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Dark circles, bags, dryness, crow's feet, puffiness...we've all been plagued with one (or more) of these pesky eye skin issues some point, if not every day. A Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab survey of over 1,000 women found that lines and wrinkles are the top concern, followed by lack of firmness, dark circles and undereye bags. Why are eyes so susceptible to all these woes? Eye-area skin ages faster than the rest of the face, Olay research has found, and the skin around the eyes is the thinnest with the lowest elasticity and moisture. So while you can apply many face creams around your eyes, choosing an eye-specific treatment is key.
"Eye creams differ from face creams because they're formulated specifically for the delicate eye area. It's important to use one to keep skin hydrated and plump," explains GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. "Some also contain brighteners to mask undereye darkness and help you look more awake." An effective eye treatment can help prevent and treat signs of aging around the eyes and target your specific issues.
The GH Beauty Lab has a long history of testing eye creams from expensive luxury formulas to drugstore bargains both in the Lab using technical instruments and on consumers, who report their feedback on product ease of use and results. In the most recent eye cream test, Beauty Lab scientists collated more than 5,900 data points to find the best eye creams that really work and are worth it.
Pros
- Highly moisturizing
- Measurably firms skin
- Non-irritating
Cons
- Not as fast-absorbing
Lancôme’s luxe, vitamin-packed cream won the GH Beauty Lab's latest anti-aging eye cream test, proving it's worth the splurge for hydrating and firming. The formula scored highest for increasing skin moisture in Lab Corneometer measures, by 41% over six hours, and boosted firmness by 29% over four weeks of use in Cutometer calculations.
Testers rated it the best texture and it earned a perfect score for not irritating eyes, though it didn't soak into skin quickly. Several users said they could see a noticeable difference: "My bags are almost gone," one said. "The creamy-yet-lightweight formula seemed to disappear into my undereye skin, leaving it smooth and younger-looking from the very first use," another marveled.
Size | 0.7 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Vitamins C and E, botanical extracts |
Main benefits | Moisturizing, firming |
Pros
- Effectively moisturizes and firms
- Rich formula
- Bargain price
Cons
- May not soak in quickly
A great drugstore buy packed with plant extracts, this Burt’s Bees formula is luxe-feeling and rich. GH Beauty Lab evaluations showed it improved skin’s moisturization by 21% and increased firmness by 18%.
The cream may be best for applying overnight, since its thick texture takes some time to absorb into skin. “It was soothing and left my eye area much more moisturized," one tester said. Another reported, "My skin did look smoother with less fine lines and puffiness."
Size | 0.58 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Vitamin E, botanical extracts |
Main benefits | Hydrating, firming |
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Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Immediately softens and plumps skin
- Glowy finish
Cons
- May not work as well under makeup
Smooth on this plush Biossance eye cream with moisturizing plant-based squalane and firming peptides to fortify delicate eye-area skin. The GH Beauty Award winner, which is made without fragrance, a common irritant, came out on top in Lab evaluations for hydrating immediately.
Testers also gave it a perfect score for its "wonderful" texture, however it takes time to absorb so may not work as well under makeup, one noted. Two commented on the "soft glow" and "dewy finish" it imparted. “It feels cushiony and my skin is plumped with hydration after applying it,” said Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler.
RELATED: Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin
Size | 0.5 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Squalane, hyaluronic acid |
Main benefits | Softening, radiance-boosting |
Pros
- Gentle mineral sun protection
- Tinted to color correct undereye area
Cons
- Pricey for the size
The dermatologist gold standard sunscreen brand EltaMD has now created an SPF just for the eye area. This formula is made with only mineral sunscreen active ingredients, which are gentle for the sensitive eye area, including zinc oxide, known for its soothing properties. Although it's a splurge, the sunscreen has a sheer tint that blends into skin, giving a "subtle blurring and skin tone-evening effect," GH's beauty director says.
RELATED: Best Sunscreens for Face
Size | 0.4 oz. |
---|---|
Key ingredients | Zinc oxide sunscreen |
Main benefits | Sun protection, tone-evening |
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Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Non-irritating for sensitive eye area
- Depuffs undereyes
- Blurs lines
Cons
- Small size
Need an instant eye fix? Turn to Mary Kay's fragrance-free eye cream, a Good Housekeeping Seal star formulated to speedily reduce puffiness and help smooth undereye skin. GH Beauty Lab data evaluations confirmed that it works quickly to decrease puffiness and blur the appearance of fine lines without irritating eyes. While Beauty Lab experts were impressed by the fast-acting cream, the tube is on the smaller side given the price.
