Perricone MD CCC and Ferulic Brightening Under-Eye Cream
Best eye cream for dark circles
You can learn a lot about someone by looking at their eyes. Our eyes often show when we’re stressed, not getting enough sleep or feeling run down. If you need a little pick-me-up, a good eye cream can help you feel — and appear — revitalized.
I tested and reviewed over 30 eye cream products, and I landed on the Skinbetter Science InterFuse Treatment Cream Eye as the best eye cream for the money, its ingredients and skin concerns the cream targets. My other favorite eye creams that I believe are worth the money made this list. I also spoke to a board-certified dermatologist to shed light on what causes things such as puffiness and dark circles and what exactly to look for in an eye cream.
Take care of your eyes with some of the best eye creams on the market.
How we chose the best eye cream
I tested about 30 products from 25 different popular brands. I then narrowed it down to the best of the best. When I was personally testing each eye cream I took into account the product’s ingredients, smell, feel, concerns it claims to target and price. The products on this list didn’t irritate my skin and met my expectations for the price tag.
Each eye cream was tested on my sensitive under-eyes, under my everyday moisturizer. Not every cream on this list will work for everyone. It should be noted that I didn’t test these eye cream consistently enough to see significant, long-term results. However, I did see some short-term results such as hydrated skin and de-puffed, brightened under-eyes.
Best eye cream of 2023
Targets: Puffiness, dark circles, crow’s feet and dry skin
When to use: AM/PM
The best eye cream on this list is Skinbetter Science’s Interfuse Treatment Cream for eyes. This brand consistently tops beauty lists with its luxury, ingredient-driven products. The Interfuse Treatment Cream contains a blend of collagen-supporting peptides, plum extract (vitamin C), jojoba, caffeine, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. The peptides help to smooth wrinkles, antioxidants brighten the skin, caffeine de-puffs the under-eyes, and niacinamide and hyaluronic acid help lock-in moisture.
I love this cream (not because it is the most expensive) — it feels buttery and smooth on my skin. It left my under-eyes feeling refreshed, and of all the creams I tested, this one seems to contain all the right ingredients. This is the cream I can see myself using most consistently.
Pros:
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Contains peptides, vitamin C, caffeine, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid
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Won the 2021 Prevention Beauty Award
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Ophthalmologist-tested, dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic, paraben-free, fragrance-free, dye-free and cruelty-free
Cons:
Targets: Puffiness, dark circles, crow’s feet and dry skin
When to use: AM/PM
The next eye cream on this list is a much more affordable option. Fortify De-Puffing and Protecting Eye Cream is under $10 but acts like a luxury product. It leaves a slightly dewy finish and contains aloe vera, collagen, shea butter, willow bark extract, lavender oil, grapefruit peel oil, orange peel oil and lime oil. All Fortify products contain zeolite — a natural, antimicrobial volcanic mineral.
I like that this cream was inexpensive and sensitive enough on my under-eyes to not cause irritation.
Pros:
Cons:
Targets: Puffiness, dark circles, crow’s feet and dry skin
When to use: AM/PM
Dr. Loretta Tightening Eye Gel tops beauty lists year after year. It contains peptides that help to de-puff eyes and lessen dark circles, and algae extract helps to tighten the skin and support collagen levels. This gel is safe for all skin-types and has added antioxidants that help fight damage from free radicals.
I like that this eye serum is intended to be patted all around the eye area (avoiding the lash line) instead of just the under-eyes. The gel also contains minimal ingredients and is sensitive enough for my eyes.
Pros:
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Contains algae extract, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and peptides
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Works for acne-prone, combination, dry, mature, normal, oily and sensitive skin
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Clean, fragrance-free, gluten-free, oil-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free and vegan
Cons:
Targets: Dark circles and dull skin
When to use: AM
If you are looking for a product to reduce the appearance of your dark circles, Beauty Pie Superluminous Under-Eye Genius is for you. There are three shades to choose from: light/medium for blue-toned dark circles, medium/deep for brown-toned dark circles and deep for blue/purple-toned dark circles on darker skin tones. The cream is light with a little shimmer and blends into my skin with ease. It also contains sunflower and castor oil and antioxidants to moisturize and smooth skin.
I recommend first applying a heavier eye cream before using this under-eye concealer to help boost hydration and treat puffiness and fine lines.
Pros:
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Affordable
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Can use on under-eyes and other imperfections
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Clean, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free and formaldehyde-free
Cons:
Targets: Puffiness, dark circles, firmness, dull skin and dry skin
When to use: AM/PM
This ophthalmology-tested brand is popular in the skin care industry. Perricone MD’s brightening eye cream is one of its most popular.
