16 Best Eye Creams to Address Dark Circles, Puffiness, & Fine Lines on All Skin Types

• What You'll Notice: Brighter, firmer eyes, less puffiness, smoother surrounding skin and softer appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Key Ingredients: Proxylane, wild fruit flavonoid blend, Matrixyl 3000, caffeine, glycyrrhetinic acid
• Best For: Mature skin, people who are concerned with elasticity and/or want to prevent the formation of fine lines
• Product Highlights: Fragrance-free, paraben-free, 15 ml ($7.73 per ml)

Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème

Why It's Worth It: The hint of yellow tint in Ole Henriksen's Banana Bright+ Eye Crème instantly brightens and color-corrects dark circles—thanks to a triple vitamin C complex consisting of 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, and ascorbic acid. Hardy orange extract is an antioxidant-rich plant that pairs well with vitamin C and helps to brighten dark spots and curb dullness. It's no wonder this petite jar has swooped up two Readers' Choice Awards — most recently in 2023. If you want brightening benefits for your entire face, the brand launched Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturizer and Banana Bright+ Vitamin CC Stick.

• What You'll Notice: Brighter under eyes, less discoloration
• Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, collagen, orange extract
• Best For: Dark circles, dry skin, hyperpigmentation
• Product Highlights: Fragrance-free, paraben-free, vegan 15 ml ($2.93 per ml)

Best Eye Cream for Milia: RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

Why It's Worth It: Retinol near your eyes sounds scary, but with this gentle cream, you've got nothing to fear. RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream, an ophthalmologist-tested, two-time Best of Beauty Award winner (2020 and 2021), slowly releases the vitamin A derivative to fight fine lines around your eyes. This eye cream also contains hyaluronic acid, so it works its fine line-reducing magic while adding lots of hydration. As with all retinol-infused products, don't forget to slather on sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) during the daytime.

• What You'll Notice: Softened look of fine lines, less texture/milia, smoother look of under eye bags
• Key Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid
• Best For: Mature skin, dry skin
• Product Highlights: Fragrance-free, paraben-free, hypoallergenic, 15 ml ($1.47 per ml)

Best Eye Cream for Dry Skin: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex

Why It's Worth It: Estee Lauder's ANR Eye Supercharged Complex is a lightweight, silky gel-cream featuring a peptide exclusive to the brand that visibly reduces the look of dark circles—whether they're blue, purple, or brown—with regular use. This 2022 Best of Beauty winner also has sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) that curbs dryness day or night while vitamin E guards the skin against free radicals.

• What You'll Notice: Brighter and smoother under eyes, less discoloration
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, peptides
• Best For: Dark circles, mature skin, dry skin
• Product Highlights: Paraben-free, 15 ml ($4.80 per ml)

Best Eye Cream for Wrinkles: Augustinus Bader The Eye Cream

Why It's Worth It: Peptides, which may boost collagen production, are essential for treating and preventing skin sagging. So when your undereye bags are drooping more than usual, might we recommend you whip out the luxurious Augustinus Bader Eye Cream? This ultra-rich cream is filled with firming peptides along with vitamin C to even out skin tone, and calming vitamin B3 (niacinamide) to pamper your under eyes with an awakening treatment. "If you have sensitive, dry skin, this is the perfect eye cream for you," Dr. Kim says. "It has an oil-soluble form of vitamin C (ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate) to brighten the skin, Centella asicatica to calm the skin, and niacinamide to boost collagen production," he says of the rich and creamy formula.

• What You'll Notice: Firmer skin, brighter under eyes
• Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides, cica
• Best For: Sensitive skin and eyes, mature skin
• Product Highlights: Fragrance-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, vegan, 15 ml ($15 per ml)

Best Eye Cream for Puffiness: Ilia Beauty Bright Start Activated Eye Cream

Why It's Worth It: One of the reasons we love Ilia Beauty's Bright Start Activated Eye Cream is its ceramic tip, which provides a cooling sensation as you massage the cream into your delicate undereye area—it's a great way to depuff before putting on makeup, or just starting the day. It's also a 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner for Best Brightening Eye Cream, so you could say we really think it's worth your money.

