to wear sunglasses and sunscreen when you’re outdoors. Mac is a fan of the CIELE Conceal & Protect SPF 50+ Spot Concealer because “it’s a very hydrating formula that doesn’t contain any pore-cloggers, which is important for those who are prone to milia around the eyes.”

5. Keep It Cool

René de la Garza, celebrity esthetician and founder of BROW DOWN STUDIO, suggests cooling the area with a variety of cooling products. “Apply [cold compresses or chilled spoons] under your eyes to reduce puffiness and brighten the skin.” He also recommends cooling eye patches. “Look for patches infused with cucumber, aloe, or peptides. My favorite eye patches are the Cool Down Pads from BORBOLETA BEAUTY.”

Burg has a home remedy for those in a pinch: “Chilled tea bags (caffeinated green or black tea is best) offer the added benefits of caffeine and antioxidants to help soothe and brighten the skin,” she shares.

6. Incorporate an Eye Cream Into Your Skincare Routine

If you aren’t already using one, consider this your sign to prioritize adding an eye cream to your skincare routine. “Look for products with brightening ingredients like vitamin C, caffeine, or niacinamide. Hyaluronic acid can also hydrate and plump the skin, reducing dullness,” says de la Garza.

Mac says she loves “laying the nutrient-dense IS CLINICAL Youth Eye Complex on top of the JAN MARINI Luminate Eye Gel, which has powerful antioxidants and stimulates collagen production at the same time.” The gel also contains retinol, which speeds up cell turnover and lessens the appearance of fine lines.

Celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray says her go-to is the CAUDALÍE Vinoperfect Brightening Eye Cream. “It’s great under makeup, lightweight, and is easily absorbed into the skin. It also helps treat dark circles from the inside,” Gray says.

“A good eye cream with caffeine will help to brighten any dark circles,” says celebrity makeup artist Blondie Gamon. “My favorite right now is GOPURE Advanced Repair Eye Cream.”

Cherman offers a couple of options for under-eye creams. “I swear by SUNDAY RILEY Auto Correct Eye Cream to banish puffiness and dark circles,” she says. Cherman also loves SKINCEUTICALS A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream because “it targets signs of aging and keeps the under-eye area looking smooth and hydrated.”

The SISLEY PARIS Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid is a fave of celebrity makeup artist Azra Red. She likes how, in a single stroke, your eye area will appear illuminated, revitalized, and more rested, even if you are running on a lack of sleep.

Burg swears by her trusty EMME DIANE Bright Eyed Illuminating Eye Serum. “This treatment targets dark circles from multiple angles. It has brightening ingredients like niacinamide to lighten dark circles over time and light-reflecting agents that immediately reduce the appearance of dark circles,” she notes. “Plus, it’s formulated with two different peptides to help address the signs of aging in this delicate area.”

7. Sleep on a Silk Pillowcase

A more uncommon way to treat dark circles, both de la Garza and Goelz suggest sleeping on a silk pillowcase. Goelz says, “A silk pillowcase might help with irritation and overall skin health.” While de la Garza shares it “can reduce friction under the eyes.”

We love the REFRESHMENTS Partied Out Pillowcase because it is incredibly gentle on your skin and hair, never pulling or tugging. It also ensures your skin retains its natural oils, which means your skincare products will stay on all through the night.

8. Stay Elevated

On top of getting enough sleep and sleeping on a silk pillowcase, Goelz recommends sleeping slightly elevated. “Try sleeping with your head slightly elevated to prevent fluid from pooling under your eyes.”

9. Try Color Correctors

The experts recommend using either a pink or orange-toned color corrector, depending on your skin tone. Pink tends to work best on lighter skin types, while orange works on darker skin tones. And the experts come with plenty of suggestions on products to use on the delicate skin area.

“My favorite, affordable, and vegan product for this is CATRICE COSMETICS Under Eye Brightener,” shares Gray. “It’s a viral product for a reason: it’s creamy, easy to blend, and you only need a little bit to brighten the under eyes. It also comes in two shades: ‘010 light rose’ (great for fair-light skin) and ‘020 warm’ (medium-tan skin).” She suggests “those with medium-dark to deep skin [try] the NARS Radiant Creamy Color Corrector in the shades ‘medium-dark’ and ‘deep.’ This formula is ultra-lightweight and is perfect for the under eyes.”

