This $32 eye cream is the closest thing to a miracle for getting rid of dark circles and depuffing

• When it comes to finding an eye cream, most of us are looking something that brightens and depuffs - after all, who doesn't want to look more awake?
• If that's what you're after, the Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream ($32) is one of my favorites. It's a relatively affordable, powerful eye cream that instantly brightens the area under the eyes.
• I've kept this product in my skin-care arsenal for years. Here's why I always go back to it.

There's nothing like dark circles and puffiness under your eyes to put a damper on your morning, but eye bags are actually pretty common.

Did you go to bed late? Drink a little too much last night? Are you still recovering from jetlag? There are a lot of factors that can make our eyes look anything but bright and refreshed, including our genetics. The reality is we can't change our DNA or turn back time. And it can be tough (or at least a bummer) to put down that second glass of merlot or get our head down on the pillow a few hours earlier.

What we can do is invest in a good eye cream. It's not a foolproof solution, but an eye cream with ingredients that target your needs will help. If your concerns are dark circles and puffiness, Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream is a great start.

As the name suggests, this cream instantly freshens up tired eyes by depuffing and brightening with just a few dabs. I've tried many eye creams aimed at brightening, tightening, and depuffing, but in my opinion, this one works best.

What makes it so special?

Caffeine is the star ingredient in this eye cream. The GinZing formula takes advantage of the energizing properties of coffee - yes, the same kind you drink to wake you up on tired mornings - to help restore radiance to the area around your eyes. Caffeine soothes skin, helps circulation, and is anti-inflammatory, all factors that can help reduce puffiness. Then there's the panax ginseng and magnolia extract, powerful antioxidants that improve skin tone and texture. The cream itself is lightweight but not liquidy.

The skin around your eyes is particularly delicate, so always be careful not to pull and tug when it's time to apply. I apply the cream by lightly dabbing the product (with my ring finger) under and around my eyes, making sure not to rub harshly. A tub of this is only half an ounce, but a little goes a long way - a single tub has lasted me about six months. I'm always careful not to use too much, as I have had some pilling in the past on days when I tried to slather the cream on. Again, your under-eye area is delicate, so there's no need to overdo it.

Once applied, you'll notice the results. I mean, like, right away. The Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream has a light-peachy tint and a faint shimmer, which instantly brightens under your eyes. It's almost like dabbing on a little concealer and highlighter all in one. Don't expect full coverage, but expect your dark circles to look significantly lighter.

As a sidenote, I have particularly fair skin and this pale, peachy tint blends well. If you have a darker skin tone, it may take a little longer for the pale tint to really sink in and disappear, but it's a cream and not a concealer, so I wouldn't worry about it not suiting your tone.

Bottom line

There are plenty of eye creams out there, many of them aimed at brightening, depuffing, and giving you an all-around bright-eyed and bushy-tailed look in the morning. While many work well, I've yet to find one that works this well. The combination of energizing caffeine and a light tint that catches the light creates instant results.

And at $32 a tub with each one lasting me about six months, it's a pretty good value (a little over $5 per month).

Get the Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream for $32 at Origins and Sephora

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