The serum utilizes three forms of vitamin C and an oat protein to fight free radicals, brighten and smooth under-eyes, reduce redness and other discoloration and neutralize sensitive skin. I love that the formula absorbs into my skin quickly and has a pleasant smell.
Pros:
Cons:
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Expensive
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Not cruelty-free
Targets: All signs of aging, dark circles and puffiness
When to use: AM/PM
Osea Malibu is a clean skin care brand inspired by the sea. Its Ocean Eyes Serum utilizes seaweed, hyaluronic acid and plant-based peptides to smooth out fine lines such as crow’s feet. The metal roller ball helps depuff eyes, as well as the added caffeine. I love the cooling sensation that the serum has on my skin. It is clinically and dermatology-tested.
This serum claims to be safe for all skin types except for sensitive skin. Although, I have sensitive skin and haven’t had any irritation.
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Cons:
Targets: Puffiness, dark circles and fine lines
When to use: AM/PM
Oftentimes, drugstore eye creams are just as popular as luxury brands. This new Neutrogena Hydro Boost and Caffeine Eye Gel Cream is a step-up (in my opinion) from the brand’s ever-popular Hydro Boost Eye Gel Cream. While I still really like the original Hydro Boost Eye Gel Cream, this new formula with added caffeine and peptides takes the product to a whole new level.
I found that the gel absorbed quickly into my skin and left it feeling hydrated and plump.
Pros:
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Affordable
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Contains hyaluronic acid, caffeine and a peptide complex
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Fragrance-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, dye-free and not tested on animals
Cons:
Targets: Puffiness, fine lines and dry skin
When to use: AM/PM
Especially dry under eyes can pave the way for the creation of fine lines. And if you are looking for an eye cream that will address your fine line concerns, a hydrating eye cream is what you need. I found First Aid Beauty’s Hydrating Eye Cream to be the most moisturizing. It contains hyaluronic acid, cucumber extract, apricot kernel oil, mango seed butter, squalane oil, oat extract, licorice root extract and orange peel extract.
In addition to boosting hydration, the cream also smoothes the look of fine lines and reduces puffiness with added caffeine.
Pros:
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Safe for sensitive skin
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Clean, cruelty-free, dermatologist-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, no artificial fragrance
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Contains hyaluronic acid, caffeine, cucumber extract, mango seed butter and oat extract
Cons:
Targets: Puffiness, dark circles and crow’s feet
When to use: AM/PM
Eye creams that contain retinol can be expensive. Thankfully, the well-known French skin care brand offers affordable retinol products. RoC Retinol Correxion is hydrating and light on the skin and made with a slow-release retinol and a retinol booster. According to RoC, you can expect to see immediate results to the appearance of lines and wrinkles, reduced dark circles and puffiness after four weeks and reduced crow’s feet after 12 weeks of consistent use.
Begin applying this product every other day and then gradually increase frequency to every day.
Pros:
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Affordable retinol
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Dermatologist-tested/recommended anti-aging brand
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Non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and paraben-free
Cons:
Targets: Puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles and dry skin
When to use: AM/PM
Murad is a dermatologist-developed brand that I have trusted for years. It offers products that are friendly for acne-prone, sensitive and oily skin. Murad’s Renewing Eye Cream utilizes peptides and retinol to give skin anti-aging properties such as de-puffing the eyes, reducing dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles and hydrating the skin.
If you are looking for an eye cream that can do almost everything and meet almost all your skin goals, this Murad eye cream is for you.
Pros:
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Firms, brightens and hydrates under-eyes
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Contains retinol, peptides, phytoestrogens including iris root extract and RepleniCell™, Murad’s patent-pending, proprietary technology
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Clinically-tested independently and found to be safe for sensitive skin
Cons:
Targets: Puffiness, dull skin, fine lines, dark circles and dry skin
When to use: AM/PM
Live Tinted is a certified-clean, cruelty-free, fragrance-free and vegan brand. I’m a huge fan of the beauty brand because it offers luxury products without the luxury price tag. Its Superhue Brightening Eye Cream is no exception.
The cream contains niacinamide, caffeine, chamomile extract, turmeric extract, shea butter and vitamin C. The metal tip of the applicator helps de-puffy eyes and the vitamin C, niacinamide and caffeine target fine lines and dark circles. I found the cream to be rich and hydrating, and I especially like that the product is slightly tinted. It blends into my skin well and leaves behind a slight glow and sparkle that brightens my undereyes.
