How to Make Dark Circles Look Less Noticeable With This Simple 2-Step Skincare Routine
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Dark circles are one of those incredibly common skin concerns that can also be surprisingly difficult to tackle. Whether it’s a late night, an exhausting week or simply your natural skin tone, those telltale shadows under your eyes can leave you looking more tired than you actually feel. Luckily, while there’s no magic product that will make dark circles disappear for good, a simple skincare routine can make a noticeable difference to how refreshed you look.
One approach we keep coming back to? Combining a quick boost for when you need it with a daily eye cream for longer-term results.
Why dark circles look worse some days
Ever noticed how your dark circles can look barely visible one morning and much more obvious the next? There’s a reason for that. The skin beneath our eyes is thinner than elsewhere on the face, meaning even small changes can show up quickly. Dryness, for example, can leave the area looking dull, while a loss of volume creates shadows. Puffiness can also catch the light in a way that makes the hollows underneath appear darker. It’s why the same dark circles can look so different from one day to the next.
Of course, if your dark circles change suddenly or appear alongside other symptoms, it’s worth checking in with a doctor. But for everyday shadows and tired-looking skin, a good routine can make a real difference.
Step 1: A quick fix before a big day
When you want your under-eyes to look brighter in a hurry, hydra-gel eye patches can be a great option. Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Brightening Hydra-Gel Eye Patches contain vitamin C, with 90% of women in a consumer study agreeing that their eye area appeared brighter, firmer and tighter after just one use.*
They’re ideal for the morning of an event, before a video call or after a particularly short night. Simply apply to clean, dry skin, leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently pat in any remaining serum. If your skin is sensitive, though, skip the vitamin C patches and head straight to step 2.
Step 2: A daily under-eye cream
While patches can give the area a quick boost, it’s the daily step that helps dark circles look less noticeable over time. We like Peter Thomas Roth Peptide Skinjection Fill + Fix Under-Eye Cream because it targets the appearance of lost volume and fine lines, both of which can make dark circles look more pronounced.
The formula contains 4% Peptilift peptide technology, 3% Juveneye CLR™, Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres, Illuminating Minerals and Caffeine. It’s also been clinically tested to improve the appearance of volume and fine lines.**
To apply, squeeze out a small amount and use the cooling metal tip to smooth it beneath your eyes until absorbed, then gently pat in any excess with your ring finger. You can use it alone or underneath concealer.
When to use each
Every day: Make Peptide Skinjection Fill + Fix Eye Cream part of your regular skincare routine.
Before events or after a short night: Start with Potent-C Eye Patches, then follow with Peptide Skinjection Fill + Fix Eye Cream once you’ve removed them.
Before makeup: Give your eye cream a minute to absorb before applying concealer.
FAQ
Do eye creams actually work for dark circles? A good eye cream won’t completely erase dark circles, but it can certainly help make them less noticeable by hydrating the area and improving the appearance of lost volume and fine lines. The key is consistency rather than expecting miracles from a single product.
Does vitamin C help with dark circles? Vitamin C is a popular brightening ingredient, and eye patches containing it can be a handy way to help the under-eye area look brighter before an event.
Can you get rid of dark circles permanently? Unfortunately, no skincare product can make dark circles disappear for good. But a consistent daily routine, enough sleep and proper sun protection can all help make them look less noticeable over time.
*Based on an immediate consumer perception study on 31 women ages 30 to 59. **Based on a 1-week clinical and consumer perception study on 45 women ages 29 to 65.
