33 best eye creams to tackle dark circles, fine lines and puffiness – tried and tested
No skincare routine is complete without one of the best eye creams, I think we can all agree on that. Forget what you thought you knew: you don't need to wait 'til you hit a certain age to start introducing eye creams into your daily routine. Instead, you should be slathering your under-eyes with one as early as possible (yes, even in your early 20s).
Eye creams and eye serums have been clinically proven to visibly reduce puffiness, under-eye circles, fine lines and to generally provide “a radiant and firmer appearing skin around the eyes,” explains Dr Michael Detmar, dermatologist and co-founder of IRÄYE Skincare. And according to Dr Detmar, the "effects of eye creams are observed independent of skin age.” Basically: an eye cream is a non-negotiable part of your skincare routine (and if it is already, let's make sure that you're using the best formulation for your skin type).
Is an eye cream necessary? | Why do you need a separate eye cream? | How to apply eye cream | What ingredients should we look for in our eye cream? | Our full reviews.
Meet the experts:
- Dr Michael Detmar, dermatologist and co-founder of IRÄYE Skincare
- Dr Dendy Engelman, skincare specialist and consulting dermatologist at Elizabeth Arden
- Kate Kerr, clinical facialist
In a rush? The best eye cream at a glance:
- Best eye cream overall: Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream Rich 15ml, WAS £31 NOW £24.80, LookFantastic
- Best retinol eye cream: Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye, £70, Medik8
- Best eye cream for wrinkles: Dr Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum, £72, Cult Beauty
- Best eye cream for under makeup: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Eye Base, £37, LookFantastic
- Best eye cream for instant brightening: ILIA Bright Start Activated Eye Cream, £47, Sephora
- Best with hyaluronic acid: La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum, £47.22, Amazon
And before you even think it – no, using your regular facial moisturiser or lotion does not replace one of the best eye creams. The delicate skin around our eyes warrants a product developed specifically for this area, especially since this is where our skin is at its thinnest and closest to blood vessels.
According to Dr. Detmar, the skin around the eyes is indeed very different from the surrounding skin of the face: "It is thinner and thus more prone to sagging and to the darkening of the skin, it is drier since there are no sebaceous glands, it is easily stressed and it contains a large number of lymphatic vessels.” (Side note: for this reason, you should also remember to throw on a good sunscreen or a face SPF cream to keep the delicate skin nice and protected from the harmful UV rays all year round).
Whether you're after a lightweight eye gel, a silky under-eye cream or a serum that fits your needs and preferences, we've got you covered. Here, we've put together a neat list of all the eye creams you need, from Drunk Elephant to Estee Lauder.
Erase them or embrace them.
Is eye cream necessary for skin?
Still need convincing? We asked Dr Dendy Engelman, top skincare specialist and Elizabeth Arden's consulting New York dermatologist whether eye creams can really make a difference.
"I always say yes. Before you start thinking about injectables or anything like that, take a look at what you're doing with your skincare," says Dr Dendy. "You’re never too young for eye cream because we know it’s going to be the first area to really show crepiness, fine lines and wrinkles, so you do want to hydrate there." However, it's an area that can respond quickest to skincare, so you'll start to see results more quickly, which is encouraging.
What does eye cream do?
"The thin skin around the eyes is the first to show signs of ageing, but if you induce collagen and elastin formation in thin skin, it very much translates clinically," says Dr Dendy. However, thin skin can mean regular skincare products such as moisturisers can be too irritating. "We have to make sure that the cream is formulated for the eye area so that it's not too irritating," she adds.
It's not just the density of our skin, that's different. "There are fewer sebaceous glands around the eye area than in oilier areas like the T-zone," says Dr Dendy. "Less oil means increased risk of wrinkling so I think you absolutely need the separate step of an eye cream to nourish," she says.
How do I apply eye cream?
As well as under the eyes, Dr Dendy recommends going up on the brow bone and down to the crease. As for where to avoid? "If you put eye cream on your lash line, it’s going to transfer through into your eye while you sleep, which is irritating and then you’ll rub and scratch it," says Dr Dendy.