RELATED: What Causes Puffy Eyes
Size | 0.35 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Niacinamide, resveratrol, peptides |
Main benefits | Depuffing, line smoothing |
Pros
- Visibly reduces wrinkles
- Noticeably increases firmness
- Gentle formula
Cons
- May take more time to see results
No7’s overnight eye treatment, a GH Beauty Award winner, provides the wrinkle-diminishing effects of retinol in a formula infused with soothing ingredients that’s safe for use around the delicate eye area. After six weeks of nightly application, 80% of consumer testers thought their wrinkles were reduced and their skin felt firmer, and after eight weeks, 91% said the product was gentle on skin, a study found. Note that it takes daily use over a longer time period to see results with the formula.
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Size | 0.5 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinol |
Main benefits | Firmness, wrinkle-reducing |
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Pros
- Brightens dark circles
- Smooths fine lines
Cons
- Can sting slightly
The powerful eye serum from Alastin includes actives like peptides and niacinamide, which are designed to support the production of new collagen in skin. GH's beauty assistant loves it for brightening dark circles and treating lines and puffiness: "I can see a distinct improvement in the fine lines under my eyes since I started using this," she said. "My undereyes also look brighter in photos and in person." A drawback: It can sting a little when applied.
Size | 0.5 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Niacinamide, peptides |
Main benefits | Smooths lines, reduces puffiness and dark circles |
Pros
- Visibly smooths undereyes
- Fast-acting
Cons
- Formula can separate over time
For days you wake up with puffy, tired eyes, grab Dermalogica's eye gel, which contains peptides and caffeine. "I tap this under my eyes and even on my eyelids in the morning when my eyes look exhausted, puffy and droopy," GH's beauty director says. "Almost instantly, my eye area looks visibly smoother — I've tried many eye treatments and have never seen such noticeable results so quickly." However, note that this pick is more expensive than some other options out there and can possibly separate and need to be shaken over time.
Size | 0.5 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Peptides, caffeine |
Main benefits | Depuffing, smoothing |
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Pros
- Firms and hydrates skin
- Measurably reduces wrinkles
- Brightens and depuffs
- Good value
Cons
- Texture was polarizing
RoC excelled at tackling every eye-area issue in GH Beauty Lab anti-aging eye cream testing, increasing firmness by 19% and hydration by 20%, reducing wrinkles by 10%, brightening dark circles and depuffing — all with a price below the average treatment! Testers said the vitamins C and E formula had an appealing texture, but a few thought it was "heavy" and "greasy."
"I noticed within days that the issues around my eyes (puffiness, dark circles and fine lines) were diminished," one said. A second agreed: "This eye cream firmed the skin around my eyes and faded away my wrinkles."
RELATED: Best Anti-Aging Creams
Size | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Key ingredients | Vitamins C and E |
Main benefits | Firms, hydrates, reduces wrinkles, brightens, depuffs |
Pros
- Measurably reduces wrinkles
- Effectively firms and hydrates skin
- Good value
Cons
- One tester developed irritation after use
Made with smoothing peptides, this No7 drugstore pick rose above the rest in the GH Beauty Lab testing at diminishing crow’s feet and creases. In digital imaging with the Lab’s Visia Complexion Analyzer, the lotion minimized eye-area wrinkle size and severity by an impressive 13% in four weeks. It also ranked highly for making skin 28% firmer and 30% more hydrated.
Although it was overall well-tolerated, one tester did develop irritation after two days of use. “This visibly reduced the lines on and crepey texture of my skin,” a tester reported. "It noticeably decreased my fine lines," another echoed.
Size | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Key ingredients | Peptides, retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E |
Main benefits | Reduces lines, firms, moisturizes |
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Pros
- Highly hydrating
- Gentle formula
- Great texture
Cons
- May tingle when applied
With this rich, luxurious Chanel eye treatment, you get what you pay for: A GH Beauty Lab test winner, the gentle formula with hyaluronic acid and peptides was one of the most hydrating of all eye creams evaluated. It increased eye-area skin moisturization by an impressive 34% over six hours and earned near-perfect scores for its "smooth" texture and "light" scent.
"This is flat out amazing," a tester raved. "I love the way it made the lines and wrinkles soften from around my eyes — my skin there feels baby smooth." Another commented: "My eyes did appear brighter and younger." This product is pricier than many other options, however, and note that some testers experienced a slight tingle upon application.
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Size | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Key ingredients | Peptides, hyaluronic acid |
Main benefits | Moisturizing, smoothing |
Pros
- Firms skin and minimizes bags
- Reduces wrinkles
- Effectively hydrates
Cons
- Not as brightening
Infused with collagen-stimulating retinol, Murad’s serum was the strongest in GH Beauty Lab testing at tightening slack skin around the eyes. It raised skin’s firmness by 33%, more than all other products in the Lab's test, and was the only product to show visual improvement in undereye bags. It also reduced wrinkles by 7% and improved moisture levels by 18%, although it didn't have as strong brightening effects.
