Our Picks
Who doesn't have a skin care routine? Some of us like it simple, a quick but thorough wash with water and soap. But some of us prefer to go deeper, especially regarding the skin around the eyes. Dark and dry skin can lead to wrinkles, so having a specific eye cream for the under-eye area is recommended. Eye creams can address plenty of issues, from hydrating to brightening. However, finding the best one can prove tough. That's why I've thoroughly examined plenty eye creams to find you the best on the market.
After testing and reviewing over 30 eye cream products, I confidently assert that the Skinbetter Science InterFuse Treatment Cream Eye is the best choice for your money. But if this eye cream pick doesn't speak to you, don't fret: I also picked several other options. To ensure I picked only quality, I consulted a board-certified dermatologist who provided valuable insights into the causes of puffiness and dark circles and the essential ingredients to look for in an effective eye cream.
Want to take better care of your eyes? Check out the best eye creams on the market.
How we chose the best eye cream
I tested about 30 products from 25 different popular brands. I then narrowed it down to the best of the best. When I was personally testing each eye cream I took into account the product's ingredients, smell, feel, concerns it claims to target and price. The products on this list didn't irritate my skin and met my expectations for the price tag.
Each eye cream was tested on my sensitive under-eyes, under my everyday moisturizer. Not every cream on this list will work for everyone. It should be noted that I didn't test these eye creams consistently enough to see significant, long-term results. I did see some short-term results such as hydrated skin and de-puffed, brightened under-eyes.
Best eye cream of 2025
Best overall eye cream
Pros
- Contains peptides, vitamin C, caffeine, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid
- Won the 2021 Prevention Beauty Award
- Ophthalmologist-tested, dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic, paraben-free, fragrance-free, dye-free and cruelty-free
Cons
- Most expensive on this list
The best eye cream on this list is Skinbetter Science's Interfuse Treatment Cream for the eyes. This brand consistently tops beauty lists with its luxury, ingredient-driven products. The Interfuse Treatment Cream contains a blend of collagen-supporting peptides, plum extract (vitamin C), jojoba, caffeine, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. The peptides help to smooth wrinkles, antioxidants brighten the skin, caffeine de-puffs the under-eyes, and niacinamide and hyaluronic acid helps lock in moisture.
I love this cream (not because it is the most expensive); it feels buttery and smooth on my skin. It left my under-eyes feeling refreshed, and of all the creams I tested, this one seems to contain all the right ingredients. This is the cream I can see myself using most consistently.
Best affordable eye cream
Pros
- Under $10
- Allure 2022 Best of Beauty Award Winner
- Clean, fragrance-free, non-GMO, paraben and phthalate-free, hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Doesn't contain retinol or caffeine
The next eye cream on this list is a much more affordable option. Fortify De-Puffing and Protecting Eye Cream is under $10 but acts like a luxury product. It leaves a slightly dewy finish and contains aloe vera, collagen, shea butter, willow bark extract, lavender oil, grapefruit peel oil, orange peel oil and lime oil. All Fortify products contain zeolite, which is a natural, antimicrobial volcanic mineral.
I like that this cream was inexpensive and sensitive enough on my under-eyes to not cause irritation.
Best eye cream for under-eye bags
Pros
- Contains algae extract, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and peptides
- Works for acne-prone, combination, dry, mature, normal, oily and sensitive skin
- Clean, fragrance-free, gluten-free, oil-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free and vegan
Cons
- Doesn't contain caffeine or retinol
Dr. Loretta Tightening Eye Gel tops beauty lists year after year. It contains peptides that help to de-puff eyes and lessen dark circles and algae extract helps to tighten the skin and support collagen levels. This gel is safe for all skin types and has added antioxidants that help fight damage from free radicals.
I like that this eye serum is intended to be patted all around the eye area (avoiding the lash line) instead of just the under-eyes. The gel also contains minimal ingredients and is sensitive enough for my eyes.
Best eye cream for dull under-eyes
Pros
- Affordable
- Can use on under-eyes and other imperfections
- Clean, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free and formaldehyde-free
Cons
- Acts more like makeup than a rich eye cream
If you are looking for a product to reduce the appearance of your dark circles, Beauty Pie Superluminous Under-Eye Genius is for you. There are three shades to choose from: light/medium for blue-toned dark circles, medium/deep for brown-toned dark circles and deep for blue/purple-toned dark circles on darker skin tones. The cream is light with a little shimmer and blends into my skin with ease. It also contains sunflower and castor oil and antioxidants to moisturize and smooth skin.
