19 Of The Best Eye Creams For Brighter, More Hydrated Eyes
If dark circles, fine lines and puffiness are what greet you in the mirror every morning, you may want to think about investing in an eye cream.
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While some might downplay the importance of a dedicated formula just for your undereye area, most experts agree that because the skin under your eyes is thinner than the rest of your face and it’s lacking in sebaceous glands, a standalone formula is a good idea. “The delicate eye area is invariably one of the first to show visible signs of ageing,” says dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams. “Thin and lacking the support of underlying fat, the skin around the eyes has virtually no sebaceous glands and is highly vulnerable to dryness and sagging. Add to that the frequent muscle movements that pleat and stress the skin here, and inevitably we see more lines and wrinkles – plus redness and dark circles from the dense capillary network.”
So now you know you want to try one, the next question is where to begin. If, like most of us, your concerns are multiple then you’ll be pleased to hear that many of the best eye creams out there tackle a multitude of concerns in one smart formula. From softening fine lines, to reducing dark circles, boosting skin density and addressing puffiness, the best eye creams will also boost hydration and minimise signs of fatigue as standard.
To help you narrow down your search for the best eye cream to add to your personal edit, we’ve enlisted the help of some Vogue-approved experts. Below, our pick of 19 of the best eye creams to help you wake each morning looking bright-eyed and refreshed, whether you feel it or not.
- Jump to the product reviews
- Do eye creams work?
- Does everyone need an eye cream?
- What eye creams do dermatologists recommend?
- Can eye cream reduce dark circles?
- What to look for in an eye cream
- When should I start using eye cream?
- How to apply eye cream
- How often should you apply eye cream?
- Is it better to use eye cream at night or in the morning?
- Meet the experts
Medik8 r-Retinoate Day & Night Eye Serum
- Best eye cream for: energising skin
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: Of all the excellent formulas on Medik8’s roster of eye creams, this cashmere-soft serum is one we think is most underrated. Its slow-release, non-irritating retinal is photostable (so it’s safe for daytime use) and it contains caffeine to boost circulation and energise the eyes. With or without your full eight-hours, a swipe on the eye contour will ensure you look rested every morning, and it resurfaces dull skin and fine lines for brighter eyes over time.
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Visibly improves puffiness and dark circles
- Leaves a silky smooth, hydrated finish
- A little expensive
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye
- Best eye cream for: every concern
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: Part of Estée Lauder’s bestselling Advanced Night Repair range, the sciencey-sounding Eye Concentrate Matrix uses that same anti-ageing technology to target fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles and dryness while you sleep. The serum texture makes it a pleasure to use, too.
- Vogue-approved review: “Known for its science-led formulas, Estee Lauder eye creams are not only great for tightening and brightening, but the included wands also work well to depuff the eyes and diminish dark circles. If you prefer a serum consistency, opt for the Eye Concentrate Matrix, but the gel creme is luxuriously lightweight on the eyes too.” – Jessica Diner, global beauty and wellness director
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Deeply hydrating
- Reduces dark circles and puffiness
- Not for sensitive skin
SkinCeuticals Corrective Eye Balm
- Best eye cream for: sensitive skin
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: Ideal for dry, mature skin, Skinceuticals’s Eye Balm is a rich and hydrating plant-based formula, which uses vitamin E to defend against environmental aggressors. It also uses triple-action corrective technology to depuff, while replenishing lost lipids for a smoother complexion.
- Key specifications:
- Size: 20ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: No
- Helps reduce wrinkles with consistent use
- A rich texture that delivers hydration
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
Erborian Skin Therapy Eye Cream
- Best eye cream for: brightening
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: If your undereye concerns span a bit of everything, from lines and wrinkles to eye bags, dark circles and dryness, then this smooth, balm-like cream is the thing for you. Highly concentrated with active ingredients like niacinamide and caffeine as well as nine carefully chosen plant extracts, it promises to work on all seven recognised signs of ageing. The result is skin that looks more revived and youthful and feels firmer and less crepey.
- Vogue-approved review: “This has such a gorgeous texture that I actually look forward to applying it every night before bed. The formula is really lightweight and melting so it sinks in easily and doesn’t feel tacky on my pillow. My main concern is dark circles and waking up looking like I’ve not slept, even when I have, but since using this my undereye area is much brighter in the morning.” – Georgia Day, contributing beauty editor
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Freshens and brightens tired eyes
- Makes the skin around the eye feel moisturised and smooth
- Targets many concerns at once, from dryness to nourishment, puffiness and radiance
- Not great for significant dark circles
La Mer The Eye Concentrate
- Best eye cream for: hydrating
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: Enriched with the brand’s signature Miracle Broth, this La Mer number is worth the price. It’s ultra nourishing but sinks in quickly, quickly boosts luminosity and over time helps to smooth the area. It’s a yes from us.
