Say goodbye to those tired eyes and dark circles with some of the best eye cream formulas on the market right now.
Some people are blessed with naturally awake-looking eyes, but for the rest of us who need a little help keeping things looking fresh, it’s challenging to find a good formula that actually works without breaking the bank. The plethora of options can be downright overwhelming, too! So, even if you’ve done your research, you may still end up shelling out cash for something that does little more than moisturize. Instead of sifting through the endless options online and all of their claims, why not try one that has been rigorously reviewed and proven to work? That way, you can avoid disappointment and change the way you show up in the world, eyes first.
Here are the best eye creams you can find online right now.
Biotherm Canada Blue Pro-Retinol Eye Cream (This link opens in a new tab)
Biotherm is a higher-end (and higher-price tag) brand, but the results of their Blue Pro-Retinol Eye Cream are well worth it when you see them. Over 95% of women who used this product (according to clinical studies) saw a reduction in eye wrinkles. The combination of pro-retinol, peptides, caffeine, and life plankton puts dark circles in the rearview and brightens and hydrates the eye area for that well-rested look. It’s also a sustainable product, so even if it’s more on the expensive side, you can feel good about where your hard-earned cash is going.
Clarins Double Serum Eye (This link opens in a new tab)
The Clarins Double Serum Eye will smooth wrinkles, reduce puffiness, and strengthen the skin around the eyes. Its ingredient list is packed with active ingredients like plant extracts and boosted with nourishing avocado and castor oils. The texture is lightweight and will melt into the skin with a few gentle dabs.
iT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Brightening Cream (This link opens in a new tab)
The iT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Brightening Cream is chock-full of good-for-you ingredients, such as ginseng extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides. Together, the active ingredients in the formula can fill in fine lines, protect your skin, and even your skin tone. The product promises to brighten the eye area up for that woke-up-like-this look everyone wants and has been clinically tested, so you know the reviews aren’t paid for! One of the best parts? The cream is vegan, too, so you don’t have to worry about any furry friends suffering in the name of brighter eyes.
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream (This link opens in a new tab)
If you’re looking for luxury cream at drugstore prices, look no further than the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream. CeraVe is well known for its skin-boosting products, and its eye cream is no exception. Using marine and botanical complexes, the lotion promises to reduce dark circles and puffiness, making you look ready to take on the world, even if you plan to take a self-care day at home in your pyjamas. Ceramides and their time-release technology penetrate the skin and keep working all day long, so you can be confident that the cream is working for you long after you put it on. It’s also free of fragrances and ideal for all skin types.
Sephora Collection Brightening Eye Cream with Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid (This link opens in a new tab)
For those who want an eye cream that works without any harsh scents, then the Sephora Collection Brightening Eye Cream is for you. Caffeine and hyaluronic acid derived from plant-based sources help hydrate and depuff the skin under the eye, making you look like you got a solid eight, even if you’ve just pulled an all-nighter. Worried about your skin type? Well, you don’t have to with this cream. It’s made for dry, combination, and normal skin.
L’Oreal Revitalift Triple Power LZR (This link opens in a new tab)
L’Oreal is another drugstore brand that can hang with the best of them. Their Revitalift Triple Power LZR eye serum contains ingredients that take your eye area from drab to fab in no time at all. Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and pro-retinol work together to help fill in wrinkles, hydrate the skin, and reduce the appearance of eye bags. This product is especially good if you’re looking for fast results — it only takes a week to notice the difference! Suitable for all skin types, the Revitalift Triple Power LZR is popular for a reason.
Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream (This link opens in a new tab)
Looking for something that tackles all those pesky eye concerns in one? Look no further than the Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream. The 3-in-1 formula made with key ingredients like peptides and all the vitamins your body needs to look and feel good is designed with the consumer in mind. Instead of buying several creams for everything, this one fights wrinkles, reduces puffiness, and erases dark circles for smooth, bright eyes ready to take on anything life throws at you. It has a great texture and it's also fragrance-free, so if you’re sensitive to smells, you’ll love it.