Pros:
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Targets: Puffiness, dark circles and fine lines
When to use: AM/PM
Eye masks or under-eye patches are a fun way to hydrate and smooth out the skin, and DRMTLGY’s Brightening Eye Masks do just that. The pink eye masks contain caffeine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf extract, blueberry extract, watermelon extract, licorice extract, cucumber extract, peptides, seaweed extract, red algae extract and sunflower seed oil. Leave one pair of patches on for 10 to 15 minutes and pat the remaining serum into the skin once the masks have been removed. Use these daily or often as you want.
I loved how my skin felt refreshed after one use, and the masks stayed in place while I went about my day. I recommend storing the eye masks in the fridge for the maximum depuffing effect.
Pros:
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One tub contains 30 pairs of eye masks
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Contains caffeine, niacinamide, peptides and hyaluronic acid
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Only have to leave on for 10 to 15 minutes
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Factors to consider when choosing an eye cream
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Ingredients
Look for eye creams that contain antioxidants, retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and/or niacinamide. These active ingredients fight signs of aging, puffiness and dark circles.
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Price
Eye creams can be expensive. Determine if your budget fits a luxury cream. Oftentimes, budget and drugstore eye creams can work just as well.
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Skin concerns
The best eye cream product for you will be one that targets your skin concerns. Look into eye creams that specifically address under-eye bags, for example, if you want to address your puffy eyes.
Best eye cream for your skin concern
According to dermatologist Dr. Sheila Farhang, Board-certified dermatologist and founder of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics, eye creams can provide real benefits if you choose the right product and ingredients.
“In my opinion, you really should invest in the product you’re putting on your eyes daily because [the eye area] is the thinnest skin on our body and is super sensitive to allergens/irritation and you want it to work and have science to back it up — especially for the anti-aging/fine lines targeting ones,” Farhang said.
There are so many different concerns to address when it comes to an eye cream, so should you expect to find one that can do it all? Probably not, according to Farhang. “While some eye creams can address a few issues at once I haven’t found one that is an all-in-one targeting every single issue, and that’s OK,” she said. Depending on your concern, you’ll want to look for specific types of products and ingredients to target issues, which Farhang breaks down below.
Puffiness: The first thing Farhang recommends for puffiness is products that have a cooling effect — either from placing them in a fridge before use or some have metal applicators that help with the cooling sensation. The second key ingredient that you’ll find in many products for under eye puffiness is caffeine. “I recommend looking for ingredients such as green tea or caffeine as they help constrict the vessels causing the water retention in the area,” she said.
Fine lines: “For fine lines — I recommend looking for an eye cream that has retinol or peptides and growth factors. These actively help treat and prevent,” Farhang said. “While hyaluronic acid is not really an active anti-aging ingredient, it will help fade some of those fine lines because the ingredient attracts water and almost ‘fill them in’ temporarily,” she said.
Dark circles: Lots of people think you get dark circles from lack of sleep — but the issue is a lot more complicated than that. “Dark circles are caused by several things — one reason for this may be just thinner or duller skin in the area as a result of aging, so using an anti-aging route with retinol can help strengthen the skin,” Farhang said.
“Another reason for dark circles may be the vessels showing underneath, so in that case caffeine may help. If the dark circles are from hyperpigmentation, skin brightening ingredients such as vitamin C may be helpful,” Farhang said.
Other factors like allergies and skin conditions like eczema can also come into play with dark circles. “If hyperpigmentation is from chronic rubbing from allergies or eczema then lots of hydration and moisturization is needed, or antihistamines,” she said.
If you think dark circles are due to a shadowing from hollowness in the eye area, Farhang recommends focusing on strengthening the skin with anti-aging products like those with retinol to help.
Best eye cream FAQs
What is the best eye cream to use around your eyes?
After testing and reviewing over 30 eye cream products, I found that the best eye cream was Skinbetter Science’s Interfuse Treatment Eye Cream. However, depending on your budget and skin goals, this might not be the best for you. Ultimately, the best eye cream to use will be one that you want to invest money and time into.
Are eye creams worth the hype?
After testing eye creams for about a month, I do believe that eye creams are worth the hype. I found that it was an easy step to add into my skincare routine. Eye creams are especially worth it if you have under-eye skin concerns that you want to address such as dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and dry, dull skin.
What is the best treatment for puffy eyes?
The best way to treat puffy under-eyes is with a cooling sensation. Look for eye creams with a metal applicator or products that can be refrigerated before use. According to dermatologist Dr. Sheila Farhang, eye creams that contain caffeine are also great at de-puffing eyes, because the ingredient causes the blood vessels to constrict.
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