The 10 Best Korean Eye Creams For Dark Circles

Dealing with stubborn dark circles under your eyes can be frustrating, as it can make you look tired and older, affecting your self-confidence. We have curated a list of the 10 best Korean eye creams for dark circles to help you battle them with ease. The list includes not only eye creams but also other skincare products from reputable medical-grade and dermatologist-owned brands that can be used specifically on the under-eye area and have proven to be effective.

However, before we introduce you to our top 10 Korean eye creams for dark circles, it's best to educate yourself about the root cause of your dark circles. This information can help you make an informed decision about which product to choose.

What Causes Dark Circles Under The Eyes?

Being aware of the various elements that play a role in dark circles under the eyes is significant. Here are some contributing factors:

• 1. Insufficient sleep, fatigue, and dehydration
• 2. Aging, and weakened skin elasticity
• 3. Having thin skin or hollow under-eyes
• 4. Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking and poor diet
• 5. Exposure to harmful environment, including physical irritation (e.g., rubbing eyes) and sun exposure
• 6. Pooled blood under the skin (poor blood circulation)

It's worth noting that topical solutions typically target dark circles caused by excess melanin, poor circulation beneath the eyes, or weakened skin elasticity. But how do you differentiate between them?

Bluish vs Brownish Dark Circles

If you're troubled by those stubborn dark circles with bluish or purplish hues, the visible blood vessels beneath your under-eye skin likely are to blame. Luckily, there's a solution that can address this issue effectively. Look for products infused with ingredients known to promote better blood circulation (e.g. vitamin K), as they can provide you with a more targeted and effective solution.

On the contrary, if you notice that your dark circles have brownish or grayish undertones, periorbital hyperpigmentation is the culprit. This condition is often triggered by factors such as sun exposure, chronic eye rubbing, inflammation, or allergies, which can result in an overproduction of melanin in the skin. To combat these specific dark circles, incorporating spot correctors or whitening creams into your skincare routine can be effective in reducing their visibility.

If you are uncertain and confused between the two, but you're starting to notice that your dark circles are becoming more noticeable due to sunken eyes, hollow areas, or under-eye wrinkles, it is crucial to choose an eye cream that can effectively replenish volume and rejuvenate your under-eye region. Ideally, you should seek a versatile eye cream that offers both wrinkle-reducing and brightening properties, providing a two-in-one solution for your concerns.

Achieving visible results in reducing dark circles requires a combination of consistent skincare practices and adopting a healthy lifestyle. However, if you are dealing with protruding eye bags or severe dark circles, relying solely on topical applications may not yield the desired results. In such cases, it is advisable to consult a medical professional for further guidance. So without further ado, let's explore the top-notch Korean eye creams that can effectively target and alleviate your dark circles!

10 Best Korean Eye Creams For Dark Circles

1. SWANICOCO Peptine Biome Eye Cream 30ml

45,000 KRW | 1,500 KRW per ml | Microbiome-based Skincare

Swanicoco is a highly acclaimed skincare brand known for its exceptional range of gentle and natural cosmetics. Their Peptine Biome Eye Cream is an enhanced iteration of their immensely popular peptide eye cream, which has received six beauty awards. Its star ingredient, the "peptide biome," is a unique combination of 30 low-molecular peptides and 18 topical probiotics. This innovative formulation works to rebalance the skin's environment and strengthen the skin barrier, resulting in a visible reduction in the appearance of dark circles. This eye cream proves particularly beneficial for those with pronounced dark circles resulting from tired-looking eyes.

2. IANCELL Premium Ceramide K Cream 70ml

70,000 KRW | 1,000 KRW per ml | Medical-grade Skincare Brand

Iancell is a trusted Korean medical-grade cosmeceutical brand used by more than 8,000 hospitals and clinics. Among its impressive lineup of products, the Ceramide K cream stands out. While this cream is not specifically formulated for dark circles, it can effectively address their appearance. To clarify, vitamin K plays a crucial role in supporting the development of collagen and blood vessels, while also acting as a powerful antioxidant. By doing so, it effectively minimizes the pooling of blood under the eye — a common cause of dark circles. In addition, ceramides combat harmful free radicals, and beta-glucans promote skin regeneration. By harnessing the benefits of these potent ingredients, this cream works to diminish the appearance of dark circles.

3. W. SKIN LABORATORY Stop-Aging Peptide Eye Cream 30ml

14,900 KRW | 497 KRW per ml | Contains Volufiline™️ | EWG Green Grade Ingredients

This outstanding Korean eye cream is specifically designed to combat signs of aging and reduce the appearance of dark circles by improving skin elasticity. The cream's exceptional formula incorporates top-notch ingredients like palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Volufiline, hyaluronic acid, Centella asiatica, and niacinamide. While all these ingredients provide considerable benefits, let's focus on the unique advantages of palmitoyl tripeptide-5 and Volufiline. Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 is renowned for its ability to smoothen fine lines and wrinkles, which can exacerbate the prominence of dark circles. On the other hand, Volufiline delivers a lipofilling-like effect that promotes an increase in skin volume. While Volufiline is not specifically targeted toward reducing dark circles, it can effectively address dark circles caused by hollow eyes by enhancing lipid storage in the area.

4. JIAEHU Self-Esteem Cream For Eye 40ml

32,000 KRW | 800 KRW per ml | Contains Volufiline™️ | Contains 573,000 ppm of Centella asiatica

Due to the remarkable effectiveness of Volufiline in skincare, we've added another eye cream product that utilizes this ingredient. Jiaehu's eye cream contains a potent combination of 50,000 ppm Volufiline, five types of peptides, 573,000 ppm Centella asiatica, and their own BL-Fill Up Complex, composed of bladderwrack and honey flower extract. Additionally, the formulation includes multiple natural skin protectants, as well as niacinamide and adenosine. This highly effective Korean eye cream not only addresses dark circles, but also provides comprehensive revitalization to your delicate skin.

