For many people, the under-eye area yields a host of concerns, including dryness, fine lines, discoloration and puffiness. Since this particular area is one of the most sensitive parts of your body, you’ll need to be extra cautious when trying to find a solution, according to dermatologists.
There are a number of eye creams on the market designed to help most under-eye concerns, but keep in mind that no cream is a one-size-fits-all solution, according to our experts. To help you determine how to find the right one for your skin, we consulted with board-certified dermatologists about what to consider when shopping and how to best target your specific concerns.
SKIP AHEAD Best eye creams | How to shop for eye cream | Do eye creams actually work? | Can you use a moisturizer as an eye cream? | When to start using eye cream | How to apply an eye cream
How we picked the best eye creams
When shopping for the best eye cream, our experts recommend considering the following factors:
- Under-eye concern: Consider what you want to address and how an eye cream can help. If you notice fine lines around your eyes, you may want a cream that smooths lines using specific ingredients like retinol. To target overall dryness, you may want to consider an eye cream that is thick and creamy with highly moisturizing ingredients. If you want to combat puffiness around your eyes, you’ll want a formula that will reduce inflammation from allergies and fluid buildup. For dark under-eye circles, consider a brightening cream or one that helps with hyperpigmentation.
- Skin type: Consider a noncomedogenic product if you have oily or acne-prone skin — it won’t clog pores or cause unwanted breakouts. For dry skin, look for an eye cream that has hydrating and moisturizing ingredients, such as humectants like hyaluronic acid and emollients like ceramides, especially since the skin under the eyes can be extremely dry.
- Ingredients: Each eye cream will have different key ingredients to target specific concerns. Our experts recommend looking for eye creams with vitamin C or vitamin K because they help with discoloration and dark circles. You can also consider formulas with caffeine, which helps improve puffiness, and retinol, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines, according to our experts. Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid and ceramides are great for combatting common under-eye dryness.
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The best eye creams in 2024
Below, we’ve rounded up dermatologist-recommended eye creams, plus some Select staff favorites that align with our experts’ guidance.
Best hydrating eye creams
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Finding an eye cream that won’t irritate your eyes can be tricky, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd. In her experience, people who are sensitive around the eye area can tolerate this formula well. It’s formulated with ceramides that soothe the skin and help with texture, hyaluronic acid to increase moisture and niacinamide to help hydrate and improve tone and texture, according to the brand. It’s also the most affordable option on our list.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Soothing Eye Cream
This gel-cream option has niacinamide, shea butter and glycerin to help reduce irritation associated with dryness and sensitivity around the eyes and eyelids, according to the brand. The eye cream, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 3,100 reviews on Amazon, is formulated without common irritants like fragrances, parabens and drying alcohol, so it’s suitable for sensitive skin, according to La Roche-Posay. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio uses this eye cream daily in the winter to soothe her dry under eyes. “It adds a great amount of hydration that I need during the colder months, and it doesn’t irritate my super sensitive skin,” she says.
Colorescience Total Eye Firm and Repair Concentrate
If you have dry, sensitive skin under your eyes, consider this Colorescience eye cream. The cream uses humectants like glycerin and emollients like squalane to improve texture on the under-eye skin, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick. Not only does this help combat dryness, but it also helps firm the under-eye skin, improve discoloration and reduce overall puffiness, she says.
Glossier Full Orbit
While some eye creams are designed for the under-eye area only, this one from Glossier is meant to go there and on your eyelids. “I love how creamy and lightweight this eye cream is — it absorbs quickly into my skin and feels instantly hydrating,” says Godio. “I also find that it sits really well under makeup and never feels heavy on the thin skin around my eyes.” The gel cream has a combination of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to brighten and smooth out the area, according to the brand.
Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb
This cream, which has a 4.7-star average rating from over 870 reviews on Amazon, is suitable for all skin types and helps moisturize the under-eye area without feeling too thick on the skin. The lightweight and fast-absorbing cream has ingredients like glycerin, squalane and ceramides to help retain moisture and support your skin barrier, according to the brand. Also, you can wear it comfortably underneath makeup because it helps create a smooth and crease-free base, according to Belif.
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment
This eye cream is great for those who prefer a thick consistency or want cream for their nighttime skin care routine. This option, which has a 4.3-star average rating from over 2,600 reviews at Ulta, is formulated with hydrating ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter and Sodium PCA, which is a humectant ingredient that comes from amino acids and helps draw in and maintain moisture, according to the brand.