I recommend first applying a heavier eye cream before using this under-eye concealer to help boost hydration and treat puffiness and fine lines.
Best eye cream for dark circles
Pros
- Combats three types of under-eye discoloration: blue, brown and red
- Allure 2022 Best of Beauty Award Winner
- Contains three forms of vitamin C, peptides and biomimetic oat protein
Cons
- Expensive
This ophthalmology-tested brand is popular in the skin care industry. Perricone MD's brightening eye cream is one of its most popular.
The serum uses three forms of vitamin C and an oat protein to fight free radicals, brighten and smooth under-eyes, reduce redness and other discoloration and neutralize sensitive skin. I love that the formula absorbs into my skin quickly and has a pleasant smell.
Best eye serum for wrinkles and fine lines
Pros
- Contains seaweed, hyaluronic acid, plant-based peptides, honeysuckle and caffeine
- Allure 2022 Best of Beauty Award Winner
- Clean, vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and based in California
Cons
- On the expensive side
Osea Malibu is a clean skincare brand inspired by the sea. Its Ocean Eyes Serum uses seaweed, hyaluronic acid and plant-based peptides to smooth out fine lines such as crow's feet. The metal roller ball helps depuff eyes, as well as the added caffeine. I love the cooling sensation that the serum has on my skin. It is clinically and dermatology-tested.
This serum claims to be safe for all skin types except for sensitive skin. Although I have sensitive skin and haven't had any irritation.
Best drugstore eye cream
Pros
- Affordable
- Contains hyaluronic acid, caffeine and a peptide complex
- Fragrance-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, dye-free and not tested on animals
Cons
- Not certified cruelty-free
Oftentimes, drugstore eye creams are just as popular as luxury brands. This new Neutrogena Hydro Boost and Caffeine Eye Gel Cream is a step up (in my opinion) from the brand's ever-popular Hydro Boost Eye Gel Cream. I still really like the original Hydro Boost Eye Gel Cream, but this new formula with added caffeine and peptides takes the product to a whole new level.
I found that the gel absorbed quickly into my skin and left it feeling hydrated and plump.
Best hydrating eye cream
Pros
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Clean, cruelty-free, dermatologist-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, no artificial fragrance
- Contains hyaluronic acid, caffeine, cucumber extract, mango seed butter and oat extract
Cons
- Won't address dark circles
Especially dry under eyes can pave the way for the creation of fine lines. If you are looking for an eye cream that will address your fine-line concerns, a hydrating eye cream is what you need. I found First Aid Beauty's Hydrating Eye Cream to be the most moisturizing. It contains hyaluronic acid, cucumber extract, apricot kernel oil, mango seed butter, squalene oil, oat extract, licorice root extract and orange peel extract.
In addition to boosting hydration, the cream also smoothes the look of fine lines and reduces puffiness with added caffeine.
Best retinol eye cream
Pros
- Affordable retinol
- Dermatologist-tested/recommended anti-aging brand
- Non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and paraben-free
Cons
- Contains PEG-100 and PEG-8
- May take up to 12 weeks to see results
Eye creams that contain retinol can be expensive. Thankfully, the well-known French skincare brand offers affordable retinol products. RoC Retinol Correxion is hydrating and light on the skin and is made with a slow-release retinol and a retinol booster. According to RoC, you can expect to see immediate results in the appearance of lines and wrinkles, reduced dark circles and puffiness after four weeks and reduced crow's feet after 12 weeks of consistent use.
Begin applying this product every other day and then gradually increase frequency to every day.
Best multitasking eye cream
Pros
- Firms, brightens and hydrates under-eyes
- Contains retinol, peptides, phytoestrogens including iris root extract and RepleniCell™, Murad's patent-pending, proprietary technology
- Clinically tested independently and found to be safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- Expensive
Murad is a dermatologist-developed brand that I have trusted for years. It offers products that are friendly for acne-prone, sensitive and oily skin. Murad's Renewing Eye Cream utilizes peptides and retinol to give skin anti-aging properties such as de-puffing the eyes, reducing dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles and hydrating the skin.
If you are looking for an eye cream that can do almost everything and meet almost all your skin goals, this Murad eye cream is for you.
Best brightening eye cream
Pros
- Clean beauty brand
- Brightens under-eyes
- Active ingredients include caffeine, vitamin C and niacinamide
Cons
- Small tube
Live Tinted is a certified-clean, cruelty-free, fragrance-free and vegan brand. I'm a huge fan of the beauty brand because it offers luxury products without the luxury price tag. Its Superhue Brightening Eye Cream is no exception.
