After all, there’s a reason they call it “beauty sleep.” There are several restorative processes that occur both mentally and physically while we sleep, explains Brendan Camp, MD, a Manhattan-based dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
“When we don’t get enough sleep we affect our body’s ability to produce collagen, restore the skin barrier function, and process fluids appropriately,” Camp says. “Sleep deprivation may also create dark circles by making the blood vessels under our eyes more pronounced; without enough sleep the vessels dilate and impart a blue or purple appearance.”
Luckily there are no shortage of skin care products on the market designed to alleviate your dark circles and puffy eyes.
A note on safety
There’s not a ton of research out there about what ingredients are and are not safe to use on your skin while breastfeeding, especially in topical eye creams which are used in such a small quantity. This studyTrusted Source from 2017, which was focused primarily on cosmetic surgery and chemical peels during pregnancy and postpartum, found little evidence that topical absorption could have an effect on breastfeeding babies.
Still, we prefer to play it safe, so all of these products went through our medical review process and were given the thumbs up for breastfeeding moms.
How we chose
For this list, we took dermatologist recommendations and pored over customer reviews. Most of these products focus on natural ingredients, such as rosehip oil, aloe vera, and shea butter, for added peace of mind.
When talking about skin care products, it’s important to remember that what works for some people might not work for others. In all the reviews we read, every product had mixed results as everyone’s skin is different.
Additionally, if you have any specific skin conditions, it’s always smart to speak to your dermatologist before trying a new product on your skin.
Best cream for entire face:
This night-only cream is designed to brighten your skin while you’re (hopefully) asleep, taking advantage of the time that your cells rejuvenate. The ingredients are simple — naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acids, mango extract, and licorice root — and work to hydrate, firm the skin, and stimulate collagen production.
The reviews are mostly positive for this night cream, with folks saying they experienced brighter, more moisturized skin after using it. But as it’s intended to be used on your entire face, there aren’t many reviews that speak to dark circles specifically. And a few people say they don’t like the scent.
Best for sensitive skin
This eye cream contains hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, as well as ceramides, which help plump the skin and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinklesn Another ingredient worth mentioning is niacinamide, which has anti-inflammatory properties that help cut back on redness, notes Rina Allawh, MD, a dermatologist at Montgomery Dermatology in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
“An added bonus this product is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic (won’t cause acne breakouts) making it ideal for acne-prone, sensitive skin,” she says.
CeraVe’s eye cream has mostly rave reviews, especially because it’s designed for sensitive skin and on the lower end of the price range. But a few folks complain that the formula is greasy so not great for layering makeup on top.
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