Best eye creams for brightening and discoloration
Neocutis Lumiere Firm Riche Extra Moisturizing Illuminating Tightening Eye Cream
This eye cream targets dark circles with ingredients like vitamin C, caffeine and peptides. Plus, it has growth hormones, which are proteins that help regulate good collagen processes — so it can restore the skin — and bad collagen processes — that destroy collagen and decrease the skin’s volume, she says. (Collagen keeps the structure of your skin firm and provides underlying support, according to our experts.) Suitable for all skin types, the brand recommends using this cream in the morning and evening.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Eye Cream
This Peter Thomas Roth eye cream comes recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lily Talakoub for anyone looking to combat dark circles because it has vitamin C to brighten the area. Not only does the eye cream help with discoloration, but it also has hyaluronic acid, which helps prevent crepey skin, says Talakoub. The brand recommends using the cream twice a day around the entire under-eye area.
Summer Fridays Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream
This lightweight cream, which has a whipped texture, comes recommended by Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin. Suitable for all skin types, this eye cream, like others on our list, has vitamin C and caffeine to help brighten, depuff and support the production of collagen, according to the brand. Malin, who dabs less than ¼ of a teaspoon onto the skin, says this goes a long way. She also stores the cream in her fridge to provide an instant cooling effect.
Colorscience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35
This Colorscience eye cream is a tinted SPF for those who want to brighten and color correct the eye area while also protecting their skin from UVA and UVB exposure, says Talakoub. The cream, which comes in four shades (fair, medium, tan and deep), also has a cooling applicator to help reduce puffiness, according to Colorscience. For the best results, the brand recommends applying half a pump of the product over the entire eye area, including the brow bone and eyelids, twice a day.
Olehenriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème
Like other products on our list, this eye cream uses vitamin C and orange extract to help brighten the under-eye area, according to Olehenriksen. “Vitamin C is a powerhouse ingredient in skin care, because it’s an antioxidant that has skin brightening properties so it protects and treats [the skin],” says Woolery-Lloyd. It also has jojoba seed oil, shea butter and beeswax, which are all gentle for the eye area and hydrate the skin, she says.
Naturium Vitamin Bright Illuminating Eye Cream
When I want a makeup-free day or need help combatting discoloration, I apply this eye cream because it instantly brightens up my under-eye area. Unlike other eye creams I use, this one has a thick mousse-like consistency, which is easy to blend and feels lightweight on my skin. It comes in two shades — light/medium and medium/dark — and it provides buildable coverage.
Best eye creams for depuffing
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo Recovery Eye Serum
This serum uses a cooling applicator to provide an instant calming effect to help depuff the eye area, says Garshick. It also has a blend of caffeine and peptides, which leaves the under-eye area looking smoother, brighter and refreshed, she says. You can leave it in your fridge prior to applying it in the morning and at night, according to Charlotte Tilbury.
Dr. Loretta Tightening Eye Gel
This eye gel, which is a favorite of Select editor Lindsay Schneider’s, is suitable for all skin types, according to Dr. Loretta. “As an editor, I try out a ton of products — specifically eye creams quite regularly — and this Dr. Loretta gel is the one I always come back to time and time again,” says Schneider. “I’ve never tried another product that matches the feel of this gel; it’s incredibly cooling and lightweight on the skin. It’s also not sticky so I can wear it on its own or layer on makeup or concealer on top with no issue.”
Cocokind Revitalizing Eye Cream
For Malin, this cream (which also comes recommended by Garshick) is a staple for the winter season because of its thick consistency that helps seal in moisture and boost hydration. “I like that it’s a nongreasy formula made with oatmeal, I always find it soothing,” she says. The eye cream also has a cold metal applicator that Malin uses to help blend the product into her skin.
Biossance Squalane + Peptide Brightening & Depuffing Eye Gel
This Biossance eye gel is another favorite of Garshick’s and Schneider’s. “I love the consistency of this gel — it’s thin enough to easily dab it onto the skin, but not too thick where it’s hard to blend,” says Schneider. With ingredients like squalane and caffeine, it moisturizes and depuffs the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines, according to the brand. Another key ingredient is niacinamide, which minimizes the appearance of discoloration under the eyes, according to Biossance.