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: No
- Reduces dark circles, fine lines, puffiness and wrinkles
- A luxurious, rich cream which hydrates without feeling too heavy
- Only need a small amount on each application
- Expensive
Chanel No 1 De Chanel Revitalising Eye Serum
- Best eye cream for: refreshing eyes
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: Packed with antioxidants that naturally occur in red camellia extract, this new serum from Chanel revives and protects the delicate eye contour. It’s anti-inflammatory – so a great pick for those prone to puffy eyes – and has a cooling wand which massages every last drop into the skin while aiding lymphatic drainage. Editor’s tip: refrigerate it overnight for the ultimate eye refresh, and come morning, you’ll look wide awake.
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing gel
- Brightens and depuffs tired eyes
- Not super hydrating
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
- Best eye cream for: fatigued skin
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: If puffy, dry eyes are a problem for you, get acquainted with CeraVe’s Eye Repair. It locks in moisture and knocks out hollows thanks to a hyaluronic-heavy formula, which also features niacinamide to gently lift discolouration.
- Vogue-approved review: “I use this whenever I’m struggling with an undereye area that’s dry and tired, usually after too many nights in a row or lack of sleep. As well as feeling incredibly nourishing and comforting, it helps reduce puffiness and makes everything feel more refreshed,” – Georgia Day, contributing beauty editor
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- Hydrating and soothing
- Not very effective for dark circles
Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firm EyeX Temporary Eye Tightener
- Best eye cream for: tightening
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: You need only consult the rave reviews once to be convinced of the plumping powers this eye cream has. Like a magic primer, it fills lines and hollows around the eyes within minutes for an instant plumping fix. But with tetrapeptides in the formula, it also boosts the skin’s smoothness and firmness with regular use. One to add to your arsenal for both an immediate eye lift and the longer-lasting benefits.
- Vogue-approved review: “Aptly named, you will feel this eye cream tightening the eye contour on application. It smooths lines and reduces the appearance of my eye bags almost instantly, plus grips concealer for a bright-eyed look that lasts. Once you master the technique (tap a very small amount in with your ring finger or a make-up brush for precision) it’s bound to become your go-to for tired-looking eyes”– Tracy Achonwa, beauty writer
- Key specifications:
- Size: 30ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Tightens the under-eye area
- Reduces wrinkles
- Can leave a chalky residue
L’Oreal Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Eye Serum
- Best eye cream for: depuffing
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: Made with multiweight hyaluronic acid to penetrate various layers of the skin, this serum has a plumping and smoothing effect that minimises fine lines. As for eyebags? Consider them sorted, thanks to the beaded applicator with a cool tip that relieves swelling and helps to drain excess fluid for a very good depuff.
- Vogue-approved review: “While the hyaluronic-based formula works wonders at increasing hydration, it’s the cooling beaded applicator that makes this such a great buy. For an extra treat when it’s an early start, or when your eyes are feeling really puffy, consider popping it in the fridge for an hour before you use it. Heaven.” – Georgia Day, contributing beauty editor
- Key specifications:
- Size: 20ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Cooling, massaging applicator
- Reduces fine lines, dark circles and puffiness
- Occasionally feel a little sticky
La Roche-Posay Redermic [R] Retinol Eye Cream
- Best eye cream for: retinol
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: Suitable for sensitive skin, this La Roche Posay powerhouse combines a potent blend of 0.1 per cent pure retinol, 0.1 per cent retinol booster complex and 0.2 per cent caffeine, and works to smooth the appearance of wrinkles, leaving the eye area bright and rejuvenated.
- Vogue-approved review: “A great pick to help rejuvenate and energise tired skin around the eyes, over time, this helps to soften the appearance of lines and wrinkles and reveal firmer, denser skin. It’s also a great choice if your skin is on the sensitive side, as it doesn't irritate.” – Georgia Day, contributing beauty editor
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: No
- Fragrance-free: No
- Gentle and moisturising, even for sensitive skin
- Helps with fine lines
- Not very effective for deep-set wrinkles or dark circles
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin CC Stick
- Best eye cream for: hyperpigmentation
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: Merging the power of a potent eye cream with the coverage of a concealer, this creamy, tinted stick is for those who want a little more camouflage. It comes in three shades that instantly colour-correct purplish dark circles on all skin tones, and the vitamin C-infused formula works to lift discolouration over time. Also in the formula is a hit of caffeine, which zaps the puffiness from swollen eye bags. The ultimate skincare-make-up hybrid.