What ingredients should we look for?
If you do decide to incorporate an eye cream into your skincare routine, there's a wide variety of ingredients that can be called upon to tackle eye-related concerns like appearance of dark circles, crow’s feet, lack of elasticity, dry skin and puffiness.
Most skincare experts and dermatologists advise that the most common ingredients to look out for are hyaluronic acid (great for hydrating and nourishing tired eyes), vitamin C, which is a champion for brightening skin and diminishing pigmentation and dark circles, ceramides to plump skin, vitamin E, aloe vera, squalane and glycerin. They all work to give your under-eyes the proper TLC that they deserve.
The best caffeine eye creams are also great for reducing puffiness, while the best retinol eye creams are good for anti-ageing.
Speaking of retinol, clinical facialist Kate Kerr explains that “a retinol eye cream is necessary to help stabilise melanocytes [the cells that create pigment in skin] in order to prevent hyperpigmentation. It also thickens the dermis [which can mean veins appear less prominent], improves texture, smooths lines and wrinkles and hides purple skin tones."
Feeling inspired to upgrade your skincare routine? Shop the best moisturiser for dry skin, best moisturiser for combination skin and the best moisturiser for oily skin. We can also help you pick the best face masks, anti-ageing creams, hyaluronic acid serum and vitamin C serums. For more shoppable beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Ahead, the best eye creams for bright eyes all year round.
Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream Rich
Best: for all skin types.
Why we love it: Suitable for use morning and night, this eye cream is infused with botanical ingredients – from Mulberry Root Extract, Caffeine and Green Tea Leaf Extract – to reduce puffiness, dark circles and fine lines, while boosting natural collagen production for revitalised, brighter eyes.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best eye creams with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye
Best: retinol eye cream.
Why we love it: The world's first clinic strength retinoid for under eyes – as inspired by Medik8's multi-award-winning vitamin A serum for the face – Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye is a derm-loved breakthrough retinol eye cream which serves up targeted under eye rejuvenation. Medik8’s #1 skincare ingredient, retinaldehyde, has been stabilised at a clinical strength and combined with ceramides and hyaluronic acid filling spheres. The result? An all-in-one solution for evening eye care which is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, wrinkles, crepiness and puffiness while remaining gentle of the delicate eye area. And that we can confirm it does. Even of the most sensitive and easily-irritated of skin. Oh, and as part of the brand’s unique Crystal Retinal ladder, Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye is available in three strengths to deliver progressive visible results, tailored to you. So. Good.
Dr Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum
Best: for wrinkles.
Why we love it: The gold standard in firming, this 3-in-1 eye cream is packed with wrinkle-smoothing retinol, a substance derived from vitamin A that works wonders on fine lines by firming your skin. After all, the doc would know, he treats the great and good of Hollywood and his products are as close as we'll get to his clinic from home.
Save big when you shop for the best eye creams with these Cult Beauty discount codes.Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Eye Base
Best: for wearing under makeup.
Why we love it: Perfect for applying before makeup, this hydrating eye cream plumps and smooths the delicate eye area, nourishing it with sodium hyaluronate. The result? No creasing or dryness, which helps prime your skin to maximise concealer application, allowing your whole look to last longer.
Enjoy up to 50% off when shopping for the best eye creams with these LookFantastic discount codes.
ILIA Bright Start Activated Eye Cream
Best: for instant brightening.
Why we love it: This eye cream for dark circles features a potent plant-based retinol alternative that brightens your skin more gently than the ‘real’ thing. Proven to reduce dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles, this formulation is so lightweight that it layers perfectly underneath your makeup.
Make sure to bookmark these Sephora discount codes.
La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Eye Serum
Why we love it: This one from La Roche-Posay contains vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid to plump, hydrate and ward off wrinkles. It's great for sensitive skin and melts into your skin to kickstart a restorative process and support natural cell renewal in a very soothing and gentle way.
Save more when shopping for the best eye creams with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Shiseido Exclusive Ultimune Eye Power Infusing Eye Concentrate
Best: for firming.
