Our Eye Cream Top Picks
An up-close look at eye creams.
The eyes are "the windows to the soul," and perhaps just as fragile as glass. Surrounded by skin that's thin, delicate and prone to irritation and dryness, this fragile area is also the first place to show signs of aging and stress with fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness. Luckily, there are revolutionary eye creams to deliver replenishing ingredients in formulas gentle enough for sensitive skin. Here's how to choose the eye cream that'll cure any and all eye-related woes you may have.
Click on a category to see comparisons of our top picks.
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This multipurpose potion works on the two areas where fine lines first show up—around the eyes and the lips. | A potent cocktail of vitamins A, C and E coaxes the skin into speeding up its own reparative capabilities. | Eye cream isn't just for eyes. You can also use it around your lips where fine lines are prone to pop up. |
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Firms with a proprietary mix of state-of-the-art micronized ingredients, including tightening crystals. | Instantly whisks away crow's feet, fine lines and wrinkles for a turn-back-the-clock effect that lasts up to eight hours. | A single pump of this serum is enough for both eyes. |
H20 Plus
Buy NowSea Results Eye Mender Plus Reg. $37 |
This rejuvenating contour cream visibly smoothes the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and reduces puffiness on application, then works to prevent further signs of aging. | The unique formula contains a blend of sea-mineral nutrients, monk's pepper berry and a plant-derived single amino acid called sepilift to strengthen collagen fibers, boost elasticity and repair signs of aging. | Apply twice a day, after cleansing in morning and evening, and feel free to reapply when you're touching up your makeup to brighten the under-eye area. |
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From an affordable line that's a favorite of dermatologists, this moisturizing eye cream makes the area around the eye look brighter and younger, and makes dark circles less visible. | The natural ingredients, including wheat protein and shitake mushrooms, are highly effective but also gentle enough for sensitive skin. | Applied first, this will help your concealer glide on the under-eye area without collecting in fine lines. |
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With a slight tint and SPF 15, this eye cream is a three-in-one multitasker. | Lactic acid smoothes and retexturizes skin, sodium PCA attracts moisture to keep the area plump, and optical light diffusers minimize dark circles. | If you get sufficient coverage with this eye cream on its own, skip the under-eye concealer. |
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Ultra-rich but easily absorbed, this dermatologist-developed cream restores luster to delicate, easily parched skin. | It's infused with green tea, a powerful antioxidant that can protect skin against sun damage and collagen breakdown. | A little goes a long way. Squeeze just a teensy amount onto fingertips, then pat under the eye until it's absorbed. |
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The silky cream gel formula feels cool and soothing against the skin—an instant wake-me-up! | The polyhydroxy acids in this cream are less irritating but just as effective in boosting skin renewal as other forms of hydroxy acids. | Give your eye cream a minute or two to absorb before moving on to apply makeup. |
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Well, first off, could the jar it comes in be any cuter? Probably not. Secondly, we love the stuff inside the jar—this eye cream can help fade dark circles and smooth fine lines, giving you brighter, younger-looking peepers. | Its hydrating botanical ingredients, like apple extract, are known to help boost collagen, and you know what that means—instant eyelift. | Try using an eye cream when you fly to fight the drying effects of cabin air. |
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This deep-wrinkle balm is power-packed with peptides, those hard-working anti-aging agents that are small enough to penetrate skin's deeper layers. | Women who use this balm say it's the bomb! More than four in five see significant improvement in fine lines, dark circles and puffiness in just six weeks. | Use this balm around your upper lip to minimize "smoker's lines" that can show up even on those who have never touched a cigarette. |
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This treatment doesn't only contain the latest high-tech, anti-aging ingredients. It's formulated so that key ingredients boost each other's effectiveness. | Contains haloxyl, the most potent complex available to improve under-eye circles, a problem that even artful makeup doesn't hide. | Use your ring finger to apply; it's the finger that has the lightest touch. |
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Ultra-rich, this cream smoothes fine lines that are caused by dehydration and defends the skin from harmful free radicals. | Soothing and replenishing ingredients include cucumber, arnica, wild yam and grape seed botanicals and extracts. | After cleansing, apply a couple of drops at the outer corner of each eye and blend inward. |
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Created to deliver round-the-clock replenishment and repair, this double-headed wonder provides SPF 15 protection during the day and fiber-restoring action at night. | Includes L'Oreal's Pro-Retinol A complex, which infuses skin cells with vitamin A. The powerful antioxidant boosts collagen production to increase skin's elasticity and youthfulness. | Apply in small dots around your eyes, smoothing with ring finger until thoroughly absorbed. |
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Murad
Buy Now Hybrids Eye Lift Illuminator Reg. $35 |
This portable pen does it all—minimizes dark circles, lifts, hydrates and de-puffs, all without parabens, sulfates or petrochemicals. | The violet formula neutralizes darkness on contact, while stimulating microcirculation for a long-term fix. | For first-time use, twist the pen a few times to dispense product. |
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Dramatically banishes the blue and red hues that make under-eye circles so obvious. | Developed specifically to treat dark circles, this potion functions on a clinical level to optimize enzymatic activity and strengthen the capillary matrix beneath the eye. Translation: It works! | This is the kind of serious, no-frills, clinical product you can share with your man. |
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A quadruple-threat, this overachieving eye cream targets dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles and puffiness. | Vitamin K lightens discoloration; pro-vitamin A and polyhydroxy acids address lines and wrinkles; and cucumber extract soothes puffiness. | Dab along the bone that traces your eye socket, not directly under your lower lashes; the cream will absorb upward. |
Miracle Worker All-Over Brightener and Dark Spot Corrector
Reg. $62
Age Smart Multivitamin Power Firm
Reg. $54
Environmental Shield Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum
Reg. $60
Plus Spa Hand and Nail Cream
Reg. $16
"Scrubbing your face won't get those darn spots off. But this silky skin corrector will. With nightly use, it improves the appearance of pesky dark patches and skin discoloration caused by acne scarring, aging or sun damage. The result: an even and bright complexion, no matter your skin tone or ethnicity."
—Kelly Aiglon, a freelance editor at DailyCandy.com, lifestyle reporter and copywriter
"There's nothing I love more about aging than fine lines that pop up around my eyes and are accentuated every time I smile. Yay for getting older! If you don't feel the same way, however, then Dermalogica's skin-rebuilding antioxidant vitamins, silicones and red seaweed will help reduce these lovely lines by smoothing and firming the skin."
—Amanda Kippert, a former health and lifestyles reporter, now freelance writer and blogger, based in Phoenix
"This blemish banisher is quite the overnight sensation. It works while you sleep to cool and calm active, acne-prone skin and reduce redness. Thanks to antioxidants, herbs and cooling agents, any inflammation will hit the road by morning."
—Brooke Showell, a skincare and makeup maven who's written for Self and Martha Stewart Weddings
"A lot deep diving went into this intensely moisturizing hand, nail and cuticle cream. The hydrating marine blend includes kelp fronds from the Sea of Japan, sea lettuce cultivated off the coast of Brittany, France, and fennel ribbons that grow along English sea cliffs. No scuba gear needed to apply!"
—Shelley Levitt, a beauty blogger, skincare geek and onetime chronicler of celeb glamour for People and Self
