20 Best Eye Creams of 2024, According to Dermatologists and Vogue Editors

Those seeking to improve their under-eye skin’s appearance should choose the best eye cream for them. Delicate tissue under the eyes can coincide with dark circles, wrinkles, or excess puffiness, and not all creams are meant to tackle each of one these concerns. With so many products constantly entering the market, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin—especially if you’re looking to tackle multiple concerns at once while maintaining your cherished skin-care routine. Below, we break down the best eye creams by concern—whether you’re looking to brighten dark circles, smooth wrinkles, or apply a deeply hydrating formula before sleep. Read on to discover the best eye creams according to dermatologists and Vogue editors.

Vogue’s Favorite Eye Creams

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Best Overall: SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye

• Why We Love It: One of the most lauded eye creams is SkinCeuticals’ A.G.E. eye complex, known to be a mature-skin salve, just got a reformulation. “While the A.G.E eye complex was a good product for reducing signs of aging in the under-eye area, the inclusion of caffeine, a higher concentration of Proxylane, and additional brightening agents in the [the new] cream creates even greater visible results with consistent use,” dermatologist Dr. Michele Green tells Vogue on why its one of the best new beauty products to know.
• Key Ingredients: 7.15% concentrated proxylane (to smooth wrinkles), 4.25% wild fruit flavanoid blend (to protect against free radical damage), Matrixyl 3000 (for improved hydration and laxity), glycyrrhetinic acid, inclusive optical effects (this disperses light in a way that brightens dark circles), caffeine (to reduce puffiness)
• Editor’s Notes: This is a really rich, creamy formula that sinks well into skin. Massage it around your orbital bone to instantly depuff and improve radiance.
• Best For: Dark circles, wrinkles, fine lines, puffiness, dryness, mature skin
• When to Apply:
• Size: 15 mL

Best for Dark Circles: La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Eye Cream for Dark Circles

• Why We Love It: La Roche-Posay’s acclaimed elixir treats dark circles with a blend of niacinamide, caffeine, and thermal spring water funneled through a cooling metal applicator, that certainly has its de-puffing benefits, too.
• Key Ingredients: Caffeine, glycerin, niacinamide, silica, iron oxides, titanium dioxide, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water
• Editor’s Notes: Like nearly all La Roche-Posay products, you can trust this is suitable for all skin types. For what it’s worth, the ingredient composition is pretty gentle compared to other dark circle-busting salves. This formula features iron oxides, a mineral pigment for a visible tint, plus titanium oxide—the mineral filter found in sunscreens to protect the skin’s surface against UV rays.
• Best For: Dark circles, puffiness, dryness, sensitive skin
• When to Apply: Morning and/or night
• Size: 15 mL

Best Korean: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Eye Cream

• Why We Love It: When breaking down the Korean skin-care routine, Alicia Yoon emphasizes choosing a cream with ingredients that address your specific concerns; dabbing it along the orbital bone, never tugging and pulling. An editor-favorite, the retinol-alternative bakuchiol leads this formula, alongside fermented black rice and bamboo shoot bark extracts to illuminate the under-eye.
• Key Ingredients: 5,000ppm bakuchiol (retinol replacement ingredient), fermented black rice extracts, fermented bamboo shoot bark extracts, niacinamide, adenosine, natto gum
• Editor’s Notes: I’d recommend this eye cream because of its gentle, yet potent ingredient composition. It has a milky-cream texture that absorbs similar to a facial essence—and sits expertly under makeup.
• When to Apply: Morning and night.
• Size: 20 mL / 0.67 fl. oz

Best Retinol Eye Cream: Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye Serum