L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid and Caffeine Eye Serum
Malin recommends this eye serum because it absorbs quickly and brightens her under-eye area. “The applicator is my favorite part of using this product,” she says. “The wand has three little metal balls that stay cold and help you roll the serum into your skin. It’s like giving your under-eye area a little massage.” The fragrance-free serum is formulated with hyaluronic acid (for hydration) and caffeine (to minimize puffiness), according to the brand.
Avene Soothing Eye Contour Cream
Safe for sensitive skin, this eye cream moisturizes and relieves puffiness because of ingredients like hyaluronic acid, chamomile, spring water and vitamin E, according to the brand. “I have really dry, sensitive under eyes, so most eye creams irritate my eyes or don’t provide enough hydration,” says Godio. “This is super gentle and lightweight, and moisturizes the skin under my eyes more than any other eye cream I’ve tried.”
Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Anti-Puff Eye Roller
This drugstore option is one of our favorite treatments for under-eye puffiness. It has caffeine to help reduce the appearance of under-eye bags by constructing the blood vessels, as well as vitamin C to brighten the under-eye area, according to Garshick. The cool roll-on applicator also works to reduce puffiness, says Garshick.
Best eye creams for smoothing
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
“While [this] contains retinol, it is specifically formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes, making it a great option for all skin types as it is also hydrating on the skin,” says Garshick. However, retinol can irritate or dry out the skin. Experts recommend incorporating it at night without mixing it with AHAs and BHAs because it may cause irritation.
Isdin Isdinceutics Vital Eyes Overnight Eye Cream
Talakoub recommends this Isdin overnight eye cream because it’s hydrating and great for dry and sensitive skin. The rich cream is formulated with melatonin and caffeine to minimize the appearance of fine lines, according to the brand. Plus, it also comes with a cooling applicator to help massage the product along the under-eye area.
Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream
This Ilia formula, which is a personal favorite of mine, uses a plant-based retinol alternative, to smooth the under-eye area, plus avocado extract and caffeine to depuff and brighten the skin around the eyes, according to the brand. I use this cream every other morning because the retinol alternative is safe for sun exposure and I like how cooling the ceramic tip feels. In my experience, it also doesn’t cause any irritation around such a sensitive part of my face.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Cream
Select managing editor Leah Ginsberg originally received this eye cream, which uses retinol to reduce the appearance of fine lines, as a gift from the brand and is now on her way to purchase a refill. “It is by far the most moisturizing one I have tried, which is tricky with under-eye skin since it doesn’t absorb product as easily as other areas,” says Ginsberg. “It also has such a luxurious texture.”
Versed Smooth Landing Advanced Retinoid Eye Balm
This solid-to-liquid eye balm uses a granactive retinoid, which falls under the retinoid category but is gentler and less irritating than more traditional options, says Garshick. The balm also has hydrating ingredients such as vitamin E, shea butter, glycerin and black currant seed oil, according to Versed. You can use this every night after your serum but before your moisturizer, according to the brand. Also, don’t forget to apply an SPF the following morning because retinoids may cause sensitivity, according to experts in our guide to building a skin care routine.
Jones Road Eye Cream
This Jones Road eye cream comes recommended by Schneider, who says it has a creamy, easily blendable consistency. “Unlike some other options I’ve tried, you don’t have to try too hard to pat it into your skin,” she says. “It absorbs quickly — so it’s great in the morning when I’m in a rush.” Jones Road recommends gently patting the product under the eyes, and you can even use it as a lip moisturizer, too.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream
If you’re looking for a multipurpose eye cream that helps improve the appearance of fine lines and puffiness while still being gentle on the skin, consider this CeraVe option recommended by Garshick. The lightweight cream has caffeine to target puffiness, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and peptides and niacinamide to help combat fine lines, says Garshick.
How to shop for the best eye creams
When shopping for an eye cream, our experts recommend looking for formulas that are hydrating. Below, we break down how to decide which eye cream is best for you based on your specific skin concern.
If you want to add hydration
One factor that most eye creams have in common is they add hydration so when targeting dryness, look for an option that is thick and creamy, according to Talakoub. When any moisturizer has a thicker consistency, there are more lipids in the formula that lock in moisture, experts told us. When it comes to other eye cream formulations for very dry under eyes, you may also want a thicker balm that will help lock in moisture rather than a lightweight serum, says Garshick.
These creams and balms tend to have ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin to add hydration, draw in moisture and maintain a healthy skin barrier, according to Garshick. Because you’re preventing dryness from worsening, the increased moisture and hydration from an eye cream will prevent the skin from becoming crepey, according to Talakoub. Other ingredients that may be helpful to soften and moisturize the skin include squalane and vitamin E, says Garshick.
