I’ve spent much of my adult life wondering how to treat dark circles. After numerous consultations with my doctor, reporting on the best eye creams for dark under-eye circles, and even learning a thing or two about concealing and color correcting for temporary results, I’ve come to realize that there is no one single trick to diminishing the pigmentation—nor is enough sleep a sufficient solution on its own.

Treating—and getting rid of—dark circles is more complex than you might imagine because there are a plethora of reasons one could be experiencing them. Predisposition, aging, and lifestyle choices are just an overview of the many causes of dark circles; and while board-certified dermatologist emphasizes that “there is currently not one universally effective treatment for under eye circles,” Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist tells Vogue, you have options in how you handle them.

Ahead, Dr. Camp, fellow dermatologist Dr. Mina Amin, and aesthetic injector Natia Rufolo give a step by step overview to combating shadowy undereyes—at-home with an arsenal of potent serums, creams, and tools, and in-office via lasers, injections, and medical treatments.

How to Get Rid of Dark Circles at Home

Apply An Eye Cream

Many of us, Vogue editors and dermatologists included, experience great results with the best eye creams for dark circles. “Some ingredients to look out for are retinol, which is great for collagen production and fine lines, vitamin C which is a great skin brightener, and caffeine for puffy under eyes which constricts blood vessels,” per Dr. Amin. Formulas featuring peptides and hyaluronic acid—known to hydrate and plump—are excellent additions, too. For best results, take Rufolo’s advice and apply consistently morning and night to brighten and moisturize the area over time.

Reach for Retinol

“Retinol is great for dark circles because it promotes skin cell turnover which thickens the skin and reduces visibility of blood vessels,” Dr. Amin notes, by encouraging collagen production. To see results, Rufolo advises to “start with a gentle retinol cream and use it two to three times a week at night to gradually increase your skin’s tolerance. Be cautious, as retinol can be irritating to the sensitive skin around your eyes.” Fortunately, there are many an expert-recommended retinol eye cream to choose from these days.

Practice LED Light Therapy

Few beauty tools are as coveted as an LED face mask. “LED devices, particularly those with red or infrared light, can stimulate collagen production, improve blood circulation, and reduce inflammation,” says Rufolo, which can help with both dark circles and undereye puffiness. These anti-aging properties mean this treatment “may be useful for treating crepey skin or skin laxity in the periocular area,” acccording to Dr. Camp. From Omnilux’s hydrocolloid patch to Currentbody’s eye mask, use your favorite light therapy device once a day for optimal healing and rejuvenation.

Always Wear SPF

Practicing the cardinal rule of skincare also yields dark circle-diminishing benefits. “Sunscreen is essential in preventing dark circles from worsening, especially if they are caused by pigmentation issues,” Rufolo explains. “Sun exposure can darken the skin under your eyes, making circles more noticeable. Choose an SPF 30+ sunscreen or an eye cream with built in SPF. Applying sunscreen every morning, even on cloudy days, is crucial for long-term protection.”

Brightening Ingredients

Ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, and licorice extract work wonders to even out hyperpigmentation concerns. “Adding products with these ingredients to your skin-care routine can help reduce discoloration and improve the overall brightness of the undereye area,” says Rufolo. If you had to prioritize one ingredient, though, opt for vitamin C. “Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that limit the effects of free oxygen radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules that may contribute to the formation of dark spots,” according to Dr. Camp.

Try Cryotherapy

Don’t count out home remedies as a temporary solution; sometimes, something as simple as a cold compress and a bit of self-care can keep dark circles at bay. “By narrowing the vessels, cold compresses lessen the blue/purple color that these vessels contribute to dark circles,” Dr. Camp says. Plus, this process alleviates puffiness—just use something like a cold spoon, chilled tea bags, or cryotherapy devices by Therabody and Angela Caglia. “For best results, apply for 10–15 minutes each morning to reduce swelling and refresh the under-eye area,” Rufolo instructs.

Use Color Correctors

The logic of “fake it ‘till you make it” applies to color correcting under-eye creams, which make lack of sleep look like a non-issue. No, these formulas aren’t concealers. Instead, they use skin-care-forward ingredients like light-reflecting mica and subtle pigments to neutralize purple undertones. Many also contain brightening agents like vitamin C and niacinamide, which help improve skin tone over time. YSE Beauty’s eye cream features semi-sheer tints that work across a range of skin tones, along with caffeine for an added awakening boost. Similarly, RMS Beauty’s formula provides sheer color correction and SPF 30 for extra sun protection. Colleen Rothschild Beauty’s version uses subtle pink pigments and a wrinkle-plumping formula, while Ole Henrikson’s eye cream sticks offer four universal shades plus vitamin C for the most coverage.

Address Any Allergies

“Allergies can cause puffiness and swelling,” Camp says, which can exacerbate dark circles. “Taking an antihistamine, using a cold compress, and sleeping on two pillows may help reduce swelling associated with allergies.”

How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Professionally

As it turns out, it’s not always possible to get rid of dark circles permanently, given the wide range of reasons the shadows exist, like lifestyle factors (from dehydration to one too many late nights), genetics, and the aging process. However, according to Rufolo, “combining in-office treatments with consistent at-home care is often the best approach to achieving long-lasting, noticeable results in treating dark circles.” Below is a look at the in-office options; it may be worth consulting your practitioner about brightening, plumping, and beyond.

Laser Therapy

Depending on the cause, Dr. Amin says that certain lasers can help when seeking solutions for how to treat dark circles. “For dark circles that may be due to hollowness under the eyes from signs of aging, fine lines, and wrinkles, resurfacing lasers such as CO2 lasers and fraxel can help. However, it is important to note that eye protection is key and eye shields are utilized.”

Exosomes

Those interested in an innovative ingredient approach should consider exosome therapy (my personal favorite). “Exosome therapy is an advanced treatment where exosomes (cellular messengers) derived from stem cells are injected into the undereye area,” Rufolo explains. “These exosomes promote healing and skin regeneration by enhancing collagen production. This treatment can help rejuvenate the delicate skin under the eyes, making it appear brighter and more youthful. Exosome therapy is particularly effective for deeper wrinkles and thinning skin.”

Microneedling

“Microneedling is another in-office method that increases collagen production and improves the overall quality and appearance of the skin around the eyes,” Dr. Camp notes, which can be used to address dark circles and crepeing.

PRP Therapy

Another dark circle-veiling treatment you might hear about is platelet-rich plasma, better known as PRP. Often called the vampire facial, “PRP involves drawing your blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting it into the under-eye skin,” Rufolo details. “The growth factors in the [plasma] can stimulate collagen production, improve skin texture, and reduce pigmentation. This treatment is best for those with thinning skin or hollowing areas under the eyes. Results typically take a few weeks to show, and multiple sessions may be needed for optimal results.”

Filler

Over the last few years, filler has been an oft-discussed undereye treatment as they “can reduce the hollowing that sometimes forms between the lower eyelid and the upper cheek,” per Dr. Camp. “Filling the hollow reduces the shadow that contributes to the appearance of dark circles. Dermal fillers are not permanent, but their effects can last several months to a year.” Essentially working to restore volume and counteract hollowness, Rufolo says this procedure can instantly brighten the undereye area and provide lasting results depending on the type of filler used—often combined with other treatments like laser therapy for optimal outcomes.