There’s an ongoing debate about the necessity of eye creams. I, for one, never go without it. It’s no secret that the skin under and around the eye is the most sensitive on the human body and therefore, I believe it requires special care. Whether you’re battling with puffiness, dark circles, or lines, there’s an eye cream that has been designed for you.
I often change the type of eye cream that I use depending on my current need. While I don’t suffer from dark circles, I occasionally find a brightening eye cream beneficial. The same applies to eye creams that depuff the eye area. I don’t always have puffy eyes but when I wake up looking like someone inflated my face, I don’t panic nearly as much knowing that I have an eye cream on hand that can handle it. And as a woman in my early 30s, anti-aging efforts have been key for me, particularly in the past five years.
Regardless of the eye cream I use, I’m always sure of two things: that it performs well under makeup and that it hydrates the under-eye. These two things are non-negotiable for me. Few things ruin a good makeup day like a caked-up under-eye. My eye cream absolutely must sink into the skin, provide hydration, but also work with my concealer, which should also be hydrating to the under-eye (check out my favorite hydrating concealer that I use every day, mentioned here). Another tip: eye cream should be applied with the ring finger to the entire eye area using a gentle patting motion. It’s important to be as gentle as possible when touching this thin, sensitive area of skin.
Here’s a list of my top 8 favorite eye creams and their benefits so you can get an idea of which eye cream could be the best choice for you, no matter your skin type, concerns, or goals.
8. Clinique
Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream
This eye cream is designed to diminish the look of fine lines. The de-aging formula plumps and moisturizes, leaving your eyes looking younger and more radiant. It also works flawlessly under makeup.
7. Physicians Formula
24-Karat Gold Collagen Eye Cream
With ingredients like complexion-enhancing 24-karat gold, vegan collagen, moisturizing glycerin, and protecting and firming polymers, it’s no surprise that this is an anti-aging eye cream that rejuvenates the under eye area. For $12, it’s a great drugstore option.
6. Algenist
Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Powered by alguronic acid, plant collagen, persian silk tree extract, and kigelia africana fruit extract, this eye cream visibly firms and lifts the upper eyelid, improves elasticity, and smooths fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area. The eyes are given a hydrated, conditioned, wide-eyed look.
5. It Cosmetics
Confidence in an Eye Cream
Confidence in an Eye Cream exists in the family of brightening eye creams. It visibly restores radiance and reduces the look of dark circles and puffiness to make eyes appear instantly more awake. This eye cream is also clinically tested to gently hydrate the sensitive skin around the eyes, including the eyelids.
4. First Aid Beauty
5 in 1 Eye Cream Age Delay
This eye cream is one of the highest-rated eye creams on the market. It’s packed with active ingredients that help to keep the eye area looking youthful and radiant. Homeostatine, a complex of two natural ingredients, along with Advanced Peptides help improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Alpha-Arbutin and Niacinamide assist in protecting and brightening the delicate skin that surrounds the eye. Humectants and moisturizers are also included to help hydrate and smooth the skin.
3. Clinique
Smart™ Custom-Repair Eye Treatment
This is one of my favorite eye creams because it absorbs so well into the skin and never irritates the eye (fellow contact-wearers, you know what I’m talking about). It is a powerhouse eye treatment that targets all visible signs of aging in delicate eye-area skin. Seaweed Extract sourced from Japan helps calm skin, making it more receptive to repair, while Hydrolyzed Rice Protein and Grape Seed Extract enhance moisture reserves. Pretty cool stuff. 😏
2. Olehenriksen
Banana Bright Eye Crème
This product is a Women’s Health 2018 Beauty Award winner, and for good reason. One of my favorite eye creams, the Banana Bright Eye Crème instantly targets fine lines and wrinkles and reduces the look of dark circles. It’s collagen-boosted and it feels super lightweight. It is formulated with vitamin C to help revive and illuminate the entire eye area over time. Oh, and it’s great to pack in your travel kit!
1. Kiehl’s
Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
This eye cream is so moisturizing, it can’t help but make your under-eyes look and feel better. Made with avocado oil and shea butter, this moisturizing formula is even a great replacement for eye masks. It has become a staple in my nighttime skincare routine and an overall favorite. Just be careful not to use too much if applying this cream before applying makeup.