If You’ve Got Sensitive Skin Look No Further Than The M
Pros: Dermatologist-tested, lightweight formula, gluten-free, vegan, paraben- and fragrance-free, not tested on animals
Cons: None
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, aloe, caffeine, vitamin B5
- Recommended skin types: Sensitive
The M-61 Hydraboost Eye Serum is a no-frills option that contains hyaluronic acid, an ingredient Dr. Peredo recommends for sensitive skin types because it’s natural and hydrating.
It also contains aloe, which works wonders on sensitive skin. For a delicate area like your under eyes, the M-61 serum delivers a smooth, multi-benefit consistency, thanks to vitamin B5 for skin moisture and caffeine to depuff. It’s also lightweight, gluten-free, vegan, paraben-free, fragrance-free, and not tested on animals.
The Best Eye Creams In 2022
Nix under-eye circles, bags, and fine lines with these best-selling products recommended by experts.
Mercey Livingston
CNET Contributor
Mercey Livingston is a health and wellness writer and certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She’s written about fitness and wellness for Well+Good, Women’s Health, Business Insider, and Prevention.com among others. When not writing, she enjoys reading and trying out workout classes all over New York City.
When you look at someone, you can tell a lot about how they are feeling by looking into their eyes. Our eyes often show when we’re stressed, not getting enough sleep or feeling run down. If you need a little pick-me-up, a good eye cream can help you feel — and appear — revitalized.
There are usually two types of attitudes about eye creams: You either think they’re totally unnecessary or you swear by them. Even if you’re skeptical, keep reading. These are some of the best eye creams on the market, and their rave reviews may just convince you to try one.
Skinbetter Interfuse Treatment Cream
A 2021 Prevention Beauty Award winner, this eye cream earns a stamp of approval from Dr. Kanchanapoomi Levin. She says it contains a special peptide that mimics Botox by relaxing superficial muscles. Additional hydrators, brightening vitamin C, and de-puffing caffeine are just extra perks.
This product doesnt feature online reviews, as its sold on the brands site or at your derms office, but Dr. Levin confirms its one of the most popular picks in her practice.
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer Eye Treatment
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer Eye Treatment
- Cooling sensation may not be preferable for all
Kiehls Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer
The lightweight formula visibly reduces dark circles, fine lines, and bags under the eyes. The caffeine constricts blood vessels to help remove excess fluid and hydrate fast to minimize the appearance of under-eye puffiness, Dr. Zeichner explains.
Promising review: This is a simply amazing little product, wrote one reviewer. Its easy to apply, and it really really works. The results are immediately apparent, and it makes tired eyes feel refreshed. It also doesnt leave a dried-up film like some of those instant-lift gels. The small size is great for travel.
EltaMD Renew Eye Gel for Dark Circles
EltaMD Renew Eye Gel for Dark Circles
- Some users report issues with packaging
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The Best Eye Cream For Wrinkles: Dr Dennis Gross Stress Sos Eye Cream With Niacinamide $65
Dr. Dennis Gross has one of the best names in skincare, and its Stress SOS Eye Cream with Niacinamide is incredibly firming.
Its incredible that this formula exists, namely because it wasnt goopy like other thick formulas Ive tried in the past. And, when the firming eye cream is mixed with the star of the show, niacinamide, you cant beat it for wrinkles.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
Neutrogena stresses that their product is not anti-aging, its cream for eye wrinkles. This powerful formula centers around 3 ingredients, glucose complex, retinol SA, and hyaluronic acid which firm the skin and smooth out wrinkles, lines, and crows feet. Its a very hydrating formula which deeply moisturizes the skin. In addition, it gets rid of dark circles under the eyes and age spots. Youll be amazed by the eye cream before and after.
- The Reviewers Say: Most of the reviewers loved this eye cream and said it was a powerful wrinkle remover.
Container Type: Tube | Features: Fine Line Treatment, Anti-Aging, Wrinkle Treatment, Brightening | Skin Type: For All Skin Types | Size: 0.5 fl oz | Form: Cream | Brand: Neutrogena
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Skinmedica Tns Eye Repair
The secret to this enriching eye cream is the inclusion of TNS, which is a group of natural messenger proteins which remove lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone and texture. Its also rich in vitamins A, C, and E which are rich in skin-repairing antioxidants. This under eye cream deeply hydrates the skin and leaves it smooth and soft. Its suitable for normal to dry skin.
- The Reviewers Say: The eye cream reviews for this product were excellent. The majority of users found this formula enriching and said it removed the signs of age from their eyes. There were a few complaints.
Container Type: Jar, Tube | Features: Anti-aging, Melanin Reduction | Skin Type: For All Skin Types, For Dry Skin | Size: 0.5 fl oz | Form: Serum | Brand: SkinMedica
Our Favorite Eye Cream: Biopelle Tensage Stem Cell Eye Cream $130
Biopelles Tensage Stem Cell Eye Cream is a splurge, but a good one at that. Its fresh and cool-whipped consistency is exactly how I expect an eye cream to be and left my skin brighter, more hydrated and tauter when applied once daily.