- Key specifications:
- Size: 3.7g
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Conceals dark circles and discolouration
- Creamy, hydrating formula
- Sometimes pills when paired with other products
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
- Best eye cream for: budget
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: With caffeine to take down inflammation, dark circles and puffiness, this budget wonder comes in a serum consistency, which means it’s lightweight enough for even the oiliest of skins. Caffeine eye creams come highly recommended by Dr Ginni for their long-lasting action on puffiness, so consider this purse-friendly pick the cream of choice for fresh eyes all day long.
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Lightweight formula that soaks in quickly
- Revitalises the eye area by reducing fine lines and puffiness
- Good value for money
- Not very efficacious for dark circles
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Eye Rescue
- Best eye cream for: fine lines
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: Powered by nourishing extracts, Charlotte’s Magic Eye Rescue is the ultimate treat. Cooling and refreshing, the cream works to visibly reduce fine lines and crow’s feet, combating crêpey-ness by lifting and plumping the skin.
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Highly moisturising
- Reduces fine lines
- Creates a smooth base for makeup
- Not good for sensitive skin
Elemis Pro Collagen Vitality Eye Cream
- Best eye cream for: dehydrated eyes
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: Those with dry eyes will love this velvet cream from Elemis, which nourishes skin deeply without a greasy feel. Thanks to Padina Pavonica, a marine algae that’s clinically proven to boost HA and collagen production, it rehydrates skin from the inside out. Additionally, it contains Japanese Artemisia Capillaris, a vitamin A-rich herb that can effectively lighten darkness under the eyes.
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben -ree: Yes
- Fragrance-free: No
- Hydrates and brightens
- Reduces wrinkles and dark circles
- A little goes a long way
- Needs to soak in before applying other products
Summer Fridays Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream
- Best eye cream for: under make-up
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: If the name of this eye formula isn’t enough to tempt you, then what’s inside will. From peptides and vitamin C to caffeine and soothing allantoin, it’s a brightening cream which sits seamlessly under make-up.
- Vogue-approved review: “This is a brilliant product if you need your eye cream to do a little bit of everything. Thanks to the thoughtful formulation it not only refreshed the look of the undereye area but it also calms redness and strengthens the skin’s barrier to make it more resilient,” – Georgia Day, contributing beauty editor
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: No
- Firms and smooths the under-eye area
- Effectively brightens dark circles
- Sometimes pills
Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream
- Best eye cream for: firming
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: With potent peptides and phytoactive ingredients – including quinoa seed extract, matcha butter and astragalus – this powerful eye cream is your ticket to a lifted, firm and smooth eye area, instantly and over time.
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- A light yet creamy texture that's super hydrating
- Visibly lifts, firms and brightens for a youthful finish
- Effective, potent formula that's worth the money
- Higher price point
Tata Harper Restorative Eye Crème
- Best eye cream for: botanical actives
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: A plant-powered formula that uses hardworking botanical actives like seaweed, lavender and narcissus bulb extract and advanced neuropeptide technology to target fine lines and wrinkles, improve elasticity of the delicate undereye skin and address dark circles.
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Reduces signs of ageing
- Absorbent lightweight texture
- Refillable packaging
- Expensive
Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Über Youth Eye Energy Cream
- Best eye cream for: reviving eyes
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: If super healthy skin is what you’re after, this formula ticks all the boxes. A rich, deeply hydrating cream that feels weightless on the skin, it uses an active packed list of ingredients that delivers an immediate filling effect, helping to plump skin and make it appear denser and more youthful. Dark circles and puffiness are also reduced, as are fine lines and visible dehydration. While it’s clinically proven to diminish wrinkles in 28 days it also offers immediate brightening and a generally fresher appearance.
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Creamy, lightweight and absorbent
- Helps with puffiness and dark circles
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Sometimes pills beneath makeup
MZ Skin Intensive Bio-Placenta Eye Cream
- Best eye cream for: retexturizing skin
- Why this is a Vogue top pick: A plant-based bio-engineered placenta is the clever standout ingredient of this formula, which promises to help re-densify skin and encourage better elasticity. While it’s a good option for pretty much all undereye concerns, it’s especially designed for those of us who need extra hydration and suffer from pronounced fine liners and wrinkles around the eyes. To add extra oomph to its retexturizing prowess, there’s also bakuchiol, a retinol-like molecules which helps with cellular renewal.
- Key specifications:
- Size: 15ml
- Paraben-free: Yes
- Fragrance-free: Yes
- Effectively reduces fine lines and dark circles
- Luxurious whipped texture
- Improves firmness
- Expensive
FAQs
Do eye creams work?
