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Eye creams are absolutely a must—as we age, the thin and delicate skin around our eyes is one of the first areas to display signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. “Eye creams are specifically formulated to address the delicate skin in this area and often infused with targeted ingredients to help combat pigmentation, dehydration, and collagen loss,” explains Dr. Teresa Song, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical. They also help with under eye bags and darkness, although the benefits of eye cream can usually only be seen over time and with continuous, consistent use. However, you might be looking for an under eye cream that can serve as a quick fix for those dark under eyes, and tinted eye creams are here to save the day.
Top picks for the best tinted eye creams in 2024
Tinted eye creams not only contain beneficial ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and retinol, but they also have pigments or illuminating properties that can help brighten the under eye and cancel out that darkness. In other words, these products “are multi-purpose products that combine the traditional benefits of an eye cream with added makeup coverage,” Dr. Song says. You may be able to skip concealer after using one of them, and some even contain SPF to protect the skin from harmful UV rays as you go about your day. In just one swipe, you’ve checked off hydration, coverage, and sun protection. Talk about killing two (well, three) birds with one stone.
Ready for your own early morning transformation? Here, we’ve drawn up a guide to the 10 best tinted eye creams that’ll erase any signs of exhaustion from too many late nights. We read countless customer reviews and talked to experts and beauty editors to find a selection of formulas suitable for all skin tones and needs. Keep scrolling, and shop away!
Pros
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- Shade may not be suitable for fair skin tones
Like eye cream, SPF is something you should use every day. This SPF eye cream contains a mineral sunscreen that blends into a wide range of skin tones thanks to its golden pigments.
Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, peptides, vitamin E, Persian silk tree extract
Size: 0.4 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “80 percent of aging comes from the sun—knowing this, I want to protect my face, particularly the delicate under eye area. I apply this tinted eye sunscreen after my eye cream and before my primer. Don’t forget your crow’s feet!” —Danielle James, digital beauty director
Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream
Pros
- Built-in applicator
Cons
- May not be suitable to very sensitive skin
This eye cream features sea fennel extract, a plant-based alternative to retinol that smooths and firms the skin. The caffeine in the formula and the metal applicator de-puff, while the slight peachy hue brightens the eye area.
Key ingredients: Sea fennel extract, avocado extract, caffeine, peptides
Size: 0.5 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’ve never been one to shy away from retinol. Now, the potent anti-aging ingredient—at least, an equally effective retinol alternative—has crept into my eyecare routine. The Ilia eye cream is the wild card of my skin care routine; caffeine, peptides, and sea fennel extract revive my tired eyes and keep any evidence of my 3 am TikTok scrolling to a minimum. Even more, the applicator doubles as a massage tool, so any puffiness can be soothed with just a few swipes.” —Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Colorscience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35
Pros
- Variety of shades to choose from
Cons
- Some may need more coverage on top
This tinted eye cream is a dermatologist-favorite. “It’s gentle, non-irritating, and contains antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and actives that preserve the integrity of blood vessels, a common cause of dark circles. In addition to SPF, it provides instant improvement in dark circles, puffiness, and dryness, owing to its light-reflecting formulation that comes in four shades to match all skin tones,” raves Dr. Rachel Westbay, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical. You’ll also appreciate the cooling metal applicator, which helps reduce puffiness before you start your day.
Key ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants
Size: 0.23 oz.
Colorscience rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Colorscience reviewer says: “I have been using this product for years! Won’t go without it. Love that it is a concealer, treatment, and has SPF all in one amazing product.”
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer
Pros
- Waterproof
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Some reviewers noted creasing
Although this is technically a concealer, it “can also function as an eye cream in the morning because it contains anti-aging ingredients like peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, and hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Westbay. The formula offers full coverage, so it really is a one-and-done product.
Key ingredients: Collagen, hyaluronic acid, peptides
Size: 0.4 oz.
Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “You don’t have to use much, and it has amazing coverage! I enjoy the coverage and dewy finish. If you are having trouble, I recommend moisturizing your under eyes/doing skin prep. Less is more sometimes with this product—use a setting powder and setting spray.”
First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Cream
Pros
- Helps with puffiness
Cons
- Some reviewers saw visible sparkles
First Aid Beauty creates skin care hits time and time again, and this tinted eye cream is one of them. “It includes ingredients like caffeine, licorice root, and light-reflecting pigments to brighten and depuff,” says Dr. Westbay. The formula also includes niacinamide, which helps reduce darkness over time.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine, licorice root
Size: 0.5 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have genetic dark circles under my eyes that I am always trying to cover. This is a great base before I put on concealer/powder. It feels really nice going on and just subtly covers the darkness.”