Though we have others in this edit that are also effective, Biopelles formula is second to none and a great investment, as the bottle will last for quite a while.
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Best Firming Eye Cream
Loose, crepey skin under the eyes is caused by a combination of genetics, sun exposure, and the natural aging process. Over time, the collagen and elastin the proteins responsible for keeping the skin taut break down and arent repaired as easily as in the past.
StriVectin Peptight 360° Tightening Eye Serum, $69Thanks to a cooling applicator, this lightweight serum visibly tightens and firms the entire eye area while providing instant depuffing effects. StriVectins number one selling eye serum has been clinically proven to improve firmness, elasticity, fine lines, wrinkles, under-eye bags, and puffiness, so its genuinely an all-encompassing treatment product.
Lumene Nordic Ageless Radiant Youth Eye Cream
Why we love it: Clinically tested to reduce the appearance of fine lines and under-eye circles, this eye cream is infused with protecting lingonberry stem cell extract that’s rich in antioxidants for a brighter-looking eye area.
Enjoy up to 50% off when shopping for the best eye creams with theseLookFantastic discount codes.
Why we love it: Specially designed to target dark circles and puffiness around the eyes, this eye cream melts upon application, reducing dark circles and restoring the skin’s protective barrier with the help of a combination of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It’s also fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types.
Get up to 50% off when shopping for the best eye creams with theseLookFantastic discount codes.
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Best Smoothing Eye Cream: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream
Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream, £45 | LookfantasticThis lightweight, whipped eye cream is designed to smooth the appearance of fine lines and soothe the eye area. Hyaluronic acid delivers hydration while the expert peptide blend targets loss of firmness, fine lines and puffiness.
Best Eye Cream For Puffiness
Puffy bags under the eyes appear when the skin relaxes and sags with age, creating a pouch-like appearance. Due to lifestyle habits, excess fluid can also build up there, which makes the lower lids look even puffier.
Origins GinZing Eye Cream, $34This soothing, refreshing formula harnesses the power of caffeine to help depuff swollen eyes. The caffeine comes from Ethiopian coffee, as well as green tea leaf extract. Other vital ingredients include ginseng root extract and magnolia extract to condition skin for a softer look that helps reduce the appearance of eye wrinkles.
We all deal with puffy eyes from time to time check out these other effective eye creams for bags.
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The Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Firming Eye Serum Is Satiny And Steals The Show For Expelling Dark Circles Reducing Fine Lines And Even Healing Past Sun Damage
Pros: Helps to color-correct, hydrates the skin, vegan, cruelty- and fragrance-free
Cons: Doesn’t contain as much product as our other picks
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, copper peptides
- Recommended skin types: Normal, dry, combination, and oily
Drunk Elephant’s Shaba Complex Firming Eye Serum is a standout for color-correcting. It’s also great for combating dryness while also boosting elasticity.
“Niacinamide is a great ingredient to look for in color-correcting eye serums and creams because it supports the under-eye skin and makes dark circles less noticeable,” said Dr. Peredo. “Caffeine will give you a brighter, smoother, and more lifted look, while hydroxysuccinimide and chrysin will help to improve circulation and eliminate blood pigmentation that causes discoloration under the eyes.”
The Drunk Elephant serum contains four of these recommended ingredients, as well as hyaluronic acid and glycerin for hydration and copper peptides to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and boost the skin’s elasticity. And, the formula is vegan and cruelty- and fragrance-free.
Are Eye Creams Worth It
Do you actually need to use a separate skin-care productjust for your undereye area? It may seem excessiveespecially if youre already using a face moisturizer, a night cream, sunscreen , and other products in your routine to address your skin-care issues. And if youre able to use those products on your undereye area without any stinging, irritation, or other problems, youll probably be fine to continue doing so.
But skin experts tell us there are some really good reasons to consider investing in a separate eye cream. The skin around the eye is thinner and more sensitive than skin in other areas, Arash Akhavan, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City, tells SELF. Its an area thats also especially prone to showing signs of aging, like fine lines, wrinkles, crows-feet, and dark spots.
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Best For Dark Circles: Skinceuticals Age Eye Complex
SkinCeuticals has been around a long time they have a lot of research behind their products, says Dr. Rao. This eye cream has a good mix of everything needed to diminish fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles: antioxidants, peptides, and sunscreen.
Promising review: I do not have a good track record for staying with products, but I have been using A.G.E Eye Complex for almost a year for two reasons: 1. The creamy texture softens and eases my tired eyes. 2. My mature eyes are now brighter and tighter than they were 10 years ago. This is the only treatment I use around my eyes, wrote one reviewer.
- A little pricey
Best Overall Eye Cream
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Best For Sensitive Skin: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Night Eye Cream
The retinol, niacinamide , and peptide blend in this drugstore eye cream make it a winner for dark circles, fine lines, and dull-looking skin without irritation. Just a dot of this rich formula delivers skin-smoothing radiance for a well-rested look. It also comes with a trial size Olay Regenerist Whip moisturizer as an added bonus!
