Is eye cream necessary?

According to Dr. Tanzi, when it comes to taking care of the delicate skin surrounding your eyes, eye creams are a necessity. “The skin surrounding your eyes is very different from the rest of the face, and it has its own special needs,” she says. Eye creams are formulated specifically for this part of the face, meaning they typically contain a lower concentration of actives and are formulated to be much more nourishing than your average moisturizer—especially nighttime formulas.

Can eye creams actually eliminate dark circles?

Eye creams can be quite effective at combating dark circles; however, Dr. Tanzi says it’s important to use a cream with ingredients that target their specific cause. “If your dark circles are from puffiness, then an eye cream with caffeine is helpful,” she says. “If the dark circles are related to darkened skin, then you'll want to use an eye cream with a [radiance-boosting] ingredient.”

When should you apply eye cream?

Dr. Tanzi says to apply eye cream twice daily, immediately after washing your face and before you apply any other serums, creams, or other treatments to allow for the best possible penetration. Be sure to apply under the eyes and not directly on the eyelids.

Should you put eye cream on eyelids?

Dr. Tanzi only recommends applying eye serums to the upper eyelids, as cream formulations can be too thick for this area.

What eye cream is best to use for puffy under eyes?

An eye cream that contains caffeine, like the Neocutis Lumiere Firm Riche Extra Moisturizing Illuminating Tightening Eye Cream , can help de-puff the eye area. Storing your eye cream in the fridge can give a nice cooling effect that helps awaken tired eyes as well.

The 22 Best Eye Creams of 2023

There's something undoubtedly enticing about cosmetics formulated to improve the eye area. But if you're like lots of folks, you might not know what to make of this skincare category. Do you need to use eye cream, and if so, why can't you just use your regular moisturizer? "People use eye creams to help with crepey skin, wrinkles, dark circles, and 'bags' under their eyes," says Diane Madfes, MD, FAAD.

Byrdie Researched & Approved

Our best overall pick is Revision Skincare's D.E.J Eye Cream. It is well-loved for its effectiveness in brightening, moisturizing, reducing the appearance of fine lines, and more. For a more affordable option, try Pond’s Lifting & Brightening Eye Cream.

NYC-based dermatologist Hadley King, MD, explains that it's best to use products formulated specifically for the eye area because it's thin and delicate compared to the rest of your face. Besides hydrating the skin, Dr. King explains, eye creams "can have multiple additional benefits, depending on their ingredients."

Some of these all-star ingredients include retinol, caffeine, peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, aloe, green tea, and vitamins C and E—to name a few. Eye creams are formulated to address concerns such as wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles on the thin skin under the eyes. So, what are the best eye creams out there today? We rounded up several suggestions from derms and tried a handful of these products ourselves, our testers rating each product’s texture and feel, ingredient list, and overall performance. The following options include the best eye creams that deliver visible results.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Revision Skincare D.E.J Eye Cream at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Pond’s Lifting & Brightening Eye Cream at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Drugstore:

Olay Regenerist Retinol24 MAX Night Eye Cream

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Chanel Sublimage La Crème Yeux Ultimate Regeneration Eye Cream at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Gel:

Baebody Eye Gel at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Sensitive Skin:

Priori R-Spinasome Ultimate Eye Crème Moisturizer at Nordstrom

Jump to Review

Best Serum:

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Triple Correction Eye Serum at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best With SPF:

Supergoop Bright-Eyed 100% Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40 at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Retinol:

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best for Fine Lines and Wrinkles:

Shani Darden Skin Care Intensive Eye Renewal Cream at Sephora

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
How We Researched & Tested
Why Trust Byrdie

4.5

Dermstore

View On Amazon View On Dermstore View On Walmart

What We Like

Minimizes fine lines
Reduces redness
Hygienic container

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Who else recommends it? Self and The Strategist both picked the Revision Skincare D.E.J Eye Cream.

What do buyers say? 84% of 100+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

When it comes to eye cream, most dermatologists can agree on D.E.J. "It includes moisturizing ingredients to plump and support the skin barrier, as well as antioxidants to help protect the skin from free radicals and peptides to help stimulate collagen production," Dr. King explains.

"Revision eye cream is one of my favorites," says Dr. Madfes, who appreciates that the ultra-hydrating formula offers flexibility for day or night application.

According to Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, Revision D.E.J. "helps with lifting and overall tightening of the upper and lower lids." Not only that, but the results are long-term, and there's a good chance you'll see a noticeable improvement in as little as four weeks.

