Dark circles? Ugh. What causes them, exactly? Jason Matthews, skincare expert from the R&D division of The Body Shop Singapore, says the pronounced purplish pigmentation can be chalked up to stress-induced spillover from broken capillaries around our eyes.
Happily, topical creams can help. Here’s a famous five superteam of skin saviours to the rescue:
Laneige White Plus Renew Eye Cream, $55
Let’s kick off with some K-Beauty goodness courtesy of this eye elixir that’s a staple in my skincare suite. The cream boasts optical diffusers that do a more-than-decent job of fending off signs of fatigue upon impact, but what I really love about this baby is its superbly soothing metallic massager tip.
I’ve found that running the rollerball over my under eye region for 30 seconds or so makes for a fab quick fix in ridding me of water retention in the mornings. Beauty bonus: Rinse out the applicator when the product proper has run its course, and stash it for use as a massage tool for creams that don’t come with a rollerball. Pretty neat, huh?
Cle de Peau Beaute Concentrated Brightening Eye Serum, $120
Any greatest hits’ compendium of eye creams would be remiss without an honourable mention of Cle de Peau Beaute’s covetable new Concentrated Brightening Eye Serum.
Why I love it: This salve is beyond silky on the skin, and drenches my orbital area with a lit-from-within luminescence. And because it’s as souffle-light as its “serum “classification suggests, I also like layering this under my regular eye creams for extra cushioning on long haul flights.
And speaking of long haul, the hero product yields long-term gains, too: Let’s just say that after a month or so of using this product, I’ve found myself wiggling out of undereye concealer on most workdays.
Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Circle Perfector, $65
A protective sunscreen, dark circle-combating cream and buildable concealer in one nifty tube? Yes, please! Officially obsessed with Kiehl’s triple-duty beauty of a product: Simply dot it on under your eyes, blend like you would any regular concealer and you’re good to go.
Wee caveat: The mineralised pigments are a pleasing peachy hue, but you’ll probably still need a little something-something for date nights out with the boyfriend. (but that’s par for the course, really, seeing as this isn’t billed as a concealer per se.) Try layering this over your regular eye cream in the morning for its very respectable SPF 30 rating. Brilliant!
La Mer The Illuminating Eye Gel, $220
Love me some La Mer, especially this instant brightening balm that really helps to filter out fatigue. The eye gel is excellent as an all-purpose primer, thanks to the formula’s light-reflecting pearlescent particles.
Another huge plus? I’m a sucker for aesthetically pleasing packaging, which in this instance is way over and above the hygienic and very functional pump dispenser.
Clarins Defining Eye Lift, $82
This is my eyecare equivalent of a triple shot latte. A superb stimulant for perking up sleepy peepers, I like the instant gratification it affords: Slap it on and you’ll feel a tingly tightening that’s very invigorating indeed.
Tip: Use tapping motions to massage away the bluish blood causing dark circles, and pair with the posh Parisian brand’s equally well-received Shaping Facial Lift for a full-face makeover!