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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
Not to throw shade at creams, but if you want visible results from your topicals, serums are where it's at. "With an eye serum, the focus is more on the active ingredients than on the moisturizing properties," explains New York dermatologist Hadley King, MD. "The formulation should still be hydrating, but it won't be as rich as a cream."
Byrdie Researched & Approved
For a serum that can do it all, we recommend Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum. It beat out the competition with its ability to combat fine lines and crows feet with retinol. Eye serums can be some of the priciest per-ounce products on the market, which is why we also singled out The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + ECGC Depuffing Eye Serum as our top budget option.
Dennis Gross MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, notes that serums have a thinner consistency than creams with more of a gel-like finish. "While it depends on the make and model, eye serums tend to be more targeted treatments," he adds.
There are eye serums for just about every skin type and concern, from dark circles and under-eye bags to crepiness and crow's feet. "Top ingredients may include anti-aging peptides, growth factors, antioxidants, retinol, and humectants," Dr. King tells Byrdie.
So, which formulas stand out from the rest? We checked our own medicine cabinets, scoured our skincare fridges, and chatted with a few derms to see which products have their stamp of approval.
Scroll down for the best eye serums currently on the market.
Best Overall
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum
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Sephora
Airtight container
Contains retinol
Noticeable results
Can be used morning and night
Expensive
Who else recommends it? Who What Wear also picked the Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum.
What do buyers say? 83% of 150+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. .
When it comes to over-the-counter skincare products that actually yield noticeable results, Dr. Dennis Gross is one brand you can count on, and the Triple Correction Eye Serum is no exception. "It's FDA-approved to be applied both under the lid and on top for a lifting effect and incorporates retinol for treating crow's feet, fine lines, and 11s," says Dr. Gross. Thanks to the gel-like consistency, he adds, it boasts a cooling, depuffing effect.
In addition to retinol, this eye serum contains anti-aging newcomer bakuchiol, plus antioxidant all-star ferulic acid and rambutan to tackle the signs of photoaging. We also like that it comes in an airtight container and can be used morning or night.
Price at time of publish: $69
Active Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, rambutan | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, toning, cooling, depuffing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
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Byrdie / Olivia Hancock
Best Budget
The Ordinary Caffeine 5% + ECGC Depuffing Eye Serum
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Budget-friendly
Generous amount
Noticeable results
Dropper bottle
You don't have to shell out tons of money to make a difference in your eye area. Case in point: this brilliant tincture from The Ordinary. It calls on caffeine to depuff, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and unsung hero EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) to minimize the look of dark circles.
Price at time of publish: $8
Active Ingredients: Epigallocatechin gallate, caffeine, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Depuffing, toning, hydrating | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
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Byrdie / Joline Buscemi
Best Drugstore
Olay Eye Lifting Serum
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Budget-friendly
Good for sensitive skin
Fragrance-free
Results aren't drastic
From the drugstore aisle, we're loving Olay's Eye Lifting Serum. The fragrance-free formula is chock full of skincare standbys like glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol (vitamin B5), and green tea extract, plus it's gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Price at time of publish: $37
Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, panthenol, green tea | Benefits: Firming, lifting, smoothing, tightening | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Splurge
SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel
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SkinCeuticals
Minimizes dark circles
Neutralizes free radicals
Airtight container
Expensive
According to Dr. King, products containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, and other antioxidants can address various eye-area concerns. Her favorite is SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel. "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," she explains.
Price at time of publish: $98
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, phloretin | Benefits: Reduces discoloration, protective, depuffing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Key Features
"Serums combine higher concentrations of active ingredients like antioxidants and anti-aging peptides. They are generally light and quickly absorbed." — NYC-based dermatologist Hadley King, MD
Best Depuffing
Organys Spark Rejuvenating Eye Formula
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Organys
Budget-friendly
Airtight container
Can be used morning and night
Contains alcohol
Puffy eyes got you down? Your best bet is Organys Spark. It banishes under-eye bloat with caffeine, reduces discoloration with vitamin C, then moisturizes and plumps with peptides and hyaluronic acid.