Price at time of publish: $114

Active Ingredients: Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, peptides, amino acids, goji fruit extract | Benefits: Smoothing, firming, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Pond's

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Fragrance-free
Moisturizing

What We Don’t Like

May sting eyes

"This may surprise your readers, but I don't recommend spending a lot of money on an eye cream," says Sheilagh Maguiness, MD.

You don't have to tell us twice! Dr. King is a fan of Pond's Rejuveness, a budget-friendly pick full of "moisturizing ingredients, as well as niacinamide (vitamin B3) to help improve tone and texture, and retinol to help stimulate collagen."

Price at time of publish: $29

Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, retinol | Benefits: Firming, smoothing, boosting radiance| Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Olay Regenerist Retinol24 MAX Night Eye Cream

Ulta

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What We Like

Budget-friendly
Fragrance-free

What We Don’t Like

Can cause sensitivity

While Dr. Frank isn't a fan of Olay skincare products containing fragrance, he tells Byrdie, "Their Retinol24 fragrance-free is a good anti-aging choice that can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles."

Price at time of publish: $30

Active Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin B3 | Benefits: Smoothing, boosting radiance | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Chanel Sublimage La CrÃ¨me Yeux Ultimate Regeneration Eye Cream

Nordstrom

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What We Like

Velvety consistency
Evens skin tone
Noticeable results

What We Don’t Like

Expensive

Chanel Sublimage is a favorite of Dr. Frank's. If you're willing to shell out the big bucks for noticeable results, this velvety-smooth eye cream won't let you down. The secret to the sauce is vanilla planifolia, which boasts a firming, evening effect with healing properties to boot.

Price at time of publish: $230

Active Ingredients: Enriched vanilla planifolia | Benefits: Firming, hydrating, smoothing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

4.8

Amazon

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Baebody's Eye Gel Helped Fade My Dark Circles In Just One Week—Seriously

What We Like

Good value
Minimizes puffiness
Doubles as a facial moisturizer

What We Don't Like

Not for very dry skin

"Baebody is a cult-classic eye cream with phenomenal reviews for its cooling and hydrating effect," says Dr. Frank. The lightweight, ultra-hydrating gel formula is packed with skin-loving peptides, soothing organic aloe, and protective plant stem cells.

Price at time of publish: $25

Active Ingredients: Organic aloe, peptides, plant stem cells | Benefits: Depuffing, soothing, hydrating | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

What Our Testers Say

"The Baebody Eye Gel’s effective results, quantity, and price point simply can’t be matched." — Ashley Rubell, Product Tester

Priori R-Spinasome Ultimate Eye CrÃ¨me Moisturizer

Courtesy of Nordstrom

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What We Like

Non-irritating
Fragrance-free
Minimal ingredients

What We Don’t Like

Expensive

According to Dr. Madfes, sensitive skin can always benefit from fewer ingredients. "The eye area is extremely sensitive. It's important to use products that have been specifically tested for tolerability and use in the eye area. I like a clean formula, such as Priori R-Spinasome Ultimate Eye Crème, as it uses green plant technology that is non-irritating and also boosts collagen."

Price at time of publish: $130

Active Ingredients: Organic spinach | Benefits: Plumping, smoothing, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

4.5

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

I Tried Dr. Dennis Gross’ Eye Serum and It Smoothed My Under-Eye Skin in 3 Weeks

What We Like

Easy to apply
Hygienic container

What We Don’t Like

Expensive

According to Dennis Gross MD, "Serums tend to be a thinner consistency than creams." This makes them a little easier to apply and spread around the delicate eye area.

Your best bet is this 1970s-esque brown tincture from Dr. Gross, a fast-absorbing, skin-smoothing retinol blend. Serums are typically followed by a moisturizer, but this one happens to be highly effective when used alone.

Price at time of publish: $69

Active Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, toning | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

FSA store

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Dermstore

What We Like

Boosts radiance in eye area
Hygienic container

What We Don’t Like

May sting eyes

Eye creams can help smooth out crepiness and deliver a more even skin tone, but as Dr. King points out, "The best prevention is sun protection." With this in mind, we're loving this SPF 40 option from Supergoop! In addition to safeguarding your delicate skin from UV damage, it leaves a radiant under-eye in its wake.

