In addition to a good cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen, a quality eye cream will increase your overall glow and help you look well-rested (regardless of how much sleep you got the night before). Whether you want to treat dark circles, fine lines, or general puffiness, the best eye creams contain nourishing formulas that won’t irritate the most delicate areas of your facial skin. After rigorous research, we named our winners: Skinceuticals AGE Advanced Eye Complex.
All eye creams should be moisturizing, but some are specifically designed to brighten the skin, while others effectively target wrinkles and fine lines. After consulting with Vetted’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief Jane Song and an esthetician, we found that Joanna VargasHere, we have carefully selected recommended eye creams that address various skin concerns. Below, you’ll find expert recommendations and important considerations to keep in mind when shopping.
Skinceuticals AGE Advanced Eye Complex
Main ingredients: Proxylan, glycyrrhetinic acid, caffeine | Additional benefits: Reduces dark circles and evens out skin tone. Cruelty-free: no
SkinCeuticals’ AGE Advanced Eye Complex is formulated with powerful active ingredients that provide benefits beyond hydration. It’s made with the brand’s proprietary concentrated proxylan (a skin-plumping derivative derived from beechwood) and a blend of flavinoids, biometric peptides, and caffeine. Fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types, this eye cream combats dryness, dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness without leaving behind any greasy residue. If you’re looking for an all-in-one eye cream, this is it.
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RoC Retinol Correction Eye Cream
Main ingredients: Retinol, mineral complex | Additional benefits: Reduces swelling and smoothes wrinkles. Cruelty-free: no
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get an effective eye cream. This budget-friendly option from RoC uses retinol to reduce fine lines. Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is a powerful anti-aging ingredient that promotes collagen production, making skin smooth and plump. Here, combined with RoC’s signature mineral complex, it reduces puffiness, smoothes wrinkles, andBrightens the complexion. Retinol can irritate sensitive skin, so be sure to start with a patch test before using this product regularly.
La Mer The Eye Concentrate
Main ingredients: Miracle Broth Complex, Algae Extract, Lime Tea Concentrate | Additional benefits: Reduce dark circles and prevent future skin damage | Cruelty-free: no
Made with high-quality ingredients, La Mer’s moisturizing products are worth the splurge. A key addition to La Mer’s luscious eye cream formula is the brand’s signature Miracle His Broth. This is a concoction of powerful antioxidants (including soothing green tea) that deeply moisturizes the skin, specifically targeting dark circles and fine lines around the eyes. Also, while many eye creams take a while to absorb into the delicate under-eye area, La Mer’s Eye Concentrate sinks in quickly, so you don’t have to waste time waiting for it to sink in before adding concealer. You don’t have to. A cooled metal rod is also included for precise application.
La Roche Posay Redermic R Eye Cream
Main ingredients: Retinol, hot spring water, caffeine | Additional benefits: Smoothes wrinkles and increases firmness | Cruelty-free: no
An overall winner on our list of best eye creams for puffiness, this formula from La Roche-Posay reduces puffiness and fine lines around the eyes. The calming thermal waters are infused with retinol, which acts as a gentle exfoliant on delicate skin. Caffeine, on the other hand, acts as an antioxidant and gives firmness and brightness to the area around the eyes. As with all products containing retinol, be sure to do a patch test to make sure your skin isn’t overly irritated by the ingredient.
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Cream
Main ingredients: Vitamin C, Collagen, and Hardy Orange Extract | Additional benefits: Reduce fine lines and wrinkles, color correction | Cruelty-free: yes
In this eye cream, skin-whitening vitamin C combines with plumping collagen to reduce the appearance of dark circles and smooth fine lines. But what sets Ole Henriksen’s formula apart from others is the addition of light-reflecting yellow mineral pigments that instantly even out skin tone. This eye cream takes the top spot on our list of best eye creams for dark circles, and we especially love how it pairs well with concealer and foundation. However, the brand says to always test on a small patch before applying it under your eyes, as the strong formula can aggravate sensitive skin.
Furtuna Skin Eye Revitalizing Cream
Main ingredients: Nigella damaskana flowers, lilac stem cells, hyaluronic acid | Additional benefits: Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles and brightens skin | Cruelty-free: yes
Furtuna Skin Eye Revitalizing Cream uses popular natural ingredients in its luxurious formula. Nigella damascena flowers to brighten the eyes and lilac stem cells to reduce discoloration. These botanicals are blended with hyaluronic acid, a gentle ingredient that helps bind water molecules to the skin. Sung says the product may be more of an upfront financial investment, but a little goes a long way. She’s also a fan of the included metal scooper, which attaches easily to the jar thanks to a hidden magnet in the lid.
Ilia Bright Start Activate Eye Cream
Main ingredients: Fennel extract, avocado extract, caffeine | Additional benefits: Reduce wrinkles and swelling | Cruelty-free: yes
Retinol-based eye creams aren’t the only way to smooth and brighten your skin. Ilia has harnessed the rejuvenating effects of sea fennel extract, a plant-based retinol alternative perfect for sensitive skin. Avocado extract works to brighten skin and reduce dark circles, while a blend of caffeine and peptides reduces puffiness and increases hydration levels. Ilia’s innovative tube features a ceramic tip that acts as both an applicator and a massage tool.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Main ingredients: Persian Album Extract, Marine Plankton, Biomimetic Lipids | Additional benefits: Reduces dark circles and gives firmness to the skin | Cruelty-free: yes
This ultra-rich formula from German skincare brand Dr. Barbara Sturm is perfect for those who want to specifically target signs of aging around the eyes, such as wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Persian barberry extract reduces under-eye shadows, while marine plankton tightens delicate skin. Biomimetic lipids support the facial moisture barrier for an overall fresher look.
Beauty Stat Cosmetics C Eye Perfector Cream
Main ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, caffeine | Additional benefits: Reduces dark circles, blurs imperfections, and anti-inflammatory properties | Cruelty-free: yes
This lightweight eye cream from BeautyStat has a gel-cream texture and absorbs quickly for instant results. Contains 5% concentration of vitamin C to brighten the under eye area. Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid boosts hydration, caffeine reduces puffiness, and anti-inflammatory green tea soothes irritation. Another highlight of BeautyStat’s formula is the addition of an optical diffuser, which creates the effect of blurring imperfections upon application.
What to consider when buying eye cream
We spoke to expert estheticians to get some insight into what you should look for in an eye cream, including key ingredients and overall consistency. As you browse the top options above, keep the following in mind:
formula
While there are many active ingredients that work to correct various under-eye skin care issues, there are also a few star players that are included in many formulas. “Look for ingredients like peptides to strengthen the delicate skin around the eyes. Hyaluronic acid helps keep the eye area hydrated,” says the New Jersey-based esthetician. Joanna Vargas. Additionally, Vargas recommends vitamin C to increase skin brightness and elasticity.
Consistency
Eye creams vary in consistency, some have a light gel-like feel, while others are rich and thick. When choosing a consistency, first consider your skin type and specific eye concerns. People with chronically dry skin should choose heavier creams, while gel formulas are better for people with oily skin types. Always do a patch test on a small area of skin before spreading all over the eye area.
price
Eye cream prices range from $20 to $200 (or more). Expensive formulas often contain highly concentrated active ingredients and powerful, hard-to-find botanicals. That being said, there are more affordable options that provide effective results. RoC Retinol Correction Eye Cream. Eye creams are ideal for daily application, so you’ll likely need to stock up every few months, so make sure the products you choose are within your beauty budget.
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