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Give yourself that well-rested glow.

"You look tired." It's the last thing you want to hear when you walk into the office or greet a good friend. They might as well tell you your eyes look puffy and dark.

It might not make you feel better if you're suffering from bags, dark circles, or puffy under-eyes, but there's good reason your peepers are the first to look less than stellar. "The skin under your eyes is especially thin and delicate, and when you get too little sleep, circulation decreases and stagnant blood under the eyes can lead to puffiness or dark circles. What's more, this skin is more susceptible to sun damage, showing early signs of aging like wrinkles and crow's-feet," says dermatologist Diane Madfes. "Repetitive motions, like smiling and squinting, don't help the situation," she adds.

The good news: A quality eye serum or cream packed with active ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration, vitamin C for brightening, and retinol for collagen stimulation can help. "It’s always good to use an eye cream—and anyone can use one," says Debra Jaliman, a board-certified NYC dermatologist. "Using an eye cream will help keep the skin around the eyes moisturized, which will help prevent fine lines and wrinkles."

To help you find a quality formula, we asked dermatologists to share their go-to products:

Because it contains a hefty dose of hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that hydrates and plumps the skin, this gel-based cream is ideal for anyone with skin that skews dry and flaky, says Julie Russak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC.

This luxe cream packs a big punch of hyaluronic acid and works to brighten dark circles in as little as three weeks, says Manish Shah, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Denver. As a nice bonus, it also works to diminish puffiness, expression lines, and dryness.

This lightweight cream is great for layering under makeup and contains peptides that work hard all day to stimulate collagen growth, says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. It's also non-comedogenic, which is vital for anyone with oily or acne-prone skin.

Soothing ingredients like cucumber, ginseng, wheat germ, and algae extracts work to tame puffiness, while antioxidants like green tea extract fight the signs of aging—read: crow's-feet—around the eyes, says Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Pennsylvania.

If you want proof that you don't need to splurge to find a great eye cream, try this one. It contains antioxidants, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and jojoba—all ingredients with great moisturizing properties, says Jaliman.

This restorative eye cream works hard to reduce the appearance of puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles, plus has a slight tint to help brighten dark circles, but won't irritate sensitive skin, says Sonia Batra, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cohost of The Doctors.

The high-performance retinoid in this cream increases the natural surface cell turnover process and collagen levels to help combat signs of aging like fine lines and diminish the appearance of deeper wrinkles, says Howard Sobel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

This tinted pick, available in four shades, contains several plant and marine extracts, a host of vitamins, plus hyaluronic acid to reduce puffiness and minimize the appearance of fine lines, says Beverly Hills-based dermatologist Jennifer Ahdout, MD. It also contains SPF to protect the delicate under-eye area from the sun's harsh rays.

Rich in vitamin C, this gel-based formula interferes with the production of pigment and, therefore, brightens dark circles, improves pigmentation, and prevents free-radical damage from UV light exposure, says Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist in NYC.

Retinol is what Renée Moran of Dr. Renée Moran Medical Aesthetics in Boston calls a "game-changer," since it helps boost collagen production, increase skin cell turnover, and reduce puffiness and dark circles all at the same time.

In the morning, it's vital to use an eye cream that contains SPF, particularly because the skin around your eyes is so thin and delicate, which makes it prone to signs of aging, says Moran. This mineral-based formula is safe for sensitive skin, but has the added bonus of caffeine, which works to brighten while it protects.

Prone to under-eye puffiness? Seek out caffeine-based eye creams, like this one, since they have both anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive properties to help smooth out any bags, says Moran.

Formulated with bio-designed collagen and hyaluronic acid, this affordable eye cream hydrates and nourishes the skin, while still being gentle on the skin, says Marisa Garshick, MD, a dermatologist in NYC. It also incorporates fruit stem cell science, which helps to brighten the eyes, she says.

Rich in both antioxidants like beta-carotene and highly moisturizing ingredients like avocado and shea butter, this ultra-soothing cream hydrates and smooths immediately, but also works to improve texture, tone, and puffiness over time, says Sobel.

Is it pricey? Absolutely. But dermatologist Diane Madfes says this pick, suitable for even the most sensitive skin, is unlike other eye creams, since it gets a hydration boost from chlorophyll extracted from USDA-certified organic spinach leaves.

Is it necessary to use eye creams?

Is any beauty step truly necessary? Maybe not. But do dermatologist recommend using an eye cream? Absolutely. That's because the eyes commonly show the first signs of aging due to repetitive motions (like smiling or squinting!) and thinner skin that's more susceptible to UV damage, says Madfes.

Are eye creams or serums better?

That depends what your main skincare goal is. "Serums usually have a higher concentration of ingredients than creams," says Jaliman. Therefore, these products tend to be better for specific concerns, like combating wrinkles or brightening under-eye circles. But creams have better water absorption, which makes them superior for moisturizing. Some experts recommend using serums in the morning and creams at night, when they have more time to penetrate skin without interference.

How to apply eye cream

When using eye cream, apply it before your facial moisturizer, says Jaliman. And approach this super thin and sensitive area delicately. "Use the pads of your fingers to gently pat the cream on your eye in an upward motion," she explains. For best results, apply both morning and night.