Of all the questions that I’m asked as a beauty editor, how to actually get rid of dark circles has to be up there as one of the most widespread enquiries. Dark circles are all-inclusive when it comes to who they target, from my teenage sister whose laid-back approach to studying often results in all-nighters spent at the library to my friend who has forgotten what sleep is since becoming a mom of three. The truth is there are many factors that can contribute to dark circles. In many cases, dark circles are often down to genetics, so if your parents are prone to them, you may be more likely to have them too. As we age, our eye area can also become hollowed due to fat loss, which can create shadows.

Luckily, there are things that you can do to combat them if they are bothering you (and it is personal preference, at the end of the day). Staying hydrated, eating well, and taking care of yourself with plenty of sleep can make a world of difference to the appearance of dark circles, but one of the simplest places to start is with a decent eye cream. We’ll admit an eye cream won’t permanently eradicate dark circles (that miraculous product just doesn’t exist), but the right eye cream can play an important part of the puzzle in treating dark under-eye circles—if you know which ones to go for.

Kate Kerr, skin expert and director of the Kate Kerr London Clinic, told me that there are two main ingredients to look out for when selecting the best eye cream for dark circles: “L-ascorbic acid, a potent form of vitamin C, and a retinol-based eye cream, which will help to strengthen the area.”