Eye creams are an oft-neglected part of many people’s skin care routines. Whether you think they’re completely unnecessary or they simply slip your mind, this essential step can be incredibly beneficial for even the most low-maintenance beauty regimen. Whether you’re looking to boost hydration, want to infuse the area with anti-aging ingredients or are looking to de-puff a sleepy face, an eye cream can help to improve your overall appearance (and the health of your skin) with minimal effort.
In previous reporting, Dr. Bradley Glodny, a board-certified dermatologist at Park Avenue Dermatology in New York City, explained that while eye creams share many ingredients with serums and creams (think AHAs, BHAs, and retinol), they’re specially formulated in a way that won’t harm the sensitive skin around the delicate eye area. They also often have ingredients specifically targeting under-eye issues, like caffeine for eye puffiness or vitamin K to help reduce the look of dark circles.
Below, we’ve rounded up a collection of HuffPost readers’ favorite eye creams based on data from our previous coverage, including the best anti-aging eye creams, a viral eye cream, the ideal morning skin care routine and more. Keep reading to find out what brands you love and add some new options to your repertoire. They’re available at a range of price points and include beloved skin care staples like Murad, Paula’s Choice, Laneige and more.
If you're an eye cream skeptic, then this affordable gel might change your mind. It's made with caffeine, peptides and hyaluronic acid to help reduce the look of tired, puffy eyes and dark circles. The formula is surprisingly effective and can help perk up your peepers for just $6 a tube.
Promising review: "I really love this stuff. It is extremely moisturizing and feels great under your eyes. I am in my late 50's and have had multiple coworkers ask me what I was doing differently the first week I started using it. It does seem to offer some lasting smoothing, hydrating and brightening effects, for me at least. I will definitely continue to use. For the price, it's great and better than other more expensive brands I have tried. It also takes a very small amount to apply." — LD16
I ride hard for iS Clinical skin care products, and this eye complex is no different. This best-selling formula uses powerful proteins, peptides, growth factors and vitamin K to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, firm and strengthen skin health, heal cellular damage and reduce under-eye darkness. It might sound too good to be true, but it does a lot of heavy lifting and is definitely worth every penny.
This dermatologist-recommended eye cream is a HuffPost reader favorite. Yummy, nourishing and potent anti-aging ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides can help to increase hydration while smoothing and brightening the under-eye area. It's a great affordable option for someone who wants to add a bit of oomph to their routine without breaking the bank. This cream is also fragrance-free so it's ideal for people with extra sensitivities.
This cult-fave and HuffPost reader-pick eye cream is wildly popular at Amazon, boasting over 19,000 5-star ratings from happy customers. It can help address common eye concerns like puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles thanks to its hydrating formula that's been infused with dermatologist Dr. Bradley Glodny-approved ingredients like retinol and antioxidants. Reviewers note that the cream works wonders on dark circles, in particular.
Promising Amazon review: "I have probably tried a hundred different eye creams, and this is the only one that has given me noticeable results. My under-eyes were visibly firmer with the first use, and the dark circles are fading after only a few days. Definitely recommend!" — stefany9579
If it's dark circles you are looking to vanquish, then take a look at this reader-beloved, antioxidant-rich eye cream. It has a slight tint that essentially works like a color corrector while using the power of vitamin C, turmeric, mica and caffeine to potentially help even out skin tone, brighten the under-eye area and reduce the look of lines and wrinkles.
Paula's Choice products are great, mid-priced options for people who want genuinely effective skin care with potent anti-aging ingredients. This vitamin C-rich eye cream is also formulated with hyaluronic acid and polypeptides that can help to firm up, brighten and smooth out the tender eye area. It's great for all skin types and those who want to address dark circles, skin texture, sagginess and more. It's a favorite among HuffPost readers, beauty writers and editors (like myself), who keep turning to the brand for high-quality, reasonably-priced products. Like the CeraVe eye cream, this one is also free of added fragrance.
This oft-viral LilyAna eye cream has been wildly popular with HuffPost readers for a couple years now, thanks to a super effective formula and reasonable price point. It's made with botanical ingredients like rosemary leaf extract and vitamins A, C, E and B5, which can help to reduce puffiness, dryness and dark circles. The cream is gentle enough to use both morning and night while being powerful enough to deeply nourish and rejuvenate the skin.