Pros
- Absorbs quickly
Cons
- May be prone to creasing
Sagging is a common issue that comes with age. Replenix’s tinted eye cream is formulated to infuse the skin with nutrients that help lift the skin and a pigment that camouflages the appearance of any hyperpigmentation and fine lines that might be present.
Key ingredients: Edelweiss flower, hyaluronic acid, peptides
Size: 2 oz.
Dermstore rating: 4/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “I have started to use this product in place of concealer for my daily look and love it. It brightens the under eye area and blends seamlessly with my tinted moisturizer. The only downside is minor creasing in the fine lines underneath my eyes, but it easily re-blends if I notice this throughout the day.”
OleHenriksen Banana Bright+ Vitamin CC Eye Stick
Pros
- Four shades for different skin tones
Cons
- Can fade throughout the day
Dark under eyes that need some extra love will appreciate this eye cream stick and color corrector hybrid. Infused with vitamin C, the stick also works to fade darkness.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, caffeine
Size: 0.14 oz.
Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I love the Banana Bright Vitamin CC Stick! It completely erases my dark circles and doesn’t crease over time! It also seems to help improve the overall look slightly over time without the use of makeup. I would absolutely recommend this product.”
Natura Bisse Diamond Cocoon Sheer Eye Cream
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive eyes
Cons
- Tint may not work for everyone
Environmental stressors like blue light and UV rays wreak all sorts of havoc on our under eyes, leading to fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness. The pigments in this Natura Bisse eye cream help blur imperfections, while water lily extract and hyaluronic acid nourish and hydrate the skin to give the eye area a boost.
Key ingredients: Detoxin, hyaluronic acid, water lily extracts
Size: 0.08
Dermstore rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “I love this eye cream. It hides your dark circles very well and is moisturizing. I don't need to wear concealer anymore. The coverage is fairly light and sheer but it is enough for me. You won't feel it on your face like you do with makeup. Keep in mind that the price is for 25ml. Most eye creams are 15ml only.”
Pros
- Looks natural on all skin tones
Cons
- May need more coverage for dark circles
Stayed awake a little too long last night binging your favorite new series? No problem—Medik8 has your back with the Illuminating Eye balm, which is rich with moisturizing and soothing ingredients and has a tint that softens any darkness you may have acquired from your wild night in.
Key ingredients: Red algae extract, hyaluronic acid, cucumber extract, glycerin
Size: 0.51 oz.
Dermstore rating: 4/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “It is soft and creamy, though not greasy. It is tinted, which I love. It is a great under-eye moisturizer. I will definitely order it again!”
Colleen Rothschild Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream
Pros
- De-puffing
Cons
- Cancels out blue-ish dark circles
The pearlized pigments in this tinted eye cream provide a subtle glow that makes you look more awake—even before you’ve had your first cup of coffee. Thanks to the efforts of hardworking ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and caffeine, wrinkles and puffiness will fade, too.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, peptides
Size: o.5 fl. oz.
Colleen Rothschild rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Colleen Rothschild reviewer says: “Love this product! I have reordered it many times. I struggle with dark under eyes and have tried many different eye creams. This is the only one I have found that works to hide and brighten my eyes.”
Meet the Experts
Dr. Rachel Westbay is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical.
Dr. Teresa Song is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical.
Are tinted eye creams safe?
According to Dr. Westbay, the consensus is that they’re generally safe as long as they’re made with the proper ingredients and used appropriately. However, if you’re feeling nervous, performing a patch test is always a good idea. “I say this all the time, but before using a new tinted eye cream, perform a patch test on a small area of skin to ensure you do not have an allergic reaction or irritation,” says Dr. Westbay.
Can you use tinted eye creams at night?
Not really—especially ones with SPF in them. “This is largely because sunscreens are formulated to protect your skin from UV radiation during the day. There is no UV exposure at night, so using sunscreen serves no protective purpose, and mineral-based SPFs are at the root of most tinted eye creams. On that note, some ingredients in sunscreens, including those that provide the tint, may not be ideal for overnight wear. They can potentially clog pores or irritate the skin if left on for extended periods without the need for sun protection,” says Dr. Westbay. Also, there’s really no need for any sort of tint at night, so it’s probably a better idea to slather on your regular eye cream instead.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Carol Lee consulted trusted dermatologists and editors to learn about the best tinted eye creams. She also read through countless customer reviews and evaluated each product on their features.
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- The Best Peptide Eye Creams for Smoother Under Eyes
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