Price at time of publish: $18
Active Ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C, caffeine, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Depuffing, smoothing, reducing discoloration, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
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Byrdie / Jenna Igneri
What Our Testers Say
"Overall, I found the Organys Spark Eye Cream to be quite effective in hydrating and soothing the skin surrounding my eyes." — Jenna Igneri, Product Tester
Best Firming
Stacked Skincare Firming Eye Complex
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Quick results
Minimizes fine lines
Neutralizes free radicals
Expensive
Dropper bottle
This firming eye serum is a go-to for Byrdie senior editor Lindsey Metrus. The star ingredient is astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that tightens the skin and minimizes the appearance of fine lines while simultaneously repairing and preventing free-radical damage.
Price at time of publish: $60
Active Ingredients: Astaxanthin, blue passion flower | Benefits: Firming, smoothing, toning | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Smoothing
Marla Rene Beauty & Co. IlluminEyez Eye Serum
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Courtesy of Marla Rene Beauty & Co.
Contains retinol
Minimizes fine lines
Generous amount
Expensive
If it's smoother skin you're after, we recommend IlluminEyez. This gentle yet effective eye serum tackles fine lines and crepiness with retinol while calling on caffeine and vitamin E to depuff and soothe.
Price at time of publish: $56
Active Ingredients: Retinol, caffeine, vitamin E | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, soothing, depuffing | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Crow's Feet
Murad Youth Retinol Eye Serum
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Courtesy of Amazon
Contains retinol
Noticeable results
Airtight container
Expensive
Contains fragrance
Murad is another tried-and-true skincare brand that delivers on its promises. It contains multiple retinoids to target crepiness, crow's feet, fine lines, and deeper wrinkles—and you can count on noticeable results in as little as four weeks.
Price at time of publish: $89
Active Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating, retexturizing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Brightening
Skinergy Beauty Eye Rewind Brightening Eye Serum
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Courtesy of Skinergy Beauty
Gentle enough for AM/PM use
Instantly wakes up the eye area
Brightens under-eye skin over time
Relatively pricey
Dark and puffy under-eyes got you down? This serum is here to save the day. The formula—which is brimming with skin-loving ingredients like kojic acid, retinyl palmitate (a retinoid derivative), bisabolol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and almond oil—helps combat dark circles and eye bags while simultaneously lightening, brightening, and hydrating the delicate under-eye zone. The result? A fresh and rejuvenated appearance, as if you actually got enough sleep the night before.
Price at time of publish: $43
Active Ingredients: Kojic acid, retinyl palmitate, bisabolol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, almond Oil | Benefits: Brightening, depuffing, firming | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Tightening
Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye Temporary Eye Tightener
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Sephora
Works instantly
Noticeable results
Works well under makeup
Results are temporary
"My favorite for tightening is Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx," says Diane Madfes, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and attending physician at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. As if by magic, this quick-fix potion instantly lifts, firms, and depuffs your entire eye area.
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 Under Makeup
Fenty Skin Flash Nap Instant Revival Priming Eye Gel-Cream
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Courtesy of Sephora
Hygienic container
Works quickly
Lightweight
Contains fragrance
Need something to apply before swiping on your concealer? Fenty Flash Nap has your name on it. This lightweight gel quickly hydrates and smoothes to prep the eye area for makeup and make you look more awake.
Price at time of publish: $28
Active Ingredients: Green tea, hyaluronic acid, horse chestnut | Benefits: Smoothing, hydrating | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Instant Results
Meaningful Beauty Youth Activating Smoothing and Refreshing Eye Serum
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Courtesy of Ulta
Instant results
Minimizes fine lines
Ergonomic applicator
Contains dye
Expensive
"This formula instantly awakens eyes," says board-certified dermatologist Marie V. Hayag, MD of Fifth Avenue Aesthetics. She appreciates that it immediately hydrates the skin and smooths fine lines while firming the under-eye area with continued use. "The unique ergonomic applicator also helps to reduce puffiness," she adds.
