Our top picks from Ole Henriksen, The Ordinary, and more
The thin, delicate skin around the eyes requires an eye cream to protect against environmental damage from UV rays, pollution, and to diminish signs of aging.1 A good eye cream also treats puffiness and dark circles.
Board-certified dermatologist Naissan O. Wesley, MD recommends looking for anti-aging ingredients like retinol, peptides, and vitamin C; plumping ingredients like hyaluronic acid; and ingredients that tamp puffiness, like caffeine. A good formula should not cause irritation to the delicate, thin skin around the eyes.
We went to work and tried some top-rated products that cater to a range of skin types, concerns, and budgets. Our testers used these eye creams for weeks at a time, reviewing each formula’s texture and feel, ingredient list, and how well it lived up to its claims. We then combined these results with our own research and tapped a dermatologist for their expert recommendations.
Best Overall: BeautyStat C Eye Perfector Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Cream
This line was created by a cosmetic chemist with the most efficacious ingredients and pairings. In particular, vitamin C can help stimulate collagen production to diminish the look of fine lines, even out skin tone, and offers antioxidant protection.2 This formula uses a 5% concentration of a pure, patented, and extra-stable version of vitamin C plus CBD to help tamp down inflammation and puffiness.3
We found this product to be a great makeup primer, and it instantly left our under-eyes velvety-smooth, By the end of the three-week testing period, we noticed a slight reduction in fine lines and dark circles—and a noticeable improvement in skin texture and puffiness.
Best Budget: RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
When it comes to finding an affordable, effective eye cream, dermatologists recommend this formula time and time again. It boasts the anti-aging superstar retinol and addresses not only lines but dark circles and puffiness as well, giving you plenty of bang for your buck. The lightweight formula is non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic.
Best for Wrinkles: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
There are lots of eye creams to be found at the drugstore; this is one of the most effective options out there. It boasts tried-and-true retinol, coupled with a glucose complex that works to speed up retinol’s effects.4 The potent formula can smooth out crows’ feet, and generally even out the tone and texture of dry skin around the eyes.
Best for Puffiness: The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + ECGC Depuffing Eye Serum
Whether you pulled an all-nighter or just had one too many martinis the night before, a few drops of this eye cream is the secret to quickly tamping down puffiness. It boasts a powerful concentration of caffeine—a choice de-puffer, thanks to its ability to constrict blood vessels.5 There’s also epigallocatechin gallate, also known as EGCG, an intense antioxidant derived from green tea leaves that further helps boost this formula’s de-puffing prowess.6 Byrdie contributer Joline Buscemi is a big fan of the formula, saying that “the combination of EGCG and caffeine is like a refreshing cup of tea for your eyes—it wakes them up and gets them ready to face the day.”
Best with Vitamin C:
OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Brightening Eye Crème
The formula is packed with vitamin C to deliver long-term brightening benefits and collagen to improve elasticity and keep skin smooth.78 Clinically proven results in four weeks make this product pretty fast acting. Its featherweight, silky texture is ideal for use under makeup and it contains color correcting pigment to conceal dark circles.
Best Color Correcting: IT Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream
A color-correcting eye cream delivers an instant brightening effect, quickly and efficiently neutralizing the look of dark circles. Beverly Hills dermatologist Naissan O. Wesley, MD, recommends this creamy formula, which has skin-barrier boosting ceramides, and hydrating ingredients such as coconut oil and colloidal oatmeal.91011
Best Clean Beauty: Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Line-Filling Eye Balm
For those wary of using products with potentially questionable chemicals around their eyes, consider this clean cream, a Byrdie Eco Beauty Award Winner. It uses a litany of different plant-based extracts to impart everything from hydration to antioxidant protection. Particularly noteworthy is the addition of bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol that’s been proven to have equally as powerful wrinkle-fighting effects, without any of the associated irritation.12 And because it is a bit of a richer balm, it’s a great pick for those with very dry skin or who simply want to use a thicker product around their eyes.
Best With SPF: Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35
Opt for a dedicated eye cream with SPF to use every morning. We’re big fans of this SPF 35-formula that has subtle tint (it comes in four shades) to instantly brighten. Wesley likes the cooling, metal applicator, which can help tamp inflammation and puffiness.
Best Splurge: La Prairie Skin Caviar Eye Lift Serum
The dual-phase serum blends encapsulated beads with a gel-cream emulsion, both loaded with the brand’s signature caviar extract. The formula also includes ceramides to nourish and plump delicate skin around the eyes, but reviewers note its lightweight skin-feel (you only need one pump to get all of these benefits). Its texture makes it a good choice for anyone prone to developing milia around the eyes. We tested out the product for ourselves, and we loved that it made the under-eye area feel supple and soft and minimized the appearance of fine lines.
Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallegro Soothing Eye Cream
This formula is free of common irritants like parabens, fragrance, and alcohol, which you should avoid if you’re prone to sensitive skin. The addition of niacinamide and mineral-rich spring water brightens and hydrates the thin skin around the eyes.13Reviewers with sensitive skin note the calming formula does not irritate.