Price at time of publish $38

Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | Benefits: Sun protection | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

4.5

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond

The RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream Diminished My Dark Circles

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Minimizes fine lines

What We Don’t Like

May sting eyes

In addition to applying SPF every morning, Dr. King recommends "a nightly retinoid or retinol cream like Roc Retinol Correxion EyeCream to increase collagen." The vitamin A derivative addresses the most common concerns about the eye area, including puffiness, fine lines, uneven skin tone, and dark circles under the eyes.

Price at time of publication: $28

Active Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin E, glycerin | Benefits: Smoothing, toning, depuffing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Shani Darden Intensive Renewal Eye Cream

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Niche-beauty.com View On Shanidarden.com

What We Like

Rich, luxurious feel
Contains nine potent actives
Has clinical studies to back up efficacy

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Whether you’re looking to prevent crow’s feet and wrinkles or are hoping to fade the appearance of existing ones, this powerhouse of an eye cream is for you. Powered by nine different actives (see: peptides, silk tree extract, squalane, and niacinamide), this luxuriously potent formula helps to soften lines, fade dark circles, and leave the eyes visibly firmer and brighter. Not to mention, it has the clinical studies to back these claims up.

Price at time of publish: $68

Active Ingredients: Peptides, silk tree extract, squalane, niacinamide | Benefits: Fading lines and dark circles, firming, smoothing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy AM Gel Cream

Courtesy of Ulta

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What We Like

Reduces puffiness
Formulated for daytime use
Works well under makeup

What We Don't Like

Results aren't dramatic

If you tend to wake up with puffy eyes, you might want to add a caffeine-infused eye cream to your morning skincare roster. "Caffeine constricts blood vessels and can therefore reduce the amount of fluid accumulating," explains Dr. King. "One I like is First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy."

Active Ingredients: Petrolatum, caffeine, peptides, seaweed extract, squalane | Benefits: Hydrating, smoothing, depuffing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Paula's Choice Resist Anti-Aging Eye Cream

Amazon

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What We Like

Minimizes fine lines
Hygienic container
Travel size available

What We Don’t Like

Not for sensitive skin

"I love this product because it contains a blend of antioxidants, which improve the appearance of dark circles and minimize the appearance of wrinkles," says cosmetic injector Kristina Kitsos. "It helps hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes."

Price at time of publish: $37

Active Ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, vitamin C | Benefits: Hydrating, softening | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Courtesy of Dermstore

View On Amazon View On Dermstore View On Lovelyskin.com

What We Like

Clinically proven results
Boosts radiance in eye area

What We Don't Like

Expensive

According to Dr. King, Revision Teamine Eye Complex is one of the only clinically proven topical products that diminishes the look of wrinkles. "This serum contains seven different anti-aging peptides," she tells Byrdie. "It softens the appearance of seven types of expression lines: forehead lines, glabellar frown lines, crow's feet, bunny nose lines, nasolabial laugh lines, lip lines, and marionette lines."

Price at time of publish: $94

Active Ingredients: Peptides, grape seed oil, vitamins C and E | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, softening | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Neocutis LumiÃ¨re Illuminating Eye Cream

Dermstore

View On Dermstore View On Ecosmetics.com View On Skincarerx.com

What We Like

Plumps under-eye area
Moisturizing
Hygienic container

What We Don’t Like

Expensive

Saggy or crepey skin might just be thirsty. Dr. King recommends ultra-rich and super-moisturizing Neocutis Lumière, which "contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and caffeine to help diminish puffiness." Dr. Madfes appreciates that the formula calls on vitamin C to boost skin's radiance.

Price at time of publish: $97

Active Ingredients: Caffeine, vitamin C, matrix proteins | Benefits: Depuffing, boosting radiance, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

REN Clean Skincare Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream

Courtesy of Nordstrom

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

What We Like

Minimizes dark circles
Good for sensitive skin
Hygienic container

What We Don’t Like

Results aren't drastic

"Sensitive skin responds well to Ren Radiance Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream," says Kitsos. "It has a special formula that is designed to limit irritation, and it includes bio-actives that work to brighten, hydrate, and plump the look of the entire eye area."

