Finding the best eye cream
The skin around your eyes is the thinnest and most fragile skin of your body and as we age, the area can develop fine lines, puffiness or dark circles due to genetics, lack of sleep or stress. Finding the right eye cream can help diminish fine lines and wrinkles, depuff under-eye bags and lighten dark circles.
Eye creams are potent yet gentle creams made specifically for the delicate area around your eyes. They’re formulated differently than face creams, and regular use can hydrate the area and plump the skin, making you look healthier and well-rested.
What to look for in eye cream
Certain ingredients offer specific benefits for the skin around your eyes. Retinol stimulates collagen production to diminish lines and wrinkles, and niacinamide helps brighten the area. Hyaluronic acid and ceramides help to trap moisture and plump the area around your eyes.
In general, it’s best to choose fragrance-free formulas to use near the eyes to avoid irritation and allergic reaction.
How to use eye cream
Take a small amount on your ring finger and gently tap on your eyelids, under and along the corners of your eyes. Don’t rub the cream, as the skin around your eyes is very thin and delicate.
Cost of eye cream
You can expect to pay from $8-$105 and up for eye creams. Affordable brands make them in the $8-$29 price range. You can find mid-range brands that contain stronger concentrations for $30-$104. If you don’t mind splurging, you can find high-end brands for $105 or more.
Eye cream FAQ
How long does it take for an eye cream to work?
A. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to 3 months for eye creams to show results.
When should I apply eye cream?
A. Most eye creams can be used during the day or at night, but if your chosen eye cream contains retinol, only use it at night.
At what age should I start using eye cream?
A. You can start using eye cream in your 20s to prevent signs of aging. Most people start using eye cream in their 30s.
Best eye creams
Best overall
Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Firm: available at Amazon, Dermalogica, LovelySkin, Sephora, SkinStore and Ulta Beauty
If you’re looking for one eye cream to do it all, this has antioxidants to improve elasticity, vitamin A to reduce fine lines and vitamin C to lighten dark circles.
Best for fine lines and wrinkles
Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream: available at Sephora and Ulta Beauty
This cream is formulated with KOMBU-Bounce Complex that acts as a natural wrinkle filler and prevents lines from forming. You can see more hydrated and plumped skin in a week.
Best for firming
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum: available at LovelySkin, Murad, Sephora, SpaceNK and Ulta Beauty
Made with collagen-stimulating retinol, this light serum can firm and hydrate the area around your eyes. It also improves the appearance of under-eye bags.
Best for puffiness
This concentrated vegan serum is made of caffeine and green tea to visibly reduce puffiness with regular use. It can be used on all skin types.
Best for dark circles
SUNDAY RILEY Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream: available at Amazon, SkinStore, Sephora and Ulta Beauty
Infused with caffeine and ginseng, this brightening cream has light-reflecting properties to reduce the look of dark circles and under-eye bags.
Best for brightening
First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Eye Cream: available at Amazon, Sephora and SkinStore
This cream has niacinamide to fade brown spots and brighten your eyes and pumpkin seed extract to minimize under-eye circles.
Best for beginners
Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb: available at Amazon, Sephora and Ulta Beauty
This lightweight moisturizing eye cream is great for beginners as it provides hydration for 26 hours, boosts elasticity and can be used under makeup.
Best for mature skin
This rich eye cream has alguronic acid and Persian silk tree extract to firm and lift the skin, improve elasticity and smooth wrinkles.
Best for sensitive skin
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Eye Cream: available at Amazon, LovelySkin and Ulta Beauty
This dermatologist- and allergy-tested eye cream can provide hydration without any irritation and restore skin’s moisture levels. It’s free of parabens, fragrance and drying alcohol.
Best clean
Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Line-Filling Eye Balm: available at Credo Beauty and Sephora
This cream has Centella Asiatica to protect skin from environmental stressors and licorice root to brighten and depuff the eyes. It’s suitable for all skin types.
Best splurge
Tata Harper Restorative Eye Crème: available at Credo Beauty, Sephora and Violet Grey
This restorative cream has peptides to minimize lines and buckwheat wax to reduce puffiness. It’s also cruelty-free.
Best drugstore
Roc Skincare Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream: available at Amazon and Ulta Beauty
This drugstore cream can reduce puffiness and dark circles in 4 weeks and reduce wrinkles in 12 weeks. It’s also hypoallergenic.
Best with vitamin C
BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector: available at SkinStore and Violet Grey
Made with 5% pure vitamin C, this can brighten your eyes while anti-inflammatory CBD and green tea extract can protect them from environmental stressors.
Best with SPF
Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35: available at Amazon, LovelySkin and SkinStore
Along with the benefits of reducing lines and puffiness, this mineral makeup also protects you from the sun. It’s available in four shades.
Best eye mask
111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Eye Mask: available at SkinStore and Violet Grey
Using this mask for 20 minutes can give you a plumper eye area. It also has retinol to even your skin’s texture and peptides to reduce lines.