How to Choose the Best Eye Creams for Brighter, Ultra-Refreshed Skin
From squinting in full sun to gazing at backlit screens, the eyes have their work cut out for them—ditto the delicate skin surrounding them. Exposure to UV light, dehydration induced by travel and climate, and the usual wear of a life well lived often occasion less than hospitable effects, ranging from dark undereye circles and puffiness to finely etched crows’ feet.
The reason for this is simple. “The skin of the eyelids is thinner, drier, and more sensitive to irritation than the oil-rich skin of the face,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama. “Therefore, it is more likely to benefit from intense active ingredients due to its predilection to premature aging.” One might wonder if a face cream couldn’t do the same job. But a moisturizer, however potent, isn’t the ideal replacement, as the ingredients often found in facial products could potentially irritate that fragile skin. Such all-over usage could exacerbate rather than solve problems, Hartman explains.
A site-specific product is key, agrees Minneapolis-based dermatologist Jenny Liu, MD. “Eye creams are often formulated with eyelid skin in mind—so even with active ingredients, like retinol, [they] are less irritating,” she says. Such targeted actives aim to maintain supple, healthy skin around the eyes for years to come, and they include some recognizable players in skin care. “Retinol is an important ingredient because it acts as a collagen stimulator and thickens the delicate eyelid skin, whereas antioxidants like vitamin C act as coenzymes for the production of new collagen,” says Hartman. “That keeps the skin taut and elastic.”
Liu also notes the power of caffeine, whose eye-opening effects extend beyond the morning macchiato. As a vasoconstrictor—meaning it shrinks the blood vessels—caffeine can improve puffiness beneath the eyes. Meanwhile, Hartman says, a combination of hyaluronic acid (a humectant that draws in water) and ceramides (lipids that bolster the skin barrier to better retain that moisture) can help protect and plump the area.
Bear in mind that eye creams are not one size fits all. That’s because the concerns around the area can vary in both cause and treatment. With dark circles alone, “there are so many contributing factors, from volume loss to skin hyperpigmentation to visible blood vessels,” Hartman says. If you have yet to see results from an eye cream, a visit to the dermatologist might be in order. One of these cutting-edge formulas might also do the trick.
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Macrene Actives High Performance Eye Cream
This eponymous line from New York City dermatologist Macrene Alexiades, MD, PhD, is known for doubling down on active ingredients, some of which are harvested from her own organic farm in Dutchess County, New York. (The brand’s first iteration was aptly called 37 Actives.) This formula follows suit; it's brimming with plant actives, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, as well as organic coffee and yerba mate extracts to help boost circulation, helping dark circles disappear.
Susanne Kaufmann Rejuvenating Eye Cream
While the eponymous line from Austrian wellness guru Susanne Kaufmann offers a variety of eye creams to address specific concerns and preferences, this iteration (from the collection formerly known as Line A) stands out for its use of ectoin, a molecule that blunts UV–induced damage and defends the eye area against other environmental stressors.
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Eye Serum 2.0
At the heart of the Prevage line is idebenone, an antioxidant proven to be more powerful than even vitamins C and E, according to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. That signature ingredient brings its reparative power to this lightweight eye serum, where it joins peptides and botanical extracts to address a host of concerns, from crow's feet to dark circles.
True Botanicals Resurrection Radiance Eye Cream
Unlike the usual staple ingredients, this eye cream is anchored in one of the more resilient plants found in nature: the resurrection plant, known to revive itself following periods of extreme desiccation. The formula deeply nourishes and firms skin around the eyes, while caffeine-rich coffee extract and turmeric help depuff and calm skin in equal measure.
Eighth Day Eye Renewal Cream
Helmed by reconstructive skin-cancer surgeon Antony Nakhla, DO, Eighth Day is powered by the brand’s peptide-rich plasma, a patent-pending technology that supplies peptides, amino acids, and growth factors to skin—all with the mission to enhance collagen production, smooth texture, and boost moisturize levels. In this potent eye cream, that complex is paired with a lineup of brightening ingredients (vitamin C, kojic acid, and niacinamide among them) to dramatically renew the eye area.
