Dark circles beneath the eyes can appear due to a combination of factors, such as lack of sleep, stress, aging, or as a hereditary trait. Choosing the best cream for dark circles depends on the ingredients, packaging, and pricing. Depending on the cause of the dark circles, the cream may need to be combined with a change in daily habits for best effect. The best eye creams usually contain vitamins like C and K, or other ingredients which plump the skin and lessen the look of dark circles.
You will want to check the ingredients to ensure that the cream for dark circles will be effective and not have harmful elements. Common active ingredients found in more effective creams are Vitamins C, K, and E, kojic acid, and retinol. Be wary of products that promise instant effects with no active ingredients listed in the label.
Vitamin K fortifies capillary walls under the eyes and enhances circulation, which reduces the chances of veins being visible in the thin skin beneath the eyes. Retinol encourages cell growth and helps restore old cells, while kojic acid and vitamin C lighten the skin. Vitamin E oxidizes the skin, retards cell aging, and amplifies the effects of vitamin C.
Harmful substances in cream for dark circles may cause the cream to damage your skin or cause irritation. Such ingredients include fragrances, salt, and menthol, which can cause irritation in the delicate skin beneath the eyes. You will also want to avoid mineral oil, which was initially a popular ingredient due to its moisturizing abilities; later studies showed that it clogs pores and can cause allergic reactions.
The cream will ideally be packaged in a tube or a pump, as opposed to a jar. Once you break the seal and begin using the cream, a jar will leave its contents exposed to outside elements every time it is opened to a much greater degree than a tube or pump container. Too much exposure to elements such as sunlight and air gradually reduces the effectiveness of the cream.
If you regularly go outdoors, it may be a good idea to check for sun-blocking protection in your cream for dark circles. Ingredients like avobenzone and zinc oxide will assist in caring for the skin under your eyes. The skin beneath the eyes has fewer oil glands and is much more susceptible to drying out when exposed to too much sunlight. In addition, dark circles can be caused by increased pigment, so sun exposure can make the condition worse.
Once you have chosen the best cream for dark circles, bear in mind that change in daily activities may be needed for best effect. This depends on the cause of the dark circles beneath your eyes. If, for instance, they are caused by lack of sleep, the cream will assist in caring for the skin beneath your eyes, but will not prove fully effective until you obtain proper sleep as well.