5. DR.ORACLE RetinoTightening™️ 3D-Tox Peptide Eye Cream 25ml

36,000 KRW | 1,440 KRW per ml | Dermatologist-owned Skincare Brand | Uses Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Dr.Oracle offers one of the few Korean eye creams that use hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR), aka the third-generation retinol, and acetyl hexapeptide-8. Two powerhouse ingredients that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. HPR is proven to be gentler on the skin compared to retinoic acid, while still delivering impressive anti-aging and blemish-reducing benefits. The additional inclusion of plant-derived ingredients and hyaluronic acid work synergistically to further improve the delicate skin around the eyes. You can also expect reduced under-eye puffiness and an improved appearance of dark circles, thanks to the inclusion of skin-brightening ingredients like niacinamide.

6. CHUNGMIJUNG Kakadu Plum Melasma Blemish Cream 50g

32,000 KRW | 640 KRW per ml | Plant-derived Blemish Eye Cream

To understand how this cream works to reduce dark circles, it's essential to explore the role of vitamin C. As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C fights against free radicals that can accelerate aging and lead to hyperpigmentation. When applied to the skin, it stimulates collagen production, enhances blood circulation, and promotes a rejuvenated under-eye area over time. This Korean eye cream features kakadu plum (50%), which is renowned for its exceptionally high vitamin C content, surpassing that of oranges by roughly 100 times. Additionally, the cream offers other advantages, such as plant flavonoids and epidermal growth factor (EGF), which further contribute to its effectiveness.

7. BEWANTS Phyto Collagen Eye Cream Stick 20ml

34,000 KRW | 1,700 KRW per ml | Certified by EVE Vegan

The Bewants Eye Cream Stick offers a vegan solution to combat dark circles and wrinkles. Formulated with 56.7% plant-based collagen extract, Pot marigold (calendula) oil, and lavender extract, this cream effectively improves blood circulation and tightens the skin, reducing dark circles, eye bags, and age spots. The product's tip serves as a gentle massager, ensuring smooth absorption into the skin. With its combination of other powerful ingredients, including niacinamide and kelp extract, and the multi-functional product tip, this remarkable cream effectively diminishes the appearance of dark circles and puffiness while providing maximum effectiveness through effortless absorption.

8. Dr. YN NK Repair Eye Cream 28g

99,000 KRW | 3,536 KRW per g | Stem Cell Skin Care | Dermacosmetic Brand

Dr. Yn is a dermacosmetic brand that utilizes higher concentrations of active ingredients than cosmetic products, providing effective skincare solutions. Their NK Repair Eye Cream employs human cord blood cell conditioned media, which contains growth factors (EGF and FGF) and cytokines, to improve skin health significantly. Moreover, NEX-BTALE and Aureobasidium pullulans ferment stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis. However, these benefits are futile if the skin cannot absorb them. Dr. Yn addresses this by incorporating three technologies that break down active ingredients into nano-sized particles to deeply penetrate the dermis. With its powerful blend of ingredients and innovative technology, Dr. Yn's NK Repair Eye Cream effectively fortifies and plumps the delicate under-eye area, resulting in a noticeable reduction in the appearance of dark circles.

9. CLEAN-UP MelaW Corrector Cream 20g

50,000 KRW | 2,500 KRW per g | Dark Spot Corrector

| Dermatologist-Owned Skincare Brand

CleanUp, a highly reputable dermatology clinic with eight professional clinics in South Korea, has used its expertise and research to create an exceptional skincare brand. Their standout product, the Clean-Up MelaW Corrector Cream, effectively addresses hyperpigmentation and dark spots. This cream contains potent antioxidants such as tranexamic acid (TXA), glutathione, and French lilac extract. TXA fades dark spots, discolorations, and melasma, making it effective in reducing the appearance of dark circles. Glutathione, the key ingredient of whitening injections, reduces melanin production and cellular damage. To top it off, the inclusion of French lilac extract further enhances the effectiveness of this corrector cream. French lilac inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme group that produces melanin. You can trust in the power of science-backed ingredients and let Clean-Up's MelaW Corrector Cream unveil your radiant eyes.

10. DERMARESEARCH MelaTeinone 30ml

84,800 KRW | 2,827 KRW per ml | Dark Spot Corrector |  Dermatologist-Owned Skincare Brand

MelaTeinone, a cream developed by dermatologists, is specifically formulated to effectively diminish dark spots and discoloration while being gentle on the skin. This cream stands out with its impressive recipe, utilizing a significant 690,000 ppm of Centella asiatica extract (69%) as its primary ingredient instead of water. Additionally, MelaTeinone incorporates Vitamin C sourced from pollution-free environments like Jeju Island and Switzerland for optimal benefits. What truly sets this product apart is the inclusion of Melatein X, a crucial component that inhibits melanin production, resulting in a whitening effect that is 100 times stronger than arbutin. To further boost its spot-correcting effects, MelaTeinone also includes arbutin and adenosine.

Price Comparison

Below is an overview of the prices for the Korean eye creams listed above. Please note that these prices are the standard retail prices and do not take into account any discounts or promotions that may be available. It is common for these products to be discounted, so you will be able to find them at a lower price point.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not affiliated with or sponsored by any of the brands mentioned in this post. Our recommendations are based on thorough research, including reviews and product ingredients, to ensure that we provide you with accurate and unbiased information.

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