Cherman is a fan of the BOBBI BROWN Skin Corrector Sticks and PIXIE Under Eye Brighteners, both of which neutralize dark circles and offer a lightening effect. Burg is also a fan of the BOBBI BROWN Skin Corrector Sticks noting, “The stick format is super convenient and easy to use, plus it provides all-day wear without feeling heavy or cakey.”

10. Use a Brightening Under-Eye Concealer

Once you’ve applied the color corrector, now it’s time to go in with the proper under-eye concealer. Red stresses “using light skincare-infused formulas, not heavy coverage, as it creases from skin movement.” She notes to only “apply brightening concealer on the area needed.” Red’s concealer of choice is SISLEY PARIS Phyto-Cernes Eclat n°1.5. Not only does it mask dark circles and target puffiness, but it also smooths the look of wrinkles and fine lines.

Cherman and Goelz are both fans of the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer with Cherman sharing that it’s best “for coverage that looks natural and doesn’t settle into fine lines.” Additionally, Cherman likes the “CHARLOTTE TILBURY Magic Away Concealer because it’s hydrating so it keeps your skin looking fresh.”

If you want a more natural-looking application, Gamon says to go with TARTE Creaseless Creamy Full-Coverage Concealer. Her rec for mature skin is MAXINE’S REVENGE French Face Concealer Concentrate because it won’t sink into wrinkles and become cakey.

The E.L.F. COSMETICS Hydrating Camo Concealer comes highly recommended by Burg. “It’s such a good drugstore find that provides amazing coverage without creasing or drying out the delicate under-eye area. Plus, it’s formulated without any pore-clogging ingredients, so it’s 100% safe for acne-prone and sensitive skin.”

Gray shares she looks for a concealer that is lighter than your foundation and hydrating. Her pick? CATRICE COSMETICS True Skin High Cover Concealer. “A beautiful shade range, creamy, long-lasting. Not to mention vegan and cruelty-free,” she says.

De la Garza also says to go with a shade lighter than your foundation because it will “lift and brighten the area.” He loves the MILK MAKEUP Future Fluid Creamy Hydrating Concealer that offers crease-proof, medium-buildable coverage.

11. Set Your Makeup

To ensure all your hard work pays off, you need to set your corrector and concealer with a setting powder. Goman suggests playing with color theory here as well and using a color-correcting powder in pink or orange to set your under-eye makeup. The CIATÉ LONDON Extraordinary Translucent Setting Powder in Brightening Pink is a great option for lighter skin tones, while the FENTY BEAUTY Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Setting Powder in Nutmeg is best for medium to dark skin tones.

12. Remove Your Makeup

Just as important as it is to use the right makeup products, it’s also important to take those products off at the end of the day. Leaving them on through the night can contribute to premature aging because all that product prevents your skin from regenerating overnight. We recommend leaving some makeup wipes by your bed on days when you find it especially difficult to remove your makeup. The REFRESHMENTS Cleansing Face Wipes are non-irritating and non-drying, and an easy way to wipe away your eye makeup.

13. Stick With It

Makeup can instantly cover your dark circles but changes in your diet and skincare routine will take some time to show results. Don’t get discouraged when you don’t notice the effects of your hard work overnight. Continue to get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, and follow the skincare advice from the experts to eventually manage the hyperpigmentation.

14. Opt for Professional Treatments

If all of this sounds like too much and you’d rather seek professional help, that is absolutely an option. Mac notes that “dermal fillers are usually recommended to reduce hollowness and shadows. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are another option to stimulate rapid collagen production around the area treated.”

De la Garza shares that along with filler, microneedling can be used to treat “severe dark circles caused by hollowness or pigmentation.” He mentions that “chemical peels or laser therapy can reduce hyperpigmentation under the eyes.”

Burg stresses that “these options aren’t one-size-fits-all, so it’s important to see someone who is very knowledgeable and skilled at this type of treatment to determine what’s best for you.”

15. Look for Underlying Causes

Should you have exhausted all of these options and nothing has done the trick, you may need to seek a professional. “You may need to consult with a professional to figure out what exactly your dark circles are caused by,” says Mac. “This takes out the guesswork and you can get started immediately on treatment.”

For some of us, we may be stuck with our dark circles no matter what. “While there are a lot of different causes and treatments, it’s important to remember that genetics often play a big role in dark circles (and our skin in general),” says Burg. “Unfortunately, some of us are just predisposed to having dark circles, so if you’ve tried every remedy in the books and still have them, they may just be a part of who you are—and that’s totally okay!” We couldn’t agree more.