What are the best eye creams?
Facial moisturisers you can use on the eye area, too. I’m not kidding.
The eye area may be thinner and more delicate, but most brands don’t bother using gentler ingredients for it. And its special needs? Please! Show me a cream that has REALLY reduced your dark circles…
Eye creams are nothing more than face moisturisers in a smaller jar (or tube), so use your fave cream all over and call it a day.
But I know this step is too radical for some of you. Some women just love using a separate eye cream.
Others may have to because their undereye area is considerably oilier or drier than the rest of their face – the only case when a facial moisturizer all over wouldn’t do.
If that’s you, here are the best eye creams and serums you can find in the shops today:
- Best Eye Cream For Antiaging: Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum ($65.00/£62.00)
- Best Eye Cream For Dry Skin: Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Eye Cream ($33.00/£32.00)
- Best Eye Cream At The Drugstore: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream ($15.99/£11.00)
- Best Eye Cream For Dark Circles: Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Dew It All Eye Gel ($58.00)
- Best Eye Cream With Vitamin C: Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream ($64.00/£54.00)
Best Eye Cream For Antiaging: Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum ($65.00/£62.00)
Want to get rid of crow’s feet? You need retinol. This form of vitamin A is a multitasker: it fights free radicals, boosts collagen production and fades away dark spots. Ferulic acid, the other superstar that gives Dr Dennjs Gross Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum its name, is another powerful antioxidant that can destroy three types of free radicals (superoxide, hydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide) before they give you wrinkles. Add a dash of licorice extract to lighten dark spots and you’ve got a well-rounded eye cream that moisturises skin, fights wrinkles and makes dark circles less obvious. Just a warning: if you’ve never used retinol before, it can irritate your skin. Use it a couple of nights a week at the beginning and increase frequency from there.
Available at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Net-A-Porter, Nordstrom and Sephora
Related: Dr Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum Full Review
Best Eye Cream For Dry Skin: Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Eye Cream ($33.00/£32.00)
If your fave facial cream isn’t moisturizing enough for your uber dry eye area, you need Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Eye Cream in your stash. Its rich texture is super moisturizing and makes even the driest of skin types soft and smooth again. Plus, it’s loaded with antioxidants and soothing ingredients that fight free radicals and reduce inflammation, the two main causes of premature aging. The only downside? It doesn’t make the best base for makeup. Use it at night only.
Available at: Dermstore, Feel Unique, Nordstrom and Paula’s Choice
Related: How To Care For Dry Skin (Plus Free Skincare Routine Cheatsheet)
Best Eye Cream At The Drugstore: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream ($15.99/£11.00)
Niacinamide is an antiaging superstar everyone should include in their skincare routine. It moisturises skin, soothes irritations, fights wrinkles and even fades away dark spots. CeraVe Eye Repair Cream has a huge dollop of niacinamide, plus ceramides to strengthen your skin’s protective barrier and hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. It’s a great option all year round, but it really shines in winter when your skin needs all the help it can get to stay soft and supple.
Available at: Dermstore, Feel Unique, Ulta and Walmart
Related: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream Full Review
Need help creating an anti-aging routine that really works? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Anti-Aging Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).
Best Eye Cream For Dark Circles: Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Dew It All Eye Gel ($58.00)
Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Dew It All Eye Gel is cheating. It uses mineral pigments to brighten the undereye area and “hide” dark circles. Think of it as an eye cream with concealer built in. I know, kind of a let down but – let’s be honest here – that’s still the best way to reduce dark circles. Plus, the hydrating formula is enriched with plant-based antioxidants with soothing properties that calm down irritations and prevent new wrinkles. Heck, it may even help with puffiness (I say may because if your puffy eyes are due to shifting fat pads, no eye cream can help).
Available at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Net-A-Porter, Nordstrom and Sephora
Related: Dark Circles Causes & Cures: What Really Works?
Best Eye Cream With Vitamin C: Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream ($64.00/£54.00)
Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream contains 5 different forms of vitamin C! This powerful antioxidant fights free radicals, boosts collagen and even brightens the skin tone. If that’s not enough, this rich cream is loaded with every antioxidant you can think of to make sure those premature wrinkles don’t show up anytime soon. Plus, it moisturises the eye area and soothes irritations. Did I mention it makes a great base for makeup, too?
Available at: Cult Beauty, Sephora and SpaceNK
Related: All The Types Of Vitamin C Used In Skincare
What do you think are the best eye creams? Share your picks in the comments below.
I was just sent a sample of La Prairie Anti Aging Eye Cream w/spf 15.
Absolutely loved it until I found the price tag. At $185 it’s way out of range for my day to day.
Loved the fasted that it had an spf for that delicate eye area, loved the way it felt going on and that it absorbed quickly.
I did not love the fact that the web site does not list ingredients.
Any recs for something similar at a more affordable price?
Thanks
Cindy
Cindy, I hear ya! La Prairie is so expensive! Have you tried Paula’s Choice Eye Cream?
I have been trying dermalmd under eye serum for around a month now and have to say I am impressed! I suffer from puffy eyes and dark circles in the mornings and feel like after using this consistently day and night, these issues have been improved and are less prominent! When applied, it feels very cooling and refreshing, and the gel itself is very lightweight, dries fast and doesn’t feel sticky! It is very easy to use due to its pump dispenser. It also works very well under your eye makeup as a moisturizer! A little goes a long way as you only need less than a pea-sized amount for each use. I would recommend dermalmd serum!
Nicole, glad you’ve found something that works so well for you. Thanks for the recommendation.