Why we love it: This eye cream version is able to restore and strengthen the delicate skin around the eyes to improve firmness, reduce puffiness and improve the appearance of lines and dark circles.
Enjoy more savings when shopping for the best eye creams with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Lifting Eye Cream
Best: collagen eye cream.
Why we love it: Looking for an eye cream that can reduce unwanted water loss and lift the skin under your eyes? This cream is certainly on the pricier side, but its collagen-producing formula includes a triple peptide complex, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, all of which work hard to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and crow's feet.
Save when you shop for the best eye creams with these SpaceNK discount codes.
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Eye Recovery
Best: with peptides.
Why we love it: Who doesn't want an eye cream that's the answered to more energised-looking eyes? This eye cream contains cocktail of skin-plumping antioxidants, peptides, hyaluronic spheres and optical diffusers, all of which work together to boost your collagen production to firm up wrinkles.
Take advantage of our great discounts when shopping for the best eye creams with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Eye Cream
Best: Korean eye cream for hydration.
Why we love it: This K-beauty eye cream is formulated with blue hyaluronic acid that's uniquely fermented with seaweed from the depths of seawater, which allows hydration to sink deeper into your skin. So say goodbye to puffy eyes and say hello to a much more luminous look. Suitable for all skin types.
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
Best: rejuvenating eye cream.
Why we love it: This lightweight cream is clinically proven to rejuvenate the delicate under-eye area by targeting puffiness, dark circles and fine lines. It achieves this using retinol, a vitamin A derivative that accelerates cell turnover and makes your skin feel as good as new. 10/10 would recommend.
Save more when shopping for the best eye creams with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Byoma De-Puff + Brighten Eye Gel
Best: with a tri-ceramide complex.
Why we love it: You'd be mistaken for thinking that an eye cream that contains a unique tri-ceramide complex, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C would be expensive. Thankfully, Byoma specialises in high-quality products at an affordable price. Perfect for brightening the undereye area and easily one of our top picks.
Lumene Nordic Ageless [AJATON] Radiant Youth Eye Cream
Best: for dark circles.
Why we love it: Clinically tested to reduce the appearance of fine lines and under-eye circles, this eye cream formulation is infused with protecting lingonberry stem cell extract that's rich in antioxidants for a brighter-looking eye area.
Enjoy more savings when shopping for the best eye creams with these LookFantastic discount codes.
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Best: on a budget.
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. Also available on Amazon for next-day delivery.
Save more when shopping for the best eye creams with these Boots discount codes.
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Eye Complex for Ageing Skin
r.e.m. beauty Full Night's Sleep Cooling Blurring Under Eye Balm
Best: blurring eye cream.
Why we love it: 8 hours of sleep? Nah, try r.e.m. Beauty's Full Night's Sleep eye cream instead. It's designed to blur imperfections, reduce the appearance of dark circles and protect against free radicals. And the best part is that it provides a cool effect while being suitable for all skin types.
Make sure to bookmark these Sephora discount codes.
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright + Eye Crème
Best: fragrance-free eye cream.
Why we love it: Exclusive to Boots, this brightening eye cream from Ole Henriksen features light-reflecting pigments that colour-correct and revive tired-looking eyes. It's crease-resistant and concealer-friendly too, on top of being fuelled by skincare-loving ingredients such as vitamin C and orange extract.
Save when you shop for the best eye creams with these Boots discount codes.
Glow Recipe Guava Vitamin C Bright-Eye Gel Cream
Best: gel eye cream.
Why we love it: Yes, this Glow Recipe gel cream is as hydrating as it looks. Thanks to a vitamin C complex, a niacinamide blend, peptides and green caffeine, this product works hard to address common issues around the undereye area, including dehydration and puffiness.
Save big when you shop for the best eye creams with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue
Best: for overnight.
Why we love it: Charlotte Tilbury's done it again. As the name suggests, this product is pure magic – it depuffs, brightens, hydrates and smooths all at once. In addition to having a super-charged active ingredients such as time-released retinol molecules, this cream also contains shea butter and coconut oil that leave your under-eye skin feeling softer than ever.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Cream
Best: for tired eyes.