Price at time of publish: $51

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, elderberry flower, vitamin C | Benefits: Boosting radiance, hydrating, plumping | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Fenty Skin Flash Nap Instant Revival Priming Eye Gel-Cream

Courtesy of Sephora

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What We Like

Cooling and soothing formula
Works well under makeup
Long-term and short-term benefits

What We Don’t Like

Relatively expensive

Puffy under-eye bags got you down? Looking (and feeling) like you need a serious nap? Look no further than this cooling and priming gel-cream from Fenty Skin. Infused with hyaluronic acid, horse chestnut, and green tea, this guy will visibly brighten and firm the skin around the eyes over time while providing an instant pick-me-up by reducing puffiness. Did we mention it makes the best base for concealer to mask those dark circles? This eye cream won’t give you more energy, but it’ll certainly make it look more alive—would you expect any less from Rihanna?

Price at time of publish: $30

Active Ingredients: Horse chestnut, hyaluronic acid, green tea | Benefits: Hydrating, depuffing, soothing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

SkinCeuticals

View On Dermstore View On Walmart View On Bluemercury.com

What We Like

Evens skin tone
Minimizes dark circles
Protects from free radicals

What We Don’t Like

Expensive

"Eye products containing antioxidants may also be helpful, such as SkinCeuticals AOX+, a potent vitamin C gel," offers Dr. King. "The antioxidant interferes with the production of pigment and will therefore brighten dark circles, improve pigmentation, and also prevent free-radical damage from UV light exposure."

Price at time of publish: $98

Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, caffeine | Benefits: Smoothing, toning, boosting radiance, depuffing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

4.5

Amazon

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BeautyStat's Universal C Eye Perfector Zapped My Dark Circles

What We Like

Brightens and depuffs
Improves skin texture
Antioxidant-packed formula

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Another great (and slightly less expensive) vitamin C option is this cream from BeautyStat. With 5% vitamin C, it contains just the right amount of the powerhouse antioxidant to not irritate the delicate eye area, while hemp oil, hyaluronic acid, and EGCG help to further hydrate, smooth, and increase collagen production.

Price at time of publish: $65

Active Ingredients: Vitamin c, hemp oil, hyaluronic acid, EGCG | Benefits: Brightening, smoothing, depuffing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Kohls.com

What We Like

Award-winning formula
Lightweight
Improves skin texture

What We Don’t Like

Unhygienic container
Expensive

If you're partial to clean formulas, you'll appreciate this award-winning eye cream from Biossance. Dr. King likes that the lightweight, fast-absorbing formula "contains squalane, a helpful emollient, as well as niacinamide to help with tone and texture."

Price at time of publish: $56

Active Ingredients: Squalane, algae, niacinamide | Benefits: Smoothing, firming, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye Temporary Eye Tightener

Sephora

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What We Like

Works instantly
Noticeable results
Works well under makeup

What We Don’t Like

Results are temporary

Need a pick-me-up before heading to work or hitting the town? You might consider a tightening eye cream. "Eye creams work by two modalities: extreme hydration and tensor to tighten. My favorite for tightening is Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Eye," says Dr. Madfes. If it's smoother, firmer skin you're after, this quick-fix potion will deliver instant (albeit temporary) results.

Price at time of publish: $38

Active Ingredients: Silicates, seaweed extract, alfalfa, peptides | Benefits: Tightening, depuffing, smoothing | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for PM: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex

Neiman Marcus

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Cosmetis.com

What We Like

Silky texture
Contains antioxidants
Glides onto skin

What We Don't Like

Contains BHT

Using a richer, heavier eye cream to hydrate the under eye area can be ideal at night versus during the day—you don't have to worry about how it wears under makeup. This silky cream contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and peptides to address signs of aging around the eyes. Although the formula is concentrated, the gel texture keeps it feeling light and refreshing, yet hydrating.

Price at time of publish: $70

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E | Benefits: Smoothing, firming, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream

Amazon

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What We Like

Potent formula
Feels cooling on the skin
Wears well under makeup

What We Don't Like

Can be too strong for sensitive skin

If you have dark under eye circles, you'll want to look for a formula that contains vitamin C, and this eye cream is packed with five forms of it, plus peptides. With all the potent vitamin C action, the formula is balanced with ceramides and cucumber extract to nourish and hydrate skin. But if your skin is particularly sensitive, you'll want to start slow to make sure no irritation shows up.

Price at time of publish: $64

Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, peptides, cucumber | Benefits: Firming, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Final Verdict

Meet the Expert

Diane Madfes, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in dermatology and dermatologic surgery.
Hadley King, MD, an NYC-based, board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder and director of Capital Laser and Skincare in Washington, D.C.
Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, a celebrity cosmetic dermatologist, the founder of PFRANKMD, and the author of "The Pro-Aging Playbook."
Sheilagh Maguiness, MD, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School Department of Dermatology and the co-founder of Stryke Club.
Dennis Gross MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare.
Kristina Kitsos, a cosmetic injector and leading expert in medical facial aesthetics.