Best Applicator: SheaMoisture Matcha Green Tea & Probiotics Eye Cream
This formula is packed with hydrating shea butter and probiotics, which visibly target puffiness and brighten dull complexions.14 The addition of matcha green tea helps to de-puff and calm tired eyes. We love its cooling applicator, which deposits a sizable amount of product with each swipe.
Best Gel: Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel Cream
A gel formula is a great pick for those with oily skin or those who might not like eye cream with a thick skin-feel. Packed with lightweight moisture, the formula has a plumping effect on skin, and includes hyaluronic acid.15 Reviewers note it soaks in quickly without any stickiness. Also nice: It’s dermatologist-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, and hypoallergenic, another good pick for those with sensitive skin or eyes.
Best With Retinol: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum
The vitamin A derivative in this formula is well-known for effectively stimulating collagen production to smooth out wrinkles. Its paired with ferulic acid, a standout antioxidant to help prevent environmental damage.16 We love the texture of this lightweight formula; sheer enough to wear on lids in addition to under and around the eyes.
Best for Dry Skin: Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
This formula makes a great base for concealer, as reviewers note it helps grip makeup. Avocado oil and shea butter hydrate without feeling greasy on delicate eye skin (we suggest using a pea-size amount), and also have a brightening effect.11
Best Retinol-Alternative: AgeWell Enriching Eye Cream with Caffeine + Bakuchiol
Although retinol is effective, it can be irritating to some. It’s also to be avoided by those who are pregnant. This formula contains bakuchiol, a plant-based ingredient that’s been shown to have wrinkle-fighting effects nearly identical to that of retinol, but doesn’t elicit irritation. It’s a favorite of Wesley’s, who likes that it contains caffeine to target puffiness.17 Squalane and vitamins C and B3 help accelerate cellular turnover, and when paired with bakuchiol, can drive visible results.18
Best Lifting: The Route The Sunny Eyes
A hero product from this luxury, clinical-grade line, this brightening and lifting eye cream is designed for day wear, with a soft focus diamond powder that adds tinted sheen. You can use on its own, or as a makeup base, beneath concealer. The hydrating formula contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid to plump and lift skin, while caffeine, pomegranate and green tea extract target puffiness.
Best for Deep Wrinkles: Revision Skincare D.E.J Eye Cream
Prebiotics and peptides make this formula rich enough to have visible results on deep wrinkles and those that extend beyond the eyes. Clinical results within 12 weeks makes this formula pretty fast acting. Reviewers note a velvety skin-feel that helps cushion the eye area.
Best for Dark Circles: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream
According to the brand this silky eye cream will brighten dark circles in just two weeks, regardless if they have blue/purple or brown undertones. Besides targeting this issue in all locations (e.g. under eye, eyelids, inner corners, etc.), the cream also reduces the appearance of fine lines and dullness by boosting hydration and plumping the under eye area. After application, your eyes will instantly appear more rested and renewed.
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is BeautyStat’s Universal C Eye Perfector. The vitamin C- and CBD-infused formula helps stimulate collagen production and reduce inflammation to ensure the delicate skin around the eyes is revitalized. For a more affordable pick, consider the retinol-infused RoC Skincare Retinol Correxion Eye Cream, which brightens and diminishes fine lines. Another wallet-friendly option is The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + ECGC, a stand-out when it comes to combating puffiness.
What to Look For In an Eye Cream
Fragrance-Free
Because the skin around your eyes is more sensitive, Wesley suggests avoiding formulas that contain fragrance, which can be one of the more common sources of irritation or allergy in this area. Some of our favorite fragrance-free picks include the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream and the Alpyn Beauty Line-Filling Eye Cream.
Tried-and-True Anti-Aging Ingredients
Wesley recommends sticking with ingredients that have proven benefits. Think classics such as retinol (found in the RoC Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream), peptides (in the Revision Skincare D.E.J Eye Cream) and growth factors that are meant to be anti-aging.
Moisturizing Ingredients
Signs of aging aside, the skin around the eye is naturally prone to being dryer than the skin on the rest of your face. Make sure the eye cream you pick has plenty of hydrating ingredients like skin barrier-strengthening ceramides, niacinamide, and/or hyaluronic acid.
FAQ
How do you apply eye cream?
Apply a small amount onto your ring finger and gently tap—don’t rub or tug—underneath and along the side of the eye. You can also apply eye cream along the brow bone underneath your eyebrow, but Wesley cautions against putting it on the actual upper lid itself, unless the product you’re using specifically says it can be used on this area.
When should you apply eye cream?
“Most eye creams may be used morning and night,” says Wesley. “Twice daily application better ensures that the moisturizing or active properties of the eye cream have a chance to work.”
How long does eye cream take to work?
While you may notice some benefits within a few weeks, most will take two to three months, or even longer, to work, says Wesley. But remember that long-term use will yield both benefits toward helping existing issues and prevent further signs of aging, she says.
