Discover the best eye cream for wrinkles that actually work
By Emma KalkaJul 25, 2023
Looking for the best eye cream for wrinkles and reducing puffiness? Our editors have put together a killer list to help you find the best.
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Looking for an eye cream to reduce dark circles? Shop 8 of the best
Say goodbye to pesky dark under-eye circles thanks to these top creams, each of which boast powerful formulas and proven results.
Are dark circles casting a shadow on your confidence?
Don’t panic.
A solution is on its way.
We’ve scoured the web in search of the best eye creams for dark circles and have hand-selected our top picks.
Read on to discover the creams that will brighten your under-eye area, reduce puffiness and, in some cases, even offer hydration, firming and plumping effects.
Read more: Find the best vitamin C serums for glowing skin
The 8 best eye creams for dark circles
Our favorite serum for dark spots
OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright 15% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum
Our favorite retinol option
Pros & Cons
Powerful anti-aging benefits
Brightens and refreshes under-eyes
Suitable for all skin types
Potential sensitivity to retinol Not suited to day-time use
Carefully formulated to be gentle yet effective, INKEY’s Retinol Eye Cream is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Featuring superstar ingredient, retinol, which is known for its exceptional anti-aging properties, what truly sets this eye cream apart from competitors is its slow-release nature.
Rather than your skin being hit with a powerful dose of retinol in one go, thanks to its Vitalease technology, this retinoid formula is released slowly over a period of time to reduce the likelihood of skin irritation, whilst ensuring effective absorption.
The inclusion of squalane helps to further moisturize and hydrate, while peptides work to improve skin elasticity and reduce puffiness.
For best results, apply before bed and allow these incredible ingredients to work their magic whilst you sleep.
Our favorite brightening pick
Pros & Cons
Effectively addresses dryness, dullness and dark circles
Users say it is convenient to wear under makeup
Fragrance, paraben and sulfate-free
Results may not be immediately obvious
Pricey
This eye cream is infused with a game-changing cocktail of botanical extracts that work in harmony to deliver exceptional results.
Featuring viniferine, niacinamide and caffeine, this product not only effectively brightens and refreshes your under-eye skin, but it also targets uneven skin tones and offers intensive moisture to those with dry skin concerns.
Commitment to natural and clean beauty, this Caudalie eye cream is formulated without harsh chemicals, parabens or sulfates, making it both a gentle and indulgent option for anyone looking for an effective lightening cream.
Our favorite serum for dark spots
Pros & Cons
Evens out skin tone and hyperpigmentation
Illuminates and smooths skin
Leaves skin feeling plump and supple
Potential sensitivity to vitamin C
One of the pricier options
This serum is like a little bottle of sunshine for your skin.
Packed with 15% vitamin C — a powerhouse ingredient known for its ability to fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation — you’ll be rocking that ‘lit-from-within’ glow in no time.
This product is infused with banana powder-inspired pigments, which illuminate the skin and blur imperfections. Meanwhile, polyhydroxy acids provide gentle exfoliation, and hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps, leaving the area beneath your eyes feeling soft, supple, and oh-so-smooth.
As if that’s not enough to sway you, this cream also boasts a delightful citrus-based scent, so every application will remind you of a wee tropical vacation.
Best lightweight cream
Pros & Cons
Lightweight and fast-absorbing formula
Reduces the appearance of dark circles
Targets dullness and firms skin
Possibility of skin sensitivity or irritation
Designed to target multiple concerns, this eye cream truly shows those dark, puffy eyes who’s boss.
With a potent dose of vitamin C, this cream not only brightens, soothes and firms, but the addition of antioxidants also acts as a shield, protecting your skin from environmental stressors.
This formula is also lightweight and fast-absorbing, so you won’t be left with any heavy, greasy sensations after use. Bonus.
Our favorite option for dry skin
Pros & Cons
Appropriate for dry, sensitive skin
Provides a burst of hydration
Reduces under-eye puffiness
No extensive anti-aging benefits Some users report skin sensitivity
Boasting a 4.6-star average rating from over 2,500 reviews, All About Eyes is one of the best-selling eye creams for those experiencing dryness.
Designed to glide on your skin and provide a burst of moisture that instantly refreshes and plumps up the area around the eyes, this formula is incredibly hydrating.
In fact, some users even say it has been useful in treating concerns such as eczema and claim it does not tighten skin following application.
From a brand known for creating quality products, this cream’s gentle and effective formula ensures everyone can enjoy the benefits of brighter, vibrant eyes.
Our favorite hydrating option
Pros & Cons
Formulated with natural avocado oil
Enriched with essential fatty acids and vitamins
Rich and creamy texture
Some users found the ingredients separated
High price point
In need of some serious hydration? Then this is the cream for you.
Infused with the goodness of creamy avocado oil, it provides an intense boost of hydration that leaves your under-eye area radiant and moisturized.
What’s more, it soothes and calms the skin whilst working to reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles.
Oh, and did we mention the rich and creamy texture melts effortlessly into the skin, making it a joy to apply? Treat yourself, immediately.
Our favorite serum for aging skin
Pros & Cons
Unique cooling metal applicator
Firms and hydrates under-eye skin
Convenient, travel-friendly packaging
Not budget-friendly
May dispense too much product at once
Inspired by the power of cryotherapy, this eye cream is designed to refresh and awaken the area around your eyes. The unique cooling applicator provides a soothing sensation as it glides over your skin, working to reduce the appearance of fine lines and eye wrinkles.
Featuring an innovative formula of peptides, vitamin A, vitamin C, caffeine and botanical extracts that brighten, firm and hydrate skin, we think this Charlotte Tilbury option sounds like a wee bottle of icy-cool magic.
Our favorite drugstore eye cream
Pros & Cons
Affordable and effective
Dermatologist-tested and formulated
Packed with nourishing ingredients
Product sensitivity reported from some users
More basic packaging
Despite being from a drugstore and featuring the lowest price point in our round-up, CeraVe’s formula well and truly earn its spot on our best eye creams list.
It contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide which work together to hydrate and nourish the eye area, resulting in a more even complexion.
Tested by dermatologists, it is also fragrance-free and non-irritating, making it well-suited to those with sensitive skin.
An effective, budget-friendly option that delivers high-quality results? Sign us up.
FAQs
Just how effective are these products?
Can eye creams really help with dark circles?
How long does it take to see results?
Which eye creams are the best for dark circles?
While each of the above options is great for targeting dark circles, two products, in particular, stood out to us as top contenders:
The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream: In our opinion, this product takes the crown for the best cream. Its highly effective formula combines retinol and Squalane to work wonders on those pesky dark circles.
CeraVe Eye Cream Repair: If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, CeraVe is the perfect investment. This cream combats multiple under-eye concerns and has been formulated specifically for sensitive skin.
Prices updated on 07/25/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Written by
Jada Bowman
Jada Bowman is an Atlanta-based freelance writer. Through her work, Jada aims to make the lives of her readers better by guiding them toward the most exceptional products and lifestyle choices.
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