What to Look For

Hydrating Benefits

First and foremost, Dr. Tanzi says to look for eye creams that offer hydrating benefits. Even if puffiness and dark circles are your main concerns, the skin surrounding the eye area is extra delicate and needs ample hydration to remain smooth and youthful. Look for ingredients like fast-absorbing hyaluronic acid, nourishing plant butters and oils, and barrier-repairing ceramides. In addition to applying SPF every morning, Dr. King recommends "a nightly retinoid or retinol cream like Roc Retinol Correxion Eye Cream to increase collagen."

Radiance-Boosting Benefits

Dr. Tanzi recommends also looking for eye creams that contain radiance-boosting ingredients, which can help improve the appearance of dark circles and, overall, make you look more awake and alert than you actually are. Antioxidants like vitamin C are good options since they help to fade discoloration, while caffeine can offer quick relief to both dark circles and puffiness since it helps to constrict blood vessels. Light-reflecting particles are also helpful as they can help temporarily fake a radiant, more even appearance.

Non-Irritating Formula

Finally, Dr. Tanzi says that eye creams should be non-irritating. The skin surrounding the eyes is extra thin and delicate, and something with too many active ingredients could cause an unpleasant reaction. Plus, because you’re applying these creams so close to your actual eye, you wouldn't want to use anything that would burn should it accidentally get into your lash line. It’s best to avoid anything heavily scented, but also look for formulas that specifically state that they’re eye-safe.

Texture

Eye creams come in all different consistencies, ranging from thick, traditional creams to lotions to lighter gels and serums. Pick a formula based on your skin type and concerns.

FAQ

Is eye cream necessary?

According to Dr. Tanzi, when it comes to taking care of the delicate skin surrounding your eyes, eye creams are a necessity. “The skin surrounding your eyes is very different from the rest of the face, and it has its own special needs,” she says. Eye creams are formulated specifically for this part of the face, meaning they typically contain a lower concentration of actives and are formulated to be much more nourishing than your average moisturizer—especially nighttime formulas.
Can eye creams actually eliminate dark circles?

Eye creams can be quite effective at combating dark circles; however, Dr. Tanzi says it’s important to use a cream with ingredients that target their specific cause. “If your dark circles are from puffiness, then an eye cream with caffeine is helpful,” she says. “If the dark circles are related to darkened skin, then you'll want to use an eye cream with a [radiance-boosting] ingredient.”
When should you apply eye cream?

Dr. Tanzi says to apply eye cream twice daily, immediately after washing your face and before you apply any other serums, creams, or other treatments to allow for the best possible penetration. Be sure to apply under the eyes and not directly on the eyelids.
Should you put eye cream on eyelids?

Dr. Tanzi only recommends applying eye serums to the upper eyelids, as cream formulations can be too thick for this area.
What eye cream is best to use for puffy under eyes?

An eye cream that contains caffeine, like the Neocutis Lumiere Firm Riche Extra Moisturizing Illuminating Tightening Eye Cream, can help de-puff the eye area. Storing your eye cream in the fridge can give a nice cooling effect that helps awaken tired eyes as well.

How We Researched & Tested

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and skincare enthusiast specializing in self-care and cosmetics. For this article, she interviewed five dermatologists and a cosmetic injector, compiled their recommendations, referenced peer-reviewed studies, and researched the various formulations and active ingredients of dozens of products before ranking the top picks and sorting them into categories. Theresa has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020, where she covers makeup, skincare, haircare, and fitness gear.

The 13 Best Drugstore Eye Creams of 2023

Updated by Jill Di Donato

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

The 28 best eye creams for every skin type, according to dermatologists in 2022. Self. https://www.self.com/gallery/best-eye-creams-dermatologists
The 13 very best eye creams. The Strategist. https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-eye-creams.html
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Kong R, Cui Y, Fisher GJ, et al. A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193
Li YF, Ouyang SH, Tu LF, et al. Caffeine Protects Skin from Oxidative Stress-Induced Senescence through the Activation of Autophagy. Theranostics. 2018;8(20):5713-5730. doi:10.7150/thno.28778