• Why We Love It: Part of the intrigue to Medik8’s eye serum is that it’s available in three retinol strengths—3 (0.03% retinaldehyde), 6 (0.06% retinaldehyde), and 10 (0.1% retinaldehyde)—to customize your usage to your liking. As recommended by Penzi, the formula features both hyaluronic acid and ceramides to ensure skin remains balanced and nourished.
• Key Ingredients: 0.03%-0.1% encapsulated retinaldehyde, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, chamomille
• Editor’s Notes: Take your pick of three retinol strengths based on your skin’s sensitivity level, or, how accustomed your skin is to retinoids. Personally, I use level 6, the middle tier, as an experienced retinol user and have not experienced any irritation.
• Best For: Wrinkles, crow’s feet, dark circles, laxity, puffiness
• When to Apply: Nightly, twice per week. Follow with SPF in the morning.
• Size: 15 mL

Best with Vitamin C: BeautyStat C Eye Perfector

• Why We Love It: The brightening benefits of vitamin C are well-known these days. Fortunately, BeautyStat pairs the antioxidant with hyaluronic acid, green tea actives, caffeine, licorice root, and optical diffusers to brighten the under-eye instantly and over time.
• Key Ingredients: 5% L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), hyaluronic acid, pure green tea actives, CMH Repair Complex (a blend of caffeine and magnolia), licorice root, botanical extracts
• Editor’s Notes: BeautyStat’s eye cream Not to worry; it’s packed with conditioning agents like hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts to nourish dry skin. Keep in mind that this has a satiny finish, so if you have really dry skin, layer it atop a weightless hydrator like your favorite glow-boosting serum.
• Best For: Dark circles, puffiness
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 15 mL

Best Applicator: L’Oreal Revitalift 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine

• Why We Love It: “This formula uses niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate to brighten and hydrate, while caffeine reduces puffiness,” dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi explains, giving this L’Oreal Revitalift eye serum her stamp of approval. “Ascorbyl glucoside enhances skin brightness, and hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid adds hydration, making it effective and gentle for sensitive under-eye areas.”
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, ascorbyl glucoside, niacinamide
• Editor’s Notes: The application process of this eye treatment is enough to warrant adding it to your regimen. First is the cooling rollerball applicator that helps depuff the undereye in an instant. Secondly, the formula itself is mixed into a thin serum similar to that of your favorite hyaluronic acid, so it’s great for someone not interested in rich, emollient eye creams.
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 0.67 oz

Best for Puffiness: Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream

• Why We Love It: A favorite of New York City–based esthetician Sean Garrette, Sunday Riley’s Auto Correct expertly brightens, depuffs, and smooths through caffeine, ginseng root extract, and a handful of other botanicals. With such a well-rounded ingredient list, it’s no surprise this eye cream has reached cult-favorite status among beauty insiders.
• Key Ingredients: Caffeine, Brazilian ginseng root extract, horse chestnut extract, acmella oleracea extract, watermelon rind extract, lutein
• Editor’s Notes: This eye cream is my go-to to awaken tired eyes in the morning or to refresh ahead of a night out.
• Best For: Puffiness, dark circles
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 15 mL

Best Drugstore: RoC Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream

• Why We Love It: This eye cream earned Dr. Morgan Rabach’s stamp of approval for its ability to boost collagen production. Through pure retinol and glycerin, it diminishes the look of fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles over time.
• Key Ingredients: Pure retinol, glycerin
• Editor’s Notes: I like to keep my travel cosmetics bag stocked with the RoC Retinol Correxion eye cream, because I trust it’ll address my dark circles and puffiness sans irritation.
• Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, dark circles, puffiness
• When to Apply: Every other night; follow with SPF during the day.
• Size: 15 mL

Best for Morning Use: Sisley Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid

• Why We Love It: Fans of fancy eye cream applicators—now’s your time to tune in. Sisley’s formula applies via a cold ceramic nozzle that awakens the under-eye in just a few sweeps—as demonstrated by Vogue’s Jess Diner above. These revitalizing benefits are bolstered by the cream’s composition—packed with an alluring blend of botanical extracts (primarily black rose, plus Padina pavonica, chlorella, and red vine), caffeine, and vitamin E, the Eye Contour Fluid addresses all signs of tired undereyes from dark circles to sallowness.
• Key Ingredients: Black rose extract, Padina pavonica extract, red vine extract, caffeine, chlorella extract, biosaccharides, shea oil, vitamin E
• Editor’s Notes: One thing I love most about this eye cream is that its thin enough to apply to the under-eye and the lids without weighing down the area’s delicate skin.
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 14 mL