RéVive Sensitif Eye Cream with SPF 30 Sunscreen
They say a good offense is the best defense, and that’s especially true with this eye cream, boosted with mineral sunscreen. It’s designed to protect the eye area, stymieing future crow’s feet and minimizing UV–induced dark circles. The formula also offers antioxidants to elevate sun protection as well as prebiotics to soothe and balance the skin barrier.
StriVectin Advanced Retinol Multi-Correct Eye Cream
This comprehensive formula not only delivers retinol in a way that minimizes skin irritation, but it also ups the ante with rambutan, a naturally derived ingredient known to act as a gentle retinol alternative. In combination, this cream proves delicate enough for the eye area, helping to smooth and firm errant lines with the help of a cooling metal applicator.
Reflekt 4 Regenerating Eye & Lip Contour Cream
What do the eye and perioral areas have in common? Both zones play a role in shaping facial expressions, from a thoughtful furrow to a sly smile; that constant motion gives way to inevitable creases. This velvety cream takes that commonality into consideration. It features avocado-derived polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) to depuff and brighten the undereye area, while a blend of jasmine extract, squalane, and vitamin C targets fine lines around the eyes and mouth.
Sisley-Paris Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid
More of an eye treatment than a mere eye cream, this velvety emulsion is infused with rose water and tea-rose extract to smooth the uneven skin texture around the eye. The formula’s caffeine helps reduce puffiness, while the cooling ceramic applicator continues that work.
Ursa Major Forest Alchemy Eye Cream
This natural-minded eye cream features mushrooms (chaga and tremella) and nutrient-rich wild birch extract to target a bevy of concerns—dark circles, puffiness, dryness, and beyond. Better still, the formula is fragrance-free and sinks in quickly for an unobtrusive addition to any routine.
HoliFrog Owel Multi-Peptide Eye Cream
What this silky eye cream lacks in weight—the formula sinks in within seconds—it delivers in active ingredients. A variety of plant oils and butters works to nourish the fragile area, alongside wrinkle-smoothing peptides and botanical extracts that provide environmental protection.
Neostrata Correct Comprehensive Retinol Eye Cream
Retinol has long been heralded for its ability to smooth fine lines and even out skin tone, which can make a noticeable difference for the eyes. In addition to 0.05% retinol, this cream offers neoglucosamine, a patented ingredient that counteracts discoloration—whether from late nights, sun exposure, or both.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Eye Cream
The goal of this eye cream is to bolster skin-barrier function, thanks to a blend of five ceramides that replenishes those naturally found within the lipid layer. It also stars niacinamide, which helps stimulate the future production of ceramides for long-term barrier integrity and moisture retention.
Kinship Brightwave Energizing + Brightening Eye Cream
The vitamin C in this formula makes quick work of discoloration around the eyes, while sustainably sourced red algae, rich in amino acids, hydrates and brightens. Most notable, however, are the pigments that have a blurring effect on the skin around the eyes, subbing in for concealer in a pinch.
Mutha Up All Night Eye Cream
For more immediate gratification, look no further than this eye cream, which neutralizes dark under-eye circles with a peachy tint and luminous sheen. In terms of long-term payoff, the formula offers four sizes of hyaluronic acid and coffee extract in order to plump, hydrate, and smooth.
Agent Nateur Holi(Glow) Ageless Eye Serum
For those who aren’t partial to the weight of a cream, this eye serum manages to feel like a gel while nourishing like a balm. A blend of antioxidant-rich lavender and cucumber waters and hyaluronic acid boost hydration, while vitamin C-rich pitaya targets fine lines and dark circles.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Cream
This newly reformulated classic now features a quick-absorbing gel texture, allowing for a seamless transition to concealer if needed. Alongside hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, an impressive 10% of the formula is the prebiotic bifidus, which helps nurture the beneficial bacteria within the skin microbiome.
Furtuna Skin Cuore Visione Di Luce Revitalizing Eye Cream
For an eye cream that feels luxurious in all the right ways, consider this Italian-made formula. It’s powered by less conventional botanical ingredients, such as lilac stem cells, which counteract the brownish-purple tones that comprise dark circles, as well as organic wild hawthorn, a natural source of vitamin C.
Embryolisse Artist Secret Radiant Eye Cream
This small stick has long been used on set and backstage to prep the eye area for concealer, as it smooths, cools, and depuffs with a blend of aloe and glycerin. Just this year, the brand reformulated it to ensure that 99% of the ingredients are of natural origin.