Promising Amazon review: "in my mid 40s I noticed the skin around my eyes were looking aged, crinkled like crate paper. I have been using a facial moisturizer for years and always added some to my lids but it always burned and my eyes would tear up. Out of the blue I started looking for eye creams on line and learned they can be extremely costly and without knowing if it really works, I hesitated. When I found this eye cream on amazon at a fraction of the cost of many other eye creams I thought what the heck I will give it a try. I have been very pleased with the outcome up to this point. It does not burn my eyes, no odor, not sticky or greasy and I have noticed my eyes looking more youthful and refreshed. I use it each morning and each night. I must admit I put it on a little thicker at night because I am not applying make up afterwards. Although I was hoping for my dark circles to lighten up a bit, they have not but overall I am very pleased and satisfied with this product. I would recommend it to friends and say if your looking for an inexpensive way to refresh your aging eyes, TRY THIS!!!!" — Lea m.
You can't beat the price of The Ordinary's skin care products, including this multi-peptide eye serum that's formulated to help diminish the look of dark circles and puffiness. It has a lightweight serum formulation that is a great option for those prone to breakouts or with excessively oily skin and, best of all, it is available for under $30. And while the price is right, beauty aficionados, HuffPost readers and editors alike also consistently turn to The Ordinary because of its products' efficacy.
Sometimes, a classic cream is the best way to go and there's a reason this L'Oreal cream has over 12,600 5-star reviews on Amazon! It's proof positive that you don't necessarily have to drop a huge chunk of change for an effective eye cream. It has a light, non-greasy gel-cream formulation made with caffeine and hyaluronic acid to address premature aging and keep the under-eye area supple and smooth.
Promising Amazon review: "I has bags and dark circles because work has been so hectic. At 54, I thought this was just part of aging. I read the reviews, decided it would not break the bank to try it, and love it! I did not take pictures because honestly, I did not expect it to work. I use it every evening before bed. People have complimented on my "brightness" of my eyes and face (I only use it under my eyes). A week after using it my husband asked what was different about my face! I did not tell him I had bought it just in case it was crap. I will make this purchase again and it really takes a very little bit to get results." — Summer
Formulated to correct and prevent nearly every aspect of premature skin aging around the eyes, Murad's Youth Renewal eye serum is part of the brand's clinical line of products for aging skin. It contains its exclusive retinol complex, which fights fine lines and irregular skin tone. It also contains agents that hydrate skin and claim to boost skin elasticity for a firmer appearance. You typically cannot go wrong with Murad products in general, so it's not surprising that HuffPost readers flocked to this serum.
Dermatologists and HuffPost readers alike love this classic Clinique cream. Packed with vitamins C, caffeine and whey protein, it's a must for anyone who wants to look more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The formula leaves skin silky smooth, melting into the skin and acting as a great base for concealer. Not only can it help to reduce the look of darkness and puffiness, but it also soothes and hydrates the skin. This is yet another that's fragrance-free to help minimize skin allergy issues.
If you're after a silky smooth and soft eye cream that leaves your entire under-eye area feeling like it's been drenched in goodness, then you definitely want to check out this option from cult-fave beauty brand Laneige. It's made with hydrating hyaluronic acid, niacinamide to help brighten the skin and caffeine to revitalize. It's a great option for someone who is just starting to dabble in eye creams and wants to invest in their skin.
We've featured this beloved E.l.f. eye cream before for its skin-nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides, which can refresh the skin and reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines. Bonus: You can use the cream as a base underneath makeup, and it's non-greasy and made for all skin types. Doesn't hurt that it's one of the most affordable creams on this list, either.
Promising Amazon review: "This eye cream lives up to its name! Hydrates the under eye area very well. It’s a creamy texture, is absorbed well and doesn’t sit on top of the skin. It is not greasy. I am 56, I have dry skin and I was afraid this would not be hydrating enough for me; but this is a wonderful, hydrating eye cream." — Shannon Phillips