Light-reflecting pearl illuminates the skin but the main player in the airy formula is sea fennel extract, which is a plant-based retinol alternative that acts as the major brightening, firming, and smoothing agent, while a blend of upcycled avocado extract, caffeine, and peptides minimize the look of puffiness and dark circles.

• What You'll Notice: Brighter and firmer under eyes, less puffiness, cooling sensation
• Key Ingredients: Avocado extract, caffeine, peptides, sea fennel extract, pearl
• Best For: Dark circles, puffiness, fine lines
• Product Highlights: Fragrance-free, silicone-free, vegan, 15 ml ($3.07 per ml)

Best Firming Eye Cream: U Beauty The Return Eye Concentrate

Why It's Worth It: U Beauty's The Return Eye Concentrate is a multitasker that addresses skin concerns such as puffy eyes, discoloration, and sagging undereye bags. The brand's signature Siren Capsule Technology, which consists of biomimetic plankton extract and peptides, plays a key role in nudging stagnant fluid, tackling puffiness, and endorsing collagen production.

While the cream feels rich, it does absorb quickly, Han notes, leaving behind a soft-focus glow (which is inevitable when light-reflecting diamond powder is involved). The fast absorption is partially due to the short-chain hyaluronic acid, which means smaller molecules that can penetrate more deeply into the skin—as opposed to the "sitting on top of skin" sensation. Ceramides are also present to strengthen the skin barrier, which is key for long-term skin health.

• What You'll Notice: Brighter, glowing under eye skin, less sagging and puffiness, firmer skin, quick/deep absorption
• Key Ingredients: Plankton extract, peptides, diamond powder, hyaluronic acid, ceramides
• Best For: Dry or dehydrated skin, mature skin, fine lines, dark circles
• Product Highlights: BIPOC-owned, 15 ml ($9.87 per ml)

Best Brightening Eye Cream: Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Under-Eye Cream

Why It's Worth It: Vitamin C and ferulic acid are a powerhouse antioxidant combination when it comes to brightening your skin. The Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Under-Eye Cream's radiance-boosting abilities are so impressive that it nabbed an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2022. This eye cream has become a mainstay in Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein's skin-care routine. Along with the non-tacky, fast-absorbing texture of the formula, she says that her sensitive under eyes didn't sting at all—which can be partially attributed to a synthetic (but all the more soothing) version of colloidal oatmeal.

• What You'll Notice: Brighter under eyes, quick absorption, no irritation
• Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, ferulic acid, oat protein, peptides
• Best For: Dark circles, hyperpigmentation, sensitive skin, puffiness
• Product Highlights: Paraben-free, 15 ml ($5 per ml)

Best Tightening Eye Cream: Dr. Loretta Tightening Eye Gel

Why It's Worth It: You'll want to add Dr. Loretta's Tightening Eye Gel as the last step of your skin-care routine (well, aside from SPF in the A.M.) because it nabbed a 2019 Allure Best of Beauty Award for the best depuffing eye cream on the market. Algae extract boosts collagen production while peptides are responsible for tightening undereye skin. For a brightening boost, the brand’s proprietary Chromabright complex fades uneven pigment, making this a great pick for dark circles too.

• What You'll Notice: Cooling sensation, less puffy under eyes, less visible dark circles
• Key Ingredients: Peptides, algae extract, hyaluronic acid
• Best For: Oily skin, puffiness, sensitive eyes
• Product Highlights: Cruelty-free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free, vegan, dermatologist-founded, 20 ml ($3.25 per ml)

Best Eye Cream for Under Eye Bags: Isdin K-Ox Eyes

Why It's Worth It: Isdin K-Ox Eyes might have a hefty price tag for such a small tube, but trust us when we say that this 2021 Best of Beauty Award winner is the real deal. This potent serum is infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin K oxide to significantly decrease puffiness and dark circles while keeping the area incredibly hydrated. (However, as with any eye cream, don't expect results right away. Consistent use matters in the long run.) The pointed tip on the ceramic applicator is particularly useful for targeting all the nooks and crannies around your eyes. It's the perfect cooling yet gentle wake-up call.

