15 Best Eye Creams for Every Concern in 2023

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 all 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.

Vogue’s Picks

How to Choose the Best Eye Cream for You

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, there’s something for everyone. Read on to discover the best eye creams according to dermatologists and Vogue editors. 

Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles

Dark circles can at times feel impossible to fade, especially for those who have trouble sleeping. Experts say that the condition could be the result of pigmentation, underlying redness, or vasculature. In these instances, dermatologists cite vitamin C, hydroquinone, retinol, and kojic acid as key ingredients. 

• 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

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

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 Eye Cream for Wrinkles

When it comes to selecting the best eye cream for wrinkles, experts say stimulating the production of collagen and elastin is of utmost importance. “Our skin naturally loses collagen and elastin with age, which are important proteins in the skin that provide structure and elasticity,” Green says. “With the loss of collagen and elastin, the skin loses the ability to bounce back and becomes dull, thin, and loose, leading to the formation of wrinkles, especially in the delicate eye area.” That being said, formulations leading with retinol, vitamin C, and peptides will be the most effective.

• 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 Eye Cream for Puffiness

For depuffing, a hint of caffeine in your eye cream will do the trick. In fact, the ingredient is a tried-and-true method to get rid of undereye bags. Witch hazel and niacinamide can also come in handy. Ingredients aside, Tull notes that “soothing gel formulations, especially when applied with a cool metal applicator are also very helpful at reducing puffiness.” 

• 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

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 Eye Cream 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. 

• 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 Firming Eye Cream

You might consider a firming eye cream to address a range of concerns, from sagging skin to dark circles and crow’s feet. “Eye creams containing human or plant-derived growth factors stimulate the growth of newer, firmer, and healthier skin,” says Tull on the ingredients to reach for. Vitamin C, peptides, and caffeine are also worthwhile.

• 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

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 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.

SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair

• Why We Love It: SkinMedica’s TNS Eye Repair is one of those well-rounded creams that offer a host of anti-aging benefits. Through its complex blend of peptides, retinol, plus vitamins A, C, and E, it excellently conditions, brightens, and firms the eye area. 
• Key Ingredients: SkinMedica’s TNS (described as “human fibroblast conditioned media”—a combination of natural messenger proteins), peptides, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (a stabilized form of vitamin C), tocopheryl acetate (a stabilized ester of vitamin E), retinol, N-hydroxysuccinimide, chrysin, boron nitride
• Editor’s Notes: This eye cream has a rich texture, so remember, a little goes a long way. Also, while its ingredient list can appear daunting, just know the peptides help smooth fine lines, while the boron nitride diffuses light to visibly improve discoloration.
• Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, dryness
• When to Apply: Twice daily, morning and night. Follow with SPF during the day.
• Size: 15 mL

Best Drugstore Eye Cream

Not to worry, addressing your undereye concerns doesn’t have to break the bank. Nowadays many incredible eye creams are available at your local pharmacy (or Amazon!). Take your pick of RoC’s acclaimed retinol-infused cream, to diminish the look of fine lines, or CeraVe’s excellent cream for beginners. Versed and Naturium offer foolproof picks too—both are rich in peptides to revitalize skin in no time (with consistent use, that is).

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

• 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 Retinol Eye Cream

Retinol is often dubbed the gold-standard skin-care ingredient because it’s proven effective in promoting skin renewal. “Retinol is a great choice for wrinkle prevention, as it works to build new collagen,” Penzi notes. Though she would not recommend it for those with super sensitive skin types (it can be irritating), she says “it is safe to use in this area if it is formulated using a low concentration, a gentle cream type base, and compounded with other nourishing or hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.”

• 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

Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative 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 for Hydration

“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. 

• 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

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.” 

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.” 

What to Look for in 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.” 

Concern: Penzi continues with a bit of guidance around choosing your eye cream based on your skin concerns. “For example, those prone to dryness will want to choose products with humectants, those with pigmentation will want to choose brightening ingredients, and those with wrinkles will want to choose eye creams with ingredients like peptides or retinol.”

Meet the Dermatologists

• Dr. Dendy Engelman is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and MOHS surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology. 
• Dr. Corey L. Hartman is a Birmingham, Alabama–based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology who specializes in dermatologic surgery, injectables, hair restoration, and laser dermatology.
• Dr. Hadley King is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic and medical dermatology.
• Dr. Lauren Penzi is a New York-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology.
• Dr. Stacey Tull is a St. Louis-based board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and MOHS surgeon.