Why we love it: Lacking sleep? Had a late night? This eye cream from Lancome will come for your rescue by helping brighten your under-eyes with the help of a blend of prebiotic and probiotic extracts. Buh-bye, eye bags.
Save more when shopping for the best eye creams with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Olay Retinol 24 Night Eye Cream With Retinol & Vitamin B3
Best: with niacinamide.
Why we love it: This night eye cream from Olay contains a blend of retinol and niacinamide (vitamin B3) that hydrates your skin and evens out its texture while you sleep. It's also gentle on your skin and is free from fragrances and dyes.
Save when you shop for the best eye creams with these Boots discount codes.
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream For Face
Dior Capture Totale Firming & Wrinkle-Corrective Eye Creme
Best: for mature skin.
Why we love it: This eye cream is enriched with phytosterols, which help soothe, revitalise and improve the look of the eye area. With this product, your eye contour will feel re-energised, reducing the appearance of fine lines, signs of stress and fatigue. Ideal for a more firm eye area with a healthy glow.
Save when you shop for the best eye creams with these Boots discount codes.
Tatcha The Silk Peony Melting Eye Cream
Best: for in your twenties and thirties.
Why we love it: This rejuvenating, potent eye cream sinks easily into the skin and provides a double veil of hydration. It has a delicate formula that's enriched with a trio of Japanese superfoods and antioxidants to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and prep the eye area for makeup.
Enjoy some extra savings when you shop for the best eye creams with these SpaceNK discount codes.
Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Under-Eye Cream
Best: for brightening.
Why we love it: A well-rested and evenly-toned appearance is easier than you'd think. Fuelled by three potent forms of vitamin C as well as ferulic acid and peptides, this brightening eye cream is designed specifically to plump your under-eye bags and visibly reduce brown, blue and red-toned discolouration.
Save more when shopping for the best eye creams with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream
Best: for contouring.
Why we love it: Eye cream? Contouring? Why not both? This product is infused with caffeine and Brazilian ginseng root, as well as concentrated horse chestnut and acmella oleracea extracts to smooth the appearance of crow’s feet and fine lines. Great for adding a brighter and more radiant look.
RÉVIVE Moisturising Renewal Eye Cream
Best: for plumping.
Why we love it: Luxurious in texture and a total dream to apply daily as a night eye cream, this potent product uses a sophisticated blend of proteins, amino acids and oligopeptides to brighten the appearance of the under eye area. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid to bind moisture deep into the skin and plump delicate skin over time. This product is suitable for all skin types and is safe for use by contact lens wearers.
Enjoy more savings when you shop for the best eye creams with these SpaceNK discount codes.
Gallinée Probiotic Eye Contour Cream
Best: for dry skin.
Why we love it: Blended with both prebiotics and probiotics, this eye cream is ultra gentle for dry and sensitive skin types. It works by rebalancing the microbiome of the skin around the eye, soothing dehydration and inflammation and rebuilding the delicate skin barrier to protect you against bad bacteria. Did we mention it also contains shea butter?
Save big when shopping for the best eye creams with these LookFantastic discount codes.
IRÄYE Eye Revive Cream
REN Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream
Best: all-natural.
Why we love it: This natural eye cream is clinically proven to reduce under-eye circles after seven days. Elderberry flower extract neutralises free radicals which can trigger dark circles and puffiness around the eye, while glycogen helps retain moisture and recharge skin for smoother, plumper-looking skin.
Save big when shopping for the best eye creams with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Beauty Pie Super Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream
Best: for fine lines.
Why we love it: Formulated with a line-smoothing slow-release retinol, it's infused with hyaluronic acid and brightening properties for a truly brightened and rejuvenated appearance. After all, it's definitely not called "Super Retinol" for the sake of it.
Take advantage of a free trial and get up to 20% off the best eyes creams with these Beauty Pie discount codes.
Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
Best: for moisturising.
Why we love it: This product will leave your eye area feeling refreshed and moisturised. It's also suitable for all skin types, especially for sensitive skin. Its formula also contains beta-carotene and shea butter for an added creamy feel without the risk of migrating into the eyes.