Users rated the formula best for its lightweight texture and nearly perfect for lack of irritation. “The best eye treatment I’ve ever used and really delivered dramatic and noticeable results," a tester marveled. A second said: "It helped the bags under my eyes."
Size | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Key ingredients | Retinol, amino acids |
Main benefits | Firming bags, hydrating, wrinkle smoothing |
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Pros
- Reduces lines
- Soaks in fast
- Non-irritating
Cons
- Not as moisturizing or firming
In GH Beauty Lab testing, this eye cream from La Roche-Posay absorbed quickly and reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 5% with powerhouse anti-aging ingredient retinol. It didn't perform as well at moisturizing and firming skin, though. While the active can sometimes cause redness or irritation, Lab testers didn’t report any issues.
“I didn't really have much faith in eye creams until trying this one — very impressive,” and "this cream made my eyes appear well-rested and younger-looking," two commented. Be sure to only use this cream at night, then apply face sunscreen every morning, since retinol can increase sun sensitivity.
RELATED: Best Retinol Eye Creams
Size | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Key ingredients | Retinol, caffeine, hyaluronic acid |
Main benefits | Line reduction, depuffing |
Pros
- Smooths lines
- Hydrates and depuffs
- Cooling applicator
Cons
- Some didn't love the thicker texture
A GH Seal star, Mary Kay's eye cream reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and moisturizes dry, crepey mature skin for up to 12 hours. The tube also has a smart design; squeeze out the product and gently use its metal applicator tip to smooth the cream onto skin. The immediate cooling sensation helps depuff eyes. However, some users said they thought the texture was a bit too thick.
Size | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Key ingredients | Peptides, plant stem cells |
Main benefits | Reduces crepiness, refreshes |
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Pros
- Contains proven active ingredients
- Minimizes dark circles
Cons
- Pricey
Thanks to a potent combination of ingredients, this Isdin formula is a favorite of Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., a dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. Despite its higher price, "I suggest this for my patients concerned with undereye circles, as it contains peptides to help build collagen, vitamin K to help with darkness and visible blood vessels, and antioxidants to help protect the delicate eye skin in a hydrating hyaluronic acid base," she says.
Size | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Key ingredients | Peptides, vitamin K, hyaluronic acid |
Main benefits | Minimizes dark circles, smooths, hydrates |
Pros
- Softens and plumps skin
- Depuffs eye area
- Cooling applicator
Cons
- Expensive for a small amount of product
A GH Sustainable Innovation Award winner, this splurge BL+ serum formula helps minimize eye area puffiness, thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, caffeine and vitamin C, plus a built-in rollerball dispenser. “So light and hydrating, it keeps my skin plump and tight during the day," GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann found. "I also like the roller applicator as it cools the undereye and helps depuff."
RELATED: Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums
Size | 0.33 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, caffeine |
Main benefits | Depuffing, cooling |
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Pros
- 2-in-1 treatment for eyelids and undereyes
- Lifts and firms
- Softens and smooths
Cons
- Some users complained about the small amount of product
Unlike many eye creams that are meant only for undereye use, this GH Beauty Award-winning dual-sided Roc jar holds two formulas to treat all around eyes. One side contains a firming retinol gel for eyelids and the other, a nourishing peptide cream to smooth lower-eye lines and brighten. (Some users complained about the small amount of product, however).
“After the first application, we noticed a slight lift and smoothing of the lids and refreshed feeling from the gel and skin softening from the cream,” Wizemann reported. "The cream texture appears rich, but when applied melts into skin with no trace of residue."
Size | 0.68 oz. |
---|---|
Key ingredients | Retinol, peptides |
Main benefits | Firming, smoothing, brightening |
How we test the best eye creams
When testing eye creams and treatments, GH Beauty Lab scientists recruit consumer testers across the country to help evaluate formulas across price points, from drugstore to luxury brands. Each tester uses a label-masked product as part of their daily skincare routine for four weeks, then provides feedback on ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction.
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In the Lab, experts track changes in skin attributes like lines and wrinkles using the Visia Complexion Analyzer after four weeks of eye cream use. Skin firmness is assessed using the Cutometer, a device that measures skin's elasticity. Hydration effects are also calculated over six hours using the Corneometer machine (below), which gauges skin's moisture content.
GH Beauty Lab scientists recorded 2,334 Cutometer data points 3,000 Corneometer measurements and 1,793 consumer survey questions, then compiled all the data points to identify the best eye creams you can buy.
April Franzino
Beauty Director
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Catharine Malzahn
Beauty Assistant
Catharine (she/her) is the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Tested byDanusia Wnek
Senior Chemist
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.