Frequently Asked Questions
Do caffeine eye creams work?
Yes, but with some important caveats. “Caffeine acts mainly as a vasoconstrictor,” says Dr. Karcher, meaning it temporarily shrinks superficial blood vessels beneath the delicate skin of the undereye area. That can reduce puffiness and improve the appearance of dark circles—specifically the bluish kind caused by visible vessels or fluid retention. If it’s going to help, you’ll usually see results within 15 to 60 minutes, Dr. Karcher notes, though the effects are temporary and may last only a few hours.
Are caffeine eye creams good for dark circles?
It depends on what’s causing the darkness. “If the dark circles are due to bluish superficial blood vessels, caffeine can temporarily decrease the look of those dark circles,” says Dr. Karcher. However, it won’t help if the discoloration is pigment-related—or caused by hemosiderin staining (an iron deposit left behind when red blood cells break down and leak from fragile capillaries, which can leave a brownish tint under the eyes). “Caffeine does not affect the pigment,” Dr. Karcher notes, and it also won’t improve shadowing from volume loss. In short, caffeine can improve the appearance of vascular dark circles, but not all types of undereye darkness.
Meet the experts
- Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
- Whitney Hovenic, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Spooge based in Reno, Nevada
- Cheryl Karcher, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Center Aesthetic & Dermatology based in New York City
- Debra Luftman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of Schweiger Dermatology based in Calabasas, California
- Lauren Penzi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best caffeine eye creams, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from makeup artists, dermatologists, and cosmetic chemists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
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