The cream contains niacinamide, caffeine, chamomile extract, turmeric extract, shea butter and vitamin C. The metal tip of the applicator helps de-puffy eyes and the vitamin C, niacinamide and caffeine target fine lines and dark circles. I found the cream to be rich and hydrating, and I especially like that the product is slightly tinted. It blends into my skin well and leaves behind a slight glow and sparkle that brightens my under eyes.
Best under-eye masks
Pros
- One tub contains 30 pairs of eye masks
- Contains caffeine, niacinamide, peptides and hyaluronic acid
- Only have to leave on for 10 to 15 minutes
Cons
- A bit expensive compared with cheaper eye masks
- Eye masks are not reusable
Eye masks or under-eye patches are a fun way to hydrate and smooth out the skin, and Drmtlgy's Brightening Eye Masks do just that. The pink eye masks contain caffeine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf extract, blueberry extract, watermelon extract, licorice extract, cucumber extract, peptides, seaweed extract, red algae extract and sunflower seed oil. Leave one pair of patches on for 10 to 15 minutes and pat the remaining serum into the skin once the masks have been removed. Use these daily or as often as you want.
I loved how my skin felt refreshed after one use, and the masks stayed in place while I went about my day. I recommend storing the eye masks in the fridge for the maximum depuffing effect.
What does eye cream do?
The skin around your eyes is very delicate and prone to dryness and dullness. Eye creams, first and foremost, aim to hydrate the area below and around the eyes. Then, depending on the ingredients in your eye cream, it can also firm, brighten, de-puff and reduce the look of wrinkles around the eyes. In addition to wrinkles, eye cream can also reduce signs of crow's feet, dark circles and puffiness. By adding an eye cream to your daily skin care routine, you are promoting healthy, hydrated skin and decreasing the signs of aging.
How to apply eye cream
Eye cream is fairly easy to apply and can be used in the morning or at night (unless directed differently by your product). The steps to apply eye cream are as follows:
- Apply a pea-sized amount of cream to your ring finger
- Starting from the inner corner of the eye, dab the cream upwards to the brow bone
- Wait around 90 seconds to let the cream dry before adding any makeup or other skin care products
Which eye cream is best for your skin concern?
According to dermatologist Dr. Sheila Farhang, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics, eye creams can provide real benefits if you choose the right product and ingredients.
"In my opinion, you really should invest in the product you're putting on your eyes daily because [the eye area] is the thinnest skin on our body and is super sensitive to allergens/irritation and you want it to work and have science to back it up -- especially for the anti-aging/fine lines targeting ones," Farhang said.
There are so many different concerns to address when it comes to an eye cream, so should you expect to find one that can do it all? Probably not, according to Farhang. "While some eye creams can address a few issues at once I haven't found one that is an all-in-one targeting every single issue, and that's OK," she said. Depending on your concern, you'll want to look for specific types of products and ingredients to target issues, which Farhang breaks down below.
Puffiness: The first thing Farhang recommends for puffiness is products that have a cooling effect, either from placing them in a fridge before use or some have metal applicators that help with the cooling sensation. The second key ingredient that you'll find in many products for under-eye puffiness is caffeine. "I recommend looking for ingredients such as green tea or caffeine as they help constrict the vessels causing the water retention in the area," she said.
Fine lines: "For fine lines -- I recommend looking for an eye cream that has retinol or peptides and growth factors. These actively help treat and prevent," Farhang said. "While hyaluronic acid is not really an active anti-aging ingredient, it will help fade some of those fine lines because the ingredient attracts water and almost 'fill them in' temporarily," she said.
Dark circles: Lots of people think you get dark circles from lack of sleep -- but the issue is a lot more complicated than that. "Dark circles are caused by several things -- one reason for this may be just thinner or duller skin in the area as a result of aging, so using an anti-aging route with retinol can help strengthen the skin," Farhang said.
"Another reason for dark circles may be the vessels showing underneath, so in that case caffeine may help. If the dark circles are from hyperpigmentation, skin brightening ingredients such as vitamin C may be helpful," Farhang said.
Other factors like allergies and skin conditions like eczema can also come into play with dark circles. "If hyperpigmentation is from chronic rubbing from allergies or eczema then lots of hydration and moisturization is needed, or antihistamines," she said.
If you think dark circles are due to shadowing from hollowness in the eye area, Farhang recommends focusing on strengthening the skin with anti-aging products like those with retinol to help.