Promising review: The product has a great consistency. It absorbs quickly and provides a lot of moisture and hydration to the eye area, wrote one customer. “My lines looked smoother after using it. The quality is equivalent to much pricier eye creams I have used in the past.
- Some users report product not wearing well under makeup
If You Want To Say Bye
Pros: Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, recyclable packaging
Cons: None
-
Key ingredients: caffeine, hyaluronic acid, algae, squalane, vitamin C
- Recommended skin types: Normal, dry, combination, and oily
“Caffeine can reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes by temporarily constricting the tiny vessels closest to the skin’s surface,” Dr. Brazzo said. That’s what makes the Alpyn Beauty Line-Filling Eye Cream with Bakuchiol and Caffeine great for those who tend to wake up with a little puffiness. It has the added benefit of bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol. Bakuchiol is less potent than retinol, so you can use it more often. Because of the added anti-aging benefit, Alpyn Beauty is a must-have in your bathroom skincare bin.
It’s a clean product that’s vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and comes with recyclable packaging. It’s also intended to boost skin firmness, reduce dark circles, hydrate dry skin, and brighten the skin with vitamin C.
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Another Sensitive Skin Option: Kylie Skin Eye Cream $20
With some celebrity brands, its easy to think theyre not worth the hype, but Kylie Skins Eye Cream will prove you wrong.
Pretty pink packaging aside, its a no-frills formula that still differed from my daily moisturizer. And, its a wonderful budget eye cream worth checking out if youre new to the whole eye cream ritual.
Another Hydrating Option: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask $42
Glow Recipes Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask actually melted under my eyes in an avocado spread on toast kind of way. It feels like lightweight butter on your eyes, smells subtly refreshing and contains retinol for anti-aging and alleviating skin damage.
Youth to the Peoples Superfood Hydrate + Firm Eye Cream worked exceptionally well on some dry spots in the inner corner of my eye and its especially great for anyone with acne-prone or critically dry skin for that reason.
And, because it contains aloe, it feels just like applying after-sun lotion in the summer.
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Best For Puffiness: La Roche
This eye cream helps reduce the look of wrinkles and puffiness with a blend of retinol and caffeine, all while remaining gentle on the sensitive eye area, thanks to the addition of hydrating thermal spring water and a lack of potentially irritating fragrances.
Promising review: Im on my second tube of this eye cream. Its exactly what I have been looking for all these years, wrote one reviewer. I accept that Im in my mid 40s and I have some crows feet. I would expect it at my age. I was more interested in finding a product that moisturized the under-eye area so that concealer could be easily and smoothly applied. I have never had any stingy feeling with this one. This definitely fits the bill and is well worth the price.
SkinCeuticals A.G.E Eye Complex
The Best Eye Cream For Dry Skin: Tarte Maracuja C
Meet your eye cream BFF for dry skin. The Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatments main ingredient, the maracuja, is so rich in fatty acids and vitamin C that it replenished my somewhat flaky skin into heavenly bliss.
Plus, it contains vitamins B5 and E for even more hydration.
With a formula more like an eye treatment, REN Clean Skincares Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream was a standout for seeing results overnight in terms of moisturizing and looking more awake.
With hyaluronic acid as the main ingredient, its a dermatologists dream, too.
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How To Apply An Eye Cream
Eye cream should be applied twice a day, in the morning and at night. If your eyes arent too dry, you may opt for an antioxidant-rich lightweight gel or light during the day to protect against environmental stressors and switch to a thicker eye cream at night perhaps one that is formulated with retinol to tackle the signs of aging.
- With clean hands, apply eye cream in a gentle tapping motion, preferably using your ring finger as it has the lightest touch.
- Eye creams should be applied below the eye, around the crows feet area, and the brow bone area just below your eyebrows.
- Unless directions say otherwise, you may want to avoid applying eye creams with active ingredients to the upper eyelid, as it could cause irritation.
- Try an eye cream with a metal applicator tip if youre worried about pulling and tugging on the skin. The metal has an instant cooling effect on the skin. For extra chill to help with depuffing tired eyes, try storing your eye cream in the fridge.
Drunk Elephant Shaba Complex Eye Serum
This serum has an amazing collection of ingredients like niacinamide, copper peptides, black tea ferment, and stem cells. The product repairs the damage the causes aging on the skin and restores it to a more youthful state. The eye cream benefits include eliminating wrinkles and fine lines and also repairing damage caused by UV rays.
- The Reviewers Say: The reviews for this serum were very positive. Most found this an enriching and effective formula which got rid of wrinkles and made their skin smooth.
Container Type: Bottle | Features: Anti-aging, Collagen Boosting, Melanin Reduction | Skin Type: For All Skin Types, For Dry Skin | Size: 0.5 fl oz | Form: Serum | Brand: Drunk Elephant
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