Best Tightening: Strivectin Peptight 360˚ Tightening Eye Serum

• Why We Love It: As the name suggests, Strivectin’s eye serum promises to firm and tighten the eye area through the brand’s triple peptide blend and algae. This makes it excellent for someone keen to diminish crow’s feet and fine lines.
• Key Ingredients: Peptides (oligopeptide, dipeptide, and tetrapeptide), caffeine, kakadu plum extract, microalgae, marine ferment algae
• Editor’s Notes: Eye serums, like this one, are great for weightless wear—basically for someone interested in a less-rich formula, or perhaps under makeup.
• Best For: Crow’s feet, fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, laxity
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 30 mL

Best for Fine Lines: Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment

• Why We Love It: Despite its restorative benefits, Alastin’s eye treatment is notably gentle. Its peptide-rich composition seeks to support elastin and collagen production, while botanical extracts and niacinamide even tone and soothe redness.
• Key Ingredients: Alastin’s TriHex Technology (a blend of peptides that promotes healthy elastin and collagen), mimosa tree extract, darutoside, green tea extract, oak leaf tea extracts, niacinamide, tetrapeptide-30
• Editor’s Notes: This has a silky texture that sinks right into the skin; for added hydration, follow up with a bit of moisturizer.
• Best For: Puffiness, dark circles, fine lines
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 14.8 mL

Best Lightweight: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Eye Gel-Cream

• Why We Love It: In search of a reliable drugstore eye cream? Dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose recommends this Neutrogena formula as it’s “rich in antioxidants including vitamin C and containing hyaluronic acid, dimethicone and glycerin to powerfully hydrate and plump under-eye skin. It is oil-free, dye-free, paraben-free and fragrance-free so it’s another great choice for sensitive skin.”
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
• Editor’s Notes: This is a no-fuss eye cream choice—suitable for all skin types and practically any concern. I say this because its composed of only hydrating, conditioning agents like hyaluronic acid that improve skin’s moisture levels for a plumper, smoother eye are with consistent use. I keep one at home, and another in my always-packed travel toiletry bag.
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 0.5 oz

Best for Crow’s Feet: Revision Skincare D.E.J. Eye Cream

• Why We Love It: Revision Skincare’s formula, according to Hartman, delivers quick nourishment, antioxidant protection, and skin-microbiome strengthening. King is also a fan because it “includes moisturizing ingredients to plump and support the skin barrier, as well as antioxidants to help protect the skin from damage from free radicals, and peptides to help stimulate collagen production.”
• Key Ingredients: Dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline (to plump and smooth wrinkles), prebiotics, postbiotics, antioxidants, cucumber fruit water, sunflower seed oil, squalane, glycerin
• Editor’s Notes: This is great for anyone experiencing eyelid drooping or overall elasticity concerns. Ingredient composition aside, the featured cooling metal applicator is a sensorial bonus.
• Best For: Mature skin, laxity, fine lines, crow’s feet
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 15 mL

Best for Mature Skin: iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex

• Why We Love It: iS Clinical’s complex is crafted to address “visible signs of aging,” putting together different peptides, hyaluronic acid, and marine extremozyme to improve the eye contour over time. Specifically, this improves the look of fine lines, puffiness, and dryness.
• Key Ingredients: Peptides (acetyl octapeptide-3 and copper tripeptide-1), hyaluronic acid, marine extremozyme
• Editor’s Notes: I love two things most about the iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex: it boasts a serum-like texture and features intelligent ingredients that protect skin from within.
• Best For: Dryness, fine lines, wrinkles, laxity
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 15 mL