• What You'll Notice: Less puffy, swollen under eyes, cooling sensation
• Key Ingredients: Vitamin K oxide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, biotin
• Best For: Puffiness, dehydrated skin, mature skin
• Product Highlights: Paraben-free, Cooling ceramic applicator, 15 ml ($6.80 per ml)

Best Caffeine Eye Cream: La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Yeux/Eyes Corrector

Why It's Worth It: La Roche-Posay's Pigmentclar Anti-Dark Circle Brightening Eye Cream is basically a dark circle eraser in a tube. This creamy, fragrance-free formulation contains a skin-enhancing cocktail of brightening niacinamide, anti-inflammatory caffeine, and antioxidant-rich thermal spring water for moisture replenishment. Also on the brightening front is phe-resorcinol, which inhibits melanin production, similar to kojic acid. This one gets bonus points for its metal applicator, which conducts heat, thus feeling cool and refreshing on puffy, tired eyes. You don't even need to keep it in the fridge!

• What You'll Notice: Brighter, firmer under eyes, cooling sensation, less puffiness
• Key Ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide, thermal spring water, phe-resorcinol
• Best For: Sensitive skin, dark circles
• Product Highlights: Fragrance-free, paraben-free, cooling metal applicator, 15 ml ($3 per ml)

Best Eye Serum: Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinol + Niacinamide Eye Serum

Why It's Worth It: Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinol + Niacinamide Eye Serum combines the two powerhouse ingredients, along with barrier-restoring ceramides, for a brightening, fine line-reducing treatment overnight. Your eyes will look refreshed and youthful before you can even hit the snooze button (again). For those of you who aren't into richer creams, this retinol-powered serum is a lighter alternative to treating your under eyes and lids. Serum formulations are great if you wear liquid or serum makeup, as you won't run into pilling.

• What You'll Notice: Quick absorption, brighter under eyes, minimized look of fine lines, cooling sensation
• Key Ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide, ceramides, centella asiatica, olive oil
• Best For: Mature skin, uneven skin tone, fine lines
• Product Highlights: Cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free, synthetic fragrance–free, cooling ceramic applicator 15 ml ($4.33 per ml)

Best Color-Correcting Eye Cream: Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream

Why It's Worth It: A combination of skin-tightening marine algae and deeply hydrating squalane in this Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream smoothes and moisturizes the eye area so that makeup doesn't crease or cake. This Allure Best of Beauty winner has a light texture that melts into skin instead of sitting on top of it, as well as a pink tint that helps color correct discoloration. That means you won't deal with pilling when it's time to put your concealer on.

• What You'll Notice: Quick absorption, instant moisturization, less noticeable dark circles/discoloration
• Key Ingredients: Squalane, marine algae, paracress extract
• Best For: Mature skin, fine lines, dry or dehydrated skin
• Product Highlights: Fragrance-free, cruelty-free, vegan, 15 ml ($3.73 per ml)

Best Eye Cream for Reducing Inflammation: Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum

Why It's Worth It: Trust us, the Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Eye Serum is truly an eye-opening formula. Like your favorite latte, it's infused with caffeine to stimulate circulation and reduce inflammation. This lightweight serum also contains Swiss ice wine, made with antioxidant-rich frozen grapes, to moisturize and firm your delicate under eyes. A round of applause, please, for this eye cream's contoured metal applicator. It takes the already cryo-bolstered formula to the next level by helping to energize and de-puff in seconds.

• What You'll Notice: Firmer under eyes, less puffiness, cooling sensation
• Key Ingredients: Caffeine, Swiss ice wine, shea oil, aloe vera
• Best For: Dullness and dehydration, oily skin, dark circles
• Product Highlights: Cruelty-free, paraben-free, vegan, 15 ml ($4.67 per ml)

Best Water-Burst Formula: Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb

Why It's Worth It: Like a tall glass of water for your under eye area, Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb kicks hydration into overdrive to ensure no dry skin is left behind. The line-smoothing cream promises long-lasting moisture and a visibly radiant finish, thanks to powerhouse ingredients like soothing tiger grass, glycerin, squalane, and ceramides. This rich, hydrating formulation does wonders on flaky, irritated, and chapped skin without feeling heavy or thick — ideal for the colder months.

• What You'll Notice: Softened look of fine lines, smoother under eyes
• Key Ingredients: Tiger grass, glycerin, squalane, ceramides
• Best For: Dry skin, mature skin, fine lines
• Product Highlights: Paraben-free, synthetic fragrance–free, vegan, 25 ml ($1.92 per ml)

Best Affordable Eye Cream: The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream

Why It's Worth It: Don't be deceived by the price tag. The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream packs just as powerful a punch as the pricier options on this list. The caffeine in the cream helps flush away water retention that can cause puffiness, and peptides smooth over roughly textured skin on this delicate area of the face. If you tend to feel extra puffy in the A.M., try keeping this caffeinated eye cream in the fridge overnight for a cooling treat.

• What You'll Notice: Less puffiness, smoother under eyes, cooling sensation
• Key Ingredients: Caffeine, peptides, squalane, hyaluronic acid
• Best For: Puffiness, uneven skin texture, dry skin
• Product Highlights: Fragrance-free, cruelty-free, gluten-free, 15 ml ($0.73 per ml)

Eye Cream 101

Here's the deal: "Eyelid skin is thinner than the surrounding facial skin so it can be more prone to sensitivity and irritation," Tiffany Jow Libby, MD, a Rhode Island-based, board-certified dermatologist at Brown Dermatology, previously explained. It makes sense that you'd want a concentrated cream to address this delicate area that's susceptible to the formation of fine lines and crow's feet.

What's more: "As we hit our 30s, hyaluronic acid, our skin's natural water absorber and plumper, begins to decline," Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut, explains—which is why applying the ingredient topically and making up for lost hydration is of the essence. In fact, many of the best eye creams for wrinkles are packed with HA and other powerful ingredients like blood vessel-constricting caffeine and collagen-boosting peptides to help fake a full night's rest.

A common rule of thumb is using your ring fingers to gently tap the eye cream into your skin, since you're dealing with the thinnest area on your face. Dr. Kim has a process that may reduce puffiness, or at the very least, feel calming. "I dot [eye cream] around the eyes, place my index finger on the upper eyelid area and third finger on the lower eyelid area, and rub it in as I'm doing a lymphatic massage," he says.

Ultimately, it comes down to the level of prevention you desire. "Because they are landing on thinner skin, eye creams tend to be thicker — a higher amount of oil, less water — than facial moisturizers," Dr. Gohara explains, comparing the use of an eye cream to "putting extra padding on a spin bike." And that extra cushioning just might pay off, since it's also known that the eye area is one of the first to show signs of aging such as sagging skin, fine lines, and crow's feet.

However, finding the right eye cream is another ordeal, as David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City, points out. "I see a lot of patients with milia around the eyes from using Vaseline or eye creams that are too heavy," he says.

Dr. Kim recommends incorporating eye cream starting in your mid-20s, which is "slightly before we start to lose noticeable amounts of collagen and our skin starts to lose firmness and the ability to hold on to moisture," he explains. Whereas younger people might fare better with light, gel-like textures, he recommends people in their 30s reach for slightly richer, lotion-like eye creams with retinol, peptides, and vitamin C. If you struggle with dark circles, brightening ingredients such as vitamin C, kojic acid, tranexamic acid, arbutin, and licorice root "help decrease skin pigmentation over time, ultimately resulting in the lightening of the dark circles," Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously said.

Once you hit your 40s, seek out creamy, rich eye creams infused with retinol, peptides in higher percentages, and antioxidants to get the maximum line-smoothing and plumping benefits. "With repeated use, retinol can stimulate the production of collagen, making the skin less thin," Dr. Nazarian explained. (Just remember: If you use a retinol-enhanced eye cream, don't forget to wear sunscreen — you should be using SPF regardless — or check out our curation of the best eye creams with SPF.)

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best eye creams, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.