Vichy Laboratories Mineral 89 Eye Cream (This link opens in a new tab)
Those with sensitive skin may want to check out the Vichy Laboratories Mineral 89 Eye Cream. It’s got glycerin, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid to tackle fine lines and hydrate dry skin in and around the eye area. The ingredients used also help strengthen that skin; since it’s both thinner and weaker, you often need all the help you can get in that department! It’s also formulated with caffeine for brightening, and there’s no fragrance which is especially great for sensitive eyes, so you can say goodbye to creams that double as perfume.
E.l.f. Holy Hydration (This link opens in a new tab)
E.l.f. Holy Hydration may just be the holy grail of eye creams. Not only is it less than $15, but it also contains the same ingredients as many high-end products, making it the perfect budget eye cream to get the job done. With hyaluronic acid and peptides, E.l.f.’s Holy Hydration can moisturize and diminish the look of dark circles that scream, “I just woke up from hibernation.” It works for all skin types, will be a great base under makeup, and has a light, fresh cucumber scent that will wake up your senses while it goes to work on your eye area.
Burt’s Bees Gentle Eye Cream (This link opens in a new tab)
Another budget cream that feels like it belongs in the high-end section is the Burt’s Bees Gentle Eye Cream. The formula, made specifically for sensitive skin, contains glycerin, shea butter, and coconut oil, all designed to hydrate and soothe dry and tired eyes. It can be used alone or with other products, but once the aloe and rice extracts start working their magic, you may not need anything else! The all-natural product has also been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, so you know it’s a great option.
Armani Beauty Cream Nera Firming Meta Eye Treatment (This link opens in a new tab)
I know we promised eye creams that wouldn’t break the bank, but we couldn’t create a best-of-eye creams list in good conscience without adding the Armani Beauty Nera Firming Meta Eye Cream. It’s way above the others in price, but its firming, lifting, and wrinkle-correction capabilities are a cut above. The unique and clinically tested formula contains skin revival metabolites, gallic acid, trehalose, and seven peptides, all working together to wake up tired eyes. With a high-tech formula designed to penetrate deep into the first nine layers of skin, it’s a rich eye cream you won’t regret splurging on.
FAQs about under eye creams:
What do dermatologists recommend for puffy eyes?
Dermatologists recommend looking for products that contain caffeine, Retinol, Vitamin C, peptides, and Hyaluronic Acid. If these are active ingredients in your eye cream they will work together to combat puffiness, fine lines and dark circles while it firms the skin or promotes collagen production in the skin.
What is the best thing for circles under your eyes?
If you're looking to combat dark circles specifically, Vitamin C is going to be the hero ingredient you should look for on the label. Vitamin C helps reduce the appearance of dark spots on your skin, which is why it's a great product to use under your eyes.
What is the best under eye cream for sensitive skin?
Those with sensitive skin know how hard it can be to find products that agree with their skin and help with any concerns they may have. Your eye area is very sensitive and the skin is thin, which is why the appearance of wrinkles may show up there faster than other places. Look for products and with little to no fragrance and serums with key ingredients like Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid which will be a more gentle on the skin than Retinol. These are also good ingredients to use on the rest of the face.
What is the best rated eye cream?
The best rated eye cream pick on this list is the Fresh Black Tea Advanced Age Renewal Eye Cream with an impressive 4.9 out of 5 stars. It's key ingredient is Vitamin C, which is going to help with reducing the look of dark circles under your eyes. It also firms the skin around the eyes. It has a great texture and reviewers say it makes a real difference. The La Roche-Posay Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum comes in at a close second if you prefer an eye serum to combat dark circles instead of a gel cream formula.
Important things to keep in mind:
You won't see immediate results. In fact, it may take a few weeks of consistent use to notice a difference in your under eye puffiness, appearance of fine lines, or a loss in the appearance of wrinkles around your eyes. Lack of sleep can also make your under eyes look more tired, so making sure you're getting proper beauty rest will help you a long way. Eye creams are also a great base for makeup since they'll help the cosmetics grip the skin and will also help fill in any fine lines and wrinkles. They'll also give your skin a radiant finish. Bonus!
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes.