A Definitive List of the Best Eye Creams for Wrinkles, Puffiness, and Dark Circles (2024)

This serum “has retinol and Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant,” Dr. Jaliman tells me. “It lightens dark circles and helps improve fine lines and wrinkles.” Plus, reviewers rave that the lightweight, non-greasy formula goes on “silky smooth” and leaves skin feeling “velvety soft.”

What an editor says: Our digital director, Allie Early, tested it out, noting that it’s “moisturizing and affordable for the amount of benefits it offers, and you only need to use a little bit of it each time.” However, she adds that the retinol product is not ideal for her sensitive skin.

Amazon’s best-selling eye cream, this product from CeraVe offers serious results at an affordable price. It contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize skin, niacinamide to soothe skin, and three essential ceramides to restore and maintain skin’s natural barrier. What’s more, it uses MVE delivery technology to continually release ingredients for long-lasting hydration.

It’s even accepted by the National Eczema Association. This means that it went through rigorous testing by a team of dermatologists, allergists, and eczema experts to review its ingredients for sensitivity, irritation, and toxicity.

What a reviewer says: “It works, ladies! If you are on a budget, try this. Even if you are not on a budget, try this.”

Taking the spot as the best overall eye cream, according to the Good Housekeeping Institute, Lancôme’s Absolue Revitalizing Eye Cream is a great option if you’re willing to splurge on a pricier product. Multiple GH Beauty Lab testers saw a noticeable difference after using the ultra-moisturizing and firming eye cream, which contains vitamins C and E, along with botanical extracts.

What a lab tester says: “The creamy-yet-lightweight formula seemed to disappear into my under-eye skin, leaving it smooth and younger-looking from the very first use.”

Those who have excessive wrinkling around the eyes may want to consider a retinol cream. Joshua Zeichner, M.D., dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital recommends this moisturizing option because it minimizes dark circles, puffiness, and wrinkles without being too harsh on the delicate under-eye skin.

What a reviewer says: “If you are willing to apply this daily you will see results. I have just begun noticing some actual reduction in my fine lines and wrinkles. I really didn’t think over-the-counter retinal creams could work, but this cream has proven me wrong.”

According to the brand, over 90% of 110 women in a consumer test saw smoother eyes, reduced wrinkles, and reduced puffiness after using the Shiseido Benefiance cream for a week.

It's a rich, thick cream that users say still absorbs quickly and can be worn easily under makeup. Standout ingredients include peptides to support collagen growth, squalane for hydration, and ginseng extract to visibly brighten the darkness around your eyes.

What a reviewer says: “I have oily skin but live in a dry climate, and this eye cream does a great job at moisturizer and softening my fine lines. My concealer and powder looks very good too.”

This hydrating eye cream is gentle enough for your under-eyes and contains hyaluronic acid to plump and moisturize the skin. “It acts like a sponge to pull in hydration from the deep skin layers and even the air,” Dr. Zeichner tells me. It’s also a popular customer favorite, boasting over 13,000 five-star ratings from Amazon shoppers.

What an editor says: “I love that this eye cream feels so refreshing and hydrating on my skin,” says Prevention’s associate commerce editor, Hannah Jeon. “It has a really nice gel-like consistency that goes on super lightweight and soaks into my skin immediately.”

This eye cream helps reduce the look of wrinkles and puffiness with a blend of retinol and caffeine. It remains gentle on the sensitive eye area, as it contains soothing thermal spring water and is fragrance-free.

The Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab put it to the test and found it absorbs quickly into the skin. Testers also noted that it didn’t irritate their skin despite containing retinol, which sometimes causes redness and other reactions.

What a lab tester says: “The skin around my eyes looks better and feels firmer; my eyes look younger.”

The retinol, niacinamide, and peptide blend in this drugstore eye cream make it a winner for dark circles, fine lines, and dull-looking skin without irritation. Just a dot of this rich formula delivers skin-smoothing radiance for a well-rested look. It also comes with a trial size Olay Regenerist Whip moisturizer as an added bonus!

What a reviewer says: “The product has a great consistency. It absorbs quickly and provides a lot of moisture and hydration to the eye area. My lines looked smoother after using it. The quality is equivalent to much pricier eye creams I have used in the past.”

This rich cream is a dream if you’re prone to dryness in your under-eye area. Your skin will drink up its antioxidants to combat fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles. The heavy-duty formula feels ultra-nourishing and creamy on the skin, making this a great nighttime pick.

What a reviewer says: “This eye cream is a game changer! I’ve used some of the most expensive eye cream out there, and this blows them out of the water. You almost see a change the next day.”

With over 9,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this eye gel is definitely worth adding to your skincare lineup. Designed for use morning and night, this eye gel helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles. It has a lightweight texture that glides smoothly over the skin, and it includes vitamin E for moisture and elasticity. Plus, jojoba oil and an amino acid blend offer smooth hydration.

What a reviewer says: “Give it time and use it religiously—this thing really works. As a mother of four in her 30s, I’m always running on minimal to no sleep, don’t eat right, and am always on the go. This actually helped take away the dark circles I was spending so much money on expensive makeup to conceal.”

This brightening eye cream includes three forms of vitamin C, lactic acid, and tranexamic acid (a brightening agent). The pump bottle dispenses a silky formula that’s fast absorbing, so you can apply it day or night and get on with the next step in your makeup or skincare routine right away.

What an editor says: “I rely on this eye cream to help me look more awake first thing in the morning,” says Prevention’s senior commerce editor, Christie Calucchia. “It instantly helps with dark circles and puffiness, and I love that the ingredients target wrinkles over time.”

“I like multitasking products, and this is three things: It’s a concealer and a sunscreen, and it has anti-aging properties,” Mona Gohara, M.D., assistant clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, previously told Prevention. “Eyes age quickly, so when it is used as a concealer, you’re getting ample SPF in that area.” (That’s why it earned a spot in our 2020 Healthy Beauty Awards!)

What a reviewer says “Why didn’t I know about this sooner,” wrote one customer. “Not only does it cover my dark circles, but it doesn’t crease and even minimizes the appearance of fine lines!”

Packed with retinol, Swertia flower extract, and hyaluronic acid, this is one of the best eye creams for wrinkles. It’s effective at tightening loose skin around the eyes and improving the appearance of under-eye bags, according to GH Beauty Lab testing.

What a lab tester says: “It really tightened my skin, smoothing it out.”

Products from SkinCeuticals tend to be pricey, but they are effective, and this new release from the brand is no exception. An eye cream for dark circles and wrinkles, it delivers 24 hours of moisture while targeting elasticity, puffiness, tone, and wrinkles, according to the brand. It contains concentrated proxylane to address visible signs of aging, caffeine to reduce puffiness, and inclusive optical effects to disperse light and improve the look of dark circles.

What a reviewer says: “The crows feet at the corners of my eyes have diminished. In addition, my under eyes are less puffy, and the dark circles have lightened.”

With 1.5% time-released microencapsulated retinol, this eye cream works to diminish the look of wrinkles and dark circles overnight. It also includes caffeine to target puffiness and shea butter, squalane, and vitamin E to moisturize the delicate skin near the eyes.

What an editor says: “I recently tested out a sample of this eye cream and found it offers immediate hydration and absorbs quickly into skin,” said Calucchia. “I like knowing that it’s working overnight to target wrinkles and puffiness.”

Glow Recipe is a cult favorite beauty brand. Among the greats is its Avocado Melt Retinol eye cream, a fluffy nutrient-rich eye cream made with potent ingredients like vitamin E, vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. The formula works to reduce the appearance of dark circles while de-puffing the eye area.

What a reviewer says: “It’s super moisturizing but lightweight and very lightly scented. I have seen a visible improvement in my fine lines and circles in just two weeks!”

This velvety eye cream is luxuriously hydrating. Suitable for all skin types, its main benefits are moisturizing dry skin and taming puffiness around the eyes for an overall firmer look. The formula contains peony and honeysuckle extracts to boost elasticity, Okinawa red algae and hyaluronic acid to moisturize, and Hadasei-3, a blend of superfoods, to give skin a radiant glow.

What a reviewer says: “I’ve tried many eye creams over the years, but this beats them all—hands down. Very light and velvety but extra moisturizing at the same time, [it] soaks in nicely and feels great all day or evening.”

This brightening and tightening eye cream from Peach & Lily differentiates itself from other products with its retinoic complex containing 0.5% bakuchiol (a retinol alternative). Less likely to cause irritation than standard retinol, bakuchiol is naturally derived and plant-based, yet it still helps boost cell turnover to make room for new, healthy ones.

What a reviewer says: “Smooth, melts into my skin, and is gentle enough my eyes do not itch or get red. I have sensitive skin and I am always hesitant purchasing eye creams, but the Retinoic Eye Cream is magic!”

While not exactly a cream, this Paula's Choice pick feels more like a lightweight gel or serum.

Still, it features a vegan formula with a blend of pro-collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid for moisture, and amino acids for firming. I like that you can use it beyond the eye area, including the forehead, cheeks, and neck.

What a reviewer says: “One of the best serums I ever used. Gives me glowy and bouncy skin I ever dreamed of. It really helps my skin elasticity!”

What makes an eye cream anti-aging? Tara Rao, M.D., a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, and Dr. Zeichner named a few key ingredients to look for regardless of your skin type or tone.

✔️ Hyaluronic acid: Found naturally in the skin, hyaluronic acid draws in water, which helps to hydrate and plump the skin. Many times, under-eye wrinkles are a result of dryness, Dr. Rao says, and hyaluronic acid is well-studied and shown to help reduce the signs of aging. (Check out these eye creams for dry skin if hydration is your main problem.)

✔️ Peptides: Copper peptides, polypeptides, and oligopeptides are thought to penetrate the skin and help build hyaluronic acid and collagen. These structural proteins hold cells and tissues together like glue, diminishing the look of wrinkles.

✔️ Retinol: This vitamin A derivative stimulates collagen production and promotes cell turnover to help reduce the signs of aging. Because the skin under the eyes is so sensitive, the dermatologists we spoke to recommended products with relatively low concentrations of retinol.

✔️ SPF: “This one’s a no-brainer,” says Dr. Rao. Without proper protection, UV rays break down collagen and age your skin. (Unfortunately, SPF can be tough to find in eye creams, so supplement with your face sunscreen if necessary!)

✔️ Antioxidants: Vitamins C and E, ferulic acid, and berry extracts help reduce oxidative stress due to UV rays or pollutants, explains Dr. Rao. Antioxidants also improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.