If you want to brighten and reduce discoloration
For those hoping to brighten the under-eye area, look for vitamin C — it’s a lightening agent that can help prevent discoloration and dark circles, according to Talakoub. For those with purple and blue undertones around the eyes, Talakoub recommends products with vitamin K since it can brighten and improve the skin’s elasticity making it firmer.
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is another key ingredient to look for since it helps reduce hyperpigmentation by brightening the skin and improving its overall appearance, according to Woolery-Lloyd. However, it can be drying, so make sure there are other moisturizing components like a humectant or emollient in it, she says.
If you want to depuff
Various factors including allergies, fluid buildup and dietary reasons can all cause puffiness around the eyes, says Talakoub. One of the main ingredients to depuff is caffeine, which helps keep the skin taut so it doesn’t get stretched, she says. It also constricts the blood vessels — by doing this, it increases circulation and acts as an anti-inflammatory to reduce puffy under-eyes, according to Woolery-Lloyd.
If you want to smooth out fine lines
An eye cream with retinol can help smooth fine lines by increasing collagen production and decreasing collagen breakdown, according to our experts. It can also increase cell turnover by replacing dead skin cells with newer and healthier ones, say our experts. However, eye creams need to have a very mild and micronized version of retinol to actually smooth out these lines. Otherwise, it can irritate the under-eye area or make these fine lines worse, says Talakoub.
Do eye creams actually work?
Eye creams can address specific concerns, but are not the answer to everything, according to our experts. “You can expect between 10% to 30% improvement in dark circles and improvement in textural changes,” says Woolery-Lloyd.
Speak with your dermatologists about alternate solutions if you find your eye cream is not addressing your concerns. (For example, if you have dark circles, which may be due to genetic vascular issues, or are struggling with hollowing or sunken skin, according to Talakoub and Woolery-Lloyd.)
Eye creams can show improvement, but specific concerns sometimes require additional assistance. An alternative solution like filler may be an option for issues with hollowing or sunken pockets. You may need a procedure like a lower blepharoplasty if an eye cream cannot help the puffiness around your eyes. Suppose an eye cream does not treat dark circles. In that case, it may be because the discoloration or vascular issue is based on genetics and may require alternative solutions with an expert’s guidance, according to our dermatologists.
Can you use a moisturizer as an eye cream?
It depends. A regular facial moisturizer can help hydrate your skin, but won’t address specific eye-related concerns like volume loss, dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness, according to Garshick.
When to start using eye creams
Most people start using an eye cream in their 20s and 30s, according to our experts. That’s because your mid 20s and 30s is when your body typically starts decreasing collagen, says Woolery-Lloyd. Collagen production is crucial for the under-eye area — it helps keep your skin firm, reducing the appearance of fine lines and crepey skin, says Talakoub.
How to apply eye cream
You can apply eye cream in your morning and nighttime skin care routine. The best way to apply it is by gently tapping the formula into the skin until it’s fully absorbed from the innermost to outermost areas, Garshick says. Dabbing gently is key since the eye area is delicate and you don’t want to stretch the skin, according to Talakoub.
Typically, when using an eye cream in the morning, you should apply it after cleansing but before putting on a moisturizer and sunscreen, says Woolery-Lloyd.
For your nighttime routine, you should cleanse the skin and remove any makeup before applying your eye cream. If the eye cream has a thin consistency, apply it before your facial moisturizer; if it’s thick, you can apply it after your moisturizer since the cream can act as a seal and lock in moisture, says Garshick.
Talakoub recommends having two eye creams, one for the day with SPF to protect against the sun’s UV rays and another at night that is thick and creamy to prevent a “crepey” look under the eyes.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd is board-certified dermatologist and is the director of the Skin of Color division for the University of Miami Department of Dermatology. Her areas of expertise include skin of color, cosmetic dermatology, pigmentary disorders and more.
- Dr. Lily Talakoub is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mclean & Potomac Dermatology and Skincare Center. Her areas of expertise include pediatric and adult skin disorders, skin cancer surgery and cosmetic dermatology among others.
- Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. Her areas of expertise include pediatric and adult dermatology and cosmetic dermatology.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter at NBC Select who has been covering beauty for a year. For this piece, Bianca interviewed three dermatologists and researched many eye creams on the market. Select staff also share their favorite products that are in line with expert recommendations.
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