Best for Beginners: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream

• Why We Love It: It’s clear CeraVe knows a thing or two about balancing the skin barrier. So, it’s no surprise its reparative eye cream expertly addresses a range of skin concerns sans irritation. The cream blends ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to rejuvenate dry, tired eyes.
• Key Ingredients: Ceramides (NP and AP), hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin
• Editor’s Notes: This is the kind of eye cream I’d recommend without fail for beginners thanks to its hydrating, barrier-replenishing blend.
• Best For: Dryness, puffiness, dark circles, beginners
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 15 mL

Best Vogue Editor-Favorite: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye

• Why We Love It: Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Eye is one of those cherished eye creams that has earned high marks from Vogue editors since its initial launch in 2022. A blend of peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, alongside botanical extracts (like lavender, watermelon, and apple), rejuvenate the delicate skin around the eye by minimizing the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines.
• Key Ingredients: Peptides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, lactobacillus ferment, caffeine, squalane, vitamin E
• Editor’s Notes: A refreshing gel-cream texture, this layers excellently with other products in your skin-care routine but is hydrating enough to alleviate dryness on its own. This has been a go-to of mine for years!
• When to Apply: Night
• Size: 0.5 oz

Best Retinol-Alternative: Ilia Bright Start Brightening Eye Cream

• Why We Love It: Partial to a plant-based retinol alternative? Consider Ilia Bright Start—a formula powered by sustainably sourced sea fennel extract, which smooths fine lines and rejuvenates without irritation. Not to mention, caffeine and peptides are included, too, to visibly depuff.
• Key Ingredients: Sea fennel extract, avocado extract, caffeine, peptides, glycerin, squalene
• Editor’s Notes: Take your pick of three retinol strengths based on your skin’s sensitivity level, or, how accustomed your skin is to retinoids. Personally, I use level 6, the middle tier, as an experienced retinol user and have not experienced any irritation.
• Best For: Wrinkles, crow’s feet, dark circles, laxity, puffiness
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 15 mL

Best Brightening: Isdin Isdinceutics K-Ox Eyes

• Why We Love It: Hartman recommends Isdin’s K-Ox eyes because it contains vitamin K and haloxyl—ingredients that diminish the appearance of dark circles and even skin tone. Its de-puffing benefits arrive via the peptide complex Eyeliss and the ceramic applicator—working in tandem to firm eye bags instantly.
• Key Ingredients: Vitamin K oxide, haloxyl (peptide complex known to brighten dark circles), Eyeliss, hyaluronic acid, glycerin,
• Editor’s Notes: This is designed to be applied solely to the under-eye area; give it a minute or two to sink in before moving on to the rest of your regimen.
• Best For: Puffiness, dark circles
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 15 mL

Best for Very Dry Skin: Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

• Why We Love It: “The drier the skin, the thicker and creamier the product should be,” Tull explains. Thankfully, Kiehl’s treatment is as creamy as they come. Enriched with avocado oil, antioxidants, and humectants, this emollient cream nourishes the under-eye immediately upon application.
• Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, beta-carotene, sodium PCA
• Editor’s Notes: This is my go-to eye cream during cold months as it expertly locks in moisture. Kiehl’s recommends warming it between your fingers first, then sweeping it along the orbital bone.
• Best For: Dryness, puffiness
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 28 mL

Best Hydrating: Lancôme Advanced Génifique Hydrating & Brightening Eye Cream

• Why We Love It: Lancôme’s cream is worth considering, particularly if hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are of top priority—ingredients mixed alongside bifidus prebiotics to keep the skin barrier in check.
• Key Ingredients: Bifidus prebiotic, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C
• Editor’s Notes: I’m obsessed with the gel-like texture of this eye cream—perfect for a quick moisture boost whenever your routine doesn’t warrant any actives. I tried this randomly while staying at my best friend’s house and have been hooked ever since.
• Best For: Dryness, dark circles
• When to Apply: Morning and night
• Size: 15 mL

What does eye cream do?