Price at time of publish: $58
Active Ingredients: Melon leaf stem cells | Benefits: Smoothing, cooling, depuffing | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Long-Term Results
Hylamide SubQ Eyes Advanced Serum
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Contains retinol
Minimizes fine lines
Noticeable results
Dropper bottle
If you're in it for the long game, your best bet is Hylamide SubQ. With retinol, peptides, and darutoside, this intensive eye serum contains a medley of researched-backed ingredients to smooth and tighten the skin over time.
Price at time of publish: $39
Active Ingredients: Darutoside, peptides, retinol | Benefits: Smoothing, depuffing, hydrating, tightening | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best With Retinol
Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum
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Courtesy of Dermstore
Contains retinol
Minimizes fine lines
Evens skin tone
Expensive
Contains alcohol
We're also big fans of Sunday Riley 5 Stars. Don't let the cute container fool you—this eye serum blends skin-smoothing superstars retinol and niacinamide to reduce fine lines and deliver a more even skin tone.
Price at time of publish: $65
Active Ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide | Benefits: Smoothing, retexturizing, hydrating, cooling | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best With Caffeine
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Depuffing Eye Serum
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Nordstrom
Tightens
Noticeable results
Lightweight
Expensive
Contains fragrance
Dr. King likes caffeine-infused eye products like Charlotte Tilbury's Cryo-Recovery for puffy, droopy skin. "Caffeine constricts blood vessels and can therefore reduce the amount of fluid accumulating," she tells Byrdie.
Price at time of publish: $68
Active Ingredients: Caffeine, ice wine essence | Benefits: Depuffing, tightening, cooling, reducing discoloration | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best K-Beauty
Dr. Althea To Be Eyeconic Eye Serum
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Courtesy of Amazon
Budget-friendly
Generous amount
Fragrance-free
Results aren't dramatic
Korean skincare brand Dr. Althea's take on eye serum is this ultra-gentle, silky-smooth formula that works to enhance the entire area. Standout ingredients include natural anti-inflammatory panthenol, wrinkle-reducing adenosine, and K-beauty favorite cica (centella asiatica).
Price at time of publish: $18
Active Ingredients: Panthenol, adenosine, centella asiatica | Benefits: Softening, smoothing | Size: 0.84 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Triple Correction Eye Serum is hands down the best eye serum out there today. The intensive yet gentle blend of retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, and rambutan provides noticeable results, and you can use it both morning and night. On the other hand, The Ordinary Depuffing Eye Serum will only run you a few bucks and makes a visible difference in dark circles and under-eye bags.
Meet the Expert
- Diane Madfes, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and attending physician at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
- Marie V. Hayag, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Fifth Avenue Aesthetics in New York City.
- Ife J. Rodney, MD, is a dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology in Fulton, Maryland.
- Hadley King, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Dennis Gross, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare.
What to Look For in an Eye Serum
Healing Properties
“The skin under the eyes is the thinnest on the face and is prone to damage,” explains board-certified dermatologist Ife J. Rodney, MD. “An eye serum should both heal and maintain the overall health of your skin.” Her recs? Common ingredients like vitamin C and retinol, which can help target puffiness, lines, and wrinkles and improve the appearance of dark circles.
Hydrating Ingredients
Because the skin surrounding the eye area is so delicate, Dr. Rodney recommends reaching for formulas packed with hydrating ingredients. “These will plump the skin, making it more vibrant and youthful,” she says. “Some helpful ingredients include glycerin, peptides, and hyaluronic acid.”
Clean, Vegan, and Cruelty-Free
Finally, Dr. Rodney recommends clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formulas, noting she's seen an increase in demand from her patients. "I look for as few ingredients as possible, which reduces the chance of skin irritation or clogged pores," she says. "These are also free of fragrance, parabens, and sulfates"—all of which are known to potentially cause irritation and reactions, especially in those with sensitive skin.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a regular Byrdie contributor and commerce writer specializing in cosmetics and wellness. For this story, she interviewed five dermatologists and compiled their insight and recommendations before researching various products, active ingredients, and formulations. As a skincare enthusiast, Theresa has personally tried several products from the above list, including Dr. Dennis Gross, Charlotte Tilbury, Peter Thomas Roth, Sunday Riley, and Meaningful Beauty. You can find more of her articles on The Spruce and MyDomaine.
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