Yes, but not all products are made equal, which is where formulation and ingredients come in. For example, those packed with hyaluronic acid can certainly work to plump and hydrate, whereas those with antioxidants, such as vitamin C, and SPF (an absolute must) will help to protect the skin. But it’s important to note that topical creams, no matter how potent the active ingredients, cannot stand in for sleep, water, and a healthy diet. Furthermore, as we age, our fat reserves deplete; this cannot be amended with a cream alone. In this instance, you may want to think about a treatment or something more invasive. However, an eye cream can help boost firmness and minimise lines, which contribute to the look of sagging skin. This is where your retinol comes in.
Does everyone need an eye cream?
If you are under the age of 30, it’s unlikely that you will require a targeted formula for your eyes, but even if you don’t suffer with dark circles, wrinkles or dryness, you may have other reasons for choosing to use an eye cream. “Many people, even without these specific concerns, may be prone to milia in this area,” explains Dr Alexis Granite, CeraVe’s consultant dermatologist. “Milia are small, firm white bumps composed of trapped keratin, a protein found naturally within our skin. These may occur in the eye area due to occlusion from heavier skin care products, so in some cases, it may be necessary to use different, lighter products around the eyes to avoid them.”
What eye creams do dermatologists recommend?
Ask any expert, and the answer will always be those that use clinically proven ingredients. It’s why so many eye cream formulas contain ingredients like vitamin C and retinol, because they have years of clinical data attesting to their efficacy. That said, any expert you talk to will always recommend choosing ingredients in an eye cream formula that are based on your individual needs, so make sure you know what your goals are, whether it’s reducing fine lines, boosting hydration or diminishing dark circles. If you have more than one concern, then look out for a formula that uses a combination of several ingredients, like CeraVe’s Eye Renewing Cream. According to Dr Granite, it’s a multitasking product that contains peptides to boost collagen and elastin production, ceramides and hyaluronic acid to support the skin barrier and skin hydration levels, niacinamide to soothe and caffeine to help improve microcirculation and puffiness.
Can eye cream reduce dark circles?
Just as a topical cream cannot fully fix the loss of fat, it can never completely erase dark circles either. Creams can, however, work to brighten their appearance, especially when used in conjunction with regular, gentle massage, plenty of water, sleep and a healthy diet. When it comes to ingredients to look for, vitamin K can help reduce the appearance of dark circles by strengthening blood vessel walls, preventing blood from pooling under the eyes, and dark circles from forming.
What to look for in an eye cream
The ingredients to look out for depend on your individual skin concern, but in general, ingredients such as vitamin C and retinol are good for addressing discolouration, texture and a loss of collagen, while formulations that star hydrators and humectants (think: hyaluronic acid, squalane and glycerin) are ideal for those with dry and sensitive eyes.
When should I start using eye cream?
“There is no perfect age to start using an eye cream,” says Dr Anjali Mahto. “But if there’s a certain eye concern that’s bothering you, for example, dryness around the eyes, then there is no reason not to start to hydrate and moisturise in your teens. Otherwise, for most people, incorporating one might be useful once they have a good routine in place, so twenties onwards for most.”
How to apply eye cream
The skin around your eyes is incredibly sensitive, so it’s important to be gentle. Which means no pulling, prodding, rubbing or dragging, but rather, tapping the skin and pressing the product in; tapping the product in also has the added benefit of gently boosting circulation around the eye area, adds Dr Granite. Use sparingly – a pea-sized amount is enough or as otherwise instructed. And don’t forget the brow bone.
How often should you apply eye cream?
It depends on the product. Most eye creams are suitable for everyday use, some can even be applied twice daily. “Most eye creams can be applied as often as you need,” shares Dr Ginni Mansberg. “Eye creams containing caffeine, which are excellent for combatting puffiness, will usually give you several hours of benefit, so you shouldn’t need them more than twice daily.” When it comes to products containing SPF, you might want to top up throughout the day, especially when in hotter climates.
Is it better to use eye cream at night or in the morning?
As a general rule, creams containing antioxidants and SPF are best used in the morning, advises Dr Williams, so that they can defend the skin against the day’s aggressors. Meanwhile, you’ll want to use your retinols and other collagen-stimulators in the evening.
Meet the experts:
- Dr Stefanie Williams is a specialist dermatologist and medical director at Eudelo
- Dr Anjali Mahto is a cosmetic and medical consultant dermatologist on Harley Street, and the author of The Skincare Bible
- Dr Ginni Mansberg is a general practitioner, author of multiple health books and the medical director of ESK Skincare
- Dr Alexis Granite is a consultant dermatologist and CeraVe’s consultant dermatologist