According to Tull, eye creams are specifically formulated for the delicate eye area to treat an array of concerns—dark circles, wrinkles, dryness, puffiness, eye bags, and irritation. Penzi emphasizes that moisturizing is key: “The skin under our eyes is super thin and sensitive, so when this area is dried out, the appearance of dark circles and puffy eyes is worse,” she says. “Eye creams are essentially like moisturizers that keep the under eye skin hydrated, allowing it to appear plumper and more refreshed overall.”

Are eye creams actually worth it?

Shirazi and Murphy-Rose agree that eye creams are totally worth it. “The reason I recommend an eye cream is because the skin around the eye is thinner, more prone to dehydration and more sensitive than the rest of your face,” the latter explains. “It is also generally less prone to breakouts, so it can tolerate the heavier moisturizer that it craves. Good eye creams formulated with clinically-proven ingredients do work and can provide visible benefits to the skin.”

What is the best eye cream for 50+?

The best eye cream for people over 50 is one that targets their personal concerns. “Everyone should use a moisturizing product that will help to trap moisture and prevent transepidermal water loss,” says Murphy-Rose, “But for those who want to target other skin concerns, one cream may be a better fit than another.” Otherwise, Shirazi notes a good eye cream for mature skin also targets fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles. “Look for comprehensive products that contain ingredients like retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants (like vitamin c), niacinamide, vitamin K, arnica, and caffeine [to treat these concerns.]”

Can eye creams reduce dark circles?

“Yes, good eye creams formulated with clinically-proven ingredients do work and can provide visible benefits to the skin,” Murphy-Rose admits. “Dark circles caused by vascular congestion can be targeted with caffeine, vitamin K, and arnica. Dark circles caused by true hyperpigmentation can be treated with retinol and vitamin C-containing eye creams that help to brighten and fade discoloration.” And for those with more prominent pigmentation around the eye should look to in-office treatments alongside topical solutions. “When dark circles are caused by a loss of volume or other anatomical cause, it can be difficult to achieve a signifiant improvement with topical therapy alone. Sometimes in office treatments like injectable fillers will bring about the most significant improvement to help this shadowed area reflect more light.”

How to Apply Eye Cream

“Eye cream should be applied to clean, dry skin around the eyes before any other products are applied on the face,” says Tull.  “Care should be taken to only use clean fingers, small amounts, and take care to not get any in your eyes.”

When should you start using eye cream?

Per Murphy-Rose, it’s never too early to start using an eye cream. “In theory, one can benefit from use of an eye cream starting in their teens,” she says. “It is never too late to start an eye cream, as one can begin to achieve skin benefits at any age when starting.”

How to Choose an Eye Cream

Age: “Anyone at any age could potentially benefit from an eye cream,” says Tull.  “Whether to use one is mostly dependent on if the skin around the eyes appears different from the rest of the skin on the face.”

Skin Type: “Skin type is very important when choosing an eye cream,” says Penzi. “Those with very dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin are going to want to choose a product with no fragrance and a lower concentration of certain ingredients that can be irritating; versus those with, say, oily skin can probably handle a higher concentration of an ingredient like a retinol around the eye that can be irritating for many people.”

• For Dry Skin: “Moisturizing the under-eye skin with an eye cream can definitely help to prevent and reduce dark circles and bags,” says Penzi, meaning a formula full of conditioning agents promotes a youthful-looking eye area over time. “Those on the younger side will likely choose one that has hydrating benefits as well as antioxidants that will help to prevent free radical damage and the onset of aging.” To quell dryness, look towards hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin.
• For Sensitive Skin: The eyes are ultra-sensitive as is, but for those with allergies or other skin conditions, the area can often be more irritated than most. Generally speaking, nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe, or oat can keep skin calm while smoothing, plumping, and moisturizing the under-eye.
• For Mature Skin: “Those who are mature will likely choose a product with a higher concentration of more active ingredients [that] boost collagen production and help with the appearance of fine lines that have already formed,” Penzi explains. Think retinols, peptides, and growth factors.